Teacher Approved: Elementary Teacher Tips & Strategies

Late April energy is real, so we’re sharing how to use group work to channel that energy into structured, meaningful collaboration. We break down a simple framework for assigning groups, prepping students with clear expectations, designing tasks that truly require teamwork, and wrapping up in a way that improves future activities. Group work can be the key to keeping students engaged, and might even create extra time for you to get things done before the school year ends.
Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/group-work-in-the-classroom/
Resources:
Nod Pod
Check out our book Structure and Spark
Join The Teacher Approved Club
Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
Shop our teacher-approved resources
Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:
Episode 254. Why Your Students Get Chatty During Transitions (And How to Stop It)
Episode 251. 5 Classroom Management Tricks That Do the Work for You
Episode 243. How to Protect Your Planning Time (So You Can Stop Working For Free)
Episode 223. The Core 4 Routines Every Classroom Needs to Run Like Clockwork

Mentioned in this episode:
Is your class acting like spring break erased every expectation you've ever taught? Try the Teacher Approved Club free for 10 days and get this month's training on keeping expectations alive — plus last month's Quiet Your Chatty Class Challenge. Join at https://secondstorywindow.net/trial

Transitions don’t have to feel chaotic. In this episode, we share simple classroom transition strategies to reduce chatter by intentionally designing what happens before, during, and after each shift in activity. From clear directions and action cues to managing movement and preventing bottlenecks, we walk through practical ways to keep things running smoothly. These small, thoughtful changes can have a big impact on keeping students engaged and your classroom calm.
Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/classroom-transition-strategies/
Resources:
Teacher Approved: Calming Piano Playlist
Dehumidifier
Straw Organizer
Check out our book Structure and Spark
Join The Teacher Approved Club
Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
Shop our teacher-approved resources
Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:
Episode 247. 4 Spring Classroom Management Headaches and How To Fix Them
Episode 48. How to Make Classroom Transitions Simple With Clear Beginnings and Endings
Episode 49. Rapid Classroom Transitions: How to Save 45 Hours a Year
Episode 50. 3 Guidelines to Make Classroom Transitions Work Smarter No Harder

Mentioned in this episode:
Is your class acting like spring break erased every expectation you've ever taught? Try the Teacher Approved Club free for 10 days and get this month's training on keeping expectations alive — plus last month's Quiet Your Chatty Class Challenge. Join at https://secondstorywindow.net/trial

In this replay, we’re circling back to some simple, effective classroom movement strategies that boost focus, improve behavior, and make learning stick, all without adding extra time to your day. Instead of treating movement as an add-on, we show you how to weave it into your existing lessons so students stay engaged and energized. These small shifts help channel student energy and create a classroom where both you and your students feel more focused, productive, and successful.
Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/classroom-movement-strategies/
Resources:
Printable Brain Break Activities
Neuro-Mag Magnesium L-Threonate
Pre-order our book: Structure and Spark
Join The Teacher Approved Club
Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
Shop our teacher-approved resources
Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:
Episode 48. How to Make Classroom Transitions Simple With Clear Beginnings and Endings
Episode 49. Rapid Classroom Transitions: How to Save 45 Hours a Year
Episode 50. 3 Guidelines to Make Classroom Transitions Work Smarter No Harder
Episode 163. The 6 Key Ways to Boost Student Engagement Every Day

Mentioned in this episode:
Is your class acting like spring break erased every expectation you've ever taught? Try the Teacher Approved Club free for 10 days and get this month's training on keeping expectations alive — plus last month's Quiet Your Chatty Class Challenge. Join at https://secondstorywindow.net/trial

We’re taking advantage of April to get a head start on back-to-school prep with five simple, low-stress tasks you can do right now. From creating helpful lists and reflecting on classroom procedures to capturing real-life examples and testing new ideas, these small steps help you stay organized and intentional. Tune in for practical strategies to do now that your future teacher self will thank you for later!
Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/april-teacher-back-to-school-preparation/
Resources:
Procedure Review Slides
End-of-Year Road Map
First Lie Wins
La Roche Posay Effaclar Gel Cleanser
Pre-order our book: Structure and Spark
Join The Teacher Approved Club
Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
Shop our teacher-approved resources
Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:
Episode 249. 5 Easy Teacher Tasks for March That Pay off Big at Back to School
Episode 150. Perfect Your Classroom Procedures with the Help of Our Guiding Questions
Episode 154. 5 Steps for Classroom Procedure Success
Episode 32. 5 Classroom Management Questions to Help Banish Bad Class Habits
Episode 48. How to Make Classroom Transitions Simple With Clear Beginnings and Endings
Episode 49. Rapid Classroom Transitions: How to Save 45 Hours a Year
Episode 50. 3 Guidelines to Make Classroom Transitions Work Smarter Not Harder

Mentioned in this episode:
Is your class acting like spring break erased every expectation you've ever taught? Try the Teacher Approved Club free for 10 days and get this month's training on keeping expectations alive — plus last month's Quiet Your Chatty Class Challenge. Join at https://secondstorywindow.net/trial

In this episode, we share five low-cost, high-yield preventative classroom management strategies that help stop problems before they start. From greeting students at the door to using visual prompts and intentional tone, these simple shifts change the atmosphere in your classroom without complicated systems. When you focus on prevention instead of constant correction, you create a calmer, more engaged classroom, even during the tired final months of the school year.
Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/preventative-classroom-management-strategies/
Resources:
Why It's Important to Welcome Your Students to Class
How Tone of Voice Shapes Your Classroom Culture
Allermi allergy spray
CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Cream
Pre-order our book: Structure and Spark
Join The Teacher Approved Club
Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
Shop our teacher-approved resources
Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:
Episode 124. Spring Fever: 3 Tips to Help Your Spring Classroom Management
Episode 247. 4 Spring Classroom Management Headaches and How To Fix Them
Episode 177. Help Your Class Kick Bad Habits with These 5 Classroom Management Questions
Episode 178. 5 Classroom Management Tips for Taming a Chatty Class

Mentioned in this episode:
Is your class acting like spring break erased every expectation you've ever taught? Try the Teacher Approved Club free for 10 days and get this month's training on keeping expectations alive — plus last month's Quiet Your Chatty Class Challenge. Join at https://secondstorywindow.net/trial