Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! For the past few weeks, I have been talking on the topic of writing curriculum. This week, we are talking about writing workshops, specifically how to make them less chaotic. I’ve heard so many teachers complain about how their writing workshops are a hot mess. I completely understand because I had that issue for a long time until I created The Not So Wimpy Writing Process. If you feel like your writing workshops are a hot mess, this episode is for you.    In this episode I talk about: The traditional model of the writing workshop How I took that model and made it my own How The Not So Wimpy Writing Process works The “Extra Stories” How this process is an incredible combination of structure and encouraging independence   If you’re interested in diving deeper into The Not So Wimpy Writing Process, stay tuned for my upcoming online professional development course. It’s called The Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass and in it, I dive deep into the process we talke

Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we are talking all about how to teach writing to our students in a fun and engaging way. When I talk about teaching writing, I often hear teachers say, “But I HATE my curriculum. It’s so boring.” I totally get it. So in Episode 57, I am going to teach you three strategies that you can use to turn boring curriculum into fun lessons that you AND your students will enjoy. Are you ready? Let’s dive in. In this episode I cover: The truth about writing curriculum The magic of the mini-lesson Steps to preparing a mini-lesson The power of giving students A LOT of choices Daily share time Ready to take this a step further? Click here to get on the waiting list for our upcoming course, the Not So Wimpy Writing Masterclass, that will be available in June! For more teacher tips and tricks, head over to the Not So Wimpy Teacher website. Want to connect outside of the podcast? Give me a follow on Instagram. I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts on writing cur

It’s Teacher Appreciation week! I know that things are very different this year, but I wanted you to feel extra spoiled and loved. After all, you are pretty darn amazing! I planned a HUGE week of giveaways, promotions and freebies. I explain it all in this episode. Monday 50% off End of Year Awards 9-10 PST 50% off Math Journals 11-12 PST 50% off Grammar Bundles 1-2 PST Resource Giveaways one hour before each sale! Tuesday 25% off everything in my store Giving away ten $10 TPT gift cards Wednesday 25% off everything in my store Giving away three Not So Wimpy Teacher cups Thursday 20% off everything in my store Giving away twenty $10 TPT gift cards Friday Special freebie for everyone!

I’m back and I’m excited to get back to business! Let’s chat about how we can help our students to be better writers and pass the writing standardized tests next year. I have four tips for you... Get your Free Writing Guide here.

Are your students truly engaged in your whole group reading lessons? Are they excited to read and talk about text together? If not, no worries! I’ve got you covered with three of my favorite ways to make your reading lessons more engaging. Read Alouds PowerPoint Lessons Reading Interactive Notebooks Reading Units and Centers MEGA BUNDLE

Test prep is 100x more fun when you incorporate games into your review! In this episode, I am going to share several fun games that you can use to review math, language or reading skills before testing. All of these games are simple to prep and plan! Connect Four Jenga Stinky Feet Cups Candyland

Testing is no fun, but test prep can be loads of fun! In this episode I share math test prep activities that are easy to prep and will have your students begging for more review time. Math Test Prep Centers Trashketball Stinky Feet Fraction Madness Kahoot

Making test prep fun and meaningful can be a challenge. But you have me, and I take care of you! I have collected some reading test prep activities that your students will enjoy! I dare say that you might even have some fun! In this episode, I share five different activities that you can. use for reviewing reading skills and standards before testing. Reading Test Prep Centers Reading Gallery Walk Prosecution and Defense Text Dependent Writing Work Hard. Play Hard.

February is Black History Month. Will you be celebrating black history in your classroom? I am a white teacher and I taught at a predominately white school. I am being very vulnerable here when I tell you that I felt uncomfortable teaching black history. I was scared that I would say the wrong thing, choose the wrong book, or offend someone. I wanted to be culturally sensitive, but I wasn’t always sure how to go about it. Have you ever felt that way too? I hear ya. On this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down and chat very Vera Ahiyya- also known as the Tutu Teacher. Vera is a kindergarten teacher in Brooklyn and she is passionate about helping teachers to be more diverse in the classroom. Some of my big takeaways from this conversation with Vera: Black History Month is a great time to celebrate the history of blacks and not just a time to talk about civil rights and slavery. Share stories of the beautiful and not just the hardships. Use books as a platform to have conversations about black leaders and

Presidents Day is coming up! Are you bored with doing the same ol’ activities every year? Are you looking for some unique ideas that will engage your students? In this episode, I am sharing three activities that are fun and academic. Presidents Day Interactive Notebook:  Show and Tell:  Lego Monuments Enjoy!

What kinds of Valentine’s Day activities will you be doing in the classroom this year? I am always looking for new and creative ideas that will interest my students. In this episode, I share some fun activities that your students will love! Valentine’s Day Vocabulary Grab My FREE Valentine’s Day Vocabulary Unit 2. Valentine’s Day Paper Bag Book 3. Valentine’s Day STEM activities. You can learn more about these ideas from Little Bins Little Hands by clicking HERE.    4. Valentine’s Day Lego Challenges Click HERE to grab some FREE Valentine’s Day Lego challenge cards. 5. Kiss Writing Click HERE to grab the FREE kiss writing paper. 6. Kindness Activities The Jelly Donut Difference. Kindness Rocks Project 7. I Love You More Than…poem Click HERE to grab FREE printables for this poem.

How much time do you spend lesson planning every week? What if you could cut that time in half? Lesson planning is a necessary evil of teaching. Some schools require super specific plans. If we are not careful this process can be a huge time sucker. In this episode I am going to share three tips that made lesson planning quicker and more effective for me. Batching Using Year Long Bundles Collaboration Want to learn more about batching? Check out episode 33!

I tricked my students into half of a day of review worksheets! They had so much fun, that they didn’t realize how much work they doing. The secret? A Super Bowl party! In this episode I share the activities my students did at our Super Bowl party and the one thing that made my students excited to review! I will also share the fun foods that we enjoyed! Check out my Super Bowl close read passages. They are perfect for your Super Bowl party! Football Close Read Passages: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Football-Close-Read-Passages-1023052

How do you teach grammar? Most teachers in my Facebook groups are complaining that grammar takes way too long to teach and their students aren’t remembering the skills that are being taught. We have fourth graders who are still struggling with identifying nouns. That’s tough when they have so many more complex language standards to master! It is true that grammar is a challenge to teach, but it is also true that you can make it easier! In this episode, I am sharing three of my most important tips for teaching grammar in just 10 minutes per day. Grammar does not replace writing. Grammar needs to be taught in small pieces. Grammar is easier with a routine. Next, I’m sharing the routine that I used and several tips that made each day work. Monday: Mini Lesson with a PowerPoint Tuesday: Interactive Notebook Wednesday: Writing Thursday: Task Card Scoot Friday: Assessment Finally, I have created grammar units that include PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, task cards and assessments. Not So Wimpy Grammar Units:

Are you planning to spend time reviewing classroom procedures during your first week back after break? In a perfect world, we can jump right back into routines in January and pick up right where we left off before winter break. Right?! If your mentality is to jump right back in, you may find yourself pulling out your hair because no one seems to remember your classroom procedures. Some of your students can jump right back in and remember your expectations. However, don’t assume that all of your students can. I encourage you to take some time to review your routines in a fun way so that you have a smoother transition into next quarter. In this episode, I share three different activities that make reviewing procedures more fun: Board Games Group Presentations Find Someone Who Click HERE to grab free board game cards and the Find Someone Who game. Fourth Grade Fifth Grade

December is a tough month in the classroom. I know that you are busy squeezing in those standards, tests, and conferences. But you are also doing spirit weeks, making gifts for parents, shopping for gifts for students and even making crafts with glitter. It’s nuts! It’s no wonder you are tired and feeling inadequate. Today’s episode is super short and super important. You need to hear this one, my teacher friend! Happy holiday!

Are you using the Not So Wimpy teacher vocabulary units and daily routine? Monday: Definitions & Sentences Tuesday: Synonyms & Antonyms Wednesday: Prefixes & Suffixes Thursday: Draw Pictures Friday: Games and Assessment In this episode, I quickly review this routine, but if you want to read more details, click HERE. This routine helps the majority of the students in our classroom to be successful learning new tier 2 words, but we always have a few that continue to struggle. We need to differentiate our vocabulary instruction for those learners. The good news is that it’s easy to differentiate our lessons to help those learners! In this episode, I share many suggestions. Hand Motions Print Teacher Guide Games (Click HERE for some free games!) Modified Assessments Technology Not So Wimpy teacher vocabulary units Free Vocabulary Games

Do you have students in your classroom family that do not celebrate the holidays? Initially it can feel so challenging to plan your December classroom activities. You might not be able to put the Christmas tree up or read certain books. I know that can be a bummer when you have classroom traditions that you look forward to every year. However, having a student that doesn't celebrate the holidays can be a huge opportunity. It's an opportunity for you and your students to learn more about diversity and culture. It's your opportunity to get creative and try some new activities in your classroom! In this episode I am going to go through three tips for teaching in December when you have students who don't celebrate the holidays. Talk to the parents. Respect the student. Get creative. Let me know what kinds of activities you are planning in your classroom for those students who don't celebrate the holidays! I can't wait to hear! Click HERE to grab the free snowman writing unit that I mentioned in th

What is teacher and staff morale like at your school? Is there a lot of positivity and teachers are happy to come to school? Or, is there a lot of negativity and frustration. Do teachers feel supported or do they feel like no one appreciates them? Sadly many teachers feel like morale is low at their school. There are so many things that we wish admin would do at our school to show that they trust us and appreciate us. But today, we are changing the conversation. Instead of talking about what we wish others would do, we are going to start talking about what WE can do to help to improve the morale at our school. In this episode, I share several simple ideas that you can implement! Secret gift exchange Stocking the staff lounge Start a social club Host a book club Write positive notes I'd love to hear about the ideas that you are coming up with. Let me know how you are going to improve morale at your school. Let's make teaching fun, my friends!

Halloween is over and now it is time to start planning Thanksgiving activities for the classroom! Sometimes making these plans can seem redundant or less than lively, because it’s the same thing year after year. We talk about the Thanksgiving story, the Mayflower, and the feast. We have students write about what they are thankful for and make turkeys by painting their hands. It’s the same year after year. Well if you are tired of doing the same Thanksgiving lessons over and over each year, imagine how many times your students have done them by the time they get to you. It’s getting old for them too! What if instead you planned unique Thanksgiving activities for the classroom? Activities that tie in your standards, but also totally engage them in what they are learning? Sound amazing? In this podcast episode, I am chatting with one of my teacher besties, Stacey. She is sharing three super simple and unique Thanksgiving activities that she has done with her third graders. Plus, I throw in a fun science activity