December Teaching Podcast Playlist [Teacher Approved] - Teacher Approved: Elementary Teacher Tips & Strategies

170. How to Be a Fun Teacher Without Losing Control of Your Class

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0400

With the holiday season in full gear, we can imagine how bombarded you are with how to make everything in your classroom feel festive. And if that’s your jam, by all means, you go for it! But for most of us, we worry that too many holiday festivities will derail our classroom management or get us behind in the curriculum. So in today’s episode, we’re sharing three ways to be the fun teacher in December without losing control of your class.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/the-fun-teacher

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169. Our Best Teacher Tips for Finding Pockets of Prep Time to Get Ahead for January

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0400

With winter break just around the corner, we want to do everything we can as teachers to be prepared and enjoy our break from school. In last week’s episode, we walked you through how to plan your end of December and start of January lessons in advance. However, finding the time to actually plan is the tricky part. So in today’s episode, we’re sharing our best teacher prep for January tips and tricks.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-prep-for-january

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168. How Teachers Can Get a Jumpstart on a Stress-Free Winter Break

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0400

When December hits, it seems like a long road until you’re on winter break. So when break finally arrives all you want to do is relax, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy doing things you love! Then as break nears the end, you get stressed and overwhelmed with all the work you still need to do when school resumes in January. In order to resolve that feeling, in today’s episode, we’re sharing a system for teacher winter break prep that will leave you prepared and planned for the new year before going on break.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-winter-break-prep

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107. Get Ahead For January Now With 4 Easy Steps

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0400

We know that your brain is focused on surviving these last few weeks until break and your to-do list might be a mile long. And while it’s going to sound crazy, we want to add to your list. However, it’s going to help you in the long run! We’re sharing what to do before winter break that will help you in January.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes:

https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/what-to-do-before-winter-break

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106. The December Survival Kit: 3 Essential Tips to Help Teachers Thrive

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0400

The weeks leading up until winter break can be a challenging time for teachers. There’s a lot of unstructured time, themed activities, and special events or assemblies to attend. So with all of that going on in the month of December, how will you ever make it through? We’ve got the answers for you! In today’s episode, we’re sharing three December teaching tips that are key for surviving and thriving during this time.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes:

https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/december-teaching-tips

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105. Festive Fun in December: Engaging Holiday Activities to Do With Your Class

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0400

The magical feeling that the holidays bring is an opportunity you can’t miss to celebrate and participate in your classroom. With the arrival of December next month, we wanted to share some ideas from our Teacher Approved community on ways you can brighten your school days during this holiday season. So with the help of our listeners, we’re giving you plenty of December classroom activities you can do with your students.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes:

https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/december-classroom-activities

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104. From Chaos to Calm: 5 Techniques for Managing Classroom Behavior in December

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0400

With the joy and fun that the holidays bring, it can also create chaos and escalated behaviors in the classroom. Our last three episodes focused on classroom management systems and strategies, but sometimes you need to add a booster to help tame those negative behaviors during the holiday chaos. In today’s episode, we’re sharing 5 techniques that help with December classroom management.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes:

https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/december-classroom-management

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103. When to Use Rewards to Boost Your Behavior Management - And When Not To

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0400

The last two weeks we’ve discussed classroom management and how to prevent and anticipate issues that may arise. And while we’d like to think our well thought-out plan will run perfectly, we know it doesn’t always happen that way. So what can you do when your plan isn’t enough? In today’s episode, we’re sharing how to increase the structure of your class by introducing behavior management rewards.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes:

https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/behavior-management-rewards

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38. How to Survive December in the Classroom: 3 Creative Teaching Tips

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0400

As the holiday season approaches, it’s important to be aware how hectic and unpredictable this time can be for teachers, but also how fun and memorable it is for students. Having a nice mix of the two is the perfect balance for surviving and teaching in December, but how can you do that successfully? We’re sharing our 3 creative teaching tips on how to find the calmer moments while teaching in December.

Check out our Resource of the Week: Christmas Brain Breaks

Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes:

https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teaching-in-december

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37. Holiday Behavior Management Tips to Help You Survive Until Winter Break!

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0400

We’ve talked before about reward systems on the podcast and how we’re not their biggest fans. However, there’s always an exception to the rule, and that’s when a big break, like in December, is about to happen. We know that external rewards do provide short term benefits with immediate results, which is exactly what we need to take control of the holiday behavior management. In today’s episode, we’re sharing some holiday behavior management tips to help you survive until winter break.

Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes:

https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/holiday-behavior-management

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36. How Teachers Can Plan Lessons The Week Before a Holiday Break

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0400

During the first few weeks of school, a teacher’s focus is establishing routine, routine, routine! We know that’s the basis for a successfully run classroom. However, once our students are finally well-versed in our classroom’s established routine, then comes shorter weeks with all the holiday breaks. So what do you do with your routines now? Don’t panic, we’ve got you covered! In today’s episode, we’re sharing how teachers can plan lessons the week before holiday break.

Check out our resource, Thanksgiving Fluency in a Flash: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/?s=thanksgiving+fluency+in+a+flash&post_type=product&type_aws=true

Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes:

https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/week-before-holiday-break

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171. 5 Tried and True Tips for Teaching in December

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Teaching during the month of December can be a magical time for both you and your students, but it can also be challenging! With so many interruptions to your regular routine like holiday assemblies and class parties, your energy can be drained quickly. So in order to fill your cup back up, we’re sharing some of our tried and true December teaching tips.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/tried-and-true-december-teaching-tips/

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172. The 2nd First Day of School: How to Take Advantage of the Week After Winter Break

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Along with January being the start of a new calendar year, it also allows teachers a new beginning to the school year. Both bring the opportunity for fresh starts and a new perspective on how to handle the upcoming year. But in order to achieve that, it’s best to plan ahead and treat the first day back from winter break like the second first day of school. So in today’s episode, we’re sharing how to maximize the week after winter break and set yourself up for success!

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/week-after-winter-break

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233. The Smooth December Framework Every Teacher Needs (And It Starts in November)

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Feeling stuck in that mid-November limbo? This episode kicks off our Smooth December Series so that you can head into January feeling calm and confident. We break down four core focus areas (pockets of prep, classroom reset, student engagement hook, and a teacher comfort plan) along with simple ways to find small windows of time, organize materials with easy systems, and plan meaningful activities that help students return refreshed. You’ll learn how small steps, from prepping welcome slides to stocking your snack drawer, can make your first week back feel lighter. Next week, we're talking all about planning December lessons that work with the chaos, so make sure you’re subscribed!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-prep-for-december/

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234. How to Plan Teaching in December So January Feels Easy

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0400

December in the classroom brings joy and chaos in equal measure, and in this episode we share a smarter way to navigate it with your sanity intact. We walk you through choosing your “stop new content” date, mapping out your December must-do’s, and using unpredictable pockets of time for meaningful review and reflection so December lesson planning becomes less about surviving and more about creating steady structure!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/december-lesson-planning-for-teachers/

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235. 4 Teacher-Approved Ways to Manage Classroom Behavior in December

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0400

December has officially arrived, and we’re sharing the December classroom behavior strategies that help keep things calm when student energy is sky-high. In this episode, we walk through the routines and mindset shifts that make the biggest impact, from daily expectation check-ins and protecting your mornings to using our “swiss cheese strategy” when the schedule is full of holes. We also highlight how simple festive breaks can add just the right amount of seasonal fun without sacrificing structure, and when a short-term reward system (like the reindeer system that saved one of Heidi’s wildest Decembers) can give your class the boost they need. With the right balance of consistency and intentional fun, you really can stay grounded and enjoy the magic of the season!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/december-classroom-behavior-strategies/

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236. Your Tired Teacher Guide to January Prep from Your Couch

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Ready to make January feel like a gentle start instead of a cold plunge? In this episode, we’re sharing our January launch plan, designed so you can get prepped for the new term from the comfort of your couch. Whether you’re catching up on Hallmark movies or just sneaking in a bit of planning before the break, these tips will help you go back with confidence and calm!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/january-prep-tips-for-tired-teachers/

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