The end of the school year is the perfect time to notice the recurring problems in your work day, and to plan new systems to make next year easier. We’re sharing the “decide once” strategy that helps reduce the decision fatigue teachers face every day by creating simple systems for predictable classroom problems. From behavior management and unfinished work to grading and email boundaries, we talk about practical ways to stop making the same exhausting decisions over and over so next school year feels less chaotic and more manageable.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/decision-fatigue-teachers-2/

Resources:

• Fast drying stone sink trays
• Murdoku
• 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 79. Avoid Back to School Decision Fatigue with These 4 Teacher Approved Strategies
• Episode 77. 3 Reasons Why a First Day of School Script Will Save Your Sanity
• Episode 197. A Teacher Summer Self Care and Recovery Plan That Doesn’t Feel Like Work
• Episode 231. What’s Not Working in Your Classroom? Time to KISS Those Problems Goodbye!

Mentioned in this episode:

Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: https://secondstorywindow.net/trial

As the school year winds down, it’s important to find meaningful ways to celebrate the year with intention. Drawing on ideas from our Teacher Approved community, we explore countdowns, theme days, and creative class celebrations that bring both fun and purpose to those final weeks. These strategies will help keep students engaged, create lasting memories, and honor the classroom community you’ve built, so you can wrap up the year in a way that feels thoughtful, memorable, and manageable.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/last-week-of-school-activities-elementary/

Resources:

• Summer Review Packets
• DLITE Day Packets
• Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
• Jane & Edward: A Modern Reimagining of Jane Eyre by Melodie Edward
• 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 195. Ditch the Countdown: A Better Way to Create End of Year Closure
• Episode 62. End of Year Awards: 5 Reasons You Should Rethink This Classroom Tradition
• Episode 7. The Secret to End of Year Survival
• Episode 196. The 3 Step Plan to Park Those School Thoughts and Enjoy Your Summer Break

Mentioned in this episode:

Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: https://secondstorywindow.net/trial

May can be a tough stretch for teachers, with high emotions, routine pushback, and packed calendars. In this episode, we share why the mid-May slump feels so challenging and how trying to tighten control can backfire. Instead, we walk through five simple ways to rebalance structure and spark so you can keep students engaged, reduce chaos, and finish the school year feeling more steady and in control. These small shifts can bring fresh energy to your classroom without adding extra stress.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/may-classroom-management/

Resources:

• 3 Wins app
• Foot cream
• 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 124. Spring Fever: 3 Tips to Help Your Spring Classroom Management
• Episode 251. 5 Classroom Management Tricks That Do the Work for You
• Episode 247. 4 Spring Classroom Management Headaches and How To Fix Them
• Episode 232. 5 Ways Teachers Can Spark Joy When Classroom Energy Tanks

Mentioned in this episode:

Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: https://secondstorywindow.net/trial

May might feel like the worst time to think about next year, but we’re sharing simple, low-effort ways to get ahead while everything is still fresh. In this episode, we walk through five smart back to school prep strategies you can tackle right now using what you’re already doing. These simple ideas will help you save time, stay organized, and ease that August stress before it even starts.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/back-to-school-prep-in-may/

Resources:

• Freebie: End of Year Roadmap
• Guided Discovery of School Tools
• First Day Pattern Block Activities
• First Day Lego Activities
• Looking Ahead, Looking Back Bulletin Board
• Teacher goodie bag ideas
• Peanut butter Barebells
• 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

If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love these too:

• Episode 249. 5 Easy Teacher Tasks for March That Pay off Big at Back to School
• Episode 252. Can’t Miss Classic: April Planning That Makes August Easier
• Episode 188. Ending the School Year Strong: 3 Steps to Help Teachers Thrive in Term 4
• Episode 193. Why Smart Teachers Start Planning for Next Year in May

Mentioned in this episode:

Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: https://secondstorywindow.net/trial

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:

Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: 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:

Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: 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:

Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: 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:

Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: 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:

Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: https://secondstorywindow.net/trial

In this special milestone episode, we’re celebrating 250 episodes and four years of the Teacher Approved podcast. We look back at how the show started, the lessons we’ve learned along the way, and some of our favorite episodes and hidden gems. We also talk about the surprising ways the podcast has evolved, what gives us hope for the future of education, and what we hope the next 250 episodes will bring as we continue helping teachers elevate what matters and simplify the rest!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-podcast-for-elementary-teachers

Resources:

1. Luminette 3 Light Therapy Glasses
2. Magnesium L-Threonate
3. Puzzle Table
4. Pre-order our book: Structure and Spark
5. Join The Teacher Approved Club
6. Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
7. Shop our teacher-approved resources
8. Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
9. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
10. Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

1. Episode 200. 200 Episodes Later: These 5 Teacher Approved Tips Still Win
2. Episode 165. Keeping Students Engaged All Year Long, No Matter the Season
3. Episode 158. Back-to-School Classroom Management: Are You Working Smarter or Harder?
4. Episode 48. How to Make Classroom Transitions Simple With Clear Beginnings and Endings
5. Episode 49. Rapid Classroom Transitions: How to Save 45 Hours a Year
6. Episode 50. 3 Guidelines to Make Classroom Transitions Work Smarter Not Harder

Mentioned in this episode:

Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: https://secondstorywindow.net/trial