1 00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:03,660 Heidi: This is episode 203 of Teacher Approved. 2 00:00:04,620 --> 00:00:09,060 You're listening to Teacher Approved, the podcast helping 3 00:00:09,060 --> 00:00:12,780 educators elevate what matters and simplify the rest. I'm 4 00:00:12,780 --> 00:00:13,320 Heidi. 5 00:00:13,500 --> 00:00:16,680 Emily: And I'm Emily. We're the creators behind Second Story 6 00:00:16,680 --> 00:00:19,620 Window, where we give research based and teacher approved 7 00:00:19,620 --> 00:00:22,200 strategies that make teaching less stressful and more 8 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:25,665 effective. You can check out the show notes and resources from 9 00:00:25,665 --> 00:00:27,525 each episode at secondstorywindow.net. 10 00:00:28,459 --> 00:00:31,279 Heidi: We're so glad you're tuning in today. Let's get to 11 00:00:31,279 --> 00:00:31,819 the show. 12 00:00:35,620 --> 00:00:38,860 Emily: Hey there. Thanks for joining us today. In today's 13 00:00:38,860 --> 00:00:42,520 episode, we are discussing six pressures that we are just 14 00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:45,760 saying no to this summer, and sharing a teacher approved tip 15 00:00:45,820 --> 00:00:48,040 for adding a little delight to your school day. 16 00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:51,760 Heidi: But first, it's time for Try It Tomorrow, a favorite 17 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:54,520 quick win that you can try in your life right away. Emily, 18 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:56,305 what is our suggestion for this week? 19 00:00:56,660 --> 00:00:59,960 Emily: Well, for this week, why not try listing your wins for 20 00:00:59,960 --> 00:01:02,720 the day? At the end of the day, or before you're up and going 21 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:05,660 the next morning, make a list of all the things you got done in 22 00:01:05,660 --> 00:01:08,720 the day. If you're feeling the pressure that you're not doing 23 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:11,540 enough, seeing a list of everything you are doing can be 24 00:01:11,540 --> 00:01:12,620 very freeing. 25 00:01:13,220 --> 00:01:18,983 Heidi: And don't feel like you have to limit yourself to just 26 00:01:18,983 --> 00:01:19,014 the big stuff. Putting away the cereal that was left out or 27 00:01:19,014 --> 00:01:21,665 remembering to send an email, these are all accomplishments 28 00:01:21,665 --> 00:01:24,545 we're celebrating. You are doing better than you think you are. 29 00:01:24,965 --> 00:01:27,185 Emily: I used to do a wins journal, and it really helped 30 00:01:27,185 --> 00:01:28,505 me. I should get back to that. 31 00:01:28,505 --> 00:01:30,605 Heidi: I know I was thinking, I need to do that too. 32 00:01:30,605 --> 00:01:33,065 Emily: I have some good wins for today. I'm gonna get on a 33 00:01:33,065 --> 00:01:36,785 notebook. If you like this idea or anything else we share here 34 00:01:36,785 --> 00:01:39,725 on the podcast, would you take a second and give us a five star 35 00:01:39,725 --> 00:01:43,325 rating and review on Apple podcasts? Ratings and reviews 36 00:01:43,325 --> 00:01:46,250 are one way that new listeners find us, so every rating and 37 00:01:46,250 --> 00:01:48,230 review is a huge help to us. 38 00:01:49,260 --> 00:01:51,900 Heidi: Over the years, Emily and I have created an extensive 39 00:01:51,900 --> 00:01:54,840 library of back to school products. To help you find the 40 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:57,660 tools that will make the start of your new year easier, today 41 00:01:57,660 --> 00:02:00,840 we are spotlighting our first day and first week of school 42 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:01,680 planning guide. 43 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:04,620 Emily: We're really focused on helping teachers prep 44 00:02:04,620 --> 00:02:08,220 intentionally and not haphazardly. So we put together 45 00:02:08,220 --> 00:02:11,700 this guide to walk you step by step through how to create 46 00:02:11,700 --> 00:02:15,060 thoughtful, effective plans for your first week of school. 47 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:18,360 Heidi: A successful first day of school builds a powerful 48 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:20,780 momentum that will carry you through the following weeks and 49 00:02:20,780 --> 00:02:24,260 months. This guide will help you create your own perfect plan for 50 00:02:24,260 --> 00:02:27,080 the first day of school, and also show you how to extend that 51 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:28,340 plan into the first week. 52 00:02:28,700 --> 00:02:31,220 Emily: Just think how awesome it will feel knowing that your 53 00:02:31,220 --> 00:02:34,760 first week is already planned, prepared and ready to roll. 54 00:02:35,539 --> 00:02:37,879 Heidi: So check out the show notes for a link to our first 55 00:02:37,879 --> 00:02:39,919 day of school lesson plan and planning guide. 56 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:44,340 Emily: Now I don't want to alarm anyone, but we are tiptoeing 57 00:02:44,340 --> 00:02:45,720 into July now. 58 00:02:46,380 --> 00:02:49,560 Heidi: And that means, if it hasn't already started, the BTS 59 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:52,020 buzz is going to ramp up big time. 60 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:55,560 Emily: Even as we speak, stores are stocking shelves full of 61 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:58,380 notebooks and glue sticks and the cheap pencil boxes that will 62 00:02:58,380 --> 00:03:01,560 fall apart by October, you know the ones I mean. But we're not 63 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:04,725 saying this to scare you. We want to prepare you. 64 00:03:04,725 --> 00:03:07,425 Heidi: Right. We want you to have a plan so when the ads pop 65 00:03:07,425 --> 00:03:11,025 up on TV, or you turn the corner at the store and find yourselves 66 00:03:11,025 --> 00:03:14,145 in front of the back to school aisles, you are prepared to face 67 00:03:14,145 --> 00:03:15,705 down the beast without panic. 68 00:03:16,380 --> 00:03:18,840 Emily: So in that moment when it's hard to breathe and it 69 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:22,020 feels like your stomach might drop out of your body, you need 70 00:03:22,020 --> 00:03:25,260 to calm the part of your brain that thinks you're in danger. 71 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:29,100 Your eyes see notebooks, but your brain sees hungry tigers. 72 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:32,580 Those notebooks are a threat to your safety, so your brain 73 00:03:32,580 --> 00:03:34,560 launches your survival reflexes. 74 00:03:35,160 --> 00:03:38,565 Heidi: Now, obviously, logically, we know we are not in 75 00:03:38,565 --> 00:03:42,465 danger, but our brains are wired to perceive threats, and 76 00:03:42,465 --> 00:03:46,605 thinking about school in July can feel very threatening. So 77 00:03:46,605 --> 00:03:50,745 take back some control by breathing deeply. This signals 78 00:03:50,745 --> 00:03:53,625 to your brain that you are not, in fact, about to be devoured by 79 00:03:53,625 --> 00:03:57,585 an ambush of tigers. And I think that is an awesome collective 80 00:03:57,585 --> 00:04:00,825 noun for the way that the back to school display might actually 81 00:04:00,825 --> 00:04:01,365 make you feel. 82 00:04:02,205 --> 00:04:04,170 Emily: I just learned something new today. I think that is a 83 00:04:04,170 --> 00:04:06,990 collective noun that I did not know, an ambush of tigers. I 84 00:04:06,990 --> 00:04:11,250 love it. But then you need to choose a loving phrase you can 85 00:04:11,250 --> 00:04:13,950 repeat to yourself. So maybe something like this feels 86 00:04:13,950 --> 00:04:18,030 threatening and urgent, but it's not. Or, I am on track. I have 87 00:04:18,090 --> 00:04:20,010 all the time I need to get ready. 88 00:04:20,790 --> 00:04:23,970 Heidi: Because we know this moment is coming, we can make a 89 00:04:23,970 --> 00:04:27,735 plan for how to respond when it inevitably happens, and we can 90 00:04:27,735 --> 00:04:31,035 also prepare for how to react to the other front of this back to 91 00:04:31,035 --> 00:04:33,855 school battle—social media pressure. 92 00:04:34,575 --> 00:04:37,275 Emily: Yes, if you follow any teacher accounts, lots of 93 00:04:37,275 --> 00:04:40,815 classroom content is headed your way soon. Not only might that 94 00:04:40,815 --> 00:04:43,635 trigger your fight or flight response, but in order to 95 00:04:43,635 --> 00:04:46,875 counter that panicky feeling, you might be tempted to do 96 00:04:46,875 --> 00:04:49,320 whatever you see that other teacher is sharing. 97 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:52,320 Heidi: Now, whatever you're seeing online might be a totally 98 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:55,380 great idea, but when you jump into something because you feel 99 00:04:55,380 --> 00:04:58,380 alarmed, you're not choosing it because it is great. You're 100 00:04:58,380 --> 00:05:02,040 choosing it because any kind of action feels like an antidote to 101 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:02,580 panic. 102 00:05:03,140 --> 00:05:05,720 Emily: It makes sense why we do this. The obvious answer to 103 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:08,300 feeling out of control is to do something within your control, 104 00:05:08,300 --> 00:05:11,240 right? But this is where we run into problems. We see the 105 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:14,240 teachers on our screens who seem prepared, who seem calm and 106 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:18,320 ready to go. That is exactly how I want to feel. So surely if I 107 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:21,860 just do what they're doing, I will also be prepared and calm 108 00:05:21,860 --> 00:05:22,940 and ready to go. 109 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:26,945 Heidi: And that sense of panic is so strong, it's so urgent, we 110 00:05:26,945 --> 00:05:30,305 don't always stop to think if doing those things will actually 111 00:05:30,305 --> 00:05:33,665 be the things that make us prepared. Then we spend lots of 112 00:05:33,665 --> 00:05:37,085 time and energy and money on projects that are not moving the 113 00:05:37,085 --> 00:05:37,505 needle. 114 00:05:38,045 --> 00:05:40,445 Emily: And guess what that does to your sense of panic once 115 00:05:40,445 --> 00:05:44,525 school is closer. It's not good. And that's how some of us end up 116 00:05:44,525 --> 00:05:47,525 in the doctor with rashes and ulcers and dislocated jaws. But 117 00:05:47,585 --> 00:05:49,250 not me, that one's you. Heidi. 118 00:05:50,030 --> 00:05:52,430 Heidi: Well, thankfully I did not do all of that in the same 119 00:05:52,430 --> 00:05:55,490 year. I just, I like to spread out my stress injuries. 120 00:05:56,570 --> 00:05:59,750 Emily: Well, our hope for all of you is zero doctor visits this 121 00:05:59,750 --> 00:06:02,990 back to school season. I mean, that is really just a good goal 122 00:06:02,990 --> 00:06:06,350 in general, but especially good during back to school season. So 123 00:06:06,590 --> 00:06:09,170 we're going to avoid that by handling our stress in more 124 00:06:09,170 --> 00:06:12,515 meaningful ways. One way we can do that is by recognizing that 125 00:06:12,515 --> 00:06:15,575 just because something looks amazing on social media doesn't 126 00:06:15,575 --> 00:06:17,975 mean it is fit for our classrooms. 127 00:06:18,455 --> 00:06:20,915 Heidi: Okay. So we are going to channel all of the messaging we 128 00:06:20,915 --> 00:06:23,915 were taught in the 90s, and we're going to just say no to 129 00:06:23,915 --> 00:06:25,955 these six social media pressures. 130 00:06:25,955 --> 00:06:29,015 Emily: Let's start with the big one, the elaborate classroom 131 00:06:29,015 --> 00:06:32,735 theme. You know, the ones, rainforest retreat, outer space 132 00:06:32,735 --> 00:06:36,920 odyssey, 1950s diner or whatever the latest trend Tiktok has 133 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:37,460 dreamed up. 134 00:06:37,940 --> 00:06:41,180 Heidi: Themes like these can be incredibly fun. There's a huge 135 00:06:41,180 --> 00:06:44,240 wow factor at meet the teacher night, when everyone wants to 136 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:47,660 poke their head in and see all of the fun decor. But decking 137 00:06:47,660 --> 00:06:50,300 out a classroom is also incredibly expensive, time 138 00:06:50,300 --> 00:06:52,640 consuming, and often not sustainable. 139 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:55,780 Emily: Yeah, a decked out room makes a big splash on day one, 140 00:06:55,780 --> 00:06:58,720 but by October, your students won't even notice the palm 141 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:02,260 leaves or the Galaxy backdrop anymore. What will matter is how 142 00:07:02,260 --> 00:07:06,340 they feel in your classroom, safe, welcome and known. If a 143 00:07:06,340 --> 00:07:08,920 theme helps you get there and you love it, go for it. We would 144 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:10,180 never tell you not to. 145 00:07:10,180 --> 00:07:12,940 Heidi: But if it feels like something you have to do in 146 00:07:12,940 --> 00:07:17,005 order to keep up, give yourself permission to say no, even if 147 00:07:17,005 --> 00:07:19,705 the teacher across the hall has literal vines hanging from the 148 00:07:19,705 --> 00:07:23,965 ceiling and your students ooh and ah as they walk past. You do 149 00:07:23,965 --> 00:07:26,665 not have to deck out your room. Your classroom is not a 150 00:07:26,665 --> 00:07:30,385 performance space. It's a place for real learning, real kids and 151 00:07:30,445 --> 00:07:31,585 a real human teacher. 152 00:07:31,585 --> 00:07:34,945 Emily: And if you do feel guilty for keeping it simple, remind 153 00:07:34,945 --> 00:07:38,065 yourself that science actually backs you up on this. Studies 154 00:07:38,065 --> 00:07:41,530 have demonstrated that overly decorated spaces detract from 155 00:07:41,530 --> 00:07:42,250 student learning. 156 00:07:42,820 --> 00:07:45,040 Heidi: Yeah, those elaborate themes can actually keep 157 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:48,100 students from focusing on academic content, and they 158 00:07:48,100 --> 00:07:50,740 create an environment where the decorations are competing with 159 00:07:50,740 --> 00:07:54,280 learning objectives, so you can feel confident in saying no to 160 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:55,600 this with zero guilt. 161 00:07:56,440 --> 00:07:59,080 Emily: So the second pressure that we are saying no to is the 162 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:02,860 pressure to laminate all the things. And we get the appeal 163 00:08:02,860 --> 00:08:06,100 because we love a laminator. We each own our own personal 164 00:08:06,100 --> 00:08:09,700 laminators. But the key to being the queen of lamination is 165 00:08:09,700 --> 00:08:12,160 knowing what is lamination worthy. 166 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:14,980 Heidi: Yeah, lamination takes a lot of work, and it can be 167 00:08:14,980 --> 00:08:18,580 expensive if you're the one footing the bill. At my school, 168 00:08:18,580 --> 00:08:21,925 we were literally charged by the foot for that. So save your 169 00:08:21,925 --> 00:08:23,845 laminating for what really matters. 170 00:08:24,380 --> 00:08:27,200 Emily: In order for laminating to be worthwhile, the pros of 171 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:29,900 doing it have to outweigh the cons. So Heidi, tell us what 172 00:08:29,900 --> 00:08:31,940 some of the cons of laminating are. 173 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:35,180 Heidi: Well, first of all, laminating is permanent. If you 174 00:08:35,180 --> 00:08:37,340 decide you need to change something, there's not an easy 175 00:08:37,340 --> 00:08:41,060 fix once it's all encased in plastic. Second, it can make it 176 00:08:41,060 --> 00:08:44,060 hard for students to read. If you decide to laminate a chart, 177 00:08:44,060 --> 00:08:47,120 for example, you will also have to spray it with that clear, 178 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:50,900 matte spray paint so that the kids can read it. Third, it 179 00:08:50,900 --> 00:08:53,600 takes a lot of time to feed everything through the machine 180 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:57,245 and then cut it all out. And fourth, once paper is laminated, 181 00:08:57,305 --> 00:08:58,805 it is probably not recyclable. 182 00:08:58,805 --> 00:09:02,885 Emily: And don't forget that some teachers are cut, laminate, 183 00:09:02,885 --> 00:09:06,485 cut kind of teachers, so that is, like, twice the amount. So 184 00:09:06,605 --> 00:09:09,245 that is a big time commitment. Now, if it's something that your 185 00:09:09,245 --> 00:09:12,245 kids will be handling all the time, then you probably do want 186 00:09:12,245 --> 00:09:15,965 to laminate. But otherwise, save your time, save your money, save 187 00:09:15,965 --> 00:09:19,145 your sanity, and just say no to over laminating. 188 00:09:19,145 --> 00:09:22,190 Okay, what is the third pressure we're saying no to, Heidi? 189 00:09:22,190 --> 00:09:26,450 Heidi: This is the pressure to jump on the current trend. Every 190 00:09:26,450 --> 00:09:29,630 year, a new must have or must do explodes across teacher 191 00:09:29,630 --> 00:09:32,150 Instagram or Tiktok. I haven't quite spotted the one for this 192 00:09:32,150 --> 00:09:35,510 year yet, but I'm sure it will show up soon. Do you remember 193 00:09:35,510 --> 00:09:37,790 not too long ago the summer of brag tags, Emily? 194 00:09:37,790 --> 00:09:39,110 Emily: Oh yes. 195 00:09:39,110 --> 00:09:43,175 Heidi: Or sticker stores or elaborate reward menus, or 196 00:09:43,475 --> 00:09:47,855 investing in every conceivable form of flexible seating. It is 197 00:09:47,915 --> 00:09:50,615 easy to think, if I don't do this, my classroom won't be good 198 00:09:50,615 --> 00:09:54,035 enough, but the truth is that a lot of these trends are band 199 00:09:54,035 --> 00:09:54,515 aids. 200 00:09:54,995 --> 00:09:57,275 Emily: Yeah, these fun ideas look like solutions, but they 201 00:09:57,275 --> 00:10:00,635 don't always solve any problems. Sometimes they just create more 202 00:10:00,635 --> 00:10:04,055 problems. So if you're already overwhelmed, ask yourself, will 203 00:10:04,100 --> 00:10:07,400 this new idea actually meet a need in my classroom, or does it 204 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,640 just give me something to control while I feel panicky? 205 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:14,240 Just remember, new is not always better. Sustainable, simple and 206 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:16,280 meaningful will always win in the long run. 207 00:10:17,420 --> 00:10:21,860 Heidi: Well, moving on, let's talk money. Social media loves a 208 00:10:21,860 --> 00:10:24,800 color coordinated classroom—matching bins, 209 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:27,740 personalized water bottles, rainbow carts, charming lamps, 210 00:10:28,100 --> 00:10:31,445 boho chic supply caddies, and adorable first day of school 211 00:10:31,445 --> 00:10:35,525 gift bags for every student. But none of this is required. You do 212 00:10:35,525 --> 00:10:38,045 not need to spend hundreds of dollars for your classroom to be 213 00:10:38,045 --> 00:10:38,945 warm and welcoming. 214 00:10:39,545 --> 00:10:42,305 Emily: And of course, those perfectly coordinated shelves do 215 00:10:42,365 --> 00:10:46,205 look so cute in an Instagram reel. I definitely understand 216 00:10:46,205 --> 00:10:48,965 the appeal. But you know what's even more valuable? A calm, 217 00:10:48,965 --> 00:10:51,710 healthy teacher who still has enough money in the bank account 218 00:10:51,710 --> 00:10:56,450 to pay for groceries. Connection doesn't come from fancy fonts 219 00:10:56,450 --> 00:10:59,750 and Pinterest worthy baskets. It comes from you, the teacher, 220 00:10:59,930 --> 00:11:02,870 your presence, your attention and your care. 221 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:06,020 Heidi: There's another kind of pressure that creeps in when you 222 00:11:06,020 --> 00:11:08,960 see other classrooms online looking finished and polished 223 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:12,440 before August even begins. It's the sort of thing that social 224 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:15,980 media is famous for, and this is the pressure to make everything 225 00:11:15,980 --> 00:11:17,780 picture perfect before the first day. 226 00:11:18,260 --> 00:11:20,660 Emily: You have seen these classrooms online, I'm sure. 227 00:11:20,660 --> 00:11:24,680 Every bulletin board is styled, every space is labeled, every 228 00:11:24,680 --> 00:11:28,625 inch of the walls are covered. But here's your permission slip. 229 00:11:28,625 --> 00:11:32,045 It is okay to leave your walls blank. In fact, it can be 230 00:11:32,045 --> 00:11:34,685 better. When your students walk in on the first day, they'll see 231 00:11:34,685 --> 00:11:38,105 a space with room to grow. They'll see that their work will 232 00:11:38,105 --> 00:11:40,385 matter, because it's going to fill the walls. 233 00:11:41,059 --> 00:11:43,299 Heidi: If you're worried that leaving empty space will make 234 00:11:43,299 --> 00:11:46,659 your room look unready, just add a little touch. All you have to 235 00:11:46,659 --> 00:11:50,379 do is print a sign that says, brilliant work coming soon. Or 236 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:53,979 watch this space for amazing ideas. This lets your students 237 00:11:53,979 --> 00:11:57,579 know that this is our classroom, not just yours, and you're so 238 00:11:57,579 --> 00:12:00,039 confident that they have great things ahead that you are 239 00:12:00,039 --> 00:12:02,699 intentionally leaving room for that greatness. 240 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:06,660 Emily: And that brings us to the last pressure that we are saying 241 00:12:06,660 --> 00:12:10,080 no to this one is the sneakiest, because it doesn't show up as a 242 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:13,380 to do list. It shows up as a feeling. And this is the 243 00:12:13,380 --> 00:12:15,960 pressure to compare yourself. 244 00:12:16,500 --> 00:12:19,740 Heidi: Oh, we all know that feeling so well. You see another 245 00:12:19,740 --> 00:12:22,500 teacher's classroom or lesson plan or first week schedule, and 246 00:12:22,500 --> 00:12:26,460 you think, I'm already behind, but you are not. What you're 247 00:12:26,460 --> 00:12:28,860 seeing is a moment, not the full story. 248 00:12:29,340 --> 00:12:32,280 Emily: Right. Social media doesn't show the extra help that 249 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:34,620 teachers might have or the extra time they might have because 250 00:12:34,620 --> 00:12:37,620 they're in a different season of life. You don't see their doubts 251 00:12:37,620 --> 00:12:41,445 or their debt or their burnout, you just see the highlight reel. 252 00:12:41,445 --> 00:12:45,285 So instead of comparing, connect and remind yourself that your 253 00:12:45,285 --> 00:12:49,785 journey is valid, your timeline is okay. You are not behind. You 254 00:12:49,785 --> 00:12:50,985 are building something real. 255 00:12:50,985 --> 00:12:54,885 Heidi: So let's sum it up this way. You don't have to perform 256 00:12:54,885 --> 00:12:58,065 your teaching for anyone else. Your classroom doesn't need to 257 00:12:58,065 --> 00:13:00,945 look like an Instagram post to be effective. You don't need to 258 00:13:00,945 --> 00:13:04,170 do it all. You just need to do what matters for your kids and 259 00:13:04,170 --> 00:13:04,890 for yourself. 260 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:08,200 Emily: So let's recap the six pressures that we are absolutely 261 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:12,400 saying no to this summer. Elaborate classroom themes that 262 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:17,200 you do not enjoy doing, laminating everything, whatever 263 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:19,900 the latest trend is that will take a lot of work and not solve 264 00:13:19,900 --> 00:13:24,640 any real problems, spending lots on classroom setup, making your 265 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:27,940 classroom picture perfect, and comparing yourself. 266 00:13:27,940 --> 00:13:31,225 Heidi: The most prepared teachers focus on the invisible 267 00:13:32,125 --> 00:13:34,165 work—understanding their students, planning meaningful 268 00:13:34,165 --> 00:13:37,585 instruction and creating simple systems that support learning. 269 00:13:38,005 --> 00:13:41,005 Social media makes the decorative work visible, but 270 00:13:41,005 --> 00:13:43,525 it's the foundational work that actually serves students. 271 00:13:43,525 --> 00:13:46,225 Emily: Your back to school prep should make the transition 272 00:13:46,225 --> 00:13:49,705 easier, not heavier. If a task feels like it's for social 273 00:13:49,705 --> 00:13:52,930 media, it probably is not essential. If it feels like it's 274 00:13:52,930 --> 00:13:56,830 for your students or your own sanity, that is your compass. 275 00:13:56,830 --> 00:14:00,910 Put your energy there and let the rest fade away. Now we would 276 00:14:00,910 --> 00:14:03,850 love to hear what you are saying no to this summer. Come join the 277 00:14:03,850 --> 00:14:06,850 conversation in our Teacher Approved Facebook group. 278 00:14:08,050 --> 00:14:10,990 Now for our Teacher Approved Tip of the Week, where we share an 279 00:14:10,990 --> 00:14:13,450 actionable tip to help you elevate what matters and 280 00:14:13,450 --> 00:14:17,035 simplify the rest. This week's teacher approved tip is bring 281 00:14:17,035 --> 00:14:19,855 back the lucky duck for some surprise and delight. So tell us 282 00:14:19,855 --> 00:14:21,235 about this one, Heidi. 283 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:36,830 Emily: And we brought it up again in Episode 158 when we 284 00:14:21,019 --> 00:14:24,384 Heidi: I love this idea so much. We first talked about this back 285 00:14:24,443 --> 00:14:28,104 in episode 114 and it's one of those tips that's so simple but 286 00:14:28,163 --> 00:14:31,410 so effective. So this idea comes from crafttaycorner on 287 00:14:31,469 --> 00:14:35,129 Instagram. The idea is that each day, you put a rubber duck on 288 00:14:35,189 --> 00:14:38,672 one student's desk, and that student becomes the lucky duck 289 00:14:36,830 --> 00:14:46,065 were talking about surprise and delight for team building. The 290 00:14:38,731 --> 00:14:39,440 for the day. 291 00:14:46,065 --> 00:14:48,885 lucky duck gets special privileges and responsibilities 292 00:14:48,885 --> 00:14:53,265 for that day. Maybe they're the line leader. They get to choose 293 00:14:53,265 --> 00:14:56,145 centers first, or they get extra technology time. 294 00:14:56,565 --> 00:14:58,665 Heidi: What I love about this is that it's not something that 295 00:14:58,665 --> 00:15:02,325 your kids are earning or working toward, it's just pure surprise 296 00:15:02,325 --> 00:15:05,385 and delight. You're just choosing someone to make their 297 00:15:05,385 --> 00:15:08,430 day a little more special. And that kind of unexpected joy does 298 00:15:08,430 --> 00:15:10,050 wonders for classroom morale. 299 00:15:10,710 --> 00:15:12,990 Emily: And you can totally adapt this to fit your classroom. 300 00:15:12,990 --> 00:15:15,870 Instead of set jobs, maybe the lucky duck gets to sit in a 301 00:15:15,870 --> 00:15:20,070 special chair or spin a prize wheel. If this is the excuse you 302 00:15:20,070 --> 00:15:23,850 needed to buy a prize wheel, you could do it for this. Or choose 303 00:15:23,850 --> 00:15:27,150 the transition song. Really, anything that makes the child 304 00:15:27,150 --> 00:15:30,330 feel special for the day is going to be such a morale boost. 305 00:15:30,390 --> 00:15:33,975 And crafttaycorner does this all year long. We think it might 306 00:15:33,975 --> 00:15:37,575 be even more impactful if you use it for just a few weeks here 307 00:15:37,575 --> 00:15:40,515 and there. Makes it so special and unexpected. 308 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:43,360 Heidi: Yeah, just makes sure everyone gets a turn before you 309 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:45,700 retire it, or you're gonna have some very disappointed kids. 310 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:49,240 Now, the reason we are bringing this up in the middle of summer, 311 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:53,140 and okay, we're not saying this is vital, but if you have been 312 00:15:53,140 --> 00:15:56,620 to Michael's Crafts lately, you may have seen their wall of 313 00:15:56,620 --> 00:15:59,980 rubber ducks. There are itty bitty, tiny ducks and giant 314 00:15:59,980 --> 00:16:02,680 ducks and lots of regular sized ducks in cute and clever 315 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:06,865 costumes. Now there's absolutely no pressure. Remember, we are 316 00:16:06,865 --> 00:16:11,185 saying no to things that don't serve us, but if you wanted an 317 00:16:11,185 --> 00:16:13,945 excuse to buy those adorable ducks, you know this might be 318 00:16:13,945 --> 00:16:14,725 your answer. 319 00:16:15,025 --> 00:16:18,445 Emily: Yes, if this would serve you in your classroom, if not, 320 00:16:18,625 --> 00:16:23,005 ignore us completely. But if it would, do this, okay. If we 321 00:16:23,005 --> 00:16:26,125 haven't sold you yet on the lucky duck surprise and delight, 322 00:16:26,365 --> 00:16:29,590 we've got some more duck based suggestions that you could use 323 00:16:29,590 --> 00:16:30,550 your ducks for. 324 00:16:30,550 --> 00:16:33,550 Heidi: I don't know if anyone's ever said duck based suggestions 325 00:16:33,550 --> 00:16:33,850 before. 326 00:16:35,050 --> 00:16:37,510 Emily: Well, I did just have baby ducks in my yard, so this 327 00:16:37,570 --> 00:16:42,490 is like perfect time for all the duck discussion. So if a student 328 00:16:42,490 --> 00:16:44,890 gives a clever response, you could let them put a duck on 329 00:16:44,890 --> 00:16:48,430 their desk as the, and I'm going to try and say this without 330 00:16:48,430 --> 00:16:50,350 laughing, Waddle Great Idea Award. 331 00:16:52,990 --> 00:16:55,375 Heidi: Only thing better than a rubber duck is a duck pun. 332 00:16:56,995 --> 00:17:00,175 Emily: So now their job would be to listen to other students 333 00:17:00,175 --> 00:17:04,435 responses during the lesson, and pass the duck on to them. Just 334 00:17:04,435 --> 00:17:06,715 make sure the duck is supporting good discussion and not 335 00:17:06,715 --> 00:17:09,175 distracting from it. You'd have to be careful with this one. 336 00:17:09,655 --> 00:17:13,840 Heidi: Another slightly unhinged idea is to save a duck for when 337 00:17:13,840 --> 00:17:17,560 the day is just falling apart. You know, when three kids are 338 00:17:17,560 --> 00:17:20,380 melting down and someone spilled their entire water bottle and 339 00:17:20,620 --> 00:17:24,460 you are questioning all of your life choices. Pull out a rubber 340 00:17:24,460 --> 00:17:27,940 duck, hold it up, and then say something completely ridiculous, 341 00:17:27,940 --> 00:17:33,040 like time for a quackitude adjustment, or according to duck 342 00:17:33,040 --> 00:17:36,445 law, we all get to try again, and then you can shake things up 343 00:17:36,445 --> 00:17:37,465 to reset the day. 344 00:17:39,145 --> 00:17:42,505 Emily: That's amazing, hitting a reset button, but like, with 345 00:17:42,505 --> 00:17:45,985 100% more silliness, and so that's just bound to turn 346 00:17:45,985 --> 00:17:49,285 everybody's mood around. And sometimes we just need to 347 00:17:49,285 --> 00:17:51,445 acknowledge that teaching is weird and wonderful, and a 348 00:17:51,505 --> 00:17:53,785 rubber duck is the perfect mascot for that. 349 00:17:54,220 --> 00:17:57,820 Heidi: It's really such a small, pointless thing, but sometimes 350 00:17:57,820 --> 00:18:00,480 the smallest gestures make the biggest difference in how kids 351 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:04,020 feel about being in your classroom. And also, if you ever 352 00:18:04,020 --> 00:18:06,540 find yourself in a situation where you need someone to help 353 00:18:06,540 --> 00:18:09,660 you justify a purchase, please reach out, because we are your 354 00:18:09,660 --> 00:18:10,200 girls. 355 00:18:10,360 --> 00:18:13,180 Emily: It's like the dad from my big frat Greek wedding, and 356 00:18:13,180 --> 00:18:16,540 everybody can ask him about a word and say, How does this come 357 00:18:16,540 --> 00:18:21,100 from Greek? Well, we are that person for weird ideas. Tell us 358 00:18:21,100 --> 00:18:24,280 an idea, and we will connect it to how you can use it in the 359 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:27,760 classroom. I promise, we can come up with it. Bring it to the 360 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:29,560 Teacher Approved Facebook group. We got you. 361 00:18:30,460 --> 00:18:32,986 Heidi: To wrap up the show, we're sharing what we're giving 362 00:18:32,986 --> 00:18:33,019 extra credit to this week. Emily, what gets you extra 363 00:18:33,019 --> 00:18:33,022 credit? 364 00:18:33,022 --> 00:18:38,065 Emily: I'm giving extra credit to the book Colton Gentry's 365 00:18:38,065 --> 00:18:42,565 Third Act by Jeff Zenter, wait, Zentner, maybe that's how you 366 00:18:42,565 --> 00:18:43,165 say it. Zentner? 367 00:18:43,165 --> 00:18:44,005 Heidi: That's a mouthful. 368 00:18:43,900 --> 00:18:46,345 Emily: Yeah, a lot of consonants. It's about a former 369 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:54,061 Well, that's a good recommendation. I have not even 370 00:18:46,398 --> 00:18:49,482 country music star who loses everything after speaking out 371 00:18:49,535 --> 00:18:52,778 about gun violence, and he ends up back in his hometown, just 372 00:18:52,832 --> 00:18:56,128 like trying to figure out what to do next after he's basically 373 00:18:54,061 --> 00:18:58,532 heard of this book. 374 00:18:56,181 --> 00:18:58,893 been kicked out of country music. And this book has 375 00:18:58,532 --> 00:19:11,946 I think it just came out earlier this year, so it's newish. 376 00:18:58,946 --> 00:19:02,295 heartbreak and humor and second chances, and just like a lot of 377 00:19:02,349 --> 00:19:05,379 heart. I think you could probably consider this a rom com 378 00:19:05,432 --> 00:19:08,516 read, but it's from the male main character's perspective, 379 00:19:08,569 --> 00:19:11,812 which is unique, and honestly, probably not something I would 380 00:19:11,866 --> 00:19:15,109 usually go for, but I loved it. It felt really fresh and fun. 381 00:19:11,946 --> 00:19:15,185 Heidi: Okay, well 382 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:24,210 Emily: What are you giving extra credit to, Heidi? 383 00:19:15,162 --> 00:19:18,458 And I'm still thinking about it, which is very rare. I usually 384 00:19:18,511 --> 00:19:21,755 finish a book, and a week later I can't even remember what it 385 00:19:21,808 --> 00:19:22,340 was about. 386 00:19:24,210 --> 00:19:36,874 Heidi: I am giving extra credit to myself. I've ever done that. 387 00:19:36,874 --> 00:19:40,965 I solved the stupidest problem, and I know it's really dumb, but 388 00:19:40,965 --> 00:19:43,605 I'm so tickled with myself about this. 389 00:19:43,725 --> 00:19:44,505 Emily: Okay, tell me. 390 00:19:44,505 --> 00:19:49,725 Heidi: So I have been doing this thing the past few weeks where 391 00:19:49,725 --> 00:19:52,905 an hour after I go to bed, I wake up like dead out of my 392 00:19:52,905 --> 00:19:56,925 sleep, like, did I remember to take my bedtime pills? And I 393 00:19:57,045 --> 00:19:59,985 cannot remember. So then it's like, did I, uh... Now you're 394 00:20:00,945 --> 00:20:03,870 probably thinking like, oh, Heidi, they have pill cases 395 00:20:03,870 --> 00:20:08,130 exactly for this, which I do use at bedtime, for the pills that I 396 00:20:08,190 --> 00:20:11,430 take every night. But then sometimes I have to take, like, 397 00:20:11,430 --> 00:20:14,430 my allergy pills I have to take, depending on what the allergy 398 00:20:14,430 --> 00:20:17,730 situation is. So it's very much like, I can't, I can't just have 399 00:20:17,730 --> 00:20:20,610 a set plan. I have tried to think this through. 400 00:20:20,610 --> 00:20:22,950 Emily: You need a plan, but it needs to be flexible. 401 00:20:23,070 --> 00:20:25,935 Heidi: Yes. So what I decided was, like, I needed something 402 00:20:25,935 --> 00:20:28,515 random. Remember, we love a random thing here. I could have 403 00:20:28,515 --> 00:20:31,875 got a rubber duck, that would have been perfect. So I I count 404 00:20:31,875 --> 00:20:35,055 out my little pills every night into a ceramic dish, like I 405 00:20:35,055 --> 00:20:37,635 bought a little trinket dish for it, because I've been using a 406 00:20:37,635 --> 00:20:40,515 pill lid. And I thought, let's elevate this moment. Anyway. So 407 00:20:40,515 --> 00:20:44,895 I got this little ceramic dish, and for my birthday, I took, 408 00:20:44,895 --> 00:20:48,540 this is the stupidest thing, but I, we're going on this journey. 409 00:20:48,780 --> 00:20:51,840 For my birthday a couple months ago, a lovely neighbor gifted me 410 00:20:51,900 --> 00:20:55,560 a like, three inch quartz crystal necklace. 411 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:56,520 Emily: Oh, my. 412 00:20:56,580 --> 00:20:58,800 Heidi: And I'm sure there are women my age who could wear such 413 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:02,100 a thing, but I am not one of them. So I've been like, what do 414 00:21:02,100 --> 00:21:06,600 I do with this giant pink quartz crystal necklace? So what I did 415 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:10,860 is I took it off the, I took the crystal off the chain, and I put 416 00:21:10,860 --> 00:21:15,165 that so when I count my pills at night, I put the crystal in the 417 00:21:15,165 --> 00:21:18,585 dish, and then after I take my pills, I put the crystal away so 418 00:21:18,585 --> 00:21:23,325 I can remember. But this has worked out so well because it's 419 00:21:23,325 --> 00:21:27,045 turned into this whole like sensory, weird moment of, like, 420 00:21:27,285 --> 00:21:30,285 the crystals cold, so I have that like input for my brain, 421 00:21:30,285 --> 00:21:32,994 and it makes a sound when it goes in the ceramic dish. I have 422 00:21:32,994 --> 00:21:35,790 that other input, so I'm having all the sensory input so I can 423 00:21:35,790 --> 00:21:39,330 remember that I did, in fact, take these dumb pills. So all of 424 00:21:39,330 --> 00:21:41,970 that is to say, if you have something that you are 425 00:21:41,970 --> 00:21:45,690 struggling to remember, give yourself a weird sensory cue 426 00:21:45,690 --> 00:21:50,550 that goes with it so that you can remember if you've done it 427 00:21:50,550 --> 00:21:51,997 or not. And you know, I've slept through the night, so I hope 428 00:21:51,997 --> 00:21:52,000 everyone else can too. 429 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:52,455 Emily: Okay, so wait, so do you put it in the dish, then take 430 00:21:52,455 --> 00:21:52,770 your pills, then take it out of the dish? 431 00:21:52,720 --> 00:21:56,560 Heidi: Yes. So I put it in the dish when I take the pills, and 432 00:21:56,560 --> 00:22:02,740 it makes a little clink when it goes in. So it's like my so it's 433 00:22:02,740 --> 00:22:05,680 like, my key to my brain. Sometimes you get on autopilot, 434 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:05,920 you know. 435 00:22:05,980 --> 00:22:07,420 Emily: Oh yeah, constantly. 436 00:22:07,420 --> 00:22:10,540 Heidi: So that little clink has been a good little help. And 437 00:22:10,540 --> 00:22:13,600 then I take the pills and I put the crystal away. So it's like, 438 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:16,765 if I, if the crystal was still in the dish, I could leave the 439 00:22:16,765 --> 00:22:17,665 crystal there. 440 00:22:17,665 --> 00:22:20,545 Emily: I think that's what I was wondering, of like, the how do 441 00:22:20,545 --> 00:22:20,965 you... 442 00:22:20,965 --> 00:22:23,365 Heidi: But then I take the crystal away so that the next 443 00:22:23,365 --> 00:22:26,305 day I have to put it back out so I remember, like, Yes, I did 444 00:22:26,305 --> 00:22:28,585 count the pills out for that night. 445 00:22:29,665 --> 00:22:32,545 Emily: Okay. So what if, what if, then you were, like, an hour 446 00:22:32,545 --> 00:22:37,285 later, like, I think I remember the clink in the dish. But was 447 00:22:37,285 --> 00:22:38,042 that yesterday or today? Or does that just not happen? Because it 448 00:22:38,042 --> 00:22:40,150 feels like it just happened. 449 00:22:40,330 --> 00:22:44,110 Heidi: It hasn't happened so far, because, I think, because 450 00:22:44,110 --> 00:22:47,350 that crystal is just so sensory, like it's heavy, it's cold, it 451 00:22:47,350 --> 00:22:53,710 makes this separate sound. It's so big I can't 452 00:22:53,710 --> 00:22:56,830 would make a statement as a necklace. So that has just 453 00:22:57,010 --> 00:23:00,010 helped my brain shake up its autopilot a little bit. 454 00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:01,522 Emily: Well, I think it's, our old lady is showing but it's 455 00:23:01,578 --> 00:23:04,949 okay, because I have to take iron, but only every other day. 456 00:23:05,005 --> 00:23:08,433 And so I struggle sometimes to be like, wait, what day did I, 457 00:23:08,489 --> 00:23:11,692 did I take it yesterday or two days ago? And it sometimes 458 00:23:11,749 --> 00:23:15,120 helps, because I keep it on a different shelf, so I have to, 459 00:23:15,176 --> 00:23:18,492 like, remember the feeling of like, oh, yesterday did I get 460 00:23:18,548 --> 00:23:22,032 that down? But maybe I can come up with something to help with 461 00:23:22,088 --> 00:23:25,460 this. But every other day just makes it even more confusing. 462 00:23:23,025 --> 00:23:28,605 Heidi: Well, I'd be happy to buy you a crystal if you need one. 463 00:23:28,605 --> 00:23:38,325 Emily: I think I'd rather have a duck, real or rubber. I don't 464 00:23:38,325 --> 00:23:39,825 know that a real duck would help me. 465 00:23:39,885 --> 00:23:41,265 Heidi: No probably not. 466 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:46,820 Emily: Well that is an interesting point at the end of 467 00:23:46,820 --> 00:23:48,560 this episode, there's the period on this. 468 00:23:49,410 --> 00:23:52,710 Heidi: We're just 200 episodes in, you know us too well by now. 469 00:23:52,710 --> 00:23:58,470 Well, that is it for today's weird episode. Remember to just 470 00:23:58,470 --> 00:24:01,050 say no to social media pressures as you're getting ready for the 471 00:24:01,050 --> 00:24:04,530 school year, and you have our permission to buy all of the 472 00:24:04,530 --> 00:24:06,450 silly rubber ducks you want, keep that in mind. 473 00:24:06,450 --> 00:24:08,670 Emily: Snd crystal necklaces, apparently. 474 00:24:12,390 --> 00:24:15,615 Heidi: We hope you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Approved. I'm 475 00:24:15,615 --> 00:24:16,155 Heidi. 476 00:24:16,215 --> 00:24:19,515 Emily: And I'm Emily. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow 477 00:24:19,515 --> 00:24:22,035 or subscribe in your podcast app so that you never miss an 478 00:24:22,035 --> 00:24:22,455 episode. 479 00:24:22,875 --> 00:24:25,215 Heidi: You can connect with us and other teachers in the 480 00:24:25,215 --> 00:24:28,455 Teacher Approved Facebook group. We'll see you here next week. 481 00:24:28,635 --> 00:24:29,415 Bye for now. 482 00:24:29,415 --> 00:24:30,255 Emily: Bye.