The Classroom Commute
Rachael Parlett
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Top 10 The Classroom Commute Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Classroom Commute episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Classroom Commute for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Classroom Commute episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Readers & Writers Workshop: Top Questions to Ask Yourself BEFORE Getting Started
The Classroom Commute
08/23/21 • 22 min
STOP.
Before you get started with readers and writers workshop this year, we need to talk.
I know you want to launch into your first reading and writing unit.
I know you’re anxious to start that first novel or that first writing piece with your students. It’s exciting to start fresh.
BUT — before you do, don’t.
Have your properly set yourself up for success when it comes to launching readers and writers workshop? Have you considered all.the.things. to make sure you have crossed all your t’s and dotted all your i’s?
In this week’s episode, I’m covering ALL the essential questions you should be asking yourself BEFORE you hit the ground running with your reading and writing curriculum.
From simple questions like: Where will your students keep their reading and writing materials? to more thought-provoking things to consider like: How will you fit conferencing into your workshop time? ...and everything in between.
LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
EPISODE 29: How to Launch Reader's Workshop in Your Classroom
EPISODE 30: How to Launch Writer's Workshop in the Upper Elementary Classroom
EPISODE 62: Why You Need a "Share Chair" In Your Reading and Writing Workshop
RESOURCES:
- IntelliScanner (affiliate link)
- Online catalog like Book Source Classroom Organizer.
- Smart phone apps like iBookshelf, Book Crawler, and Book Buddy
- Launching Reader's and Writer's Workshop Bundle
Grab these TWO FREEBIES inside our Members Resource Library
- Teacher’s Guide to Reader’s Workshop — under “Teacher Resources” section
- Teacher’s Guide to Writer’s Workshop — under “Teacher Resources” section
Helping Your Students Make Inferences When They Read
The Classroom Commute
04/04/21 • 17 min
How can teachers help their students to become stronger readers?
Simple. Give them the tools (aka reading comprehension strategies) to help them make sense of what they read.
Ok, maybe not so simple.
Teaching students these strategies does take practice, intentional instruction, and loooots of modeling. But that doesn’t mean we have to make it complicated in the way that we teach these reading strategies.
When it comes to teaching comprehension strategies, like inferring, we can provide our students with simple, concrete examples before turning them loose to try it on for size.
In this episode, we’ll break down reading comprehension instruction, specifically, how to teach students to make inferences while reading. I’ll take a straightforward, step-by-step approach to make sure you know how to explain inferring to your students (and how to explain what it is not.) I’ll show you how to seamlessly go from modeling concrete and tangible examples before transitioning into using this comprehension strategy in different texts.
It’s an episode that you’re going to want to tuck away in your teacher toolbox.
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LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
EPISODE 41: Teaching Reading Comprehension Strategies
EPISODE 42: Reading Comprehension Instruction: How to Teach Making Connections
EPISODE 47: Reading Comprehension Strategies: How to Teach Visualizing
EPISODE 51: Reading Comprehension Strategies: How to Teach Making Predictions
EPISODE 59: A Step-By-Step Guide to Teaching Determining Importance in the Upper Elementary Classroom
Here are some of my favorite books to use when modeling inferring (affiliate links):
- The Wretched Stone by Chris Van Allsburg
- The Memory String by Eve Bunting
- This Is Not My Hat by Job Klassen
- The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
Grab my FREE Inferring Bookmark inside the Members Resource Library under “Reading Resources.”
Using Podcasts to Get Students Excited About Learning with Jerry Kolber
The Classroom Commute
08/15/22 • 32 min
Interview with: Jerry Kolber
Today I have an amazing guest! His name is Jerry Kolber, and Jerry is the co-founder and CEO of edutainment company Atomic Entertainment Group.
He is also an Emmy-nominated co-creator and showrunner of Nat Geo's biggest hit series Brain Games and Netflix's Brainchild with Pharrell Williams.
He began his career within the production auditing department of New York Undercover has worked in the entertainment field with networks like Disney, Bravo, HBO, National Geographic, Animal Planet and MTV.
Overall, Jerry has written, produced, supervised, and run over 400 episodes of various premium television and streaming content pieces.
Today, Jerry is focused on education - specifically changing the game to create a system that helps children learn without stamping them all out of the same mold along the way.
He is now the voice behind Who Smarted?, a podcast that’s aimed at children ages 6 to 10. Each episode teaches kids something new through humor, stories, and even interactive games. Within just one year, they’ve hit 3 million downloads for the show.
FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES VISIT: classroomnook.com/podcast/132
Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode
Listen to the “Who Smarted?” Podcast HERE.
Receive ALL 52 Brainchild Lesson Plans and Activity Handouts FREE! SIGN UP NOW!
Sign up HERE to join Space Camp.
Join LINKtivity Learning
A Step-By-Step Guide to Teaching Determining Importance in the Upper Elementary Classroom
The Classroom Commute
02/28/21 • 21 min
Students tend to think that everything they read is important.
But - the problem with trying to remember EVERYTHING you read is that you actually end up remembering very little. Our brains can only retain so much information before it goes into overdrive, so its critical to help little brains, aka our students, develop strategies to strain out the nonessential information from the books that they read.
How do we do this? It should come as no surprise when I say that we need to explicitly teach them how. We need to show students how to separate out the important, must-remember information from the interesting, but not essential details in a text.
Teaching students to determine importance will help set the foundation for students to be able to master other critical reading comprehension strategies like inferring and synthesizing that they will need to pull out from their reading toolbox as well.
In order to infer, students need to be able to pick up on the important details that serve as clues in making inferences. They need to determine importance first.
Synthesizing requires students to collect all the important details from and textual “bread crumbs” left throughout a book in order to come to a much deeper and complete understanding of the story. It starts with determining importance.
For complete show notes, visit: classroomnook.com/podcast/59---------------------------
LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
EPISODE 54: 6 GREAT Reading Activities to Use With Nearly ANY Novel!
Reading Comprehension Strategies:
- EPISODE 41: Teaching Reading Comprehension Strategies
- EPISODE 42: Reading Comprehension Instruction: How to Teach Making Connections
- EPISODE 47: Reading Comprehension Strategies: How to Teach Visualizing
- EPISODE 51: Reading Comprehension Strategies: How to Teach Making Predictions
Favorite Books to use for modeling Determining Importance (affiliate links):
- The Important Book by: Margaret Wise Brown (this is a great book to introduce the reading strategy)
- Love Will See You Through by Angela Farris Watkins
- The Stray Dog by Marc Simont
- Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say
Grab my FREE Determining Importance Bookmark inside the Members Resource Library under “Reading Resources.”
Reading Comprehension Strategies: How to Teach Making Predictions
The Classroom Commute
01/03/21 • 20 min
Wouldn't it be nice if we could predict what the future holds?
...especially as we head into 2021. Wow, that’s a loaded question! Maybe we would rather not know. (wink, wink)
Predicting in reading, however. Now THAT’S a necessity!
Proficient readers make predictions naturally, without even knowing it. They predict what a book will be about based on the title, they predict why characters act a certain way, and they guess what will happen next when they get to the end of a chapter.
It’s important that elementary teachers help teach young students to use this same reading comprehension strategy as well. Predicting helps keep the reader’s mind engaged and activated as he or she works through a text. When students actively predict while reading, they stay connected to the text and can reflect upon, refine, and revise their predictions.
This podcast episode will teach you how to introduce, model, practice, and assess your students on making predictions in reading. You won’t want to miss it.
For complete show notes, visit: classroomnook.com/podcast/51
LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
Episode 41: Teaching Reading Comprehension Strategies
Episode 42: Reading Comprehension Instruction: How to Teach Making Connections
Episode 47: Reading Comprehension Strategies: How to Teach Visualizing
Here are some of my favorites to use when modeling predictions (affiliate links):
- Two Many Tamales by: Gary Soto
- Enemy Pie by: Derek Munson
- Those Shoes by: Maribeth Boelts
- What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by: Steve Jenkins
Grab my FREE Making Predictions Bookmark inside the Members Resource Library under Reading Resources
Resource: Making Connections LINKtivity
Balancing School and Home: Making the Most of Your Time At School So You Can Enjoy Your Time At Home (With Kristen Donegan)
The Classroom Commute
10/03/22 • 32 min
WE ARE ALL GUILTY OF BEING THE LAST CAR IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT FROM TIME TO TIME.
There’s always one more thing to do. One more set of copies to make. One more...one more.
And then it becomes a pattern. Staying late at school night after night... Bringing home work to complete on the weekends becomes the norm.
Before you know it - you’re THAT teacher who has no boundaries and feels like their work day as no end and no beginning.
Today on the podcast, we’re going to talk about something that I was NOT the best at when I was in the classroom. When I first started teaching I didn’t have any kids yet, I wasn’t married, and I didn’t have a lot at home that I had to devote my time to. So - I poured all of my time and energy into teaching and being in the classroom.
And, quite honestly, I could do that because of my circumstances, but that didn’t really set me up for success later when I did have a family and I did need to prioritize a work/home balance. When we don’t develop a healthy balance, we start to establish some bad habits.
This week, I’m interviewing Kristen Donegan of Easy Teaching Tools. Kristen Donegan has been an elementary school teacher and Reading Specialist since 2005 in both California and O'ahu, Hawaii. She has enjoyed teaching kindergarten, first grade, a 1/2 combo, and second grade before resigning to continue Easy Teaching Tools Inc. and raise her daughter & son. Kristen has also presented at professional development conferences such as SDE Nationals and Teach Your Heart Out. Founded in 2010, Easy Teaching Tools has helped over a thousand busy teachers implement classroom hacks to save time, implement research-based practices to meet the needs of their students, and focus on work-life balance.
Kristen is sharing how teachers can take their time back and be that teacher that leaves at their contracted time, AND doesn’t have to feel bad or guilty for doing so!
FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES VISIT: classroomnook.com/podcast/139
LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
Connect with Kristen at Easy Teaching Tools:
Grab Kristen’s FREE Sub Plans Template HERE!
The Summer Learning Slide: 8 Tips for Teachers to Help Avoid It!
The Classroom Commute
05/09/22 • 16 min
THE SUMMER SLIDE IS A REAL THING.
Unfortunately.
It’s that time in the summer where students’ brains flip the “off” switch and go into mush-mode. When they emerge in the fall, they’ve lost some of that academic progress that they made with you during the school year. (womp-womp)
It happens. And it’s not your fault. But - we can put into place a few preventative measures to help keep the summer slide less dramatic.
The thing is - I DO think students need a break. They do need to just relax and chill - just like their tired teachers do (pssst: that’s your reminder to take a break, too!).
BUT - we also can give students some fun opportunities for learning at home.
However, it’s learning that looks more like playing and exploring.
I want to share 8 things that student can do — that they will WANT to do — over the summer to keep their brains fine-tuned.
FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES VISIT: classroomnook.com/podcast/119
Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode
Click HERE for Take-Home Summer Activities (Includes Map Skills, Spin a Story, Library Scavenger Hunt, Reading, Science, 16 Activity Cards, and more.
Summer Take-Home Kits:
Join the LINKtivity® Learning Membership and get access to my entire vault of LINKtivity Interactive Learning Guides including LINKtivity Learning Summer Camp - CLICK HERE to join.
21st Century Teaching Methods to Replace Textbooks
The Classroom Commute
04/04/22 • 25 min
NO ONE LIKES CHANGE
It’s no secret that I am a big fan of shaking things up in the classroom and swapping out old, stale ways of teaching and replacing them with modern 21st century teaching practices.
Now, you would think that I welcome change with open arms because of how often I talk about applying and trying out new teaching methods, or a new cool classroom technology tool.
And of course, you might think that I’m quick to abandon traditional teaching methods by how often I talk about LINKtivites - my solution to making learning fun and engaging by providing students with a multimedia learning experience.
Well, guess what. No - I don’t like change. I’m not always the first one to adopt something new. I’m often tardy to the party when it comes to trends.
But - what I do have going for me that often helps me go outside my comfort zone is my desire to provide the best possible learning experience for students.
In today’s episode I’m sharing with you a replay of an episode I did in early 2021 about 4 alternatives to teaching from a textbook.
Textbooks seem to be that tried and true tool that teachers have had forever. But - if I’m being honest - I’ve never seen a student get excited about reading from a textbook. And likewise - I’ve never seen a teacher get excited either.
In this episode, learn about four 21st century teaching methods that you can apply to your classroom today to replace teaching from a boring, or outdated textbook.
For complete show notes visit: classroomnook.com/podcast/114
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LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
POST: Five Reasons Why You Should Use Reader’s Theater in the Upper Elementary Classroom
RESOURCES: Discovery Learning Folders
- Native American Regions in North America
- Political Decisions Made During the Civil War
- Biomes
- Early European Explorers
- Major Battles of the American Revolution
POST: Engaging Your Students With LINKtivity Interactive Learning Guides (Plus grab a FREE LINKtivity!)
LINKtivity® Learning Membership (Get a FREE 7-Day Trial!)
Positive Thinking with Victoria from The Mindful Apple
The Classroom Commute
01/03/22 • 25 min
The time for positivity is Now.
It only takes turning on the news for a few minutes to have a negative outlook on life.
Young students don’t always know how to process negative situations and experiences. Just like students need to be taught math skills, science concepts, or reading strategies, they need to also be taught the skill of positive thinking.
The ability to think positively allows students to feel more in control of their own mindset, even when the situations around them feel out of their control.
Students hold the power to positivity, and in this episode, Victoria from The Mindful Apple joins us to share how teachers can help students develop the skill of positive thinking.
Victoria brings with her years of experience in working with students to help develop social emotional learning skills, like positive thinking, and gives students these life skills to build stronger mental health.
Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode
EPISODE 86: Making Social Emotional Learning MORE Than a Buzzword
EPISODE 93: Exploring Growth Mindset with Victoria from The Mindful Apple
FREE RESOURCE: FREE Positivity Classroom Posters (And when you grab the free posters, you’ll be entered in to win the ENTIRE Positivity Social Emotional Learning Unit)
Victoria’s Social Emotional Learning Curriculum
Connect with Victoria:
Getting Started with Elementary STEM for Classroom Teachers (with Naomi Meredith)
The Classroom Commute
10/31/22 • 44 min
BRAND NEW TO STEM INSTRUCTION?
Or - have your tried implementing STEM projects in your classroom but find it results in chaos? (you’re not alone!)
Then, allow me to introduce you to Naomi Meredith - former classroom teacher turned K-5 STEM coach.
Naomi knows the feeling of overwhelm all to well when it comes to STEM instruction. After accepting a position as a STEM coach, she was thrusted into a new building, a new STEM classroom — and given NO curriculum.
But along the way, Naomi has learned a thing or two (or ten!) about what makes STEM instruction successful in the elementary classroom, and she’s here to share her expertise with us.
Her role not only includes teaching over 500 students in her school, but also leading professional development and co-teaching with teachers to help them integrate STEM & Technology.
With over a decade of experience along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, she helps teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there.
She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM & Technology in their classrooms effectively.
And, I had the honor of picking her brain about all things STEM - and you get to eavesdrop in on our conversation.
FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES VISIT: classroomnook.com/podcast/143
Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode
Grab Naomi’s FREE K-5 STEM Year Long plan HERE!
The Elementary STEM Coach Podcast:
- Episode 4: Welcome to STEM Survival Camp
- Episode 6: Managing Your Makerspace in the Classroom
After the Fall by Dan Santat
Naomi’s Favorite Timer for Classroom Management
Connect with Naomi Meredith:
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Classroom Commute have?
The Classroom Commute currently has 149 episodes available.
What topics does The Classroom Commute cover?
The podcast is about Teaching, Podcasts, Education and Teacher.
What is the most popular episode on The Classroom Commute?
The episode title 'Positive Behavior Management in a 21st Century Classroom (With Shawn Young)' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Classroom Commute?
The average episode length on The Classroom Commute is 18 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Classroom Commute released?
Episodes of The Classroom Commute are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The Classroom Commute?
The first episode of The Classroom Commute was released on Dec 20, 2019.
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