Primary (Paradise) Teaching

In this Author to Teacher Episode: Conversations with published authors about writing, teaching, and how we can support our students, Martha interviews author and illustrator Gaia Cornwall. Gaia's books include Jabari Jumps, Jabari Tries, and The Best Bed for Me.

Gaia shares about her experience as an author illustrator, the journey to becoming an illustrator and eventually an author, and encourages future writers to write without worrying if it's good or bad. This conversation will inspire teachers to look for the talents our children have and encourage them to never give up.

If you're a teacher who teaches writing, or really any subject, this is a helpful, insightful, and important listen filled with interesting, real life anecdotes and useable advice you can apply to your classroom today.

Listen along and learn how we can help our students find their passion and voice as writers.

In this Author to Teacher Episode: Conversations with published authors about writing, teaching, and how we can support our students,  our host Martha speaks with author, singer song writer, and speech pathologist Dennis Mathew. The two discuss Dennis' journey to authorhood, his desire to help students feel loved and welcome at school, and how he encourages children to use their everyday life as inspiration for writing.

You can find Dennis's books Bello the Cello, My WILD School Day,  and How Grizzly Found Gratitude  on his website and Amazon.

If you're a teacher who teaches writing, or really any subject, this is a helpful, insightful, and important listen filled with interesting, real life anecdotes and useable advice you can apply to your classroom today.

Listen along and learn how we can help our students find their passion and voice as writers.

In this Author to Teacher Episode: Conversations with published authors about writing, teaching, and how we can support our students,  our host Martha speaks with author, teacher, speaker, and SEL curriculum developer, Jasmyn Wright. The two discuss the importance of letting our students express themselves through writing, how to encourage students to take risks, and how Jasmyn's work as an author and a speaker has impacted her classroom for the better.

You can find Jasmyn's book I'm Gonna Push Through on Amazon or wherever books are sold. You can also learn more about Jasmyn and her Push Through Organization on her website.

If you're a teacher who teaches writing, or really any subject, this is a helpful, insightful, and important listen filled with interesting, real life anecdotes and useable advice you can apply to your classroom today.

Listen along and learn how we can help our students find their passion and voice as writers.

In this Author to Teacher Episode: Conversations with published authors about writing, teaching, and how we can support our students, Martha interviews author and illustrator Jarrett Lerner. Jarrett's books include the EngiNerds and Geeger the Robot Series, Give This Book a Title and Give this Book a Cover, and the first book in the soon to be released The Hunger Heroes Graphic Novel Chapter Book.

Jarrett shares how, despite his love of writing, it took him some time to find the confidence and tools to realize his dream of becoming an author. He gives teachers insight into how we can spark a love of writing through encouraging creativity, the power of relatable and relevant books, and the importance of letting kids use their lives and interests as inspiration.

If you're a teacher who teaches writing, or really any subject, this is a helpful, insightful, and important listen filled with interesting, real life anecdotes and useable advice you can apply to your classroom today.

Listen along and learn how we can help our students find their passion and voice as writers.

As the school year winds down, it's always amazing to think about how far your students have come, the things you've experienced together, and what the future may hold. In the last episode of season 1, Martha shares a heartfelt open letter from students to teachers.

As a teacher, there's nothing worse than going to school when you're feeling sick... except maybe preparing sub plans. In this episode, Martha shares 3 easy sub plan tips that will give you the freedom to roll over and go back to bed on the days you're feeling under the weather.

Being a new teacher can be overwhelming. Going from a student teacher where you have someone to hold your hand to being in charge of 25-30 small humans is a big leap. The first year of teaching can be especially daunting. Although it’s normal to make mistakes, there are some common new teacher mistakes that can be avoided. In this episode, Martha shares 3 common new teacher mistakes and what to do instead.

Parents often question why we're teaching students "new math" that seems illogical to them. Whether it's common core math or state standards, it's certainly different from the way they learned. In this episode, Martha shares 5 ways to respond to parents who question new math.

, What do you do with books that are past the point of no return? Picture it. A student hands you a book that has been taped back together a dozen times, the spine is crumbling, and has clearly been well loved. I know I had this happen a few times each school year. You know the books that need more than a little TLC (tape love and care). Those books that look like they need the book morgue, are waving a white flag, are just past the point of use? Well, we can give them new life and turn them into FRANKENBOOKS! In this episode, Martha shares 6 ways to reuse old, worn out books as useful classroom tools.

Teaching writing skills in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade involves many parts. One area that students in this age often struggle with is creating descriptive writing pieces. Primary grade students need teachers to foster their ability to show, not tell when it comes to their sentences. In this episode, Martha shares 5 ways to help elementary students create descriptive, interesting sentences in their writing pieces that you can easily implement in your classroom today.