Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
Episodes
7 Ways to Create Community with Peers
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a new teacher who is teaching online this year, creating a feeling of community with your grade level team can be a real challenge. Let's ta...
20 Awesome Class Rewards when Teaching Online 078
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With everything involved in teaching online, sometimes it's hard to think of fun and creative rewards for students - especially when kids come from su...
Dealing with Haters 077
19 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We all have them - it might be a parent who just sent you a nasty email, a principal who gave you a review that's really hard to recover from, or in m...
How to Manage Stress & Uncertainty 076
12 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We have talked a lot about how to support children's social and emotional needs as they make this transition to online learning, but what about teache...
4 Things My Mom Taught Me about Working with Children 075
05 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's take a break from COVID talk this week to chat about alllll those things that your parents taught you when you were growing up that you didn't e...
Considering Home-Schooling Students This Year? 074
29 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are you thinking about teaching a small group of students at home instead of contracting with a school this next school year? In this episode, we'll t...
How to Connect with Your Students 073
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If your school is considering starting the year online (or you are concerned that you may need to make this transition to teaching online quickly), le...
Create a Caring Classroom Community in the First Week of School 072
15 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably been dreaming about teaching your first day of school in your very own classroom for years – but never, in your wildest dreams, did ...
How to Get Confident on Video When Teaching Online 071
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You may be asked to step outside of your comfort zone in more ways than one this next school year as districts determine the safest ways to bring kids...
Social Distancing In Classrooms 070
01 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One of the things I keep hearing from teachers is how concerned teachers are that students won't be able to do group work in classrooms because of soc...
Classroom Management in a COVID Classroom 069
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a new elementary teacher and your school is considering bringing students back for in-person classes even part-time when kids go back to sch...
Re-Opening Schools in a COVID World 068
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As countries begin to make plans to re-open schools, things will likely look quite different than we are used to. Let's talk about some of the very p...
How to Prepare for a New School Year with Distance Learning 067
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a new elementary teacher and your school is thinking of starting the new school year via distance learning in the fall, let's talk about the...
10 Things I Wish Somebody had Told Me in My First Year of Teaching 066
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hindsight is 20-20, right? Let's talk about 10 things that I really wish somebody had told me in my first year of teaching to ensure that you don't ma...
How to Prepare for Your First Year of Teaching 065
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a new teacher and you've just accepted your first teaching position (or you're interviewing for positions and plan to teach your first year ...
How to Be Confident when Communicating with Parents 064
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most challenging parts of being a new teacher is trying to figure out how to feel confident when communicating with parents - especially wh...
Your First Classroom 063
13 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you just graduated with your teaching degree and you're getting ready to set up your first classroom, learn what to invest in - and what not to - b...
Why My Students Listened to Me
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you've had a student teaching experience and been super frustrated by the fact that the students behave completely differently for you than for you...
Classroom Management 101
29 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had a teacher that you'll never forget? I'll tell you what all these teachers have in common and three things you can do to become that ...
How to Dress as a Teacher 060
22 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The transition from student to teacher can be a tricky one to navigate, especially when it comes to figuring out a new wardrobe that is professional w...
How to Get Relief from "I'm Not Doing Enough" when Teaching from Home 059
15 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching from home does have its perks - you can work in your pj's and spend more time with your family & pets - but what about all of those new chall...
How to Deal with Uncertainty and Fear during COVID-19 058
08 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps the most difficult part of COVID-19 has been the constant uncertainty around it on a global scale. Let's talk about how we can respond and ris...
How to Prepare for a Successful Elementary School Interview 057
01 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I know how nerve-wracking it can be to get ready for interviews, especially because you've invested so much time and effort into getting your degree, ...
5 Classroom-Tested Ways to Inspire and Engage Student Writers 056
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you are having a tough time teaching writing, and if you just can't seem to get your students to buy into writing in your classroom, you are going ...
54 Best Online Resources for Teachers & Parents During COVID-19
22 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Around the world, educators are reeling with trying to find ways to support their students from a distance and give them resources and tools for onlin...
How to Inspire and Support Struggling Readers 055
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We all have them - those kiddos who we just cannot get into reading, and it seems like nothing we try makes a difference. This week, I share 5 foundat...
How to Give Directions 054
11 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are you frustrated because it seems like your students never listen to you? It took me quite a few years to figure out how to solve this problem, but ...
How to Handle Difficult Students in Your Classroom 053
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We all have one (or many) inside our classrooms... those kids who are just plain difficult. They refuse to work, they are completely unmotivated, and ...
How to Stop Tattling in Your Classroom 052
26 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If tattling is driving you crazy in your classroom, you are going to love learning about the 5 tried and true tricks I keep up my sleeve to handle tat...
How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Teachers 051
19 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We've all done it - compared ourselves to that teacher down the hall or to that amazing teacher on Instagram or Pinterest who always seems to have the...
5 Great Ways to Spice Up Boring Curriculum 050
12 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We all have it - content that is less than exciting for us to teach or for our students to learn. So, how do we make teaching and learning that conten...
Dispelling the "I'm Not (Doing) Enough" Myth 049
05 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We all feel it... that awful, pervasive gnawing away at our daily peace by the feeling that we are never doing enough. Yet, despite the endless to-do ...
Valentine's Day & R.A.K. Week 048
29 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are you looking for some fun, creative, and teacher-tested ideas for Valentine's Day and Random Acts of Kindness week in your elementary classroom? Ch...
Why I Left the Classroom 047
22 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I grew up knowing that I wanted to be a teacher, and after more than 20 years in this profession, I now understand that although I eventually left the...
How to Stay Motivated and Focused When it Feels Hard 046
15 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you're an elementary teacher in your first few years of teaching and you're having a hard time staying motivated because it feels really hard, this...
How to Create Vision Boards with Your Students 045
08 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you always been curious about creating vision boards with your students? Vision boards can be amazing tools to help students get super clear abou...
Narrative and Opinion Writing with Learning Experiments 044
01 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are "Learning Experiments," you ask? Well, in my classroom, they were systematic and super-fun, small changes that my students and I made to our ...
10 Ways to Love Up Your Kiddos 043
25 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This is one of my FAVORITE topics of all time - all of the little ways that we can show love and care to our kiddos throughout the year. I think you'r...
What Students Want in a Teacher 042
18 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered what students really want in a teacher? In this episode, we dive into 9 things that students said when asked this question by E...
How to Be Confident as a New Teacher 041
11 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us struggle with feeling confident when we are learning new things, and learning to teach is no exception. Find out what 4 things you can do r...
12 Creative Holiday Gifts for Your Students 040
04 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes it can be hard to know if you should give your students gifts before the holidays. Here are 12 great ideas that don't involve buying stuff a...
When You Want to Quit 039
27 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We've all been there... those days when you wonder if all of your effort is worth it, when the endless meetings or your administrator or *that* collea...
How to Make Friends at a New School 038
20 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Are you feeling alone and isolated at your new school as a new teacher? Are you finding it hard to fit in and make friends with your new colleagues? I...
How to Differentiate Any Lesson 037
13 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you're struggling with understanding how to differentiate your lessons, learn the 3 key ways to differentiate ANY lesson and download Dr. Lori's FR...
Your Classroom Management Re-Start 036
06 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you've been struggling with your classroom management mid-year, learn what to do to make changes tomorrow! Show notes & online workshop info here: ...
How to Create Simple, Effective Learning Centers for Any Subject 035
30 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Get step-by-step instructions for how to set up efficient, effective learning centers in your elementary classroom for any subject - and re-use this s...
Ultimate Student Engagement 034
23 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you teach elementary school and are looking for ways to help increase student engagement, check out these five easy, positive, and creative ideas! ...
Got a Chatty Class? 033
16 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you're struggling with a chatty class, learn 7 questions you can ask yourself (and what you can do TOMORROW) to fix this! Get the complete show not...
How to Best Prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences 032
09 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I know that parent-teacher conferences can feel really intimidating in your first year of teaching, but they don't have to be something that you dread...
7 Quality Thanksgiving Activities that Teach Gratitude 031
02 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that genuine gratitude positively impacts student learning? Learn 7 of the best ways to infuse gratitude into your classroom throughout t...
10 Best Halloween Books 030
25 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Looking for some fantastic Halloween books to read with your elementary students? Here are my 10 favories - and a fantastic haunted house literacy pro...
12 Transition Ideas 029
18 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Learn 12 classroom-tested ideas to make transitions effective, efficient, and fun - and to help you save wasted time moving kids from one activity to ...
12 Best Ideas to Calm Students 028
11 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you've been struggling to find a great way to calm and re-focus your students after lunch and after recess, you're going to love these 12 great ide...
Freedom from Grading Overwhelm 027
04 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If grading papers has become the way you spend your Saturdays, it's time to get your life back! Let's talk about 5 grading traps we so often fall into...
Planning Perfection 026
28 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Is planning taking over your life? If you want to learn to plan more efficiently and in less time, tune in to discover eight steps you can take to str...
Sunday Night Anxiety 025
21 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Many teachers (not just new teachers) suffer from dreaded Sunday Night Anxiety. Learn what it is, why we have it, and five things you can do to help a...
Getting Sick Sucks 024
14 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Learn what master teachers know about practical steps you can take to ensure that you are taking care of yourself WHILE you are at school so that you ...
14 Things to Do When You Only Have One Week to Get Ready 023
07 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when you can't get into your classroom until one week before school starts? Here are 14 things you can do to get started right away and...
How to Prepare for Meet the Teacher Night 022
31 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Learn the 5 things to think through before Meet the Teacher night, EXACTLY what information to share with parents, as well as how to set yourself up f...
The First Day of School Welcome Packet 021
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you're an elementary teacher and you're preparing for your first day of school, this is for you! Listen to find out the 6 things I've learned to se...
My 10 Favorite Books for the First Weeks of School 020
17 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about my 10 favorite back-to-school books to pair with the awesome back-to-school activities we featured in last week's episode: https://w...
10 Fantastic First Week of School Activities 019
10 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade teacher in your first three years of teaching and you're looking for activities to do with ...
How to Prepare for Your First Day and Week of School 018
03 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The first week of school can be stressful when you don't know what to do - and students aren't the only ones who get butterflies as they anticipate th...
How to Create Your Classroom Management Plan 017
26 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Creating a clear and concise classroom management plan BEFORE your first day of school will set you on a path to success during your first year. Learn...
16 Cheap, Free, and Creative Ways to Get Books for Your Classroom Library 016
19 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I get asked this question a LOT in my work with teachers. Here is my best advice - you do not need to spend hundreds of dollars trying to fill your cl...
Best Classroom Theme Ever 015
12 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about how to create a classroom that is authentically, beautifully, and meaningfully you and becomes a place where your students can find a...
6 Things to Do This Summer to Ensure You are Ready for Your First Year 014
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Experiencing a successful first year of teaching means getting prepared well before the first day of school. Learn the most important and strategic wa...
They're Just Little: That's Why You Aren't Their Friend 013
29 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Don't make the same mistake I did and position yourself as your students' friend... and rob them of the incredible gift you could (and should) be givi...
The Best 6 Games to Play with Your Students 012
22 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I LOVE teaching, and I HATE wasting time! I'm all about working smarter, not harder, so you can be sure that the 6 games I share with you are quality,...
8 Things to Do Before You Leave School for the Summer 011
15 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
One of the kindest things we can do for ourselves as educators is prepare our classrooms for the fall before we leave for our summer break. Let's talk...
12 Ways to Leave School at School 010
08 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
WHY is it so hard for us to leave school at school? In this episode, we talk about 12 ways we can begin to leave school at school and develop a life o...
The BEST Classroom Management Technique EVER 009
01 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS SHOW! If you've been struggling to figure out how to get your students' attention instantly and how to create a positive ...
25 Fun and Easy Ways to Manage Spring Fever 008
24 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Are your students bouncing off the walls with spring fever? If you're an elementary teacher, you know how challenging this can be. Let's talk about 25...
BEST End of the Year Student Gifts_007
17 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Are you trying to figure out what to get your students as an end-of-the-year gift? Would you rather give your students experiences rather than "stuff?...
How Walt Disney Would Manage Your Classroom Part 3 006
10 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by the great master edutainer himself, Walt Disney! In Part 3 of this series, Dr. Lori shares how, once we've created our own Legendary Lay-...
How Walt Disney Would Manage Your Classroom: Part 2 005
03 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How does Disneyland have this almost magical way of making you want to go back there again the moment you leave? Why is it so energizing, and why do w...
How Walt Disney Would Manage Your Classroom: Part 1 004
27 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How can you create some of the magic of Disney in your own elementary classroom? In Part One of this three-part series, learn what Walt Disney did fir...
Beginning Teachers: What's the Problem Here? 001
13 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, a podcast by Dr. Lori Friesen to help beginning elementary teachers learn the invaluable secre...
Reduce Overwhelm in Less than 10 Min 002
13 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Lori shares one of her most effective ways for reducing stress on "those days" as a beginning teacher. Be sure to subscribe so yo...
The Magic of Five-Minute Field Trips 003
13 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Lori shares a creative strategy for helping to focus and settle your students while inviting imagination into your classroom. Be ...