The Teach Joyfully Podcast

Classroom management is the backbone, the framework that supports everything else you do in your classroom. In fact, it's impossible to teach well if your classroom isn't running smoothly. If your students aren't meeting your behavior expectations, things are going to fall apart. In this week's episode, I talk about my simple behavior management system. Learn how I help K-3 students begin to take responsibility, track behavior patterns, and communicate with parents without a lot of fuss. Check out the episode, all the resources, and grab the Power Phrase Worksheet, and check out the Stop and Think Behavior System. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Teaching literacy is not an easy task. Neither is planning for literacy instruction and getting enough time to actually teach all the things!  Do you struggle to fit all the things you need to teach into your literacy block? You're not alone! In this episode, I have a plan for your literacy block no matter how much time you have to teach reading and writing.  Check out the episode, all the resources, and grab the Writer's Craft Lesson Ideas and Using Technology With Purpose. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Training your class in your systems and routines or procedures is one of the most important things you will do to set your class up for success all year. Why? Well, imagine your students are able to work independently and your classroom runs smoothly most of the time. That's why. If you train your students well and insist they follow the procedures every time (do it over the right way), it will pay off all year! Check out the episode and grab all the resources. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

I'm sure you've heard this term a few (hundred) times lately...the science of reading. But, what is the science of reading? And honestly, it is just another education bandwagon because we see that ALL the time. All those educational fads get a little exhausting, don't they? Well, in this episode, I break down the components of the science of reading and talk about why this isn't entirely new. If fact, you will probably recognize the parts and might even be already teaching most of them. Check out the episode, all the resources, and grab the Essential Phonemic Awareness Cheat Sheet. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Creating habits for teacher self-care is truly the only way that regular self-care will happen in your life. Habits? Routine? You're a pro, right?! Well sure...for helping your students and keeping your classroom running smoothly. But what about for yourself?  In this episode, I have all the details on creating self care habits for YOU, the teacher, the parent, and the individual that will set you up for success even when your school day is falling apart because we all know...that's going to happen sometimes. Check out the episode, all the resources, and grab the Habit Builder Guide and Keeping Lesson Planning at School guide. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Classroom organization tips? Yes, please! I love to talk about classroom organization. If you ask, my kids will tell you that the Container Store is my mothership.

Classroom library woes? Figuring out how to organize your classroom library is harder than we imagine it will be. There are so many decisions to be made and each one changes how our class library functions.  Don't get bogged down in decision fatigue. In this episode, I have all my tips to break down the decision-making process to help you make a plan for your classroom library that will actually work. Listen in to find out more! Don't forget to check out all the resources, and grab the Classroom Library Organization Cheat Sheet. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

I know you practice scaffolding when teaching, but do you know you're doing it? What is scaffolding instruction? Scaffolded teaching is when we use various techniques to support students in their learning and then gradually move them toward independence. In this episode, I have nine types of scaffolds for teaching including ways for scaffolding instruction for English language learners.  Listen in to find out more! Don't forget to check out all the resources, and grab the Scaffolds for Instruction Cheat Sheet. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

If you're paying attention….this is the 100th episode of The Teach Joyfully Podcast. Wow! Where does the time go?! Today's episode is all about how to use task cards in the classroom. I love ideas, activities, and lessons that we, as teachers, can use over and over again. They aren't one and done, but reusable. Task card activities are exactly that - something you can use for any subject or concept over and over again. There are tons of uses and ways to use them. In fact, the possibilities for learning with task cards are endless! What's not to like about that?! In this episode find out: What are task cards and why they're helpful 7 different uses for task cards in your classroom 11 practical ideas for task cards that will fit right in with your teaching Don't forget to check out all the resources, and grab the freebie Task Card Printable. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Do you find yourself shouting at your class more than you'd like? Sometimes things can fall apart a bit, can't they?! As teachers, we have the best-laid plans for our classroom management strategy when we begin the school year. And then...well you know. During your literacy block, you have a lot of different situations going on from whole group teaching to small group teaching to independent work, etc. It's a lot to manage for you and a lot of expectations to remember for your students. In this episode of The Teach Joyfully Podcast, I have the path you'll need to diagnose the classroom management problems, when those behaviors are happening and what to do to fix them. It all really doesn't have to fall apart.  Don't forget to check out the path, all the resources, and grab the freebie Power Phrase Worksheet if you don't already have it. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Shh! I have a secret reading aloud strategy. It's true, and I'm sharing it with you in this episode. I read 100+ book a year to my students to increase their literacy. Ok. I do a lot of other things that increase student literacy as well. But, so does every teacher. What gives my students an edge over their peers is hearing and discussing that many books read aloud. Listen in to find out: 9 benefits students receive from my reading aloud 100+ books. How to make read alouds happen in a busy schedule. Why this doesn't prevent you from going deep with books. Ways to make sure students still get to hear books more than once. How using picture books to teach across the curriculum makes this reading aloud strategy very doable. Don't forget to check out all the resources and grab the freebie Mentor Text Lists. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Do you struggle to get your students or even your own kids writing over the summer? I get it! Most kids have no motivation or interest in writing during their summer break.  So... How do we get our students excited or even intrigued enough to dive into summer writing? I've got 5 simple summer writing activities that are fun and easy enough for any student to give it a whirl. Listen in to find out more! Don't forget to check out all the resources and grab the Letter Writing and How To Writing FREEBIES. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

How do you inspire your students to actually do summer reading? Once summer hits, kids' schedules go haywire and all bets are off when it comes to practicing reading and other skills. Honestly, I never did summer homework as a kid. But, I did read. A lot. Why? Well, I was a committed reader. I learned to love books and reading early on.  But, how do we inspire our students and their families to keep the reading going all summer? In today's episode, I have a few tips for you. Don't forget to check out all the resources and grab the FREE Million Words Reading Challenge. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Do you ever think about quitting teaching? Most teachers have pondered quitting at one point or another of their career. Teaching is HARD! It's a profession filled with joys and frustration. But when the frustration becomes overwhelming, maybe it's time to rethink where or if you should stay. While I truly hope you stay in education because we NEED great teachers like you in our classrooms, I know sometimes it's time for a change. Knowing if, when, and how to make that change is the tricky part. In this episode, I have some questions for you to think about to help you decide if you should quit teaching [and some ideas for your second act if that's your path]. Don't forget to check out all the resources and grab the FREE Classroom Management Inventory. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

As we near the end of the school year, having end of the year activities ready for your students becomes imperative. Everything is winding down, most, if not all, of the concepts have been taught, and everyone is feeling a little worn out. That's where we need something to engage our students while still learning or reinforcing concepts learned during the year. Poems for two voices are just the thing! Listen in to find out why these are perfect for that end of year review and for engaging students until the last day. Don't forget to grab the FREE Poems for Two Voices Template. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Are you stressed about the end of the year or sprinting toward it as fast as you can? I'm always a bit of both, honestly. It's a busy and bittersweet time for me. Endings are hard when we've all grown attached, the end of year shut down is nuts and can be stressful if you don't have a strong plan, but I'm always ready for summer too. Today, I have the skinny on the ending the school year with grace, love, and [dare I say it?] organization. Listen in to find out more and don't forget to grab the FREE End of the School Year Checklist. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Teaching poetry in elementary grades might seem a bit daunting to you (or maybe you just love it). Either way, there is a process and some planning that needs to happen before we dive into teaching students poetry. Don't worry, in today's episode, I break it down and help make sense of where to begin, what to do first, and where to go from there. And...I have lots of tips along the way. [What a surprise, right?!

Is teaching reading in small groups stressful? Do you ever wonder if your students are even getting enough value from their group time to make it worth your effort?  As a young teacher I know I struggled with what to teach during small groups, how to group my students, and don't even get me started on the classroom management struggles I had during small group reading time! Well, it doesn't have to be that way. And yes, small group reading instruction really is valuable if we structure it right. Listen in to find out more and don't forget to grab my freebies. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

When we take time for teaching genre in primary grades, it's not just one more thing to teach on our already full plates. Learning to read is a journey and understanding genre can empower our students to keep searching for their next great read. This knowledge gives students the ability to understand what they enjoy reading, find books with similar traits, and branch out to try new things. Just imagine a day when your students no longer say...I don't like to read, reading is boring, or I can't find anything good in the library. Listen in to find out more and don't forget to grab the FREE Genre Anchor Chart. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Do your students struggle with finding the main idea in nonfiction text? Do you avoid teaching this concept as long as you can? I get it! Main or central idea is hard for so many students to grasp. In fact, many students struggle with nonfiction texts in general. In this episode, I have 5 strategies to help your students understand and find the main idea in their nonfiction reading. Listen in to find out more and don't forget to grab the Nonfiction Reading Strategies Poster and check out the Main Idea Graphic Organizers as well. It's all in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Are your students confident in using text features when reading [and discussing] nonfiction texts? If we're honest, we KNOW most students skip over the text features when reading nonfiction. Whether your students don't know what to do with them or feel like it's one more thing to do or the text features feel disjointed or separate from the text, it's clear many students don't know when and why [much less how] to use to the text features.  Obviously, today's episode is all about understanding text features and reading nonfiction texts effectively. Listen in to find out more [and don't forget to grab the Nonfiction Reading Strategies Poster] in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Technology in the classroom is a mixed blessing, right?! I definitely have a love-hate relationship with student technology use in the classroom.  How about you...has student computer use become a problem in your classroom? Does required computer time or programs limit your time to actually TEACH? I know all about that! Today's episode is all about what to use and not use technology for in the classroom so you can still teach. What a concept! Listen in to find out more [and don't forget to grab the free cheat sheet] in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Classroom Management and training your class in your expectations and systems is never a "one-and-done" process. I know you understand that, but it's easy to forget to reset or retrain your students throughout the year.  Even your car needs a tune-up once in a while, why don't we remember to do the same for our classroom procedures? Perhaps you know someone who is resisting doing this. I've seen it before... teachers who think retraining seems like a lot of time when they have so little or they're stubbornly insisting their students know what to do so they should just do it, or some other reason. Whatever the reason, it's a lie. It's definitely time for a tune-up even if things are running well. Today is all classroom management and about what to retrain and how to retrain your students. Listen in to find out more [and don't forget to grab the free Power Phrase Worksheet [and check out the Playground Packet] in the show notes! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Let's chat about teaching students to write by hand using both printing and the much-debated cursive. In our digital world, students physically write less and less every year and it turns out, that's a huge problem for their brains.  Here's the skinny...a recent study by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that physically writing created the best learning and memory of the material being studied. And that, as they say, is just the tip of the iceberg... Listen in to find out more [and don't forget to grab the free Crossing the Midline Guide in the show notes]! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Do your students struggle with understanding the difference between the main idea vs. the theme?  Well...that's understandable. It can be confusing. Today's episode is all about getting clear on the difference between theme and main idea. In addition, we'll chat about helping students to understand both how and when to find each one in their reading. Listen in to find out more [and don't forget to grab the free Main Idea vs. Theme Cheat Sheet in the show notes]! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

All the Comprehension strategies in the world won't help our students understand and remember their reading if they don't know how to monitor their thinking and understanding. Because reading is really all about understanding and enjoying what we read. In case you haven't guessed, this episode is all about teaching your students how to apply all those comprehension strategies you're been teaching them in order to monitor their comprehension as they read. What a concept, right?! Listen in to find out more [and don't forget to grab the free Monitoring Comprehension Anchor Chart in the show notes]! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Letter writing may seem unimportant as something to teach your students. It's outdated, right?! Wrong! Great communication is never outdated. Whether you're writing an email or a physical letter, the properties are similar and important.  With Valentine's Day around the corner, it's the perfect time for teaching letter writing!  Listen in to find out more [and don't forget to grab the free mentor text list and Valentine's Day Pop-up card template in the show notes]! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns  

Comparing and Contrasting while simple to teach and to learn, don't underestimate its importance as a comprehension strategy and a life skill. Yup, you read that right - life skill. I'll explain that more in the episode [something for you to look forward to

Teaching your students to summarize well is not easy. But, it's 100% worth the effort! This important comprehension strategy, if learned right, will serve your students well for years to come.  The great thing is, there's more than one way to do summaries so all [yes ALL] students can work on this strategy.  Even better, I have a [not so secret] tool I use when I'm just starting to teach summarizing to students. It's a game-changer! Listen in to find out more [and don't forget to grab the free guide in the show notes]! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Your students' reading comprehension toolbox would not be complete without knowing how to make predictions using evidence from the text and check for accuracy as they read. While making predictions can seem like a lesser strategy and often gets pushed aside for "more important" reading strategies, don't underestimate the power of making predictions. In this episode, I talk about the benefits and process of making predictions. Listen in to find out more [and don't forget to grab a copy of the Making Prediction Mentor Text List in the show notes]. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Do you ever wonder what the difference is between reading skills and reading strategies? So often the terms are used interchangeably but they are actually 2 different things that use different thinking skills, parts of the brain, and have different purposes in your students' reading. In this episode of The Teach Joyfully Podcast, I have the skinny on what the reading skills and reading strategies are and the difference between these two groups. Listen in to find out more [and don't forget to grab a copy of the Reading Skills vs. Strategies Cheat Sheet in the show notes]. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Do your students seem to hear less and less of what you say? Are they always wanting to be "plugged in" to their own personal bubbles [headphones]? You're not alone! Listening is fast becoming a lost art. We see it in our society and our students are no different than all the adults around them. So how do you remedy that in your classroom? Today I've got 5 ways to teach your students to listen more effectively and build their listening stamina. Listen in [ha!] to find out more [and don't forget to grab a copy of the Listening Skills Framework in the show notes]. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Raise your hand if you plan extensively for back-to-school success in the fall. That's pretty much every teacher, isn't it?! But do you put the same attention to detail into planning for your January back-to-school success? So often we forget that our students are going to need similar supports in getting back into the swing of things in January as they did in the fall. It's not quite the same, but planning for retraining and building stamina still needs to happen after long breaks. That's why this week's episode is all about how to plan ahead to set your students (and yourself) up for success in January and beyond. Listen in [and don't forget to grab the free January Back-to-School Plan]. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

How do you empower your students to learn to cope better and learn to self-regulate? We're all dealing with different forms of stress and even trauma these days. Students often show their stress in their behavior at school, sabotaging themselves and disrupting others. So how do we move forward and help our students do the same?  Join me as I chat with Dr. Michael Gaskell as he shares his wealth of knowledge to assist teachers and school administrators in helping students (and themselves!) navigate their trauma, build resiliency and make real progress all year long.  In this episode, find out more about the strategies that work, where to start, and how to stack strategies for maximum student growth. Listen in [and don't forget to grab the free Strategies Guide]. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Using text evidence is a skill all students should have to effectively talk about a text and explain their thinking. Yes, even in primary grades! Bold words but true nonetheless. Let me ask you this...How often do your students answer a question about a character, the setting or something about a text and they don't know why or how they came to that conclusion? They have NO text evidence to support their thinking. What about this one...Do you have students who have no idea where to find evidence in a text or even what text evidence is? And one more...Does the idea of teaching your students to use evidence from the text to support their answers seem daunting? Well, guess what? Being a story detective and learning to find and use text evidence is actually really simple and can be lots of fun. Listen in [and don't forget to grab the free Anchor Chart and the Booklist]. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Your students are great at asking questions, right?! They ask questions ALL the time, but do they know how to ask the right questions when they're reading? Asking questions for better reading comprehension is much harder for our students than we think.  In today's episode, learn how to teach your students to ask effective questions as they're reading for better comprehension. In addition, learn all about the benefits of knowing what questions to ask and how to ask those questions. Listen in to find out more [and don't forget to grab the Asking Questions Teaching Guide as well]. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES 

  You don't have to sacrifice great learning to keep your students engaged before Christmas break. In today's episode of The Teach Joyfully Podcast, I'm giving you my favorite tips for your holiday literacy plans. Tips that will keep your students engaged without sacrificing learning AND won't take a ton of time, money, or energy to accomplish. So rest easy my #teachertired friend. I've got you covered.  Listen in [and don't forget to grab the free Bitmoji read-aloud library]. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

I don't believe we can teach real reading comprehension through online programs and online apps. There are 5 key elements that impact your students' reading comprehension. And your students need you, their teacher, to model, guide, and help them learn to incorporate the skills in their reading. What real teachers do is so valuable that it simply cannot be replaced by programs and apps. So save those programs and apps as reinforcement AFTER you've your students have learned the concepts, skills, and strategies. Listen in to find out what the 5 keys are. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Children stacking with cubes, playing with play-doh, and other tactile materials might seem like wasted time to an outsider, but to all a teacher...we KNOW there's so much more going on than just play. Join Lisa for a conversation about the power of play in the classroom with Vanessa Levin from Pre-K Pages. Find out: How learning through play makes the lessons stick better. Why adding in play to your lessons is not just "one more thing" to do. and lots more! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Do your students struggle with engagement in reading? Do you have some students you just can't seem to get excited about books? Well, let's add another tool to your teacher toolbox, Author Studies. Yes, you heard me. I know doing author studies seems like just one more thing to do, but they're actually quite simple to implement. In fact, I think author studies give you a pretty big return on your investment. In this episode, find out: What author studies are [and what they aren't] Why you should be doing them with your students. The benefits for your students And...how to get started. LISTEN IN to find out more about using author studies in your classroom and grab the free Author Studies Cheat Sheet in the show notes. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Remember when teaching was less about surface standards and more about in-depth knowledge? Or maybe you have a hobby you'd love to share with kids. Well...today's guest has a solution for giving you back control of what you teach and how you teach it.  Today's guest has the secrets of success for teaching on Outschool, a platform that connects teachers with students for all kinds of classes. LISTEN IN to find out more about teaching with Outschool. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

There are all kinds of ways to teach elementary school, from traditional public schools to private schools to online schools and more. Now more than ever, alternative ways to teach abound. If you're thinking of trying something different, this episode is for you. In this episode, I chat with Connie Gatlin about how her teaching journey took an unexpected turn when COVID shut everything down. LISTEN IN to find out more about micro schools [aka. pod schools]. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Teacher self-care time is important all year long, not just over breaks and holidays.  It's always a great time to take a minute for self-care. I know. There's SO much to do! News Flash! There will ALWAYS be a lot to do. With the holiday season sneaking up on us, now is a great time to take a minute for yourself.  There's going to be lots to celebrate and just as much to plan, prep, and do. Today, let's talk about the best way to get ready for all that [and to be ready for anything all year long]. LISTEN IN to find out how and why to care for yourself all year long so you can Teach Joyfully every day. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Do you find parent teacher conferences stressful?  There's so much to prep and keep track of for parent teacher conferences in the midst of your regular teaching. And then there's the minefield of helping families understand their child's strengths and weaknesses honestly but with great compassion. It's a lot, especially in the meager 15 - 20 minutes of time we have per family! So how do you prepare, run and what should you say at parent teacher conferences? Don't worry, I've got you covered! Listen in to find out ALL the details. Don't forget to head over to the show notes to grab the free recording form. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Many teachers have a book in their heads but it never gets written, much less published. So often we think we're too busy or don't have the right credentials to write that book. So we just leave it in the shadows. If that's you, you're going to love this episode! My guest today is author Lauren Ranalli. She's a busy, working mom who has managed to publish not one but 3 books [with number 4 in the works]. Even better, she helps other future authors to get THEIR books written and published too! Lauren's encouraging, realistic and down-to-earth approach will make you feel like you've just found a  personal coach in the writing biz.  Much of Lauren's advice applies to helping your students as writers as well.  I can't wait to hear what you think of this episode. TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Are you a Morning Meeting fan or not so much? Morning meetings are full of potential for setting up your school day for success for both you and your students. There's so much that can be accomplished in just a short amount of time each morning. While morning meetings started out as a, traditionally, primary grade thing to do, they have become more common in all the elementary grades.  Why? Well...simply because they are a great place for quick reinforcement of concepts, practicing social skills, practice (and build stamina) for speaking in a group, building your class culture and so much more! If you aren't being intentional with your morning meetings or don't even do them, this episode is worth a listen. Listen in! [and grab the free cheat sheet] TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Is your email inbox overflowing? Are you overwhelmed with parent emails to respond to every day? Having trouble keeping up with all the regular communication? Here's how to gain control of your email. It's actually easier than you think with these 5 easy steps! I'm serious. Even if you have hundreds of emails in your inbox, I can help you clean out in an hour or less. Join me today as we clean out our inboxes and start fresh with a new [doable] system. I promise! Listen in! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES  

Trying to help your students catch the writing bug? Has there been a story rolling in YOUR head, and you're not sure how to get it out?  Join Lisa and children's book author Lauren Ranalli as they discuss the ways authors find inspiration for their stories, not give up on the process or writing, and how to help your students do the same. Find out the importance of "showing up" to write daily. Even if your students are only dedicating a short time to writing each day, it can have a huge impact on their work and their growth as writers.  Be inspired [and inspire your students] when you hear how Lauren's stories have had a much bigger impact in ways she never imagined! Stories sometimes have a life of their own. Listen in! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES    

Finding good podcasts is hard! Forst you have to decide what kind of information or entertainment you're looking for, and then you have to sort through all the options. And there are SO MANY podcasts out there in the ether that it's easy to get overwhelmed. I've found that asking for recommendations is the fastest way to find something good. With that being said, today's episode is short and to the point - I'm sharing my FIVE favorite podcasts about children's books. These podcasts range from stories read aloud to author and illustrator interviews to children's book industry news.  I hope you find your next great listen on this list! Listen in! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES

Are your students constantly asking for help with tasks or disobeying rules you know you've taught them? Do you feel like a broken record sometimes? In this episode of the Teach Joyfully Podcast, I talk about things that hinder that well-run classroom and... How to check to see if you might be accidentally sabotaging your students' independence. Not to worry...there's help packed away in this episode just for you! Listen in! TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES           mrENBEsOIucmXyuEdXeJ

Transitions in the classroom, all those little moments when your students are moving from one activity to the next, really can make or break your day.  So today's episode is all about how to set up and direct the transition times in your day. And guess what...you and your students make tons of transitions each and every day. I think you'll be surprised by how many transitions there are that you haven't even thought about.  Transitions in the classroom can go horribly wrong or they can be found time to reinforce concepts, bond with students, or just have a fun brain break. Don't waste them! Listen in! [and grab the free guide in the show notes linked below] TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns TEACH JOYFULLY PODCAST SHOW NOTES