The Teach Joyfully Podcast

Classroom management is the backbone, the framework that supports everything else you do in your classroom. In fact, it's impossible to teach well if your classroom isn't running smoothly. If your students aren't meeting your behavior expectations, things are going to fall apart.

In this week's episode, I talk about my simple behavior management system. Learn how I help K-3 students begin to take responsibility, track behavior patterns, and communicate with parents without a lot of fuss.

Check out the episode, all the resources, and grab the Power Phrase Worksheet, and check out the Stop and Think Behavior System. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Teaching literacy is not an easy task. Neither is planning for literacy instruction and getting enough time to actually teach all the things! 

Do you struggle to fit all the things you need to teach into your literacy block? You're not alone! In this episode, I have a plan for your literacy block no matter how much time you have to teach reading and writing. 

Check out the episode, all the resources, and grab the Writer's Craft Lesson Ideas and Using Technology With Purpose. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Training your class in your systems and routines or procedures is one of the most important things you will do to set your class up for success all year. Why? Well, imagine your students are able to work independently and your classroom runs smoothly most of the time. That's why. If you train your students well and insist they follow the procedures every time (do it over the right way), it will pay off all year!

Check out the episode and grab all the resources. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

I'm sure you've heard this term a few (hundred) times lately...the science of reading. But, what is the science of reading? And honestly, it is just another education bandwagon because we see that ALL the time.

All those educational fads get a little exhausting, don't they? Well, in this episode, I break down the components of the science of reading and talk about why this isn't entirely new. If fact, you will probably recognize the parts and might even be already teaching most of them.

Check out the episode, all the resources, and grab the Essential Phonemic Awareness Cheat Sheet. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Creating habits for teacher self-care is truly the only way that regular self-care will happen in your life.

Habits? Routine? You're a pro, right?! Well sure...for helping your students and keeping your classroom running smoothly. But what about for yourself? 

In this episode, I have all the details on creating self care habits for YOU, the teacher, the parent, and the individual that will set you up for success even when your school day is falling apart because we all know...that's going to happen sometimes.

Check out the episode, all the resources, and grab the Habit Builder Guide and Keeping Lesson Planning at School guide. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Classroom organization tips? Yes, please!

I love to talk about classroom organization. If you ask, my kids will tell you that the Container Store is my mothership. 😂 Sad, but true. I LOVE having things super organized. It makes me happy and keeps my stress level down if I know right where anything I need is.

So it should come as no surprise that I have tips for staying organized in your classroom. These back-to-school organization ideas truly will save you time (and stress) all year.

Listen in to this episode to find out more!

Don't forget to check out all the resources, and grab Back to School Planning Guide and the Keeping Lesson Planning at School.  It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Classroom library woes? Figuring out how to organize your classroom library is harder than we imagine it will be. There are so many decisions to be made and each one changes how our class library functions. 

Don't get bogged down in decision fatigue. In this episode, I have all my tips to break down the decision-making process to help you make a plan for your classroom library that will actually work.

Listen in to find out more!

Don't forget to check out all the resources, and grab the Classroom Library Organization Cheat Sheet. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

I know you practice scaffolding when teaching, but do you know you're doing it?

What is scaffolding instruction? Scaffolded teaching is when we use various techniques to support students in their learning and then gradually move them toward independence.

In this episode, I have nine types of scaffolds for teaching including ways for scaffolding instruction for English language learners. 

Listen in to find out more!

Don't forget to check out all the resources, and grab the Scaffolds for Instruction Cheat Sheet. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

If you’re paying attention….this is the 100^th episode of The Teach Joyfully Podcast. Wow! Where does the time go?!

Today's episode is all about how to use task cards in the classroom. I love ideas, activities, and lessons that we, as teachers, can use over and over again. They aren’t one and done, but reusable. Task card activities are exactly that - something you can use for any subject or concept over and over again. There are tons of uses and ways to use them.

In fact, the possibilities for learning with task cards are endless! What’s not to like about that?!

In this episode find out:

• What are task cards and why they're helpful
• 7 different uses for task cards in your classroom
• 11 practical ideas for task cards that will fit right in with your teaching

Don't forget to check out all the resources, and grab the freebie Task Card Printable. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

During your literacy block, you have a lot of different situations going on from whole group teaching to small group teaching to independent work, etc. It's a lot to manage for you and a lot of expectations to remember for your students.

In this episode of The Teach Joyfully Podcast, I have the path you'll need to diagnose the classroom management problems, when those behaviors are happening and what to do to fix them.

It all really doesn't have to fall apart. 

Don't forget to check out the path, all the resources, and grab the freebie Power Phrase Worksheet if you don't already have it. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Shh! I have a secret reading aloud strategy. It’s true, and I’m sharing it with you in this episode.

I read 100+ book a year to my students to increase their literacy. Ok. I do a lot of other things that increase student literacy as well. But, so does every teacher. What gives my students an edge over their peers is hearing and discussing that many books read aloud.

Listen in to find out:

• 9 benefits students receive from my reading aloud 100+ books.
• How to make read alouds happen in a busy schedule.
• Why this doesn’t prevent you from going deep with books.
• Ways to make sure students still get to hear books more than once.
• How using picture books to teach across the curriculum makes this reading aloud strategy very doable.

Don't forget to check out all the resources and grab the freebie Mentor Text Lists. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Do you struggle to get your students or even your own kids writing over the summer? I get it! Most kids have no motivation or interest in writing during their summer break. 

So...

How do we get our students excited or even intrigued enough to dive into summer writing? I've got 5 simple summer writing activities that are fun and easy enough for any student to give it a whirl. Listen in to find out more!

Don't forget to check out all the resources and grab the Letter Writing and How To Writing FREEBIES. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

How do you inspire your students to actually do summer reading?

Once summer hits, kids' schedules go haywire and all bets are off when it comes to practicing reading and other skills. Honestly, I never did summer homework as a kid. But, I did read. A lot. Why? Well, I was a committed reader. I learned to love books and reading early on. 

But, how do we inspire our students and their families to keep the reading going all summer? In today's episode, I have a few tips for you.

Don't forget to check out all the resources and grab the FREE Million Words Reading Challenge. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Teaching is HARD! It's a profession filled with joys and frustration. But when the frustration becomes overwhelming, maybe it's time to rethink where or if you should stay.

While I truly hope you stay in education because we NEED great teachers like you in our classrooms, I know sometimes it's time for a change. Knowing if, when, and how to make that change is the tricky part.

In this episode, I have some questions for you to think about to help you decide if you should quit teaching [and some ideas for your second act if that's your path].

Don't forget to check out all the resources and grab the FREE Classroom Management Inventory. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

As we near the end of the school year, having end of the year activities ready for your students becomes imperative. Everything is winding down, most, if not all, of the concepts have been taught, and everyone is feeling a little worn out.

That's where we need something to engage our students while still learning or reinforcing concepts learned during the year.

Poems for two voices are just the thing! Listen in to find out why these are perfect for that end of year review and for engaging students until the last day.

Don't forget to grab the FREE Poems for Two Voices Template. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Are you stressed about the end of the year or sprinting toward it as fast as you can? I’m always a bit of both, honestly. It’s a busy and bittersweet time for me. Endings are hard when we’ve all grown attached, the end of year shut down is nuts and can be stressful if you don’t have a strong plan, but I’m always ready for summer too. Today, I have the skinny on the ending the school year with grace, love, and [dare I say it?] organization.

Listen in to find out more and don't forget to grab the FREE End of the School Year Checklist. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Don't worry, in today's episode, I break it down and help make sense of where to begin, what to do first, and where to go from there. And...I have lots of tips along the way. [What a surprise, right?! 😂]

Listen in to find out more and don't forget to grab the FREE Poetry Mentor Text List. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Is teaching reading in small groups stressful? Do you ever wonder if your students are even getting enough value from their group time to make it worth your effort? 

As a young teacher I know I struggled with what to teach during small groups, how to group my students, and don't even get me started on the classroom management struggles I had during small group reading time!

Well, it doesn't have to be that way. And yes, small group reading instruction really is valuable if we structure it right.

Listen in to find out more and don't forget to grab my freebies. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

When we take time for teaching genre in primary grades, it's not just one more thing to teach on our already full plates. Learning to read is a journey and understanding genre can empower our students to keep searching for their next great read. This knowledge gives students the ability to understand what they enjoy reading, find books with similar traits, and branch out to try new things.

Just imagine a day when your students no longer say...I don't like to read, reading is boring, or I can't find anything good in the library.

Listen in to find out more and don't forget to grab the FREE Genre Anchor Chart. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns

Do your students struggle with finding the main idea in nonfiction text? Do you avoid teaching this concept as long as you can? I get it! Main or central idea is hard for so many students to grasp. In fact, many students struggle with nonfiction texts in general.

In this episode, I have 5 strategies to help your students understand and find the main idea in their nonfiction reading.

Listen in to find out more and don't forget to grab the Nonfiction Reading Strategies Poster and check out the Main Idea Graphic Organizers as well. It's all in the show notes!

TEACH JOYFULLY FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteachinglab

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lisa_j_burns