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This week Gretchen Campbell shares with us how to create a Makerspace STEM Lab! She asked one question and it led to the creation of a school-wide Makerspace. She even reveals her own mobile STEAM Makerspace, STEAM on Wheels! Stick around, you won’t want to miss it!

Every Classroom Needs a Makerspace: The Five Fundamentals to Getting One Up and Running

Makerspace Thinking and Learning With Trina Deboree

STEAM on Wheels

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes. 

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the 

June Reading Comprehension 2nd Grade | Summer Reading Passages & Questions

Perfect for end-of-year learning, summer school, or preventing summer learning loss, these short, engaging reading passages help students continue to practice comprehension skills.

Support the show

Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice. 

 👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

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113: OTT: A Conversation About Makerspace

Join me today as I speak to a fellow educator and a Makerspace teacher from Arkansas. We talk all about Makerspace- the mindset, the materials, the barriers, and the enthusiasm they bring to schools. I hope you will join us.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Free Makerspace Masterclass: Every Classroom Needs a Makerspace: The 5 Fundamentals to Getting Started

STEM Con 2021

Subscribe and Review: 

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes. 

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! 

June Reading Comprehension 2nd Grade | Summer Reading Passages & Questions

Perfect for end-of-year learning, summer school, or preventing summer learning loss, these short, engaging reading passages help students continue to practice comprehension skills.

Support the show

Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice. 

 👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

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112: OTT: All About Makerspace Materials in the Classroom

Short on materials for your Makerspace? No worries! There are several inexpensive ways to gather materials for your classroom. From asking those who are willing for donations to keeping simple arts and crafts on hand, the possibilities (and supplies) are endless!

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Episode 111: How Not to Allow Space Define Your Makerspace 

Every Classroom Needs a Makerspace - The Five Fundamentals to Getting Yours Up and Running

Subscribe and Review: 

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes. 

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! 

Support the show

Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice. 

 👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

Send us Fan Mail

How Not to Allow Space Define Your Makerspace in the Classroom

Many educators can get hung up on the lack of space they have for a Makerspace in their classroom. But you don't have to! There are several solutions to your space issues. So don't allow your space (or lack of it) to define your Makersapce in your classroom. I hope you stick around.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Register for STEM Con 2021 

Free Makerspace Start-Up Kit

Episode 30 - Every Classroom Needs a Makerspace

Episode 31 - Launching a Makerspace 

Episode 100 - 5 Genuine Components of Developing a Maker Mindset

Episode 101 - 6 Attributes for Creating an Amazing Makerspace

Subscribe and Review: 

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes. 

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! 

Support the show

Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice. 

 👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

Send us Fan Mail

110: All About Choice Boards in the Classroom

Loren Thorpe joins us today all the way from Australia! She is sharing her ideas for choice boards and shares her “50 Ways of Using Choice Boards in your Classroom.” She also shares the different options you could use on your choice board for different grade levels. Join us as we explore the benefits of choice boards!

Links Mentioned in the Show:

MakerSpace Thinking and Learning FB Group

Blue Sky Designs by Mrs. T TPT 

Blue Sky Designs by Mrs. T Facebook 

Loren’s website

'How to Use Student Choice Boards for ELA Assessment' blog post:

'50 Free Activity Ideas for Student Choice Boards' link:

'Student Choice Board Set' (for upper elementary) resource:

Subscribe and Review: 

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes. 

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Re

June Reading Comprehension 2nd Grade | Summer Reading Passages & Questions

Perfect for end-of-year learning, summer school, or preventing summer learning loss, these short, engaging reading passages help students continue to practice comprehension skills.

Support the show

Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice. 

 👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

Send us Fan Mail

109: Mindset in the Classroom: What This Means for Teachers

What does having a growth mindset mean in your classroom for you as the educator? We talk about growth mindset for our classroom with the terms of our students and what we want for our students, but what about ourselves? We want to teach our kids to see the big picture. We want them to better understand where they are in their learning process.  We want them to learn from their mistakes and to see failure as a success turned inside out. Join me as I talk about what the growth mindset means for students and educators in the classroom!

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Episode 13: Growth Mindset

Maybe by Kobi Yamada

Tryingby Kobi Yamada

Getting Started with Makerspace Kit 

Subscribe and Review: 

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes. 

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! 

Support the show

Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice. 

 👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

Send us Fan Mail

108: 5 Teacher Goals for the New Year

Happy new year. It is 2021. It's hard to believe that we are actually in the new year. I know there are so many teachers out there that are feeling so thankful that we have ended 2020, and we are now moving into 2021. There's a lot of expectations for this year and a lot of hope.  We are ready for something new, change, something different. 

Goal #1:

I want you to take care of yourself. I want us all to be kind to ourselves and to really take care of ourselves this year. And whether that means that we're going to exercise more, or relax more, or we're going to have fun or we're going to create memories. Think of those things, because life is really short. You just don't know how much time you're going to have in this lifetime. And we want to make sure that we're embracing it to its fullest. 

Goal #2 

Let go of the guilt. We've got to let go of the guilt. We're in this vicious guilt, shame cycle. And we shame one another. We see another teacher leave on time. And we think- What are they doing? They're not working as hard. Or we see somebody else doing a job, and we're like, oh, they don't have to work as much as I do. And we judge. And we shame.  It's like this vicious cycle, and it happens because we are in a system of lack. 

Goal #3: 

I want to go back to number two for a second because I want to talk about a habit that you can change. I want you to think about leaving work, at least 50% of the time. Or maybe you're going to start with 40% of the time. But make a change. Make it even if it's 10% of the time. Maybe you only leave on time, one day a week. Just make a small change. 

Goal #4

Practice gratitude. I talked about this at Thanksgiving because I think it's so important. But when we practice gratitude, it helps us to not focus so much on the negative things. Practicing gratitude can make big things seem more relative.

Goal #5:

Feel your feelings. So I think it's important for us to feel our feelings. You don't have to just brush them under the rug.  I get so irritated when people say just be positive. You know, it's really hard to be positive, especially when you have depression and anxiety, which I do. And so it's hard to just be positive. It's not like I'm walking around being depressed on purpo

June Reading Comprehension 2nd Grade | Summer Reading Passages & Questions

Perfect for end-of-year learning, summer school, or preventing summer learning loss, these short, engaging reading passages help students continue to practice comprehension skills.

Support the show

Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice. 

 👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

Send us Fan Mail

107: 4 Important Things Every Teacher Needs To Do Before Winter Break

Today we talk all about the 4 necessary things to do before you leave for winter break. These items will ensure your 2021 starts off on the right foot and prevents you from going into January with a feeling of dread and overwhelm. I hope you will join me.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Download Free New Year's Task Cards

7 Christmas Books Kids Will Love

Episode 58: 5 Blissful Ideas to Make This Holiday Spectacular for Teachers. 

Subscribe and Review: 

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes. 

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! 

June Reading Comprehension 2nd Grade | Summer Reading Passages & Questions

Perfect for end-of-year learning, summer school, or preventing summer learning loss, these short, engaging reading passages help students continue to practice comprehension skills.

Support the show

Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice. 

 👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

Send us Fan Mail

106: OTT: 7 Christmas Books Kids Will Love

Today I sit down and share 7 of the most engaging children's Christmas books. Finding the right book to read the last few weeks before Christmas can be tough when you are wiped out. So let me help you find the perfect stories to tell your students. Sit back and enjoy the show, will you?

The Top 7 Christmas Books Kids Will Love: 

(These are affiliate links that do not change the price for you.) 

Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus by Chris Plehal

T’was the Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore

Christmas Trolls by Jan Brett

The Gift of the Magi by O’Henry

Are You Grumpy Santa by Gregg Spiridellis

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen 

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Episode 105: Countdown to Christmas

Christmas Trolls Makerspace and Close Read

Are You Grumpy, Santa Makerspace 

Polar Express Close Reading Unit

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus Close Reading Unit

Subscribe and Review: 

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that t

June Reading Comprehension 2nd Grade | Summer Reading Passages & Questions

Perfect for end-of-year learning, summer school, or preventing summer learning loss, these short, engaging reading passages help students continue to practice comprehension skills.

Support the show

Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice. 

 👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

Send us Fan Mail

105: Countdown to Christmas

The last few weeks before Christmas can be tough in the Elementary Classroom. Today we talk all about ways to make the last few weeks meaningful and fun! We are counting down to Christmas. I hope you will join us.

Links Mentioned in the Show: 

Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar Activity

Christmas Makerspace 

Christmas Around the World Lapbook

Holidays Matter- Christmas States of Matter

Subscribe and Review: 

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix and if you’re not subscribed there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes. 

Now if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you! 

June Reading Comprehension 2nd Grade | Summer Reading Passages & Questions

Perfect for end-of-year learning, summer school, or preventing summer learning loss, these short, engaging reading passages help students continue to practice comprehension skills.

Support the show

Help stop the summer slide and help students love reading with Summer Reading Comprehension Stories written for 2nd grade with questions and response practice. 

 👉 Summer Reading Comprehension for 2nd Grade

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!