Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast

Welcome to the podcast for elementary teachers who often feel burnt out and overwhelmed! In this episode, we are going to discuss the number one way to get more done during your prep time. As teachers, we are experts at planning every moment of our students' day, but we often forget to plan our own plan time. Instead of creating endless to-do lists that can make us feel busy instead of productive, we will be using a calendar and a 6 step process to help us prioritize our tasks and accomplish more. By following this 6 step process, you can increase your productivity, decrease the number of hours you work, and still watch your students thrive. Don't forget to order the brand-new book How to Love Teaching Again by visiting notsowimpyteacher.com/book. This book is a practical guide full of strategies that will help you beat teacher burnout and rekindle your love for teaching. Thanks for listening to our podcast, and have a Not So Wimpy Day!

Welcome to the Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast, where we empower and inspire elementary school teachers to love teaching again! In this episode, we're going to discuss how to define success as a teacher and work smarter, not harder. If you're tired of feeling like you're never doing enough, working too many hours, and sacrificing your personal life for your job, then this episode is for you. So, grab your coffee, take a seat, and let's get started. Segment 1: What Does It Mean to Be a Good Teacher? There are many misconceptions about what it means to be a good teacher. In this segment, we'll explore some of these misconceptions and why they're wrong. We'll also discuss the importance of defining success as a personal goal, not a societal one. Segment 2: How to Define Success as a Teacher in 5 Steps In this segment, we'll walk through the 5 steps to defining success as a teacher. We'll discuss how to identify the type of teacher you want to be, what results you want to achieve, and how many hours you want to work. We'll also talk about how to find your “why” and use it as a motivator to work towards your definition of success. Segment 3: Take Action to Achieve Your Definition of Success In the final segment, we'll discuss how to take action to achieve your definition of success. We'll talk about how to prioritize tasks and set boundaries with parents and administrators. We'll also explore ways to spend less time lesson planning and grading, and more time focusing on what matters most. I hope this episode has inspired you to define success on your terms and work smarter, not harder. If you want to learn more about how to love teaching again and get actionable strategies to increase productivity and work fewer hours, be sure to check out Jamie's new book How to Love Teaching Again, available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Target.com. For more information about the book and to grab some free bonuses, visit notsowimpyteacher.com/book. Have a Not So Wimpy Day!

Are you tired of spending hours upon hours lesson planning each week? In this episode, we're sharing 5 time-saving hacks that can help you cut the time it takes to lesson plan in half. From batching your lesson plans to using routines, year-long bundles, lesson plan templates, and pacing guides, we've got you covered with strategies that can make lesson planning faster and easier. Plus, don't forget to check out my new book, How to Love Teaching Again, which is packed with hands-on strategies to help you be more productive, eliminate classroom chaos, and bring back the joy of teaching. You can find more information at notsowimpyteacher.com/book.   Tune in to this episode to learn how to save time on lesson planning and enjoy teaching again!

Welcome to this episode of our podcast for burnt out and overworked elementary school teachers. Today, we'll be discussing the importance of celebrating your wins each week and how this can be a catalyst for continued success in the classroom. As teachers, it's easy for us to celebrate others but much tougher to celebrate ourselves. At the end of the day, we often find ourselves focusing on the negative - the unfinished to-do list, a student's poor assessment, or a rude email from a parent. It's important to remember that society, admin, and parents may not always remember to celebrate us, and even our own brain may not remember if we aren't intentional about it. So, what's the solution? Creating an "accomplishment bank" and making a deposit into it every week. In this episode, I will give you simple directions for to get your accomplishment bank started. Recognizing wins each week becomes a catalyst for continued success in the classroom. Our brain loves to tell us when we aren't good enough. It's time to remind your brain how incredibly amazing you really are. So, start making your own accomplishment bank and deposit into it every week. And if you're looking for more practical strategies to beat teacher burnout and rekindle your love for teaching, be sure to check out my brand-new book, How to Love Teaching Again. Learn more at notsowimpyteacher.com/book.  This hands-on guide is full of strategies that will help you stay in the classroom while still having time for a personal life. You can find it wherever books are sold online or head to notsowimpyteacher.com/book to read more about the book and some fun bonuses we've created for you. Thanks for tuning in and we'll catch you on the next episode.

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   I have a really special treat for you today. If you are teaching students online, whether it’s virtual or hybrid, this is the episode for you.   Today’s guest, Jennifer Serravallo, is a literacy consultant and speaker and has three New York Times best selling books! Her latest book is called “Connecting with Students Online: Strategies for Remote Teaching and Learning.”   I asked Jen to join me today to talk through the idea of connecting with students online.    We’re covering everything from how to form relationships with students to having realistic expectations for yourself and your students during a pandemic.    Episode 94 Takeaways:  + When the tech isn’t working, stay calm, and remind yourself that you’re doing what you can. + Ask yourself if the things that are challenging you are within your control.  + Get your kids working off the screen as much as possible to combat Zoom fatigue.  + The more we can get kids off the screen, the more engaged they'll be. + It is possible to build relationships even though you’ve never met your students in person.  + Use breakout rooms to give students individual feedback. + Minimize the time you're spending on whole group lessons, and maximize your time with small group lessons.  + Make sure that the students in small groups belong together.  + Give yourself and your students grace.   I really hope that this episode gives you a little bit of hope. Teaching is going to look a little different right now, but you have amazing teaching strategies in your tool belt, and you can take so many of them into a virtual classroom with just a  few small tweaks!   I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  www.jenniferserravallo.com  Join The Reading and Writing Strategies Community Facebook Group  Follow @JSerravallo on Twitter  Follow @jenniferserravallo on Instagram    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Word problems... Yuck! They can be such a struggle.    Today, we are going to be chatting about math word problems and I am going to give you a fantastic strategy to use with your students.  This strategy will become a routine in your classroom that I think will help your students resolve more problems with any operation.    I used this routine in my classroom and it made a huge difference and that’s exactly why I want to share it with you too!    Episode 93 Takeaways:    + Don’t use keywords as a strategy when solving word problems. + Teach your students to use all four steps every time they encounter a math word problem. + Have them read the entire problem without a writing utensil in their hand.  + Tell your students to re-read as they draw a model.  + Don’t let them start writing an equation until they have drawn a model that makes sense. + Answers should be written in a complete sentence.  + Writing math answers in complete sentences is wonderful grammar and writing practice.   I hope that you and your students have fun practicing this word problem procedure in your classroom and that it's a huge help to you.    Be sure to grab the FREE posters to go along with it by clicking HERE.   I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  Math Word Problem Poster Freebie   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Today we are talking all about how to give students feedback about their writing.    You know how much I love to talk about writing, but did you know that when I was a new teacher, I actually dreaded teaching writing? I just didn't know how to help my students be better writers. No one taught me that in college.   My lessons were too broad, and I really struggled to give good feedback to my writers that would help them grow and make changes.    Do you also struggle with this? If you do, you’re not alone!    Today I want to share some tips and tricks with you that helped me. I know that they are going to help you give effective feedback as well.   Episode 92 Takeaways:  + Focus more on content than mechanics. + Pointing out every error doesn't help students to become better writers.  + Feedback doesn’t have to be complicated.  + Use a simple rubric to guide feedback.  + Give one positive comment for every negative comment. + Frame feedback as questions.  + Focus on the skill you're currently working on. + Giving feedback in small groups makes it easier for you to get to each student in less time.    Don’t forget to take our quiz to find out what 90s pop star you are as a writing teacher. This quiz will give you tailored resources based on your results. It’s so much fun, and I can’t wait to see your results!    I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  How to Teach Students to Edit Their Writing - Blog Post Group Writing Conferences - Blog Post Free Rubrics  Take the Quiz: Find out what 90s pop star you are as a writing teacher Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Are you excited for Valentine’s Day this year?    If you told me a year ago that I'd be doing a Valentine's episode about socially distant Valentine's Day activities, I probably would have laughed at you. Now it is totally normal though and something we have to talk about!   Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Whether you’re teaching online or in-person this year, it’s going to look a little different. Just because we're socially distant, doesn't mean we can't share the love.   If you need some ideas for virtual or socially distant Valentine’s Day activities, I’ve got you covered in this episode.    Episode 91 Takeaways:    + Do something active because February is also Heart Health Month. + Have students write a couple of sentences about their favorite book.  + Drop off postcards to your students telling them one thing that you love about them. + Have them create a Google slide filled with pictures of things they love.  + Make Valentine’s Day paper bag books. + Do STEM activities. + Make cards for medical professionals or nursing home residents.  + Write “I Love You More Than…” poems. + Do a project-based learning activity.    I really hope that you have so much fun with your students this year for Valentine's Day, and I hope you're feeling the love.    I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  Paperbag Resource with Printables  Little Bins, Little Hands STEM Activities Resource  Valentine’s Day Vocab Freebie  60 Free Writing Prompts  “I love you more than” Poem Template  Project-Based Learning Valentine’s Day Resource   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Are you looking for a new way to keep your students engaged and motivated?    Today we’re going to be talking about how to use project-based learning in the classroom.    I fell in love with project-based learning when I first started teaching. As a student, I would always ask my teachers these questions: “when would I use this, and why do I need to know it?”   Does this sound familiar?    I know those questions can be super annoying sometimes, but as a learner, I really did need to understand the real-life application for the skills I was learning!    When we help our students to understand when they will use all the skills we are teaching and to practice skills they're learning in school in a more life-applicable way, it motivates and encourages them.   Episode 90 Takeaways:  + Project-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered teaching method that encourages learning through curriculum-based, real-world problems or challenges. + Project-based learning can help develop skills like communication, teamwork, and leadership.  + Learning should be fun for all students. + As students find solutions to challenges, they build confidence.  + Your role is to be a facilitator or guide. + Your students should be challenged but ultimately able to succeed.    Project-based learning is so much fun, and it’s really easy to add into your classroom a little at a time.    Check out our Valentine’s Project-Based learning resource and see how it works in your classroom!   I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  New Valentine’s Project-Based Learning Resource   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   You asked for an Inauguration Day resource, so I’m delivering.    Today on the podcast, I am walking you through a resource for you to use with your second, third, fourth, or fifth graders on Inauguration Day.   Talking about anything political can seem uncomfortable, but when it comes to the inauguration, you don't have to be political. This is a historical event!   The idea behind teaching isn't to tell students what to believe but rather give them the tools and the opportunities to decide what they believe on their own. That is what this resource will help you to do.    Episode 89 Takeaways:  + It’s important to teach from both sides of the spectrum. + Give your students the tools and opportunities to decide what they believe on their own. + You don’t have to get political when talking about the inauguration. + The inauguration is a great learning opportunity as it only happens every four years.  + Teach the terminology associated with inauguration. + Have your students take “friendship oaths.”   You can grab the Inauguration Day freebie from the link below! I can’t wait to see how you use it and what fun things your students come up with!    I hope this episode helped to see that you can teach about the inauguration without stressing about the political side of things.    I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  Free Inauguration Activities for Grades 2-5    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Do your students forget everything over winter break? I think that’s pretty normal for all of us.    You’re likely going to need to review classroom routines and procedures with them anyway, so there is no better time to refresh your writing instruction with them as well.   I want to chat about starting your writing instruction fresh in the New Year. A fresh start is exactly what I want this year. Does that sound good to you too?   Don’t worry about what happened before break because we’re leaving that in the past and taking this opportunity to start fresh.    Here’s to helping your students love writing!   Episode 88 Takeaways:  + Start fresh.  + Focus on procedures.  + Review things that might have been forgotten over the break. + It’s okay to change up things that weren’t working.  + Get input on what’s working and what’s not from your students. + Celebrate good times. + Set writing goals.    I’m super excited to see how your students grow in writing this year. Don’t forget to grab the free writing prompts from the link below!   I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  60 Free Writing Prompts   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Do you think of centers as time-wasters?    Today we’re talking about centers and why I’ve loved them ever since my first year of teaching.    I love an activity that stretches my students’ learning, but they also think it is fun, and centers do that for me. I’m going to teach you how to improve the quality of student work in your centers so that you don’t have to worry about them wasting precious classroom time.    By the end of this episode, you’ll know when and how to use centers effectively in your classroom.    Episode 87 Takeaways:  + Take time to model exactly what you want your students to do.  + Review procedures that you taught your students before winter break.  + Make sure your students are confident about what they’re doing. + Add consistency to your centers.  + Use centers as a review.  + Give your students some choice during center time.  + Give students a simple rubric or checklist.  + Make time for corrections. + Celebrate your students’ success.   I hope these tips help you and your students to love centers even more. Improving the quality of student work will make them more valuable in your classroom.    I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  Reading Centers for 3rd Grade  Reading Response Menus for Grades 2 - 5 Math Centers for Grades 2 - 5   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   I have a special gift for you today.    I have 60 free writing prompts for you in two different formats. A printable PDF or Google slides that you can use in the classroom.    Now, I know what you’re thinking.   “Jamie, you HATE writing prompts!”   It’s true. I’ve spent years teaching you why I don’t use prompts in my writing workshops. However, I recognize that there is a time and place for them, especially in a year like this.    I also want to help you understand when and how to use them in your classroom, so that’s where this episode comes in.    Episode 86 Takeaways:  + Writing prompts are best used sparingly. + Prompts are awesome to use for pre and post-assessments. + Substitute lesson plans are a great time to use writing prompts.  + Get to know what holidays your students celebrate.  + When you have a fast finisher in your classroom, you can give them a writing prompt to work on.  + Keep bell work short and sweet.    I hope you can see now why I don’t think writing prompts are always bad. I actually think they can be beneficial in certain situations. We just have to be careful not to overuse them.    I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  60 Free Writing Prompts    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Are you a teacher who spends a little too much time at school or even a little too much time working at home? Then this is the episode for you.   I want to challenge the idea that the only way that you can be a good teacher is if you work really long hours, and that only the teachers who work really long hours are doing a great job.    News flash: your value is not tied to the number of hours you work. Your value is what you do with those hours.   I’m going to share a little of my own story as well as some strategies that I used to take back my life while still being a great teacher. It doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive.    Episode 85 Takeaways:  + Your value is not tied to the number of hours you work.  + It’s okay if being a mom isn’t your only calling.  + You don’t have to give up your personal life to be a good teacher.  + Taking back time for yourself will actually make you a better teacher.  + Use your calendar wisely.  + Decide on your work hours and put them in your calendar.  + Batch your lesson planning to save time.  + Protect your planning time.  + Use routines.  + Grade smarter.    Here’s what I want you to take away from this episode: your value as a teacher is not determined by the number of hours that you work, but rather what you do with your time when you are working.   You were meant to be a teacher. Your students need you, but they need the very best version of you. So rediscover who that is by spending less time at work and more time with friends and family, on hobbies, and just being alone and taking care of yourself.    The teacher who has boundaries and balance will have the most energy to teach and make a difference in the classroom.   I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  Episode 33: Save Time Lesson Planning With Batching    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Do you have students with ADHD in your classroom that you wish you could support better? Well wishes come true.    Today’s guest, Jillian Starr, is a struggling student turned passionate educator. Her dyslexia, ADHD, and sensory/auditory processing issues went undiagnosed for most of her educational career. Now she uses her own experiences to help students in her classroom, as well as help educators have a bigger impact.    She is the teacher behind the website and social media accounts Teaching with Jillian Starr. She has been in education for 15 years and has been a classroom teacher for the past 12 years in grades 1, 2, and 3.    Teaching with Jillian Starr is based on the idea that it's really important that we serve all students, and we’re going to dive deeper into that today. Jillian is sharing her own personal experiences as a student and teacher, as well as some amazing and important information about how we can better serve students with ADHD in our classrooms.    Episode 84 Takeaways:    + ADHD will show up differently in everyone. + ADHD is not one size fits all.  + If you have one idea of what ADHD should look like, you’re going to miss it in your students.  + What signs to look for in your students. + Treating ADHD with medication is a personal decision. + The side effects of medication will be different for everyone. + Be on the same team as the parents.  + There are strategies besides medication that you can use to help your students.    I cannot stress how important it is for us to learn these strategies as educators so that we are better prepared to serve all our students.    I’m so grateful to Jillian for opening up about some deeply personal experiences so that we can learn from her. Don’t forget to check out her resources below!    I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  Follow @jillianstarrteaching on Instagram www.jillianstarrteaching.com Join the Elementary Teaching with Jillian Starr Facebook Group    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Today we are talking about one of my very favorite topics: writing.    I know that writing isn't everyone's favorite subject to teach, but it is my favorite topic to help teachers with. Whenever I go on social media and ask what your least favorite subject to teach is, writing always wins out.   I'm here to make teaching your least favorite subject so much easier.    I know what it feels like to hate it. I used to hate it too. But I want to give you the tools and strategies you need to build confidence, and maybe even start to love teaching writing.    Today we’re specifically talking about how to get your students to edit their writing. I've got nine tips for you that I think will help you to make the editing time in your classroom more effective.    If writing is the subject that you dread every day, be sure to tune in to this week’s episode!    Episode 83 Takeaways:    + Mistakes happen.  + All writers make errors.  + Reward students for taking time to look for mistakes. + Leave room on the page for editing. + Don’t edit too soon. + Set aside a day or two for editing. + Give your students resources to help them edit.  + Focus on one type of edit at a time. + Read the writing out loud.  + Don’t edit for your students. + Perfection isn’t the goal.    I hope this gives you a lot to think about as you help your students to become better writers.    Remember, perfection isn’t the goal, growth is. If your student’s paper is better than the last one they wrote, that's a success that deserves to be celebrated.    I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Do you love teaching reading? Whether your answer is yes or no, I know you will find so much value in this episode!   I invited a good friend of mine, Sara Marye, to join us on the podcast today. Sara is a former teacher and administrator and she has a huge love for teaching reading. More specifically, she really wants to help her students find their love for reading and has so many great strategies to share!    Today we are specifically going to talk about using different genres to get our students excited about reading. Yes, genres! Interesting right?    Episode 74 Takeaways:    + We’re all readers, you just have to find the right book for you.   + Give your kids books that make them excited to read. + Let them decide what books they really like.  + Genre helps students identify their reading preferences. + When students have a solid understanding of genre, it gives them a roadmap to understand the texts that they're reading. + Be intentional about using your read-alouds to introduce students to a wide range of genres.  + You can include picture books in your read-alouds. + Give your students the tools to help them understand each genre. + You can study genres in your book clubs. + Validate your students’ reading preferences.    I love learning new ways to get students excited about reading but have never thought about using genres this way!    Take a look at the resources below to learn more about Sara, and catch some of the goodies that she shares with you in today's episode.   I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  Genre Interest Survey Genre Challenge Visit The Stellar Teacher Company on Teachers Pay Teachers  Follow @thestellarteachercompany on Instagram  www.stellarteacher.com    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Do you find teaching grammar kind of a nightmare? Are you scouring the internet for new fun grammar activities every week?   Yeah, I was you once too.    Until I found a much easier way to teach grammar that saved me time and made learning easier for my students. So that’s what I want to share with you today.    This episode is for you if you teach grammar in grades 2, 3, 4, or 5. And be sure to stay tuned until the end, when I’ll be sharing a freebie that I’ve created just for you.    Episode 81 Takeaways:    + Remember that grammar is hard for adults with degrees, so it’s going to be hard for your students.  + There is a lot to memorize when it comes to grammar, and that can be very tricky for your students.  + Trying to teach grammar without a curriculum can be confusing and time-wasting. + Routine makes it easier to plan your time and increase productivity. + When I found a routine for teaching grammar my students started to grow. + Your students won’t all be on the same level and that’s okay.    Remember, grammar is hard for everyone, even us adults.    If you could use some help figuring out your grammar curriculum, my team and I have created a FREE mini-course to help you out.    In this grammar mini-course, you're going to learn how to keep students engaged when you're introducing a new lesson or skill, my secrets for using grammar interactive notebooks so they don't take so much time, a quick way to integrate grammar into writing, my favorite ways to use task cards for reviewing grammar, and my simple strategies for differentiating grammar for learners of all levels.   The videos in this mini-course are short and easy for you to get through whenever you have time, so you can do it whenever you want!   Head to https://www.notsowimpyteacher.com/grammarcourse to check it out!    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Are you feeling a bit exhausted from perpetually being told what to do as a teacher lately?   Don’t worry, you’re not alone and you deserve a break! That’s why, in this episode, I’m going to be sharing a handful of things that you probably have been doing in the classroom but really don’t need to be doing. Did you just take a sigh of relief?   We’re going to discuss how to decrease your prep and planning time every week, which activities are helping your students the most developmentally, and how to still be an amazing teacher without grading non-stop.   I know it may seem difficult to overcome the pressure of being the perfectionist teacher with the craft filled whiteboard, but stick with me, and I’ll explain exactly why all of that extra stress is not really necessary or even beneficial.   Episode 74 Takeaways:    + Give yourself grace + No need to assign a writing prompt or project every single week + Your room doesn’t have to be filled with craftivities on every wall + Spelling errors can go uncorrected once in a while + You don’t have to grade-non stop   So does that relieve a little bit of perfectionist teacher pressure? There’s no need for you to be stressed with creating a new craft every week that doesn’t really benefit your student’s writing skills. There is also no need to crush their spirit by pointing out every single spelling mistake on the paper they worked so hard on for the last week. We all deserve a bit of relief, especially these days, and this podcast episode is your permission to do so!   I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Is teaching math kind of a struggle sometimes?    I have just the girl for you.    Today we are joined by Brittany Hege from Mix and Math. Brittany has a Master’s in Elementary Mathematics Education and she is incredibly passionate about teaching students math, as well as inspiring other math teachers to be more confident in the classroom.    In this episode she is sharing her best tips for helping students with their word problems.    She knows how difficult it can be to get your students to slow down, read the problem, and make a good plan to work through the process. It’s a struggle in classrooms everywhere.   That's why on today's show, we are going to figure it out together.    Episode 79 Takeaways:    + There are ways that you can help students to love math.  + Add meaning to your numbers as early as possible. + You can use problem frames to add meaning to numbers.  + Use numberless word problems to ask what action is happening.  + Problem solving isn’t a linear process. + Isolate the problem solving process into steps.  + Give students time to understand the problem.  + Praise students for the process, even when the answer is wrong.   Brittany believes that anyone can be a math person if they just find the part of math that lights them up.    I learned so much chatting with Brittany today and I feel super inspired, so I hope you do too.    I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  Follow @mixandmath on Instagram  Brittany 's Problem Solving Freebie   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Are you struggling to get your students excited about reading?   Today, I am going to be sharing some of my very favorite ways to make reading lessons more engaging for your students.   Deciding what to talk about on the podcast has been a little tricky lately because school just looks so different for everyone! Some of you are teaching in your classrooms, some of you are teaching virtually, and some are combining the two.    So today we’re talking about four of my favorite ways to make reading lessons engaging for students, that will work whether you’re teaching virtually or in-person.    Episode 78 Takeaways:  + Book clubs make reading more exciting than worksheets or stories from a textbook. + As a reading teacher, the most important thing you can do for your students is to help them learn to love reading. + Centers are a fun way to practice reading skills.  + Whatever grade level you teach, students need to hear books read aloud to them. + Introduce your students to lots of different genres, authors, and series.  + Offer choice as much as possible.    Having teachers who loved reading truly shaped who I am as an adult and how much I love reading now. That’s the effect that you are having on your students. You’re shaping future readers!    I don’t want reading to be a chore. I want it to be something that you and your students actually look forward to! I hope that the tips in this episode and the resources I shared can help you to achieve that.    I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  Episode 76: Book Clubs in a Virtual Classroom Graphic Organizers for Book Clubs - Digital and Printable Fiction and Nonfiction Bundle Digital and Printable Reading Response Menus    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Today we’re going to talk about the election. Did you groan? If you did, I don’t blame you. I get it. But I want this to be exciting for you to talk about, because it is for me!    We’re going to explore how to talk to your students about the election without getting political, the importance of having an unbiased lesson about it, and how you can help your students understand the importance and privilege of having elections.    I know it can be scary, but stick with me, and we’re going to make it a whole lot more fun.    Episode 77 Takeaways:    + It is our job as teachers to help kids learn how to think.  + It's important to cover the election because voting is a privilege and a duty. + We are shaping what the world will look like in the future.  + Kids are going to hear about the election, so we can at least make sure they understand the facts.  + Talking about the election leads to meaningful conversations. + There are topics you can cover without telling them who to vote for.  + You can use fun activities to teach about the election.    So, does that make it a little less intimidating? It’s not your responsibility to tell your students who to vote for, but you can teach them why we vote, and how they can make their voices heard.    Don’t forget to take a look at our digital and printable election resource! It gives you a five-day plan for teaching about the election, so if this all feels a little scary to you, this resource is going to make your life so much easier! You can find a link in the “Resources Mentioned” section below.    I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  2020 Election Activities Digital and Printable   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!  

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Do you miss book clubs with your kids since going virtual? Maybe you’ve never done book clubs before at all but want to start?   Well, I heard you guys asking, so I’m here to bring some answers. Today on the podcast, we are going to chat all about how to run book clubs in a virtual classroom.   In case you didn’t already know, I am a very proud bookworm. I love to read, and I truly believe that it’s because I had teachers who were passionate about sharing reading experiences in the classroom. When I became a teacher, I knew that I needed to help my students to find their love for reading and book clubs were the answer!    Whether your classroom is currently in-person or virtual, book clubs can help increase engagement and excitement about reading.    Episode 76 Takeaways:  + You can separate your kiddos into leveled reading groups.  + You can assign different books to each of your groups.  + Just about any chapter book will work for your book clubs. + Choose books that complement your students’ interests. + The books don’t all have to be the same length. It’s okay if one group finishes before another.  + There are lots of ways to get books at a low cost.  + Try reading together in small groups.  + Try not to interrupt them with questions.  + Consider assigning the same task to every student rather than individual roles.    I can't wait to hear how your virtual book clubs turn out. I know that your students are going to be so excited about the books that you share in these clubs. I’d love to know how your book clubs are going and what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!  Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   So…….. virtual teaching. How are you feeling? A little overwhelmed? Yeah, I see you.   I know that you feel like you’re drowning with all the new technology, new strategies, and new concerns that come with teaching virtually. I have heard it over and over. Teachers feel like they are drowning, and I don't want anyone drowning on my watch! I'm not a very good swimmer, so I can’t be a good lifeguard, but I got together with my team and we brainstormed some ways to make virtual teaching easier.   These tips will give you some of the tools that you need to make it to dry land, and I feel like right now a good tip or two could be our saving grace. In today’s episode, I am giving you seven different ways to make virtual teaching easier.   Episode 75 Takeaways:    + Use less technology. + Keep a daily schedule.  + Create routines with your students.  + Batch your lesson recording.  + Assign less work.  + Stop grading everything.  + Give yourself grace.    You are growing as an educator every single day. Focus on how far you have come, rather than the bumps in the road. The bumps actually helped you to learn something new, even if it hurt in the moment. You've learned to use all kinds of new technology and have created real relationships with a group of kids that you probably didn't even get to meet in person. You have faced your fear of being on video and you love your class fiercely.    As far as I'm concerned, you are highly proficient. And I'd be happy to sign that observation form if you need me to.   I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share them with me!    Resources Mentioned:    Episode 8: Why I Ditched the Writing Prompts   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Raise your hand if you went to college to major in virtual education. Anyone? No, didn’t think so.    In this episode, I want to chat about ways that you can make learning fun, even if you're teaching virtually. In fact, I'm going to be sharing seven different ways to make virtual learning more fun for your students.   None of us really went to school and trained for this, but at a moment's notice we all became online teachers, and many teachers are now teaching online AND in person, which is just crazy!   So now you’re figuring out how to get into staff meetings on Zoom, trying to learn new technology, and frankly just trying to get your kids to use the mute and unmute button properly. It’s exhausting! And yet, you still want it to be fun for your students. You don't want to do the bare minimum. You don't want your virtual classroom to be boring. You want it to be engaging!    My team got together and we brainstormed some ways that you can make this whole virtual education thing more fun-- and in a way that isn’t overwhelming!    Let’s talk about seven different (and easy) ways to make virtual learning more fun for your students. Oh- and for you too!    Episode 74 Takeaways:    + Keep your virtual classroom engaging by using centers. + Use book clubs. + Go on virtual field trips. + Consider adding lunch clubs to your virtual classroom. + Change the location of your virtual classroom. + Use music to keep students engaged. + Don't be afraid to mix in some nonacademic activities.   I hope that some of these ideas got you thinking about ways that you could continue to make your virtual classroom even more fun. I want you to know that I am so amazed by what you are doing. You are learning so many new things, jumping in, and just doing the best that you possibly can for your students, even though there's a lot of pressure.   I want you to pat yourself on the back and remember that you won't be perfect, your classroom won't be perfect, but you love your students and that's more than enough.   I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:    Digital Math Centers  Digital Reading Centers  Digital and Printable Book Club List of Favorite Virtual Field Trips  Fun Things to Do In a Virtual Classroom    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! 

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!   Have you ever heard a student in your classroom say something like this?   “I'm not good at math” or “it's too hard” or “I can't.”   Yep. Me too.   Did you know, research shows that students in the US commonly give up quickly on difficult tasks? These limiting mindsets can make it very difficult to teach new and challenging skills in the classroom.   In this episode, I want to talk about how you can change their mindset so that your students aren’t afraid to take on challenging tasks or problems.    The secret? You have to teach your students how to have a growth mindset. We’ll talk all about what a growth mindset is vs. a fixed mindset and how you can teach it in your classroom.    Episode 73 Takeaways:    + Recent studies show that the brain grows when we practice new things and give it challenges.  + A growth mindset is the opposite of a fixed mindset.  Someone with a fixed mindset avoids challenges. + Change your feedback on tasks so students understand that their success is a result of their willingness to work hard on challenging tasks + It’s important to challenge all of your students, not just the high achievers.  + Let your students see you try new things and be open about what you are trying and the challenges you are taking.  Modeling is the easiest way to teach new things.  + Share growth mindset books, and activities with your students. + It’s important to help our students know what a growth mindset is and have conversations about it so it becomes part of our classroom.   By focusing so heavily on right and wrong answers, sometimes we forget to teach our students that getting the right answer might not be the most important thing. By teaching them how to have a growth mindset, we teach them to be more resilient, and better equipped to take on new challenges.    Don’t forget to check out our google slides resource that is packed with interactive growth mindset activities. You can use it in your virtual or in-person classroom.    I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to my Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!    Resources Mentioned:  Book: After the Fall Book: Rosie Revere Engineer Book: Jabari Jumps Interactive Growth Mindset Google Slides Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast! Is your school implementing a hybrid teaching model this year? It's basically a combination of in-person and virtual learning, usually with students split into two groups, each of them spending some time learning in the classroom and some time learning from home. One of the best ways to teach with a hybrid model is to flip your instruction. Instead of teaching in person and sending kids home to do the work, have them watch the lessons at home and come to school to do the work. This way they have your attention and assistance when they need it most…while they are doing the actual work. On today's episode, I'll walk you through some simple tips for flipping your instruction! Episode 72 Takeaways: +Record Whole Group video lessons +Keep video lessons short & don’t worry about perfection +Batch record and get a bunch done at one time +Share your screen to show powerpoint, passages or anchor charts (you can use your usual curriculum) +Do practice activities in class +If a student can’t watch the video at home, let them watch when they arrive I have said it before, and I will say it again, there is NO perfect solution. My heart goes out to you because I know how hard you are working. Keep reminding yourself that this is temporary. It won't last forever. Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast! Lots of teachers are faced with this new challenge: "How do I teach writing virtually?” The best thing you can do for your students, if you are going to be teaching virtually for long, is to teach the writing lessons yourself. I know that it might sound intimidating, but I hope these tips will help you to feel more confident. Episode 71 Takeaways: +You can choose to teach your lessons on live video or pre-recorded video. +Run your video writing lessons almost exactly how you would run the lesson in class. +Share your screen to show the mentor text and anchor charts. +Keep the video lessons super short (10-15 minutes). +Give them a SMALL independent writing task. Work up to longer times. +Don't aim for perfection. It’s okay to make mistakes, just like if you were teaching in the classroom. +Students can do their writing digitally, on paper, or using a combination of both. +You can schedule Zoom calls or Google Meets with small conference groups. This year is certainly not typical, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still teach writing in an effective and engaging way. But remember that your students don’t need fancy video lessons with professional lighting or a fancy microphone; they just need you. So show up and do the best you can. You’ve got this! Check out my writing units here. Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast! Our team has been hard at work this summer and we are SO excited that our new digital math centers have been released and are ready to go! We've had lots of questions about this popular new resource, so today I'm answering your questions about using digital math centers! Whether you are teaching virtually for all or part of your classroom experience this year, these digital math centers are a great resource to keep your students engaged and loving math. Episode 70 Takeaways: +These math centers are interactive Google slides +Any platform where you can assign a powerpoint can work with these centers. +The centers are not self-grading, but simple answer keys are included. +You can view each student’s answers on the Student Work page. +The digital center activities are comparable to our printable math center activities. +These are a separate resource, not an update to the printable version. These digital math centers have already been a best-seller in our Not So Wimpy Teacher TpT store because they cover so many standards, they’re engaging, they’re no-prep, and students will love doing them! CLICK HERE to check out our new digital math center bundles. If you or your students are new to Google classroom, then be sure to grab your FREE copy of our Google Classroom Help Guide. Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast! In this episode, I'm chatting with long-time teacher and author, Elizabeth Peterson, about how valuable the Arts are to students and how to integrate them into your classroom in simple ways. In her 20 years of teaching, Elizabeth has been a huge proponent of using the Arts to help students with social and emotional learning.  Episode 69 Takeaways: + You don't have to be a musician or an artist to integrate the arts into your classroom in a helpful way + Teaching kids active listening is all about being active with your ears and brain, not just active with your body + Have "Listen Alouds" where you play a piece of music during snack time and let your students identify sounds, emotions, themes, etc. + Take "Brain Breaks" with your class and have them stand up, stretch or even dance to get their whole body moving + Try "Friendly Friday" and let your students use their creativity to make an encouraging card or note for another classmate + Consistency with these small additions is key The good news is you can even implement these ideas in a virtual classroom! Do your movement break on a zoom call by sharing your screen with the class and playing a Go Noodle or YouTube video for them to dance to. Do your listen aloud in your virtual classroom. Have kids write encouragements to each other on a google comment thread. The more your students see YOU expressing creativity with confidence, the more they will feel comfortable themselves. Integrating the Arts into your classroom can have a powerful effect on your students, helping them process and express their emotions in a productive way. You can find Elizabeth and grab your free resource at theinspiredclassroom.com/notsowimpy! Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to The Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast. Whether you will be in-person or online, we want our classrooms to be just as safe as they are engaging. In this week’s episode, I am going to dive into five things that teachers will need to reconsider to make sure the upcoming school year is safe for everyone. COVID-19 is making things hard but not impossible! This is not a podcast I had imagined making but it’s our responsibility as teachers to ensure the safety of our students. I am not a doctor. These are my personal tips, but please do make sure you’re following the rules at each of your teaching locations. Takeaways from this episode: Host a virtual open house! Share a little about yourself and allow your students to do the same.  Offer personal supplies instead of encouraging students to share.  Apply for Not So Wimpy’s “Adopt-A-Classroom” program and set up “DonorsChoose” projects! Use virtual manipulatives. Think about sanitization when creating options for Flexible Seating.  Create personal student book boxes and a return book box for a safe classroom library.   Interested in Not So Wimpy’s Adopt-A-Classroom program? If your classroom is chosen, Not So Wimpy will give you the opportunity to create a supply wishlist for your classroom and every month we will send you a box of supplies. Don’t wait, apply here.    Listen to our “How to Make Centers Safer” episode here for more safety tips. There’s no denying that this school year will be a bit unconventional, but the students are so lucky to have you making their year great. Have a not so wimpy day!   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to The Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! In this week’s episode we have an amazing guest, Ashley Marquez from Teach, Create, Motivate. Ashley is here to share three strategies to help teachers with classroom management. She brings innovative learning and fun to the classroom. She’ll teach how to calm the chaos while teaching engaging skills that help motivate independent learners.   Teach, Create, Motivate was built because of her need for creative resources for her students. This need for her own classroom grew into helping other teachers and continues to grow.    Takeaways from this episode: Be consistent with your classroom strategy. Use a tool to take control and manage behavior, but stay consistent in delivery and use. This should be maximizing your teaching time.  Create student “buy-in.” Your students should be excited so they’re invested. This is all about presentation; your delivery could make or break this program.  Choices! Give your students choices...these student-led programs are more successful when they choose themselves. They have more “buy-in” when they feel like their voice is being heard.  Don't be afraid of "classroom management.” Not all classroom management looks the same. Get rid of overwhelm and create more engagement. Create a calm, confident learning environment by making the mindset shift. Ashley’s NEW PROGRAM! Great for any grade and any type of classroom.   Access Ashley’s new program; Classroom Management Academy. This is an online course broken down into six modules. These are some of the best classroom strategies, tips, ideas and resources for you to create that positive and calm student-led program you want to achieve in your classroom. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll have unlimited access and can rewatch them any time. Take advantage of learning when it’s best for your schedule and have the tools you need at your fingertips. Maximize your time and see your students flourish in learning. Access a BONUS MODULE on Distance Learning! You can still implement classroom management virtually. This program is only available for a short time and won’t be back again until 2021. Register here: www.notsowimpyteacher.com/classroommanagement   Connect with Ashley at www.teachcreatemotivate.com or Follow her on Instagram @teachcreatemotivate   I hope you are inspired by these tips and create great reading centers for you students this year. Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to The Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! In this week’s episode I am going to share tips on how to make reading centers easier to manage. Reading centers aren’t just about being busy; they’re about being busy with stuff that is helping to move them forward. Reading centers use activities that review and practice those reading skills that you absolutely need to have them master.  Center time can get chaotic, so I learned how to make my center time more meaningful and better managed so I could handle it as a teacher. I know planning for centers can get really time consuming, so here are some tips to help you get some hours back in your life! I hope some of these spark ideas that will make a difference in how you create and run your reading centers.  Tips from this episode: Spend all the time up front so you are prepared for the whole year, then review them a couple of times throughout the year.  Model your center procedures and then model them again!  Use anchor charts that record what it should look and sound like during center time.  Have a student model what NOT to do! Then, have the students point out what he did wrong and model the correct behavior.  Have students show YOU how to do center time.  Get a few of the centers started during your reading groups to help students get started on the right track.  Use consistent centers! Don’t waste time digging for new information each week.  Use things that won’t change all year like read-to-self, reading response center stations, and center technology! Use centers that focus on a specific skill.  Limit the number of transitions.  CHECK OUT MY READING CENTERS Help yourself out by getting a whole bundle; you’ll thank yourself later! We want your students to do well independently, so plan for a variety of center activities that will set them up for success.  I hope you are inspired by these tips and create great reading centers for you students this year.  Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily! Will you please take two minutes to leave a review? Reviews are one of the BEST ways to support the podcast because it lets potential listeners know that there is something worth tuning into. Click here to leave a review. Thank you so much for your support!

Welcome back to The Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! This episode is something I didn’t think I’d need to record a few months back, and that’s how to make the Centers safer. COVID has brought a world of uncertainty to what will come in the Fall. I wish I had the answers for everything, but what I can do is come up with some tips to help make things a little better. I am not a Doctor, these are just my personal tips, but please do make sure you’re following the rules at each of your teaching locations. These are just my personal opinions.    I love the Centers so, of course, I am a little bit worried. The hands-on activities at Centers will be at risk this Fall, so think of ways to continue learning that is safe and still engaging.    In this episode I talk about: Laminating your center materials so they can be more easily disinfected Creating a sanitization routine Having students use hand sanitizer BEFORE and AFTER using the activities Having plenty of activities so each student has their own at any given time Creating independent kits for the tools each student needs to use Using digital centers that make kids think deeply and not just play games   BIG NEWS! We are working on making our Math Centers all digital on Google Slides. We are making them very engaging and creating opportunities for the students to really think deeply while still having fun! They’re so close to being finished, so keep checking back at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and get on the waitlist for these when they go live!   There’s no denying that this school year will be a bit unconventional, but the students are so lucky to have you making their year great. Have a not so wimpy day!   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to The Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! I am back this week with a new exciting episode. We had a Facebook live party this week and I invited some Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass Alumni to share their stories.    In today’s episode we’re going to meet Dixie, BJ and Karen, and they’re sharing how they felt before and after the Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass last year. We’re going to dive in to see what they’re teaching their students now and how excited they are for you to have the opportunity to take this class now. We might even have a surprise if you listen until the end! We want to support teachers and help them prepare for the unknown year in teaching ahead.    In this episode: Live conversations with Masterclass Alumni  Dixie’s growth journey as a writing teacher BJ’s story of going from overwhelmed & overworked to getting her weekends back Karen’s experience of turning non-user friendly curriculum into simple & effective teaching Favorite writing teacher tips Alumni are using today Surprise announcement!!   Registration closes on July 2nd, so make sure you sign up! Don’t miss it or you’ll have to wait until next year! Join the thousands of teachers who are loving the Not So Wimpy Masterclass today! www.notsowimpyteacher.com/Masterclass   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!   Head to Apple Podcasts to leave a review.

Welcome back to The Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! This episode is different from what you are used to — I’m popping in to invite you to something super special! I’ve been waiting a WHOLE YEAR for this moment! Let me start by asking you a question: Do your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students struggle with writing?   Don’t feel bad, most students struggle with writing. The good news is that implementing a simple yet effective writing workshop can totally change the game. By the end of your writing workshop, students will be begging you for more writing time!   In this episode I talk about:   The Masterclass that has helped over 3,000 teachers flip the script on teaching writing The practical, actionable, and fun strategies that fill the Not So Wimpy Masterclass How we’re specializing in 2nd-5th grades to make writing fun and effective for teachers AND students How you can earn a 10-Hour Professional Development Certificate     The Not So Wimpy Masterclass will walk you through how to become a successful writing teacher who inspires students and transforms them into powerful writers.   My team has a collective of 35 years of education experience, and we’ve put everything we know into this course to help you succeed.   Want to know some of the key elements this Masterclass includes?   TONS of  videos to help you learn to teach different procedures. An actionable course workbook, rubrics, and printables to make your life easier! A 10-Hour Professional Development Certificate 4 Incredible Bonuses: A members-only Facebook Group, Weekly Live Q&A with me, a Bonus Module for Video Writing Skills, and a Lesson Demonstration Video.   Join the thousands of teachers who are loving the Not So Wimpy Masterclass today!   www.notsowimpyteacher.com/Masterclass   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! We’re getting close to the end of this series on teaching writing. This week we’re going to talk about ways to excite your reluctant writers. You know the ones I am talking about. They don’t have any ideas, they don’t want to try, and they get “done” really fast. These are the students we want to help teach with these five strategies to excite reluctant writers. Our goal is to create a positive experience around writing and build the confidence in your little writers.   In this episode I talk about:   Letting your writers choose their writing utensils, it’s more fun to write with a fun pencil, pen or marker Letting your writers choose their topic, let them use their imagination Give your students clear, daily writing tasks Give daily opportunities for students to share their writing Create writing celebrations, make this a quarterly event   I used to dread teaching writing until I mastered the best way to teach it. Now, it’s my favorite subject and it could be yours, too.   Join me for a FREE Live Training called; "Confidently Teach Writing Mini Lessons, Even if You Feel Like Your Writing Curriculum is Boring and Your Students Hate Writing.”   Join me live for one hour to learn 4 strategies that make writing more enjoyable. Let me teach you how to make your writing curriculum work better for you. Make sure to stay the entire time and you could get a free Poetry Writing Mini Unit, not available on TPT. Anyone who signs up will get a 1-Hour Professional Development Certificate to show to your administration.   Sign up here: https://www.notsowimpyteacher.com/training   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website https://www.notsowimpyteacher.com/ Follow me on Instagram where I share daily! @notsowimpyteacher    

Welcome back to The Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! I am back this week to continue our series on teaching writing. In today’s episode I want to talk about how you can be a kick-butt writing teacher, even if you hate to write. I want you to become more confident when teaching writing. Let’s dive in!   In this episode I talk about: The importance of using mentor text, you don’t have to be their only example Anchor charts will help keep you organized Work with me, sign up for The Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass …and so much more!   If you’re interested in building your confidence in teaching writing, join me at The Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass. It is my online professional writing course for teachers in grades two through five. I will provide you with step-by-step strategies you’ll need to implement a successful writing workshop in your classroom. I want to take you from a place of feeling overwhelmed and anxious to being fully confident as a writing teacher.   Get on the waitlist so you can receive an email message from me about the opening of the course. Mark your calendar for June 22, 2020. This course won’t be back again until June 2021!   Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!   Head to Apple Podcasts to leave a review.    Waitlist Full URL: https://www.notsowimpyteacher.com/waitlist

Welcome back to The Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! I am back this week to continue our series on teaching writing. In today’s episode, I am sharing about the 5 mistakes I see teachers making when teaching writing. Don’t get me wrong, I have made these same mistakes too, but I’m going to break them down for you so you can become more confident when teaching writing. Let’s dive in!   In this episode I talk about: How we unintentionally decrease our student’s love for writing The importance of spending time on revision Less perfection, more celebration   ...and so much more!   If you’re interested in diving deeper into The Not So Wimpy Writing Process, stay tuned for my upcoming online professional development course. It’s called The Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass and in it, I dive deep into the process we talked about in this episode today. The course will only be available for a short time in June so be sure to get on the waitlist so you don’t miss out!    To take the FREE quiz that I mentioned in this episode head to www.notsowimpyteacher.com/quiz.    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to another episode of The Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! This week we are continuing on with our series on writing curriculum. I have had so many teachers tell me how much they HATE teaching writing. They don’t feel confident when they teach writing and that makes total sense. As humans, we don’t like doing things that we don’t know how to do or don’t feel confident doing, right? So in today’s episode, I am going to share 3 tips that you can use to make teaching writing more fun for YOU. We always talk about making things fun for our students, but today is all about you. Let’s dive in!   In this episode I talk about: How to make teaching writing fun for the teacher, not just the student Giving students a choice Growth over perfection Investing in trainings to become more confident as a writing teacher   If you’re interested in diving deeper and want to become a more confident writing teacher, stay tuned for my upcoming online professional development course. It’s called The Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass and in it, I dive deep into all of the things we talked about in today’s episode. The course will only be available for a short time in June so be sure to get on the waitlist by heading to www.notsowimpyteacher.com/waitlist so you don’t miss out!    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!  

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! For the past few weeks, I have been talking on the topic of writing curriculum. This week, we are talking about writing workshops, specifically how to make them less chaotic. I’ve heard so many teachers complain about how their writing workshops are a hot mess. I completely understand because I had that issue for a long time until I created The Not So Wimpy Writing Process. If you feel like your writing workshops are a hot mess, this episode is for you.    In this episode I talk about: The traditional model of the writing workshop How I took that model and made it my own How The Not So Wimpy Writing Process works The “Extra Stories” How this process is an incredible combination of structure and encouraging independence   If you’re interested in diving deeper into The Not So Wimpy Writing Process, stay tuned for my upcoming online professional development course. It’s called The Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass and in it, I dive deep into the process we talked about in this episode today. The course will only be available for a short time in June so be sure to head to www.notsowimpyteacher.com/waitlist so you don’t miss out!    Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we are talking all about how to teach writing to our students in a fun and engaging way. When I talk about teaching writing, I often hear teachers say, “But I HATE my curriculum. It’s so boring.” I totally get it. So in Episode 57, I am going to teach you three strategies that you can use to turn boring curriculum into fun lessons that you AND your students will enjoy. Are you ready? Let’s dive in. In this episode I cover: The truth about writing curriculum The magic of the mini-lesson Steps to preparing a mini-lesson The power of giving students A LOT of choices Daily share time Ready to take this a step further? Click here to get on the waiting list for our upcoming course, the Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass, that will be available in June! For more teacher tips and tricks, head over to the Not So Wimpy Teacher website. Want to connect outside of the podcast? Give me a follow on Instagram. I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts on writing curriculum. Will you please take two minutes to leave a review? Reviews are one of the BEST ways to support the podcast because it let’s potential listeners know that there is something worth tuning into. Click here to leave a review. Thank you so much for your support!  

It’s Teacher Appreciation week! I know that things are very different this year, but I wanted you to feel extra spoiled and loved. After all, you are pretty darn amazing! I planned a HUGE week of giveaways, promotions and freebies. I explain it all in this episode. Monday 50% off End of Year Awards 9-10 PST 50% off Math Journals 11-12 PST 50% off Grammar Bundles 1-2 PST Resource Giveaways one hour before each sale! Tuesday 25% off everything in my store Giving away ten $10 TPT gift cards Wednesday 25% off everything in my store Giving away three Not So Wimpy Teacher cups Thursday 20% off everything in my store Giving away twenty $10 TPT gift cards Friday Special freebie for everyone!

I’m back and I’m excited to get back to business! Let’s chat about how we can help our students to be better writers and pass the writing standardized tests next year. I have four tips for you... Get your Free Writing Guide here.

Are your students truly engaged in your whole group reading lessons? Are they excited to read and talk about text together? If not, no worries! I’ve got you covered with three of my favorite ways to make your reading lessons more engaging. Read Alouds PowerPoint Lessons Reading Interactive Notebooks Reading Units and Centers MEGA BUNDLE

Test prep is 100x more fun when you incorporate games into your review! In this episode, I am going to share several fun games that you can use to review math, language or reading skills before testing. All of these games are simple to prep and plan! Connect Four Jenga Stinky Feet Cups Candyland

Testing is no fun, but test prep can be loads of fun! In this episode I share math test prep activities that are easy to prep and will have your students begging for more review time. Math Test Prep Centers Trashketball Stinky Feet Fraction Madness Kahoot

Making test prep fun and meaningful can be a challenge. But you have me, and I take care of you! I have collected some reading test prep activities that your students will enjoy! I dare say that you might even have some fun! In this episode, I share five different activities that you can. use for reviewing reading skills and standards before testing. Reading Test Prep Centers Reading Gallery Walk Prosecution and Defense Text Dependent Writing Work Hard. Play Hard.

February is Black History Month. Will you be celebrating black history in your classroom? I am a white teacher and I taught at a predominately white school. I am being very vulnerable here when I tell you that I felt uncomfortable teaching black history. I was scared that I would say the wrong thing, choose the wrong book, or offend someone. I wanted to be culturally sensitive, but I wasn’t always sure how to go about it. Have you ever felt that way too? I hear ya. On this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down and chat very Vera Ahiyya- also known as the Tutu Teacher. Vera is a kindergarten teacher in Brooklyn and she is passionate about helping teachers to be more diverse in the classroom. Some of my big takeaways from this conversation with Vera: Black History Month is a great time to celebrate the history of blacks and not just a time to talk about civil rights and slavery. Share stories of the beautiful and not just the hardships. Use books as a platform to have conversations about black leaders and heroes such as artists and musicians. Black History Month is a great time to start the conversation, but then you can think about how you can weave more stories into the curriculum throughout the year. Your job is to teach every student and be inclusive. Even if you teach at a predominately white school, you still have an obligation to include all of the people of the world. You can’t help kids to be better if you are exclusionary. If you are uncomfortable with teaching black history then you must educate yourself. Vera recommends that teachers read the book Stamped by Jason Reynolds. Never have students reenact or do a role play of enslaved people. It is offensive. Slavery should not be made into a board game. Vera recommends using the resource Teaching Tolerance. Do a survey of your classroom library! I also asked Vera to share some of her favorite culturally sensitive picture books that teachers should add to their classroom library. Here are links to the books that she recommended. Mae Among the Stars Undefeated Carter Reads the Newspaper Sometimes it is uncomfortable to have conversations about topics like this. But being uncomfortable is an opportunity for growth. Ignoring black history would be a shame. If you want to learn more about Vera, you can find her on Instagram: Tutu Teacher Diverse Reads

Presidents Day is coming up! Are you bored with doing the same ol’ activities every year? Are you looking for some unique ideas that will engage your students? In this episode, I am sharing three activities that are fun and academic. Presidents Day Interactive Notebook:  Show and Tell:  Lego Monuments Enjoy!

What kinds of Valentine’s Day activities will you be doing in the classroom this year? I am always looking for new and creative ideas that will interest my students. In this episode, I share some fun activities that your students will love! Valentine’s Day Vocabulary Grab My FREE Valentine’s Day Vocabulary Unit 2. Valentine’s Day Paper Bag Book 3. Valentine’s Day STEM activities. You can learn more about these ideas from Little Bins Little Hands by clicking HERE.    4. Valentine’s Day Lego Challenges Click HERE to grab some FREE Valentine’s Day Lego challenge cards. 5. Kiss Writing Click HERE to grab the FREE kiss writing paper. 6. Kindness Activities The Jelly Donut Difference. Kindness Rocks Project 7. I Love You More Than…poem Click HERE to grab FREE printables for this poem.