Beginning Teacher Talk

Let’s talk about a very underrated classroom management tool…timers. Specifically, using timers in your PowerPoint slides. This is one of my favorite ways to streamline and improve classroom management. So much so that I’m shocked I’ve managed to create over 200 podcast episodes without talking about it! I am giving you 15 ways that you can use timers to streamline your classroom management in today’s episode. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/ways-to-use-timers Take my FREE quiz to receive your curated podcast playlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/playlist Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your

“My child hates school.”  Ouch. Have you ever had a parent say this to you before? If not, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s most likely coming at one point or another - and oh my goodness, it does not feel good. Hearing "my child hates school" is one of those things that cuts deep and instantly messes with our mindset. We begin to doubt our competence as a teacher. It can be especially challenging when it happens if you’re a new teacher and already feeling so unsure about your abilities. Inside of this episode I’m going to share some important things to consider if you are ever faced with this comment. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/my-child-hates-school Take my FREE quiz to receive your curated podcast playlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/playlist Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  C

Have you heard of the term 'digital native’?  Our guest, Rachael Parlett, explains that ‘digital native’ is a phrase that describes our students in today’s world, meaning that children speak the language of technology and absorb information through technology. It’s what they’ve known their whole lives, and in many cases, it’s how they connect with people. Because of the huge role that technology plays in all of our lives, teaching strategies and best practices are shifting. They aren’t the same that they were 10-15 years ago. We have to speak to our students differently than before, and teach them in a way that they can relate to. Embracing technology is certainly one of the ways to do that! Rachael and I are going to talk about these best practices and teaching today’s kids in this episode. She will share how we can provide our students with multimedia learning experiences that are engaging and effective in all content areas. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/teaching-todays-kids Take my FREE qu

The fall and winter months come with lots of sick children, and in turn, absent students from your class. You know what that means - extra work for you! When your students miss school, that means they need to catch up on missing work (among other things) when they get back. With everything that you are already responsible for as a teacher, managing missed work due to absences can become very overwhelming very quickly.  Today I’m sharing 10 ways that you can handle missing work and absences without taking up a ton of your time and energy. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/missing-work Take my FREE quiz to receive your curated podcast playlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/playlist Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lor

Can teachers really get all of their lesson planning done during their contract hours? This is probably the holy grail of teacher questions. Is it actually possible? The answer is yes, it is absolutely possible.  Today I’m joined by my close friend, Sara Marye, and we’re tackling this hot topic. Sara is sharing five great tips for lesson planning so that you can take back your nights and weekends by planning more efficiently and more effectively.  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/5-planning-tips Take my FREE quiz to receive your curated podcast playlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/playlist Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher T

Have you ever received an email from your school’s secretary letting you know that you’re getting a new student? Getting this news can sometimes cause a bit of panic as you run through the list of everything you need to do to get ready for them to join your class.  From the student’s perspective, it can be really difficult to start at a new school, especially mid-year. They’re often walking into your classroom without knowing anyone, not knowing the routines, or even how to get around the school building.  Today we’re going to talk about how to manage all of that. I’m going to share some simple and strategic things that you can do to make new students feel like they belong from the first day they step into your classroom. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/new-student-mid-year Take my FREE quiz to receive your curated podcast playlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/playlist Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lo

Are you struggling with classroom management, or something else that is holding you back from becoming the teacher you've always dreamed of being? If so, it's time to ask for support from admin, and I'll show you how. I have four key ways that you can ask for help from your admin, as well as what to do if you aren't feeling supported by your admin. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/support-from-admin Take my FREE quiz to receive your curated podcast playlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/playlist Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grat

How many times have you spent your entire weekend working and then resented having to go into work on Monday morning? When you show up, you’re completely exhausted and would give just about anything to crawl back into bed and sleep for just a few more hours. If it sounds like I know a little bit too much about this, it’s because I’ve been there. I’ve made the mistake of spending my weekends deep in school work, especially during my first few years of teaching. It sucked all of the energy, inspiration, and creativity from me - yet I continued to do it. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how I turned things around and learned that I could become a better teacher when I allowed myself to rest…and how you can too! Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/reduce-overwhelm Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect wi

Spooky season is here and as teachers, we know what that comes with, right?

Have you ever been sick, but still showed up to teach anyway? Teachers do this so often, and it’s usually for one of two reasons. They feel like it’s easier to go in than it is to try and put together sub plans (even when they’re feeling awful!) or they feel guilty for calling in sick…especially with the current sub shortage.  Our guest today, Kelsey Sorenson, is here to encourage you to change your thought process around taking a day off. She’ll share how you can plan for a sub ahead of time so that you can actually take a day off. You will also hear exactly how to prepare your students for your absence, and how you can ensure that your sub feels welcome and will want to return in the future. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/plan-for-a-sub Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinte

Do you feel genuinely happy in your day to day life, both in and out of the classroom? Happiness is something that we all long for, and I think it’s one of the most important topics that we can talk about on this podcast.  The older I get, the more I realize that what really matters, and how much we actually enjoy our lives, is determined by how happy we are. So the big question is, if you aren’t happy, how do you change that? How do we become happier in our everyday lives? Most importantly, from a teacher’s perspective, how do we start enjoying teaching more even when we feel like there’s always so much to do? It is totally possible to learn the habit of being happy and loving your job. I’m going to share with you how I found ways to be happier, more satisfied, and more fulfilled. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/how-to-be-happier Grab your copy of Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers by Grace Stevens: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0998701947/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=

Raise your hand if you’ve ever experienced the struggle of running small groups.

Over the past couple of weeks on the podcast, we've been talking about a couple of different topics. One of them was how to set up your teacher planning binder. And the other one was how to manage all of that student data.  As I was recording those episodes, it really got me thinking about how classroom management is a much broader topic than what we traditionally think about classroom management as. I've worked with more than 1,500 teachers inside the R.E.A.D.Y for School Academy over the last few years, and what's become so much clearer to me than ever before, is that classroom management is not just about managing students. I realized that it all really boils down to four key areas, all of which fall under the larger umbrella of how I define classroom management. I’m sharing those key areas with you today. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/struggling-with-classroom-management Grab your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-

I don’t know about you, but when I first started teaching elementary school, “student data” was the one term that struck fear in my heart. The phrase made me uncomfortable. I didn’t feel prepared to be able to collect and organize data on my students. I didn’t learn about it in University, and I’ve never been a math person, so it just felt like something that was going to be a real challenge for me. If you’re feeling this way as you begin a new school year, you definitely aren’t alone. I’m here to walk you through how to set up your very own student data binder in a way that’s organized and effective. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/managing-student-data Grab a copy of my New Teacher Planning Binder: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Teacher-Planner-2022-2023-EDITABLE-Teacher-Binder-Includes-13-Binder-Covers-5812376 Download your FREE Assessment Starter Kit: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/assessment_starter_kit Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.

Do your eyes light up when you walk through the office supply aisle at Target? As teachers, the colorful flair pens, sticky notes, and art supplies are basically our love language. So, when someone puts a really pretty planner in front of us, that just makes our whole day, right? The problem is that a lot of the planners out there expect that you have taught for at least a few years, and even include things that you just won’t ever use. That’s why I’m going to teach you how to set up your teacher planning binder based on being a new teacher, plus I’ll show you how this binder is actually an essential classroom management tool! Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/teacher-planning-binder Grab a copy of my New Teacher Planning Binder: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Teacher-Planner-2022-2023-EDITABLE-Teacher-Binder-Includes-13-Binder-Covers-5812376 Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Be

There’s always so much to do at the beginning of a new school year. The busyness comes with stress, overwhelm, and way too little sleep! Then there’s the panic that sets in when you get your curriculum for the year…especially as a new teacher. Before you freak out, just know that you are not alone. There are so many other teachers who are feeling the exact same way. To address this stress you’re experiencing, I’m sharing some advice and suggestions that will help you when you get your curriculum this year. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/get-your-curriculum Grab my FREE Fillable Back to School Shopping List: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/back%20to%20school%20shopping%20list Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on

Imagine you’ve spent all summer preparing to teach second grade. It’s the position you were hired to teach, and you’re ready to start in a week and a half. Then, you get a call from your principal letting you know that you’ll actually be teaching fourth grade.  Your mind instantly goes into freak out mode. What are you going to do? You aren’t prepared!  For those of you who may be in this situation, deep breath, friend. I’m here to ease your overwhelm and worries. When switching grade levels, a lot of the overwhelm comes from a fear that we have to start all over. The reality is, you actually don’t! Once you've set up one classroom, you have everything you need to set yourself up for success again. I’m going to give you the five key areas of what you really need to set yourself up for success, no matter what grade you're going to be teaching.  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/change-grades Join the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/yes Grab my FREE Fillable Back to Sch

One of the best ways that you can create a sense of community in your classroom from the very beginning is by being intentional about the activities you choose, especially during that first week of school. It’s important to be strategic about these activities not only to build that community, but also to teach routines inside your classroom. I know you’ve got more than enough on your plate right now, so I’m going to give you five fantastic first weeks of school activities, plus book recommendations that pair well with each activity. These suggestions will help you build community and teach expectations right away, all while reading great literature! Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/first-weeks-of-school Grab my templates for 14 Fantastic First Week of School Activities: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/14-First-Week-Activities-Classroom-Rules-and-Expectations-Community-Building-4812165 Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeach

Do you take your school work home every weekend? Do you check work emails on the weekend? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you may think it’s not even possible to stop doing these things. You may also find it challenging to get any real planning done during contracted hours. As teachers, the lines behind work time and personal time can get very blurry very quickly…even after the back-to-school craziness has come and gone.  If you feel like you’re working 24/7, then you’re going to love hearing from today’s guest, productivity expert, Stephanie Palovchik. She really knows a thing or two about productivity and honing in on systems so that the overwhelm doesn't last you all year long. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/planned-and-organized Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori

If you've been listening to the podcast for a while, you know that I recommend that you do a monthly newsletter for parents every single month of the school year. However, when it comes to that first day of school, you need a welcome packet that contains all kinds of information that parents need, and want, to know! I have 14 specific things that you absolutely need to tell parents on that first day of school in your back to school welcome packet. Preparing this information in advance will prevent you from getting the same questions over and over again. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/things-to-tell-parents Grab my Editable Newsletter Templates: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Weekly-Newsletter-Templates-Monthly-Newsletter-Templates-Editable-6365916 Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Conn