The EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything Education

Latest Episodes:

Episode 18: Teaching Effectively- Even When You Hate The Topic Jan 24, 2019

Show notes

What is the chapter of the book or the unit in your curriculum map that fills you with a sense of dread—the topic that if you could, you would entirely cut out or skip? While this is sure to vary depending on the age group you serve and the discipline you are in, almost invariably something will have jumped to mind immediately. How do you deal with teaching something that your heart just isn’t in? How do you teach a lesson on something that even you as the instructor dislike?

In this week’s episode, Nicole and Danielle discuss exactly that. We have come up with 5 questions to ask yourself to help you diagnose the exact reasons why you are feeling this way towards this topic. By pinpointing the source of the tension, you can apply the tips we provide for how to address the underlying stressors so that way you can plan an effective lesson and leave the negativity behind.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

-Our definition of what it means to hate a particular topic

-Why you need to acknowledge your feeling towards the topic before you start to teaching it

-The 5 reasons why you might dislike a topic— and how to troubleshoot each before stepping foot in the classroom

Links mentioned:

https://www.instagram.com/thetownieteacher/

Episode 11: Our interview with Hayley Cain

Episode 17: How To Make A Solid Sub Plan in 20 Minutes or Less with Nicki Dingraudo Jan 17, 2019

Show notes

Being a teacher is a stressful job, and this feels especially true when we are experiencing illness. While in most professions informing your employer that you will not be in on a given day is all you need to do before you head back to bed to get the rest your body desperately needs, for classroom teachers, our obligation is typically far from over. Between feelings of guilt over letting down the students who most need us there and overwhelm at the prospect of spontaneously coming up with an effective sub plan, you may feel tempted to just go in as it seems like an easier option than staying home. But it doesn’t have to be this way— and it has nothing to do with falling back on the irrelevant emergency sub plan you had to submit months ago. In today’s episode, Danielle and Nicole interview Nicki of SprinkleToppedTeacher, the second grade teacher behind the 20 Minute Sub Plan. Based on her own health struggles, Nicki developed a system to make sub plans that work—and only take mere minutes to complete. Her process is thorough and adaptable for any grade or class, yet it doesn’t take much effort on your end on a day you need to be out, a complete necessity when you are feeling run down. Whether you need to make these modifications to the sub plan from your bed or a hospital room, all you need is an internet connection and access to the Google template Nicki has made so you can finally rest easy and recover quickly without a second thought about school. What you’ll hear in this episode: -How a one time 30 minute investment of time can help provide the sub with all the extra details they need -How to use the 20 Minute Sub Plan when you didn’t plan on being out (and how to leverage your team members) -Best practices for sub planning (and it doesn’t take extra time) -Actual feedback from subs and teachers alike who have implemented this plan in their own lives Links: Nicki's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thesprinkletoppedteacher/ To purchase The 20 Minute Sub Plans: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-20-Minute-Sub-Plans-3465551 Nicki's Blog: www.thesprinkletoppedteacher.com (FREEBIE) Sub Plan Checklist: http://www.thesprinkletoppedteacher.com/2019/01/the-20-minute-sub-plan-checklist.html Sunday Email List full of freebies and encouragement for the week: https://mailchi.mp/8e278f85103e/happyteacher

Episode 16: Why Your Students Think They're Studying (Even When They're Not) & How You Can Help Jan 10, 2019

Show notes

Despite planning engaging lessons, reviewing important concepts in class, and providing students with study guides, there still may be a handful of students that struggle come test time. It is often from these students that we hear the sounds of frustration as they insist that they spent a significant amount of time studying— and still, to their amazement and displeasure, they failed the exam.

In this episode, Danielle and Nicole explore the disconnect that is happening all too regularly when students think they are studying even though what they are spending their time on is the furthest thing from that a teacher could imagine.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

-How to recognize the language students use when they truly believe they are studying

-Some of the most common misconceptions students have about what constitutes studying

-4 steps to take to help those students form better study habits immediately

Episode 15: The How and Why of Building Meaningful Student Connections with Janelle Everetts Jan 03, 2019

Show notes

For most teachers, the subject matter is the easy part. Building rapport with the students, on the other hand, might be a far harder task. For Janelle of Ms_Fourth, building real, meaningful connections with her students has always come naturally. Janelle advocates for making student relationships a top priority. Her care and connection with her students manifests itself in her spirited, positive and bright classroom and is only matched by her enthusiastic attitude towards her interactions with students. Janelle explains how we can build these ties from the very start to the closing bell each and every day.

Links mentioned:

Janelle, Ms_Fourth instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ms_fourth/

Miss 5th instagram

Brittney Root

https://www.instagram.com/miss5th/

Fairchild in Fifth instagram

Maddie Fairchild

https://www.instagram.com/fairchildin5th/

Episode 14: The Do's and Don'ts of Class Time Before A Break Dec 20, 2018

Show notes

While nearly everyone at a school, from the students to the faculty, looks forward to long weekends and breaks from the daily grind of school, almost no one likes the task of planning what to do and keeping a classroom running smoothly in those minutes leading up to those days off. In this week’s episode, Danielle and Nicole go over the do’s and don’ts of classroom management during one of the most challenging times of the year: the days right before a long break. It can be tempting for students and teachers alike to take the days leading up to break less seriously than typical class time. Make the most of that time by planning lessons that work for the time of year, and make sure that students will be able to adapt back to life post-break with ease by keeping consistent with your rule sand expectations. Need ideas for how to make that happen? We’ve got tips for not just surviving but thriving in the classroom for those final minutes leading up to break. In this episode you’ll hear: • Why rules and structure need to remain • How to acknowledge the break without letting it ruin your lesson • How to use the upcoming break for inspiration for your lesson • Ideas for what types of lessons work really well (and what to avoid doing) on the days before breaks Links mentioned: Our free, private Facebook community, the Thoughtful Teacher Team: a place to discuss the latest podcast episode and to bounce ideas off of other amazing educators bit.ly/edverythingfb Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edverythingeducation/ Entropy Isn’t Destiny from Moore-English: http://moore-english.com/entropy-is-not-destiny/

Episode 13: How To Document Your Teaching Journey (And Why Every Educator Should) with Aliana Lowe Dec 13, 2018

Show notes

New teachers don’t always realize all they have to offer, but the valuable lessons they pick up can often have an impact far beyond just their own development. Meet Aliana, an Australian teacher who proves that those who are new to the profession can provide incredible insight. Ali is able to speak so eloquently on all of the growth she has made during her first two years as a teacher because she documented her experience in a unique way, leveraging the power of Instagram to create a record of her own learning that has evolved into an asset for other educators as well. Ali’s story creates a compelling case for why we should all be reflecting on and documenting our journey as educators, and she ends by telling us how we can do just that. Check out Aliana's Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/theyoungeducator/

Episode 12: A Teacher's Guide To Gift Giving Dec 06, 2018

Show notes

Are you ready for the most wonderful time of the year? As the holidays approach, there can be a lot of demands on our time— and our wallets. This isn’t just the case for our relationships outside of school. For many, time and money will be spent planning on purchasing gifts for colleagues and potentially even our students. If you are going to participate in gift giving, how can we do so in a time and cost effective way? In this week’s episode, Danielle and Nicole provide recommendations for how to give meaningful gifts at school that won’t break the bank. We talk about gift ideas that aren’t overly generic— or overly expensive. The best part of all is our small gift for you: a round-up of ideas and a few printable for you to utilize in your gift giving this year! Get yours here! In this episode you’ll hear: • Ideas for what gifts to give students in your classroom • Suggestions for gifts for peer co-workers • Tips for gift giving to those elsewhere in the school hierarchy • The Do’s and don’ts for gift giving to administrators at school Links mentioned: Get ideas for what to give your fellow teachers, admins, or even class this holiday season! Save time and money with these practical, meaningful suggestions. As an added bonus, we’ve included some printable for you to use. Simply print and give or print and frame for a convenient gift for those at your school! Get Danielle and Nicole's guide: https://www.edverything.com/gift-guide Emily Posts Guide To Gift Giving at the Office: http://emilypost.com/advice/five-holiday-gift-giving-pointers-for-the-office/ Teach For America’s 10 Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Students: https://www.teachforamerica.org/stories/10-inexpensive-gift-ideas-for-students

Episode 11: Decode Standards Like A Pro: An Interview With Hayley Cain Nov 29, 2018

Show notes

Are students truly learning in your classroom or are you just presenting information to the class? How can we create a standardized environment where all students in a grade level are held accountable for the same information without limiting teacher creativity and autonomy? In this week’s episode, Danielle and Nicole interview Hayley Cain, an elementary school teacher from Georgia with a specialty for making common core standards common practice in her classroom. Hayley shares her experience transitioning from the middle school to the elementary level and the lasting lessons she picked up having previously worked at a “failing” school. Hayley has witnessed first-hand how powerful deconstructing standards and team planning time can be, and she has taken these strategies and applied them successfully to a new school and grade level. With her insights—and the handy checklist she created— you’ll be able to see and measure real change and growth in your own classroom. In this episode you’ll hear: • Why teachers may initially resist looking at state and common core standards • How to break down any standard into what students need to know • How to utilize regular, standardized, formative assessments • Ways to differentiate learning to measure success for low achieving as well as gifted students Links mentioned: The Intentional Teaching Checklist: http://activityaftermath.blogspot.com/2018/11/intentional-teaching-checklist.html?m=1 Common Core App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.masteryconnect.CommonCore&hl=en_US Hayley’s TpT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Hayley-Cain-Activity-After-Math

Episode 10: Steps For A Successful Parent-Teacher Conference Nov 15, 2018

Show notes

How can you go into Parent-Teacher Conferences with confidence instead of dread? How can you make the most of this night, truly viewing it as an opportunity rather than just another teaching obligation? In this week’s episode, Danielle and Nicole explain just how to make this important mindset shift, focusing on how to make the most out of Parent-Teacher Conferences. We explain the exact steps to take, both before and during conferences, to help you make the process both less stressful and more productive. With honest, thoughtful, and strategic communication, conferences have the potential to turn parents into partners and allies, a situation that benefits teachers, parents themselves, and ultimately students. In this episode you’ll hear: • How to give each individual conference structure • The what and how of giving feedback • How to leverage a growth mindset attitude during conferences • What resources to have handy • Why you may need to “educate” parents during conferences • How to wrap up each meeting Links mentioned: General tips and resources: http://bit.ly/parentteachertips Conference forms: http://bit.ly/conferencesheets

Episode 9: Cultivating Healthy Routines For Life Outside The Classroom with Michele Hamilton Nov 08, 2018

Show notes

How can you make sure that you are giving your absolute best to your students each and every day without sacrificing your own personal well-being and self- care? As dedicated educators, we give so much of ourselves to our careers and our students that too often we neglect working on ourselves.

This week, Danielle and Nicole interview Michele Hamilton, a veteran teacher from Texas who shares openly about her own struggles with work life balance—and the exact steps she has taken to become the best version of herself, both personally and professionally. Michele’s unconventional journey into the teaching profession and a decade in the field that left her on the verge of burnout demonstrates that with the right attitude, it is possible to overcome any challenge. Her touching story of changing her mindset in order to take back control of her weight, her classroom, and her career path is absolutely empowering. Michele provides actionable tips that any listener can implement to replicate the morning routine she herself, one that has gotten her not only back on track but into a space where she can truly thrive. Michele now lives the growth mindset, and she shows us how we—and our students—can do the same.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How and when to incorporate daily prayer and affirmations

• How to get in a real workout that you won’t just “half step” or skip

• How to set your mind for the day

• How to prioritize and organize with regular brain dump to find margin in every day

Connect with Michele:

Michele's Instagram: instagram.com/michelehamilton_/
Michele’s website: http://redefinehappiness.com/