Summary:

Today's episode is FULL of simple and actionable strategies that will level up your students' motivation, retention of content knowledge, interpersonal skills, and so much more. The key? Sketchbooks!!

I'm sharing a little about my journey with sketchbooks in the classroom, and how I use them as a tool to support student creativity and content knowledge in transferable ways.

Key Points:

• This episode is brought to you by Sketch for Schools. Sketch for schools is on a mission to support learning through visual arts, even sharing brain-based research on the positive impacts art has on learning and academic output. Today they are offering listeners of this episode a discount on your sketchbook purchase using the code Smile4Sketchbooks on their website, sketchforschools.com
• On top of this, Sketch For Schools has generously donated a $100 gift certificate that I will be raffling off to one lucky attendee of my workshop on sketchbooks in the classroom. I want to invite you to join me on Saturday August 7th at 10:00 a.m. PDT for a "sketchbooks in the classroom" live workshop! For all the details, along with the coupon code for Sketch For Schools, please visit appleblossomteachers.com/sketch
• You can get started using sketchbooks in the classroom with things you already have on hand - as simple as cardstock + printer paper and some pencils!
• Feeling like your best art skill is fancy stick figures on the whiteboard? All good! You don't need to be an artist, and art teacher, or have any fancy training in order to learn and explore in sketchbooks right alongside your students.
• Sketchbooks can support content retention and application in all subject areas.
• Students learn and explore with basic art skills in transferable ways, so ALL your class projects end up leveling up!
• "The Zen Factor!".- Sketchbook time is our most peaceful time of the day! Some cafe jazz and time to explore with various media and reflect on our learning together...the BEST!
• Plus, don't miss my tips on how I introduce and utilize them simply, all year long.

Summary:

Were you a math lover or a "math avoider" as a student? What do you want your students to be? I had the privilege of chatting with Mona Iehl of Local Learners and Co, who is sharing her passion and strategies for building positive math identities within our students. Mona is an absolute "math teacher cheerleader" and the tips she shares in this episode are so motivating and so actionable!

A few things we chatted about:

• Math is creative!
• A positive class community can make a world of difference in supporting our learners.
• Speed isn't everything! Focus on the learning that occurs in the journey to the solution.
• The thinking matters more than the answer.
• The teacher isn't the authority on what's right and wrong in math class - help students see that we *all* have a collective responsibility to help one another understand.
• Build a safe space and provide language students can use to question, clarify, and encourage one another.
• Lift the burden off our students of "I have to have the right answer in order to succeed in math class."
• Provide math role models and help students see connections to math in the real world, both their own world and throughout history.
• Think about who you want your students to be as mathematicians when they leave your class next spring, and what pieces you need to put in place now to get them there.
• And so much more!!

Links and resources:

• Connect with Mona on Instagram @locallearnersandco, on her website locallearnersandco.com, or in that incredible Facebook community we chatted about, The Math Teacher Collaborative.
• Grab Mona's FREE E-book, 5 Steps to a Student Centered Math Class, at locallearnersandco.com/ebook

• Get ready for first-year teacher success! Download my free ebook: New Teacher's Roadmap to Confidence and Growth
• Follow me on Instagram, where I'm sharing my process of starting in a new district, school, and grade level: @appleblossomteachers
• For current resources and updates, check out my website.
• Also mentioned in this episode:
• I'm presenting on building positive relationships with students and their families at the Educators2Educators conference! (P.S. It's FREE!)
• I'm presenting on using simple robotics for content-area instruction and assessment at the Teach With Tech conference! (Under 40 bucks! That's not even half a tank of gas here in SoCal!! Yikes…)

Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on any of the excitement coming your way! I've got a great list of special guests and bonus episodes coming your way all summer long!

And, if you enjoyed this episode, please share it out so other teachers can find it too!

Summary:

Congrats! You just landed a new teaching job...but where to begin?! You're so excited to start, but it's still a couple months until you can really meet with your team or set up your room. Even if you aren't sure of the specifics quite yet, there are a few things you can think about that can help you feel ready once back to school hits.

1. Decide on your educational priorities:
   • What would people notice about how you teach and how your students learn?
   • What is the general "feel" of your classroom community and the learning that takes place there?
   • What pedagogical goals do you have for yourself this year?
2. Classroom functions:
   • What systems (organization, routines, procedures, pedagogical practices) will you need to have in place in order for your vision to become a success?
   • Brainstorm your systems with room for flexibility - things may need to shift a little once you actually get into your room or meet with your team!
3. Content "big ideas" overview:
   • Again, wait until you meet with your team to plan specifics, because they may have certain expectations or grade-level wide routines that you'll be expected to accommodate. But you can definitely start familiarizing yourself with the big ideas of your grade level or subject area content.
   • Use your state standards resources, grade level checklists from TPT (my favorite is linked below!), or the scope and sequence plans from your school's curriculum adoptions, if possible.

Links and resources:

• Get ready for first-year teacher success! Download my free ebook: New Teacher's Roadmap to Confidence and Growth
• Follow me on Instagram, where I'm sharing my process of starting in a new district, school, and grade level: @appleblossomteachers
• For current resources and updates, check out my website.
• Mentioned in this episode:
• Free grade level standards "cheat sheets" for grades K-5 ELA and Math
• Video recap of my planning process for these three steps
• Tell me where you're at in the process and how I can help on this post!
• I'm presenting on building positive relationships with students and their families at the Educators2Educators conference! (P.S. It's FREE!)
• I'm presenting on using simple robotics for content-area instruction and assessment at the Teach With Tech conference! (Under 40 bucks! That's not even half a tank of gas here in SoCal!! Yikes…)

Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on any of the excitement coming your way this summer! I've got a great list of special guests and bonus episodes coming your way all summer long!

And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a rating and a review so more teachers can find us. Thanks!

Summary:

Elementary classrooms are notorious for cute, colorful decor and fun little projects that supplement our content, but that often comes with a cost in terms of sustainability. Today I'm interviewing Amy Louise Davis, of Alou Artist, all about how we can reduce "throw away culture" in our classrooms while also supporting mindfulness and creativity in our students.

Amy is a textile artist and embroiderer who is fascinated by pattern and sculpture. Influenced by environmental and social issues, she created alou in 2013 to tackle throw away culture. With a particular interest in repurposing often overlooked, pre-loved materials, she uses her skills in sculpting and embroidery to conceptualize and design beautiful new artifacts. Amy has also found a strong connection in the relationship between sustainability and mindfulness, which she shares with us today along with project ideas we can easily incorporate into our classrooms,

Links and resources:

• Meet Amy on her website alou.co.uk or follow her on Instagram @alouartist, where she shares plenty of Reels and IGTV episodes offering tutorials for creative repurposing.
• Follow along with the ideas and tutorials in her campaign, MendNotTrend.com, and share your own contributions using the hashtag #MendNotTrend on Instagram and Twitter
• Check out the incredible cacti sculptures Amy mentions in the show here.
• Be sure to follow along on Instagram, where I'll be sharing my takeaways and applications from this conversation as I set up my new classroom: @appleblossomteachers
• For current resources and updates, check out my website.

Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on any of the excitement coming your way this summer! I've got a great list of special guests and bonus episodes coming your way, plus I'll be sharing all my advice during my process of restarting at a new district, school, and grade level this summer!

And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and a review so more teachers can find us. Thanks!

Summary:

Project Based Learning, PBL, is an incredible way to bring authentic learning applications to your students. Today, I'm chatting with Kristen Moore of @moorethanjustX all about getting started with PBL, some common challenges in designing authentic PBL units as well as how to avoid them, and some helpful tips for getting started!

Kristen is an instructional coach at a variety of schools across Michigan, applying her expertise of Project Based Learning from her years of teaching at a PBL-centric, competency-based high school. Kristen also provides professional development for educators everywhere through her math professional development company, Moore Than Just X. You can also find Kristen sharing her advice in various education publications, such as Edutopia and the Modern Classrooms Project.

Be sure to check out the links below to grab Kristen's free resources, learn more about her mission and professional development options, and connect with her online!

Links and resources:

• Meet Kristen on her website moorethanjustx.com or follow her on Instagram @moorethanjustX
• Join Kristen's Kick-ass Math Class Kickstart, where she helps you go from zero to fully-planned PBL experience in just 5 days!
• Join the incredible community for math-minded, forward thinking educators on Facebook in The Modern Math Teachers Movement group.
• Read Kristen's article on Edutopia: Creating Opportunities for Project Based Learning in Math
• Looking to rock your first year of teaching, or just reset your teaching passion? Grab my free ebook: New Teacher's Roadmap to Confidence and Growth
• Follow me on Instagram: @appleblossomteachers
• For current resources and updates, check out my website.

Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on any of the excitement coming your way this summer! I've got a great list of special guests and bonus episodes coming your way, plus I'll be sharing all my advice during my process of restarting at a new district, school, and grade level this summer!

And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and share what you loved about it in a review so more teachers can find us. Thanks so much!

Summary:

Now that you've closed out your teacher-brain for the year and wrapped up your time with your students, it's time to think about closing out your classroom! But before you lock that door or turn in your key for the summer, follow these tips so August you will be singing your praises! I'm sharing tips for closing out your physical classroom efficiently and effectively, getting that digital file hot mess in order, and staging a few things that will be easy to find and use come back-to-school season!

You won't want to miss my unique tip for mapping out my classroom layout and design - but you need to hear it before you lock those classroom doors for the summer!

Links and resources:

• Download my free ebook: New Teacher's Roadmap to Confidence and Growth
• Follow me on Instagram: @appleblossomteachers
• For current resources and updates, check out my website.
• Mentioned in this episode:
• • Erin's Google Drive cleanup tips @erintegration
  • Aris' Google Drive cleanup checklist @sailingintosecond
  • Kristen's beautifully organized and color coded Google Drive @ladybugsteacherfiles

Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on any of the excitement coming your way this summer! I've got a great list of special guests and bonus episodes coming your way, starting with Kristen Moore of @moorethanjustx sharing all her Project Based Learning wisdom next week!

And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a rating and a review so more teachers can find us. Thanks!

Now that you've reflected on your school year and started to clear out your "teacher thoughts," it's time to set some plans in place for summer!

Wait, aren't we just going to chill and recharge over the summer?! YES!! But if you're anything like me, without intentionally planning the things that will make me feel rested and reenergized, those summer days will slip away all too quickly!

Grab your reflection guide at appleblossomteachers.com/links and follow along as we think of the things we want and need to do this summer in order to avoid burnout and feel recharged come Back to School Season!

Plus, hang tight 'til the end for some announcements about the great things coming your way on the podcast this summer!

As always, I would love to connect with you on socials, so send me a message on Instagram and let me know what's in store for your summer!

And if you're enjoying this podcast and finding it helpful, I would be forever grateful if you'd add a rating and share what you love about it. This will help other teachers discover it in their search, and will help me to make sure I keep providing the things you need most!

Thanks a million, Apple Blossom Teachers! Keep on blooming!

Let's make sure that teacher brain of yours is ready to close out this chapter of your teaching career, rest and recharge over the summer, and prepare to start another incredible chapter in the fall!

Today is definitely a grab a notepad, be ready to hit pause a few times kind of episode, so get ready! I wanted to make sure YOU left today feeling like you've really identified your own strengths and challenges from the year, and have some specific things in mind you want to improve on for next year.

I hope you find today's episode so helpful, but if you want a little more guidance on this or feel like you've found things you need to work on but aren't quite sure how, be sure to reach out so we can make a game plan together!

Remember, I'm here to be your favorite teacher mentor, the one you can come to with your questions and never feel like you're imposing! I want to make sure you feel like you are continually blooming as the incredible teacher you are meant to be!

You can find me over on Instagram @appleblossomteachers or at appleblossomteachers.com, and be sure to hit subscribe here so you don't miss an episode.

If you are enjoying this podcast and finding it helpful, please be sure to leave a review so other teachers can discover it too!

I'm so grateful you are here!

You and your students have made significant memories and progress as a group this year. Honor that relationship and provide great closure by tying up your loose ends, making some extra-fun lasting memories, and reflecting on your year together.

Today I share some of my favorite ways to close out the school year with my students. Be sure to hop on over to Instagram to tell me which one you try, or what other ideas you would add to my list!

And don't forget to sign up for your interview coaching session over at appleblossomteachers.com/letsgetgrowing - let's make sure you are ready to ROCK those interviews!

No one wants to draw a blank in an interview! You know you have the experience or knowledge you need to answer confidently, but being put on the spot can lock the words on the tip of your tongue!! Doing these 3 things can help you prepare to rock your teaching interview and answer any question with confidence:

1. Review as many sample interview questions as you can!

2. Use those questions to guide your portfolio - choose examples and evidence that is relevant and will help you lock your strongest traits in your mind.

3. Practice, practice, practice - out loud, and if possible, with a buddy or mentor!

Listen in for a bit more on why and how these can help you rock that interview, and be sure to join the ABT Teacher Career Kickoff where we will be helping YOU prepare to interview with confidence!