1 00:00:01,020 --> 00:00:03,540 Heidi: This is episode 240 of Teacher Approved. 2 00:00:04,080 --> 00:00:08,520 You're listening to Teacher Approved, the podcast helping 3 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:12,240 educators elevate what matters and simplify the rest. I'm 4 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:12,780 Heidi. 5 00:00:12,960 --> 00:00:16,140 Emily: And I'm Emily. We're the creators behind Second Story 6 00:00:16,140 --> 00:00:19,140 Window, where we give research based and teacher approved 7 00:00:19,140 --> 00:00:21,720 strategies that make teaching less stressful and more 8 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:25,185 effective. You can check out the show notes and resources from 9 00:00:25,185 --> 00:00:27,465 each episode at secondstorywindow.net. 10 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:30,740 Heidi: We're so glad you're tuning in today. Let's get to 11 00:00:30,740 --> 00:00:31,280 the show. 12 00:00:35,480 --> 00:00:38,840 Emily: Hey there. Thanks for joining us today. In today's 13 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:42,640 episode, we are sharing some teacher approved tips from seven 14 00:00:42,820 --> 00:00:46,840 fantastic educators that will help you make this your best 15 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:47,920 January yet. 16 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:51,220 Heidi: But first, let's start with a try it tomorrow, where we 17 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:53,920 share a quick win that you can try in your classroom right 18 00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:56,440 away. So Emily, what is our suggestion this week? 19 00:00:57,020 --> 00:01:01,040 Emily: This week plan something to look forward to. Coming back 20 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:04,700 after a long break can really feel rough, so you can make it a 21 00:01:04,700 --> 00:01:08,540 little easier by giving yourself a boost. This could be something 22 00:01:08,540 --> 00:01:11,420 fun that you're going to do with your students, or something just 23 00:01:11,420 --> 00:01:15,320 for you. Maybe pack a yummy treat for after school, or grab 24 00:01:15,320 --> 00:01:18,380 your favorite takeout for dinner, or plan a girls night 25 00:01:18,380 --> 00:01:22,025 out for Saturday, or something you want to do with your 26 00:01:22,025 --> 00:01:23,465 students that you love doing. 27 00:01:23,540 --> 00:01:26,240 Heidi: Or if you are thinking longer term, how about you think 28 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:29,720 about some spring break plans? I know it feels far away, but it's 29 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:33,440 closer than you think. Maybe print a picture that reminds you 30 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:35,900 of what you have to look forward to. You know, even if that's 31 00:01:35,900 --> 00:01:38,900 just a cover of a book you want to read, print that picture and 32 00:01:38,900 --> 00:01:41,360 tuck it into your plan book, and then you can peek at it when 33 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:43,580 you're on your third inside recess of the week, and 34 00:01:43,580 --> 00:01:45,980 everything feels just a little bit too much. 35 00:01:47,165 --> 00:01:49,505 Emily: If you like this idea or anything else we share here on 36 00:01:49,505 --> 00:01:52,325 the podcast, would you take a second and give us a five star 37 00:01:52,325 --> 00:01:55,265 rating and review in your podcast listening app? 38 00:01:56,225 --> 00:01:58,985 Heidi: Now we are so glad you're here today, because we've got 39 00:01:58,985 --> 00:02:01,385 something fun planned, and we think you're really going to 40 00:02:01,385 --> 00:02:01,685 love it. 41 00:02:02,105 --> 00:02:04,985 Emily: Since most of you are heading back today or tomorrow, 42 00:02:04,985 --> 00:02:08,465 we wanted to help you transition from cozy couch mode to busy 43 00:02:08,465 --> 00:02:09,890 classroom mode. 44 00:02:10,370 --> 00:02:13,970 Heidi: Yeah, if you are feeling that post holiday slump and 45 00:02:13,970 --> 00:02:16,490 maybe if your routines have gotten a little wobbly, or if 46 00:02:16,490 --> 00:02:19,430 you're just ready for a reset heading into the second half of 47 00:02:19,430 --> 00:02:21,830 the year, this episode is for you. 48 00:02:21,830 --> 00:02:26,870 Emily: In a couple weeks, we are hosting the teacher winter talks 49 00:02:26,990 --> 00:02:31,310 event. It is a free audio summit designed to help you start the 50 00:02:31,310 --> 00:02:34,895 new year strong. And today, we're giving you a sneak peek. 51 00:02:35,135 --> 00:02:38,975 Seven of our amazing event speakers are here to share 52 00:02:38,975 --> 00:02:41,975 quick, actionable tips that you can use right now. 53 00:02:41,975 --> 00:02:45,815 Heidi: So think of this as the appetizer before the full meal. 54 00:02:46,115 --> 00:02:48,935 Each of these speakers has a complete session waiting for you 55 00:02:48,935 --> 00:02:51,695 at the summit, but what you're about to hear now is just a 56 00:02:51,695 --> 00:02:52,475 little taste. 57 00:02:52,475 --> 00:02:55,775 Emily: So if something resonates with you, and I have a feeling 58 00:02:55,820 --> 00:02:59,000 several of these will, you can sign up for your free ticket at 59 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:00,860 the link in our show notes, or at 60 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:01,460 secondstorywindow.net/teacherwintertalks. 61 00:03:03,620 --> 00:03:06,860 Heidi: All right, let's kick things off with a tip that made 62 00:03:06,860 --> 00:03:10,400 me say, Why have I never thought of this? Have you ever 63 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:13,460 considered that your student shirts could teach you? Kirsten 64 00:03:13,460 --> 00:03:16,820 Hammond from The Southern Teach has and it's kind of brilliant. 65 00:03:16,940 --> 00:03:17,840 So here's Kirsten. 66 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:21,200 Kirsten Hammond: Hi everyone. I'm Kirsten from The Southern 67 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,680 Teach, and I'm so excited to share a quick and easy strategy 68 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:28,340 that you can use right away to build real world events into 69 00:03:28,340 --> 00:03:31,580 your social studies time. A little bit about me, I help 70 00:03:31,580 --> 00:03:35,120 other elementary educators make social studies engaging, 71 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:39,860 meaningful and doable, even when time is tight. And one of my 72 00:03:39,860 --> 00:03:43,445 favorite things to teach is how to connect what's happening in 73 00:03:43,445 --> 00:03:47,105 the world right now to the skills we're already building 74 00:03:47,105 --> 00:03:48,065 with our students. 75 00:03:48,065 --> 00:03:51,665 One of the simplest ways to do that is a routine that I'm going 76 00:03:51,665 --> 00:03:55,925 to call what's on their shirts. Every day, students are walking 77 00:03:55,925 --> 00:03:59,105 in wearing shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts that tell you 78 00:03:59,105 --> 00:04:02,165 exactly what's happening in their world—sports teams, 79 00:04:02,405 --> 00:04:07,310 holidays, races, community events, and using that as a 80 00:04:07,310 --> 00:04:10,610 conversation starter is one of the quickest ways to bring real 81 00:04:10,610 --> 00:04:14,570 world events into the classroom. All you have to do is ask this 82 00:04:14,570 --> 00:04:17,510 question: Is anything you're wearing today connected to a 83 00:04:17,510 --> 00:04:21,350 real world event? This works anywhere, and I'm going to share 84 00:04:21,350 --> 00:04:23,450 with you an example from my own community. 85 00:04:23,450 --> 00:04:27,635 So over the football season this school year, we've seen a big 86 00:04:27,635 --> 00:04:30,155 mix of Texas teams in the hallways, as always, because 87 00:04:30,155 --> 00:04:33,755 football is a really big deal in the state. There's Texas Tech 88 00:04:33,755 --> 00:04:38,255 fans, Texas A and M fans, Longhorn fans, and this year has 89 00:04:38,255 --> 00:04:42,155 been especially exciting because both Texas Tech and Texas A and 90 00:04:42,155 --> 00:04:45,575 M are making their very first college football playoff debut. 91 00:04:46,055 --> 00:04:49,595 It's been a historic moment for both programs and our students 92 00:04:49,655 --> 00:04:53,240 have felt that energy. As a former Aggie, of course I am 93 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:57,260 always cheering for A and M, but honestly, I would love to see 94 00:04:57,260 --> 00:05:00,680 either team make a strong run, because it's such a big point of 95 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:03,680 pride for our kids and families. So hopefully, as you're 96 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:07,640 listening to this, when this airs, maybe one of those teams 97 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:09,920 will still be in the playoffs. 98 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:15,720 When a student walks in wearing a college football hoodie or 99 00:05:15,900 --> 00:05:20,100 some type of jersey or tshirt from their favorite NFL team, 100 00:05:20,340 --> 00:05:24,240 this is a perfect opening for a quick and meaningful connection. 101 00:05:24,420 --> 00:05:28,200 You can talk about how sports bring communities together, why 102 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:33,120 the playoff season matters for both college football and for 103 00:05:33,180 --> 00:05:38,385 NFL football, and even local high school football, and also 104 00:05:38,385 --> 00:05:41,865 thinking about how events can impact local traditions or 105 00:05:41,865 --> 00:05:46,185 economies all without planning a full lesson. Maybe there's a 106 00:05:46,185 --> 00:05:51,225 nearby stadium that a lot of teams play at, or maybe your 107 00:05:51,225 --> 00:05:55,485 city is hosting a college bowl game. There's all kinds of 108 00:05:55,485 --> 00:05:59,190 things you can insert in, and you don't have to do a ton of 109 00:05:59,190 --> 00:06:00,090 research to do it. 110 00:06:00,330 --> 00:06:03,870 If a student isn't wearing anything event related, they can 111 00:06:03,870 --> 00:06:06,210 always share something happening in their neighborhood or 112 00:06:06,210 --> 00:06:10,290 something they heard at home. It takes a couple minutes, requires 113 00:06:10,290 --> 00:06:14,070 little to no prep, and it helps students see social studies 114 00:06:14,070 --> 00:06:16,050 unfolding around them every day. 115 00:06:16,050 --> 00:06:19,575 If you like strategies like this, I can't wait to share more 116 00:06:19,575 --> 00:06:23,175 during my summit session, real world events without the heavy 117 00:06:23,175 --> 00:06:26,235 lifting. I'll walk you through how to choose the right real 118 00:06:26,235 --> 00:06:30,015 world events, how to keep discussions neutral, and ways to 119 00:06:30,015 --> 00:06:33,075 weave those moments into your day in a way that builds student 120 00:06:33,075 --> 00:06:36,495 confidence without adding more to your plate. I'm excited to 121 00:06:36,495 --> 00:06:39,675 connect with you all, and you can find me on Instagram, Tik 122 00:06:39,675 --> 00:06:42,060 Tok and YouTube at The Southern Teach. 123 00:06:43,020 --> 00:06:45,780 Heidi: Okay, I love that, because this is one of those 124 00:06:45,780 --> 00:06:47,760 ideas that is hiding in plain sight. 125 00:06:48,060 --> 00:06:50,280 Emily: And it is a great reminder that social studies 126 00:06:50,280 --> 00:06:52,980 doesn't always need a lesson plan to work. 127 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:56,640 Heidi: And I love how adaptable this is. Even first graders can 128 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:59,880 participate in this kind of discussion, and this is just a 129 00:06:59,880 --> 00:07:02,640 great way to re establish some connection with your students 130 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:03,600 post winter break. 131 00:07:04,020 --> 00:07:06,405 Emily: And what you didn't hear is how she structures these 132 00:07:06,405 --> 00:07:09,765 conversations so they stay inclusive and productive. 133 00:07:10,065 --> 00:07:11,985 Heidi: And that's what she breaks down on her full teacher 134 00:07:11,985 --> 00:07:15,225 winter talk session, along with ways to make this sustainable 135 00:07:15,225 --> 00:07:15,825 all year long. 136 00:07:16,725 --> 00:07:19,545 Emily: Okay, our next tip is for anyone who's ever looked at 137 00:07:19,545 --> 00:07:22,665 their lesson plans and thought, Wait, did three different people 138 00:07:22,665 --> 00:07:25,605 write these? You know what I mean, your reading block has one 139 00:07:25,605 --> 00:07:28,305 thing going on, and your writing block is doing something totally 140 00:07:28,305 --> 00:07:31,410 unrelated, and grammar is just off in its own little world. 141 00:07:32,430 --> 00:07:35,730 Heidi: Oh, yeah, been there. But Jessica Ivey, from Ideas by 142 00:07:35,730 --> 00:07:38,310 Jivey, has a simple fix. So here she is. 143 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:41,360 Jessica Ivey: Hey, Teacher Approved listeners. It's 144 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:46,820 Jessica, also known as Jivey, from Ideas by Jivey, and I love 145 00:07:46,820 --> 00:07:52,040 helping teachers simplify their ELA block using mentor texts and 146 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:57,140 routines that actually make your life easier. Today, I want to 147 00:07:57,140 --> 00:08:01,505 share a quick mid-year win with you, something you can do this 148 00:08:01,505 --> 00:08:06,425 week that won't add anything to your plate, but will make your 149 00:08:06,425 --> 00:08:08,525 lessons feel more connected. 150 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:14,240 Instead of planning each subject separately, I want you to choose 151 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:18,800 one picture book and use it in two different parts of your day, 152 00:08:19,400 --> 00:08:25,580 not the whole day, just two places. You know, by January, I 153 00:08:25,580 --> 00:08:28,880 usually hear from teachers that they feel like their reading, 154 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:32,480 writing and grammar plans were created by three different 155 00:08:32,525 --> 00:08:36,425 people who've never met. Everything feels disconnected 156 00:08:36,425 --> 00:08:41,225 and it's exhausting to keep switching gears, for you and for 157 00:08:41,225 --> 00:08:41,945 the students. 158 00:08:41,945 --> 00:08:47,345 So I want you to grab a picture book that you already love. Now 159 00:08:47,405 --> 00:08:51,305 don't overthink this. Just look on your shelf. Pick something 160 00:08:51,305 --> 00:08:56,030 that you enjoy reading aloud, and then I want you to use that 161 00:08:56,030 --> 00:09:01,430 book for a reading mini lesson and one other part of your day. 162 00:09:01,790 --> 00:09:06,650 Now that could be a grammar warm up, a quick writing prompt, or 163 00:09:06,950 --> 00:09:11,750 even discussing vocabulary words within the text. You're not 164 00:09:11,750 --> 00:09:17,090 planning a whole week around the book yet. Save that for my full 165 00:09:17,090 --> 00:09:21,695 session in the teacher winter talks. I want you to just focus 166 00:09:21,695 --> 00:09:24,815 on reconnecting two pieces of your day. 167 00:09:24,815 --> 00:09:29,495 So let's say you read your book and you spot one meaningful 168 00:09:29,495 --> 00:09:35,315 reading moment and one sentence with great craft or structure. 169 00:09:36,155 --> 00:09:39,935 Use the reading moment in your comprehension lesson, and then 170 00:09:39,935 --> 00:09:43,280 pull that sentence later for a quick grammar or writing 171 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:48,680 conversation. Boom, you have two lessons that are connected with 172 00:09:48,680 --> 00:09:53,960 zero extra prep. Our goal here is for students to see how 173 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:59,780 reading, writing and grammar actually live together, and to 174 00:09:59,780 --> 00:10:03,080 give your brain a little break because you're not juggling five 175 00:10:03,125 --> 00:10:04,745 different books in one day. 176 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:10,980 Now, in my teacher winter talk session called Mid Year Mentor 177 00:10:10,980 --> 00:10:15,780 Text Makeover, I'm going to show you how to turn that simple idea 178 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:21,480 into a full planning routine that you can reuse with any 179 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:27,000 book. It's honestly the biggest sanity saver I teach. Now, if 180 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:31,065 you want to hang out with me before the session, you can come 181 00:10:31,065 --> 00:10:36,585 find me on Instagram @ideasbyjivey. I can't wait to 182 00:10:36,585 --> 00:10:37,845 share more with you soon. 183 00:10:37,850 --> 00:10:41,210 Emily: What I love about this is how doable it feels. You don't 184 00:10:41,210 --> 00:10:43,970 need a whole new curriculum to make things feel cohesive. 185 00:10:44,330 --> 00:10:47,750 Heidi: Right. It's one small decision that reduces cognitive 186 00:10:47,750 --> 00:10:51,275 load for you, and helps students see how ELA actually fits 187 00:10:51,275 --> 00:10:54,575 together. And what she impacts on her full session is how to 188 00:10:54,575 --> 00:10:58,115 turn this into a repeatable planning habit, so it's not just 189 00:10:58,115 --> 00:10:58,955 a one time fix. 190 00:11:00,095 --> 00:11:02,675 Emily: Okay, our next step is for anyone who's watched 191 00:11:02,675 --> 00:11:06,215 students freeze on word problems, even when you know 192 00:11:06,215 --> 00:11:07,415 that they can do the math. 193 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:11,080 Heidi: Ah, this is such a common problem, but Mona Iehl has a 194 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:14,440 simple shift that changes how students enter the problem. So 195 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:15,100 here's Mona. 196 00:11:16,020 --> 00:11:18,780 Mona: Hi Teacher Approved listeners, I'm so glad to be 197 00:11:18,780 --> 00:11:22,080 here with you. My name is Mona Iehl and I help kindergarten 198 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:25,320 through fifth grade teachers turn their math block into a 199 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:30,840 place where students feel safe to think and talk and problem 200 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:35,040 solve, even when the word problems get tricky. 201 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:40,125 So today's quick tip is one that you can use the very first day 202 00:11:40,125 --> 00:11:45,525 back after winter break, or on any day here this winter or in 203 00:11:45,525 --> 00:11:48,945 the future. It's honestly a game changer for students who 204 00:11:48,945 --> 00:11:53,265 struggle with word problems. Here it is. Launch the problem 205 00:11:53,265 --> 00:11:58,605 the same way that you launch a read aloud. I want you to use 206 00:11:58,665 --> 00:12:02,850 the literacy comprehension strategies that you use every 207 00:12:02,850 --> 00:12:08,190 day to help your students make sense of the situation before 208 00:12:08,190 --> 00:12:12,390 they ever solve anything, because one of the biggest 209 00:12:12,390 --> 00:12:16,470 hurdles for students with word problems isn't the math, it's 210 00:12:16,470 --> 00:12:22,230 the reading. So if they don't understand the story, then they 211 00:12:22,230 --> 00:12:23,970 can't make sense of the math. 212 00:12:24,560 --> 00:12:28,280 So instead of handing your students a problem and hoping 213 00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:32,480 for the best, I want you to try this. Tell them the story out 214 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:38,120 loud. Ask them to close their eyes and make a movie in their 215 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:43,160 mind. For example, here's what it might sound like. Okay, guys, 216 00:12:43,220 --> 00:12:46,940 there's three fourths of a birthday cake left in the pan 217 00:12:47,045 --> 00:12:52,025 after my dad's birthday party. My brother and I want to split 218 00:12:52,025 --> 00:12:55,925 the remaining cake with our other brother. So I'm trying to 219 00:12:55,925 --> 00:12:59,585 figure out how much of that cake I actually am going to get to 220 00:12:59,585 --> 00:13:03,605 eat. And as you tell it, I want you to ask your students to 221 00:13:03,605 --> 00:13:07,925 visualize. We want them picturing the pan, seeing the 222 00:13:07,925 --> 00:13:12,050 cake cut into fourths, and imagining that there's only 223 00:13:12,050 --> 00:13:15,650 three of those equal pieces left, and that then they're 224 00:13:15,650 --> 00:13:21,110 going to be shared among three people. Then they're going to be 225 00:13:21,110 --> 00:13:24,770 able to start to reason about the size of those pieces before 226 00:13:24,770 --> 00:13:25,910 they ever touch a pencil. 227 00:13:25,910 --> 00:13:30,650 Okay, but here's a first grade example. You might tell this 228 00:13:30,650 --> 00:13:34,475 story to your students. There are 38 kids out on the 229 00:13:34,475 --> 00:13:36,575 playground, you guys. They're all playing, they're on the 230 00:13:36,575 --> 00:13:39,515 monkey bars, some are going down the slide. There's a few other 231 00:13:39,515 --> 00:13:41,915 kids on that spinny thing, you know, the one where you like, 232 00:13:41,975 --> 00:13:44,915 hold on and it spins you around real fast. Okay, there's 38 233 00:13:44,915 --> 00:13:50,795 kids. Can you see them? Okay, but here's what happens next. A 234 00:13:50,795 --> 00:13:54,995 whole class comes outside to the playground. They come busting 235 00:13:54,995 --> 00:13:57,500 through the doors, their teachers being like, wait, wait, 236 00:13:57,500 --> 00:14:00,680 wait, wait for me. But all these kids are running out onto the 237 00:14:00,680 --> 00:14:06,920 playground. And now there are 53 kids on the playground. What I 238 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:10,160 want you to figure out is how many students came out to play. 239 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:14,480 Now, your students can imagine the playground, right? They're 240 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:17,720 there every day. They can start to see, okay, that first group 241 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:21,005 of kids is on the, all the equipment, and then more come 242 00:14:21,005 --> 00:14:24,365 running through the doors. They're building a story, a 243 00:14:24,365 --> 00:14:31,145 meaning before they solve. Now this tiny shift helps learners 244 00:14:31,205 --> 00:14:37,085 access the problem, especially those who rely heavily on 245 00:14:37,085 --> 00:14:42,125 strategies like visualizing and retelling and making mental 246 00:14:42,125 --> 00:14:46,370 models in literacy, this is a great way to transfer those 247 00:14:46,370 --> 00:14:52,070 skills. And it sets our students up to engage with math because 248 00:14:52,190 --> 00:14:54,230 they understand the situation. 249 00:14:55,070 --> 00:14:59,870 If this idea is resonating with you, I would love for you to 250 00:14:59,870 --> 00:15:04,130 join my session at teacher winter talks, where I'm sharing 251 00:15:04,175 --> 00:15:08,675 a simple daily routine called word problem workshop that helps 252 00:15:08,675 --> 00:15:12,935 students take risks, to talk about their thinking and truly 253 00:15:12,935 --> 00:15:17,195 become problem solvers, even in the middle of the year. I can't 254 00:15:17,195 --> 00:15:20,195 wait to connect with you at the summit and share with you this 255 00:15:20,195 --> 00:15:24,875 simple routine that can really shift everything, even in 256 00:15:24,875 --> 00:15:26,735 January. See you there. 257 00:15:28,100 --> 00:15:30,980 Heidi: That line, launch the problem like a read aloud, 258 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:33,020 changes the whole entry point. 259 00:15:33,500 --> 00:15:36,080 Emily: And it's a great reminder that when students feel oriented 260 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:38,480 and confident, the math thinking follow. 261 00:15:39,260 --> 00:15:41,660 Heidi: In her full teacher winter talk session, Mona turns 262 00:15:41,660 --> 00:15:45,020 this shift into a daily routine that builds confidence and 263 00:15:45,020 --> 00:15:46,460 mathematical talk over time. 264 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:49,940 Emily: If word problems are a sticking point in your room, 265 00:15:49,940 --> 00:15:53,165 this one is worth your time. And staying in math for a minute, 266 00:15:53,165 --> 00:15:56,225 our next speaker brings a reflection strategy rooted in 267 00:15:56,225 --> 00:15:58,145 thinking classrooms research. 268 00:15:58,659 --> 00:16:01,499 Heidi: Cassie Tabrizi helps elementary teachers make math 269 00:16:01,499 --> 00:16:04,679 time more meaningful, and today, she has a simple twist to get 270 00:16:04,679 --> 00:16:06,779 students really thinking about their learning. 271 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:10,740 Cassie: Hey, teacher approved listeners. My name is Cassie 272 00:16:10,740 --> 00:16:14,040 Tabrizi and I support elementary teachers who want math time to 273 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:18,360 feel more meaningful for them and for their students. Today, 274 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:21,180 I've got a simple mindset shift that can lead to deeper thinking 275 00:16:21,180 --> 00:16:24,360 and stronger retention in your math block. It's called writing 276 00:16:24,360 --> 00:16:28,140 notes to your future forgetful self. The idea comes from Dr. 277 00:16:28,140 --> 00:16:31,125 Peter Liljedahl's book Building Thinking Classrooms in 278 00:16:31,125 --> 00:16:31,965 Mathematics. 279 00:16:32,205 --> 00:16:35,565 At the end of a unit or even just a lesson, students take a 280 00:16:35,565 --> 00:16:39,045 few minutes to reflect and jot down the most important ideas in 281 00:16:39,045 --> 00:16:43,545 their own words. But here's the twist, instead of writing for 282 00:16:43,545 --> 00:16:46,965 their teacher, they're writing for their future forgetful self. 283 00:16:47,445 --> 00:16:52,005 That shift in audience makes a huge difference. The pressure's 284 00:16:52,050 --> 00:16:56,430 off. The goal isn't perfection. It's about making connections. 285 00:16:56,730 --> 00:17:00,090 What do they need to remember later? What would actually help 286 00:17:00,090 --> 00:17:01,410 when they forget? 287 00:17:01,770 --> 00:17:05,130 For learners, it gives some light structure. Think like 288 00:17:05,190 --> 00:17:08,130 guided math journal pages with questions that focus their 289 00:17:08,130 --> 00:17:11,790 thinking. Things like, what did you figure out today? What was 290 00:17:11,790 --> 00:17:15,270 tricky at first, but makes more sense now? What do you want to 291 00:17:15,270 --> 00:17:19,155 remember the next time this comes up? These journals become 292 00:17:19,155 --> 00:17:22,275 a personal toolkit, something students can revisit in a few 293 00:17:22,275 --> 00:17:25,815 weeks when they're spiraling back to old concepts or they're 294 00:17:25,815 --> 00:17:28,755 preparing for a checkpoint like an assessment or a test. 295 00:17:29,055 --> 00:17:32,595 In fact, Dr Liljedahl suggests letting students use their notes 296 00:17:32,595 --> 00:17:35,655 on an assessment later on. This is not about letting them take a 297 00:17:35,655 --> 00:17:39,795 shortcut. It's a powerful way to reinforce and retrieve what 298 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:43,860 they've learned. This retrieval practice really helps move 299 00:17:43,860 --> 00:17:47,580 information from working memory to long term memory, so we can 300 00:17:47,580 --> 00:17:50,460 battle the forgetting curve and really achieve deep 301 00:17:50,460 --> 00:17:54,240 understanding. And one more thing as a side note, these 302 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:57,180 notes aren't graded. That's part of what makes them feel safe and 303 00:17:57,180 --> 00:17:57,480 real. 304 00:17:57,480 --> 00:18:00,540 So if you're curious about more steps that you can take to 305 00:18:00,540 --> 00:18:03,705 master your math instruction, come join me in my winter summit 306 00:18:03,705 --> 00:18:06,585 session. We'll dive into practical ways to create 307 00:18:06,585 --> 00:18:09,945 clarity, increase motivation, and move information from 308 00:18:09,945 --> 00:18:12,525 working memory to long term memory. Can't wait to see you 309 00:18:12,525 --> 00:18:12,885 there. 310 00:18:13,845 --> 00:18:17,745 Emily: Notes to your future forgetful self. I love how low 311 00:18:17,745 --> 00:18:19,005 pressure that feels. 312 00:18:19,305 --> 00:18:21,525 Heidi: Yeah, it's turning reflection into something 313 00:18:21,525 --> 00:18:24,465 students actually want to come back to, not just something that 314 00:18:24,465 --> 00:18:27,330 they're rushing through. In her full teacher winter talk 315 00:18:27,330 --> 00:18:29,850 session, Cassie walks through how to build this kind of 316 00:18:29,850 --> 00:18:31,950 reflection into your math routine in a way that's 317 00:18:31,950 --> 00:18:32,610 sustainable. 318 00:18:33,870 --> 00:18:36,930 Emily: Okay, we are halfway through our summit sneak peek. 319 00:18:37,050 --> 00:18:40,050 How are you doing? Are you getting some ideas brewing? 320 00:18:40,410 --> 00:18:42,510 Heidi: Oh, yeah, I'm already making a mental list of which 321 00:18:42,510 --> 00:18:44,130 full sessions I want to catch first. 322 00:18:44,370 --> 00:18:47,895 Emily: I love it. Our next tip comes from Meg Anderson at The 323 00:18:47,895 --> 00:18:50,775 Teacher Studio. She spent over three decades in the classroom, 324 00:18:50,775 --> 00:18:52,635 and she's got so many useful takeaways. 325 00:18:53,140 --> 00:18:54,400 Heidi: So here is Meg. 326 00:18:55,300 --> 00:18:58,780 Meg: Hi, I'm Meg from The Teacher Studio. I'm so glad 327 00:18:58,780 --> 00:19:02,260 you're here and taking a few minutes for yourself today. I 328 00:19:02,260 --> 00:19:05,440 spent over three decades in the classroom, mostly in upper 329 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:08,680 elementary, and one thing I learned the hard way is that 330 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:14,260 January is different. We come back from winter break ready to 331 00:19:14,260 --> 00:19:19,345 reset, reestablish routines and jump back into learning, but our 332 00:19:19,345 --> 00:19:23,425 students often need a little more time than we expect. 333 00:19:24,025 --> 00:19:27,445 So here's a simple but powerful reminder, as you head back into 334 00:19:27,445 --> 00:19:33,565 the second half of your year, slow down your wait time. After 335 00:19:33,565 --> 00:19:37,405 winter break, students are often hesitant. They're out of 336 00:19:37,405 --> 00:19:41,050 practice, sharing their thinking, unsure of expectations 337 00:19:41,050 --> 00:19:45,010 and sometimes just a little rusty. When we ask a question 338 00:19:45,010 --> 00:19:49,870 and jump in too quickly or call on the first raised hand, we 339 00:19:49,870 --> 00:19:54,490 unintentionally send the message that speed matters more than 340 00:19:54,490 --> 00:19:58,150 thinking. Intentional wait time changes that. 341 00:19:58,810 --> 00:20:03,355 When you pause just a few extra seconds after asking a question, 342 00:20:03,655 --> 00:20:08,215 you give students space to first, process what's being 343 00:20:08,215 --> 00:20:14,515 asked. Second, organize their thinking, and finally, take a 344 00:20:14,515 --> 00:20:20,155 risk without being rushed. Those quiet seconds communicate 345 00:20:20,155 --> 00:20:26,455 safety. They tell students, your thinking matters here. This is 346 00:20:26,500 --> 00:20:30,340 especially important in math and discussion based lessons where 347 00:20:30,340 --> 00:20:35,500 we want reasoning, not just answers. Wait time helps build 348 00:20:35,500 --> 00:20:40,540 confidence, encourages more voices to participate, and 349 00:20:40,540 --> 00:20:44,380 supports productive struggle, something students really need 350 00:20:44,380 --> 00:20:46,420 as they ease back into learning routines. 351 00:20:46,420 --> 00:20:52,225 So if January ever feels quieter or slower than you expect, 352 00:20:52,765 --> 00:20:57,025 that's not a problem to fix. It's an invitation to lean into 353 00:20:57,025 --> 00:21:02,305 these intentional pauses. In my full summit section, I'll dig 354 00:21:02,305 --> 00:21:05,425 much deeper into how strategies like wait time fit into a bigger 355 00:21:05,425 --> 00:21:09,325 picture of productive struggle, what it really looks like, how 356 00:21:09,325 --> 00:21:13,330 to support it without rescuing students too quickly, and how 357 00:21:13,330 --> 00:21:17,470 small shifts can lead to deeper thinking and stronger student 358 00:21:17,470 --> 00:21:18,070 engagement. 359 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:21,780 If this idea resonates with you, I'd love for you to join me 360 00:21:21,780 --> 00:21:25,920 there. Thanks for listening, and remember, those quiet moments 361 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:29,520 you build into your lessons matter more than you think. I'd 362 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:31,800 love to keep in touch, and you can find me at 363 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:36,900 www.theteacherstudio.com, or on Instagram and Tiktok 364 00:21:38,580 --> 00:21:38,760 @theteacherstudio. 365 00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:42,405 Emily: I love how much permission there is in that 366 00:21:42,405 --> 00:21:43,425 reminder. 367 00:21:43,665 --> 00:21:46,125 Heidi: Yeah, you can tell she has spent a lot of time in the 368 00:21:46,125 --> 00:21:50,265 classroom. Her tip reframes this January wobble not as a problem, 369 00:21:50,265 --> 00:21:52,245 but as part of the learning process. 370 00:21:52,725 --> 00:21:55,965 Emily: Meg's teacher winter talk session zooms out to show how 371 00:21:55,965 --> 00:21:59,565 moments like this fit into a bigger picture of student 372 00:21:59,565 --> 00:22:00,525 thinking and growth. 373 00:22:01,185 --> 00:22:04,245 Heidi: And if your January feels heavy or slow this year, that 374 00:22:04,245 --> 00:22:08,490 perspective is really grounding. And if you need another tip, 375 00:22:08,490 --> 00:22:11,610 perfect for this time of year, keep listening, because you know 376 00:22:11,610 --> 00:22:15,510 what else January brings? Sickness and sub plans. 377 00:22:15,510 --> 00:22:19,650 Trina: Hey, Teacher Approved listeners. I'm Trina Deboree 378 00:22:19,650 --> 00:22:22,710 from Trina Deboree Teaching and Learning and the podcast One 379 00:22:22,710 --> 00:22:27,675 Tired Teacher. And I spent 27 years in the classroom, mainly 380 00:22:27,675 --> 00:22:30,975 as a second grade teacher, but also as a media specialist, and 381 00:22:30,975 --> 00:22:35,175 I was that teacher who used to come to school sick because 382 00:22:35,235 --> 00:22:38,835 writing sub plans felt harder than actually teaching. 383 00:22:38,835 --> 00:22:44,235 Here's the simplest shift I want to share today. Stop thinking of 384 00:22:44,235 --> 00:22:49,155 sub plans as something you do when you're sick, and start 385 00:22:49,155 --> 00:22:53,700 thinking of them as something you set up once to protect your 386 00:22:53,700 --> 00:22:58,020 future self. Most teachers don't avoid sub plans because they're 387 00:22:58,020 --> 00:23:02,940 lazy. They avoid them because they're exhausted, and when sub 388 00:23:02,940 --> 00:23:06,300 plans live only in your emergency brain, they never get 389 00:23:06,300 --> 00:23:06,480 done. 390 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:12,180 Instead, here's the easy win. Pick one calm afternoon, not a 391 00:23:12,180 --> 00:23:16,065 sick day, a calm afternoon. Does it exist? Yes, I believe it 392 00:23:16,065 --> 00:23:21,045 does. And create a basic, reusable sub binder, just your 393 00:23:21,045 --> 00:23:25,545 schedule, your class list, a short note to the sub and a 394 00:23:25,545 --> 00:23:29,505 couple of flexible activities that work any day of the week. 395 00:23:30,045 --> 00:23:35,445 That's it. Not cute, not fancy. Just ready. That one small shift 396 00:23:35,445 --> 00:23:39,990 turns sub plans from panic mode into a safety net. 397 00:23:40,680 --> 00:23:43,620 In my winter teacher talk session, the sub survival 398 00:23:43,620 --> 00:23:47,460 system, how to plan once and rest easy all year, I share the 399 00:23:47,460 --> 00:23:51,540 full framework, including how to keep sub plans simple, stress 400 00:23:51,540 --> 00:23:55,980 free and guilt free, even during the busiest seasons. If you've 401 00:23:56,040 --> 00:23:59,760 ever dragged yourself to school because the thought of sub plans 402 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:04,545 felt overwhelming, this session is for you. I'm so excited to 403 00:24:04,545 --> 00:24:07,665 connect with you during the summit. You can find me at 404 00:24:07,665 --> 00:24:11,565 trinadeboreeteachingandlearning.com, and if you like real talk and 405 00:24:11,565 --> 00:24:14,805 practical support for tired teachers, I'd love to have you 406 00:24:14,805 --> 00:24:18,585 listen to my podcast, One Tired Teacher. Take care of yourself, 407 00:24:18,825 --> 00:24:20,925 your future self will thank you. 408 00:24:22,280 --> 00:24:24,380 Heidi: I love how much compassion there is in Trina's 409 00:24:24,380 --> 00:24:25,040 reframe. 410 00:24:25,460 --> 00:24:29,060 Emily: Yeah, this really does reframe sub plans as an act of 411 00:24:29,060 --> 00:24:31,820 care for your future self, especially when that future self 412 00:24:31,820 --> 00:24:33,440 might have strep throat. 413 00:24:34,140 --> 00:24:37,020 Heidi: Yeah, the strep throat, that always took me down at 414 00:24:37,020 --> 00:24:37,920 least once a year. 415 00:24:38,160 --> 00:24:39,180 Emily: Oh, it's the worst. 416 00:24:39,420 --> 00:24:42,660 Heidi: Trina's summit session, the sub survival system, will 417 00:24:42,660 --> 00:24:45,300 show you how to build that safety net once, and then you 418 00:24:45,300 --> 00:24:47,700 can stop carrying sub plan stress around all year. 419 00:24:48,660 --> 00:24:51,000 Emily: And speaking of taking care of yourself, our last 420 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:54,420 summit speaker preview is someone we love collaborating 421 00:24:54,420 --> 00:24:57,705 with. Our buddy Kelsey Sorenson from educate and rejuvenate has 422 00:24:57,705 --> 00:25:00,765 hosted teacher conferences for five years. And she always 423 00:25:00,765 --> 00:25:04,665 brings this grounded permission giving energy to our summit as 424 00:25:04,665 --> 00:25:05,205 well. 425 00:25:05,685 --> 00:25:08,265 Heidi: Her tip isn't a strategy or a hack, it's more of a 426 00:25:08,265 --> 00:25:11,385 perspective shift, and honestly, it might be exactly what you 427 00:25:11,385 --> 00:25:12,285 need to hear right now. 428 00:25:13,440 --> 00:25:15,720 Kelsey Sorenson: Hey, Teacher Approved listeners. My name is 429 00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:18,960 Kelsey Sorenson. I am a certified life coach, former 430 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:22,020 classroom teacher, current homeschooling mom of three, and 431 00:25:22,020 --> 00:25:24,540 founder of educate and rejuvenate. You might know me 432 00:25:24,540 --> 00:25:27,960 from the book, the podcast or Instagram, all of that same 433 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:32,100 name, educate and rejuvenate. We've also hosted a event for 434 00:25:32,100 --> 00:25:34,920 teachers for the past five years. So if you've been to one 435 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:38,085 of our educate and rejuvenate conferences, hello, I'm so 436 00:25:38,085 --> 00:25:41,745 excited to see you over at teacher winter talks as well. 437 00:25:41,925 --> 00:25:45,165 Heidi and Emily and I love collaborating on our events, so 438 00:25:45,225 --> 00:25:45,765 so much fun. 439 00:25:45,765 --> 00:25:49,185 I want to offer you something today, not a productivity hack, 440 00:25:49,185 --> 00:25:51,945 not another classroom strategy. You'll be getting plenty of 441 00:25:51,945 --> 00:25:55,485 those, but a perspective shift that has completely changed how 442 00:25:55,485 --> 00:25:59,370 I move through the season. Because let's be real. Winter 443 00:25:59,370 --> 00:26:02,430 can feel really heavy. The holidays are over, the to do 444 00:26:02,430 --> 00:26:06,510 list doesn't disappear. It's darker, colder, quieter, and 445 00:26:06,510 --> 00:26:09,630 it's easy to start thinking, Why do I feel like this? What's 446 00:26:09,630 --> 00:26:13,590 wrong with me? And here's the truth, what if nothing is wrong 447 00:26:13,590 --> 00:26:16,410 with you at all? You are just in winter. 448 00:26:16,410 --> 00:26:19,950 Literally, winter is not a season of blooming, it's a 449 00:26:19,950 --> 00:26:25,815 season of rest, of a slowness of quiet, unseen growth. So let's 450 00:26:25,815 --> 00:26:29,775 pause and really sit with that. And see how we can sit with that 451 00:26:29,775 --> 00:26:34,035 analogy as teachers, because we are conditioned to go, go, go, 452 00:26:34,215 --> 00:26:37,935 to hold it all together every day, every season, we rarely let 453 00:26:37,935 --> 00:26:41,475 ourselves let up until we hit a break, literally like winter 454 00:26:41,475 --> 00:26:44,055 break or summer break, and we crash and we're already burned 455 00:26:44,055 --> 00:26:44,235 out. 456 00:26:44,235 --> 00:26:47,640 But what if we allowed for seasonality, even within the 457 00:26:47,640 --> 00:26:51,660 school year? What if we could still have a time to pull back, 458 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:55,080 simplify and get intentional about what matters most? Think 459 00:26:55,080 --> 00:26:58,380 about it. Trees aren't blooming right now, not because they're 460 00:26:58,380 --> 00:27:01,500 broken, but because they're wise. They're conserving energy, 461 00:27:01,500 --> 00:27:04,740 they're preparing, they're doing the invisible work that makes 462 00:27:04,740 --> 00:27:08,685 spring possible. And you are allowed to do the same. You are 463 00:27:08,685 --> 00:27:12,285 allowed to slow down, to simplify, to take things off 464 00:27:12,285 --> 00:27:15,225 your plate. You're allowed to stop fighting winter and be 465 00:27:15,225 --> 00:27:18,225 like, Oh, I'm feeling the winter blues, and start working with 466 00:27:18,225 --> 00:27:18,465 it. 467 00:27:18,585 --> 00:27:21,225 Maybe that means not changing the bulletin board this month, 468 00:27:21,225 --> 00:27:24,825 or using AI to streamline your lesson planning, or finally, 469 00:27:24,825 --> 00:27:27,525 signing up for that meal service so dinner doesn't drain you 470 00:27:27,525 --> 00:27:30,990 after a long day. And that is the mindset shift that I want to 471 00:27:30,990 --> 00:27:34,650 leave you with today, not to fix yourself, but to give yourself 472 00:27:34,650 --> 00:27:35,190 permission. 473 00:27:35,670 --> 00:27:39,450 And inside of my winter talk session, it's called five tiny 474 00:27:39,450 --> 00:27:42,030 tweaks that help teachers survive winter burnout, I'll 475 00:27:42,030 --> 00:27:45,210 walk you through some practical, doable ways to support your 476 00:27:45,210 --> 00:27:49,470 energy, your nervous system and your time right now. And if you 477 00:27:49,470 --> 00:27:52,410 grabbed the max pass, don't skip the bonus. I'm sharing my 478 00:27:52,410 --> 00:27:56,055 burnout to balance audio series, my full coaching framework, plus 479 00:27:56,055 --> 00:27:59,835 access to an AI coaching tool I built specifically for teachers. 480 00:28:00,075 --> 00:28:03,195 But for now, take this with you. You are not behind. You're not 481 00:28:03,195 --> 00:28:07,815 failing. You are in winter, and this is a season to simplify. 482 00:28:08,655 --> 00:28:12,075 Emily: That is such a helpful tip. We all could use the 483 00:28:12,075 --> 00:28:14,955 permission to be more gentle with ourselves in the winter. 484 00:28:15,495 --> 00:28:17,940 Heidi: Yeah, if this season feels heavier than you expected, 485 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:21,600 you are definitely not alone. Kelsey's teacher winter talk 486 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:24,660 session offers small, supportive ways to care for your energy 487 00:28:24,660 --> 00:28:25,620 during this season. 488 00:28:26,460 --> 00:28:29,760 Emily: If winter burnout feels real right now, that session and 489 00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:32,340 the bonus she's sharing are a beautiful place to start. 490 00:28:33,420 --> 00:28:36,960 Heidi: So that is our sneak peek of the teacher winter talks, 491 00:28:37,500 --> 00:28:40,605 seven speakers, seven tips you can start using this week. 492 00:28:41,145 --> 00:28:44,445 Emily: But remember, these are just the teasers. Each of these 493 00:28:44,445 --> 00:28:47,385 educators has a full session with so much more depth waiting 494 00:28:47,385 --> 00:28:50,865 for you, plus we've got so many other speakers that you haven't 495 00:28:50,865 --> 00:28:51,705 even heard from yet. 496 00:28:52,245 --> 00:28:56,325 Heidi: Teacher winter talks is completely free to attend. Come 497 00:28:56,325 --> 00:28:59,685 learn, low effort, big reward strategies to help you prevent 498 00:28:59,685 --> 00:29:02,625 mid year burnout and reignite your teaching spark with 499 00:29:02,625 --> 00:29:06,690 practical, bite sized audio tips you can listen to on the go and 500 00:29:06,690 --> 00:29:07,950 use right away. 501 00:29:08,440 --> 00:29:11,860 Emily: You can head to secondstorywindow.net/teacherwintertalks, 502 00:29:12,100 --> 00:29:15,040 or head to the link in our show notes to grab your free ticket. 503 00:29:15,460 --> 00:29:19,540 And if you want lifetime access plus bonus resources for each 504 00:29:19,540 --> 00:29:23,320 speaker, you will want to upgrade to the max pass after 505 00:29:23,320 --> 00:29:23,800 you sign up. 506 00:29:24,280 --> 00:29:26,680 Heidi: We cannot wait to see you there. We are going to have so 507 00:29:26,680 --> 00:29:27,220 much fun. 508 00:29:28,060 --> 00:29:30,580 Emily: Now for our Teacher Approved Tip of the Week, where 509 00:29:30,580 --> 00:29:33,745 we share an actionable tip to help you elevate what matters 510 00:29:33,745 --> 00:29:36,805 and simplify the rest. This week's teacher approved tip is 511 00:29:36,805 --> 00:29:40,885 to design your seating for speed. I have a need for speed, 512 00:29:40,885 --> 00:29:42,445 Heidi, tell us about this one. 513 00:29:43,165 --> 00:29:45,805 Heidi: Well, one thing that Emily and I often recommend 514 00:29:45,805 --> 00:29:50,125 doing mid year is adjusting your seating arrangement. However, 515 00:29:50,365 --> 00:29:53,425 before you start figuring out where everyone is going to sit, 516 00:29:53,785 --> 00:29:57,970 take time to figure out one important detail. How quickly 517 00:29:57,970 --> 00:30:02,050 can you get to any desk? Proximity to the teacher is the 518 00:30:02,050 --> 00:30:06,130 number one deterrent to off task behavior. So your goal with your 519 00:30:06,130 --> 00:30:09,910 seating arrangement is to be able to reach any seat in the 520 00:30:09,910 --> 00:30:10,990 fewest possible steps. 521 00:30:10,990 --> 00:30:14,410 So that means designing for walkways, and probably not 522 00:30:14,410 --> 00:30:17,455 perfect rows, because if you have to walk all the way around 523 00:30:17,455 --> 00:30:20,395 the perimeter of your desks to reach that back corner where the 524 00:30:20,395 --> 00:30:23,575 kids are talking, you're going to do it less often, and when 525 00:30:23,575 --> 00:30:26,275 you're tired, that means you're just going to default to calling 526 00:30:26,275 --> 00:30:29,275 out instead of walking over and actually dealing with the 527 00:30:29,275 --> 00:30:29,695 problem. 528 00:30:29,695 --> 00:30:32,395 Emily: Designing your seating like this might seem 529 00:30:32,395 --> 00:30:35,695 unimportant, but clear paths help you circulate more and 530 00:30:35,695 --> 00:30:39,715 manage behavior quietly, and the real bonus is it cuts down on 531 00:30:39,760 --> 00:30:42,280 the amount of walking you have to do, and your feet will thank 532 00:30:42,280 --> 00:30:43,840 you for that, for thinking of them. 533 00:30:44,440 --> 00:30:46,960 Heidi: If you want to learn all about our strategy for using 534 00:30:46,960 --> 00:30:49,780 your classroom seating arrangement for maximum impact, 535 00:30:50,020 --> 00:30:53,680 you definitely want to sign up for the teacher winter talks. On 536 00:30:53,680 --> 00:30:57,700 top of the 25 amazing sessions, Emily and I will be doing a 537 00:30:57,700 --> 00:31:01,260 three day live challenge to help you create a seating chart that 538 00:31:01,260 --> 00:31:05,220 works as one of your strongest classroom management tools. In 539 00:31:05,220 --> 00:31:08,220 just a few minutes a day, during this challenge, you will walk 540 00:31:08,220 --> 00:31:11,640 away with your own seating chart tailored to address your 541 00:31:11,640 --> 00:31:13,500 specific classroom needs. 542 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:18,520 Emily: So head to secondstorywindow.net/teacherwintertalks 543 00:31:18,520 --> 00:31:22,660 to grab your free ticket to join us on January 17 through 19th, 544 00:31:23,560 --> 00:31:27,160 2026, and you can join us for the three day challenge too. 545 00:31:28,180 --> 00:31:31,780 Heidi: To wrap up the show, we are sharing what we're giving 546 00:31:31,900 --> 00:31:35,140 extra credit to this week. Emily, what gets your extra 547 00:31:35,140 --> 00:31:35,500 credit? 548 00:31:35,500 --> 00:31:38,665 Emily: My extra credit goes to K18 dry shampoo. So I have seen 549 00:31:38,665 --> 00:31:41,065 this recommended all over the place, and I finally gave it a 550 00:31:41,065 --> 00:31:44,845 try when I, like, found a Black Friday deal. The rumors are 551 00:31:44,845 --> 00:31:48,865 true, guys. It's amazing. It's way better than any other kind 552 00:31:48,865 --> 00:31:52,405 of dry shampoo that I've tried. And it isn't the cheapest, but I 553 00:31:52,405 --> 00:31:54,865 do feel like a little goes a long way. So like, in the long 554 00:31:54,865 --> 00:31:56,725 run, I don't feel like it's that expensive. 555 00:31:56,965 --> 00:31:59,156 Heidi: Oh, that's good to know. I'm gonna have to be on the 556 00:31:59,156 --> 00:31:59,307 lookout for that. 557 00:31:59,307 --> 00:32:01,390 Emily: Yeah, for sure. What are you giving extra credit to? 558 00:32:01,960 --> 00:32:04,540 Heidi: So my extra credit goes to some new pens that I just 559 00:32:04,540 --> 00:32:11,200 got. They are the Tul (T-U-L) retractable gel pens. My 560 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:17,200 preferred pen is the muji 0.5, long time devotee of the Muji. 561 00:32:17,200 --> 00:32:18,100 Emily: It's true. 562 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:21,060 Heidi: But those pens, I found they don't write well on post it 563 00:32:21,060 --> 00:32:24,060 notes, and that is so frustrating. I've had to keep 564 00:32:24,060 --> 00:32:26,280 other pens around, so I thought I would give these a try. And 565 00:32:26,280 --> 00:32:30,300 these Tul pens are great. They write so smoothly. And now I'm 566 00:32:30,300 --> 00:32:32,880 trying to decide if I need to get the pretty colored ones too. 567 00:32:32,880 --> 00:32:34,500 Emily: I think you definitely do. 568 00:32:34,500 --> 00:32:37,200 Heidi: Well I will put a link to the pens in the show notes in 569 00:32:37,200 --> 00:32:39,900 case you also need some new office supplies to get you 570 00:32:39,900 --> 00:32:40,560 through January. 571 00:32:41,340 --> 00:32:44,085 Emily: That is it for today's episode. Make sure to sign up 572 00:32:44,085 --> 00:32:47,145 for teacher winter talks, and there is a link to that in the 573 00:32:47,145 --> 00:32:50,445 show notes. We would love for you to join us. We're going to 574 00:32:50,445 --> 00:32:51,345 have so much fun. 575 00:32:54,105 --> 00:32:57,285 Heidi: We hope you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Approved. I'm 576 00:32:57,285 --> 00:32:57,885 Heidi. 577 00:32:57,945 --> 00:33:01,185 Emily: And I'm Emily. Thank you for listening. Be sure to follow 578 00:33:01,185 --> 00:33:03,765 or subscribe in your podcast app so that you never miss an 579 00:33:03,765 --> 00:33:04,185 episode. 580 00:33:04,605 --> 00:33:06,930 Heidi: You can connect with us and other teachers in the 581 00:33:06,930 --> 00:33:10,170 Teacher Approved Facebook group. We'll see you here next week. 582 00:33:10,350 --> 00:33:11,010 Bye for now. 583 00:33:11,010 --> 00:33:11,970 Emily: Bye.