Throughout this new teacher training series, I've discussed practical topics that new teachers are interested in learning more about when it comes to running a classroom. However, today's topic deals more with you personally and your own transition. So, in today's episode, I'm discussing how to make an identity shift from student teacher to full-time teacher and why that can be challenging. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/student-teacher  Buy my new book, Dear New Teacher,...

One of the things I was nervous about when I got into my own classroom was how to deal with and manage the challenging behaviors of students.  So, in part four of this series, I’m discussing the four ways to prevent challenging behavior in your elementary classroom. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/challenging-behaviors  Buy my new book, Dear New Teacher, Here’s Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step Ready for School Roadmap Book for Elementary Classrooms: https://amzn.to/3w3zZJ7  ...

We are well into our new teacher series, where I discuss topics that new teachers should know before running their own classrooms in the fall. So, in the third episode of the series, I’m sharing six class jobs that every classroom needs that will help take things off your plate. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/class-jobs  Buy my new book, Dear New Teacher, Here’s Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap Book for Elementary Classrooms:...

In the second episode of the new teacher series, I’m talking about a topic most new teachers can’t wait to do, but am putting some caution behind it as well. Since I always want to help prevent mistakes from happening, in today’s episode, I’m sharing seven common mistakes teachers make when choosing a classroom theme. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/choosing-a-classroom-theme  Buy my new book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School...

The start of this new series will help brand new and beginning teachers think about their classroom setup in ways that are functional for the best learning environment.  In the first episode, I’m sharing three questions to ask yourself as you set up or reorganize your classroom.  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/new-teacher-questions  Buy my new book, Dear New Teacher, Here’s Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step Ready for School Roadmap Book for Elementary...

For the last two episodes, we’ve explored the idea of using rewards in the classroom and really examined the research behind it and the ways it motivates students to learn. In this episode, we're exploring the impact of gamified learning and the value of tangible and intangible rewards. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/rewards-in-elementary-classrooms The 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card by...

In last week’s episode, I talked about six beliefs about rewards and what the current research is saying about them now. To further our conversation in the series, I'm sharing the impact of rewards on learning motivation in school and with students and current research on rewards.  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/research-on-rewards  The 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): ...

As I started to look at research on rewards in the classroom, I was astounded by the amount of research and information that was outdated. I started to see some common arguments against using a reward system in the classroom. With all my new findings, I’m starting the first episode in the series and sharing six beliefs teachers or schools commonly hold about classroom rewards. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/rewards  The 5-Step Classroom Management...

Over the last two episodes, we’ve talked about ways you can do some spring cleaning and declutter and organize your teacher desk and filing cabinet. However, we know from teaching in our classroom all year long that those aren’t the only two areas that need a good clean.  That’s why, in today’s episode, I’m sharing my ultimate spring cleaning checklist so you can feel refreshed and renewed in your own classroom until the end of the year. Show...

To me, it feels good to clean and get things cleared out, for it provides a clear mental space for the busy time of the end of the school year. To continue the series, I want to discuss a place to organize that can accumulate a lot of clutter and documents, which is your filing cabinet. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/organize-your-filing-cabinet The 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Organizational...

Since cleaning and organization can be a weakness and struggle for many teachers, I thought it was fitting to do a teacher spring cleaning series.  In the first episode of the series, I’m sharing six easy steps to organize your teacher desk. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/classroom-organization  The 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Organizational Labels:...

Instead of filling your brain with more resources and practical ways to be more effective in your classroom, today, I’m filling your brain with positive thoughts.  I’m going to show you how to begin intentionally focusing on changing our minds for the better with positive thoughts that will bring you joy and happiness throughout your day. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/mindset-for-teachers  The 5-Step Classroom Management...

With interview season upon us, I thought it would be the perfect time to refresh those interviewing skills so you make the best impression and land the job! Even if you’re currently in the classroom and not looking to switch jobs, most of you still have observations you’re completing for your administrators. Don’t worry, this episode is for you as well! Whether you’re interviewing or conducting an observation, in today’s episode, I’m sharing my 10-point checklist that will help you think...

Part of our job as teachers is to get students’ attention as we transition from one activity to the next, line up from recess, or give further instructions when students are working in groups. And for most of us, our natural instinct to get the attention of our class is by yelling or speaking in a louder tone. I’ll admit, I was guilty of this at the beginning of my career, but I soon realized that the sound of my voice didn’t have to be loud in order to be powerful.  In today’s episode, I’m...

When you’re a new teacher coming into the educational field, it can be overwhelming to remember and understand all of the different acronyms and terms that are used in education. Today, I want to help make this easier for you! I’m sharing an introduction to the three most common terms, as they relate to students: IEPs, 504s, and ELLs. You’ll hear about these terms, plus strategies and tips to help you feel more equipped to support these students in your classroom. Show Notes:...

You’ve finally made it to the weekend where you’re able to breathe and relax from a long and stressful week at work. You take full advantage of living your life outside the classroom where you get to hang out with friends and family and catch up on some sleep. But then Sunday rolls around and this horrible pit in your stomach starts to grow as the day goes on. You’re flooded with emotions and begin to feel anxious and stressed. Sound familiar?  What you’re feeling are the Sunday night...

As beginning teachers, we’re always looking for ways to save time on things like lesson planning, preparing engaging activities, creating practice worksheets or assessments, and so much more. Until now, the only way to truly get time back was after having years of experience in the classroom. But with the use of ChatGPT, you can instantly save time as an elementary teacher while also generating creative lessons for your students. In today's episode, I share specific examples of how you can...

We probably all remember going on field trips when we were students, but knowing how to adequately plan and execute a field trip as an elementary teacher is all brand new. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through exactly how to prepare for field trips so that it’s a huge success and a memorable experience for your students. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/field-trips  Join The Classroom Management Club: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/club  Check out Lori's TpT store...

ODD, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder, is a neurological pattern that is responsible for a person’s reasoning, judgment, and impulse control. Teaching students with ODD can be extremely challenging. Today I’m sharing 12 ways to manage these students and make them feel successful in the classroom. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/odd-students  Join The Classroom Management Club: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/club  Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): ...

If you’re a beginning teacher, there’s a good chance that you’re one of the last ones to leave the school and one of the first ones to arrive in the morning. I get it. You have so much to do and I know you want to be the best teacher you possibly can be. But guess what? There’s more to you than just being a teacher.  Achieving work-life balance as a teacher is so challenging, but we have to remember that teaching is your job and not your entire life. In this episode, I share 11 practical...

Before we were educators, we dreamt about our students and how they would love and be engaged in all of the lessons and activities we created. But in reality, it doesn’t always happen that way. Sometimes, we have those students who are defiant and refuse to participate. Whether you’re a novice teacher, or frankly even a veteran teacher, a student’s refusal can stop you in your tracks. In today’s episode, I’m sharing steps you can take to manage these defiant behaviors. Show...

Celebrating the 100th day of school is fun! I’ve found that the best way to make it a success is to plan early, so I want to share some 100th day of school activities that you can use to celebrate this milestone in your classroom. These ideas are engaging, interactive, thought-provoking, can involve movement, and spark creativity. Happy 100th day of school planning! Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/100th-day-of-school  100th Day of School Plans & Activities: ...

There are times throughout the school year when you have to be out of your classroom and will have a substitute in your room for the day. When that time comes, you may be prepared and leave all the right materials and lesson plans, but have you prepared your students for a sub? Sometimes that’s the missing key to making sure your sub has a good experience and your students' behavior is what you’d expect. In this episode, you’ll hear how to prepare your students for substitute teachers. Show...

Today I’m excited to introduce you to one of my most devoted listeners of the podcast…my husband Keith! I thought it would be a fun episode to not only have him as a guest on the podcast, but to ask him classroom management questions to see how much he has learned just from listening to each of my podcast episodes.  Since my passion resides in helping beginning teachers, I ask Keith questions surrounding the five main areas of classroom management, which are crucial when you’re starting your...

Friends, I have so many exciting, new, and fun things I want to share with you! So many big moments have been happening in both my personal and professional life and I finally have the opportunity to share all about them. Most importantly, there’s an important message that has been consistent throughout each one of these experiences, which is the power of positivity. Among the many new and exciting things happening in my life is a gift I want to give you! The first week of January I’m...