Spring break is almost here! But before you head out, there are a few must-do tasks that will make your return so much easier. In this episode, we’re covering five essential things for every teacher to do before spring break - from resetting your space to prepping for a smooth transition back. No more post-break overwhelm, just a stress-free, organized return!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and all resources mentioned in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-to-do-before-spring-break/

Resources:

• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 181, How to Get Ahead on Your Teacher Tasks For a Stress-Free Spring Break
• Episode 124, Spring Fever: 3 Tips to Help Your Spring Classroom Management
• Episode 4, Bouncing Back After a Break

Test prep season doesn’t have to be stressful! In this episode, we’re sharing six easy end-of-year test prep tips to help you simplify the process, weave review into your daily routine, and keep students engaged without overwhelming your schedule. You’ll learn practical strategies to boost student confidence, make test prep more effective, and use fun, low-stress activities that actually help with retention.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and all resources mentioned in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/end-of-year-test-prep-tips/

Resources:

• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 183, 2 Smart Test Prep Strategies You Need to Use With Your Students
• Episode 182, Boost Your Test Prep With These 3 Retrieval Practice Activities
• Episode 122, 20 Best Teacher Approved Tips for Surviving Testing Season
• Episode 121, How to Plan Your Test Prep Around What Content Matters Most
• Episode 5, Ditch Your Test Review (This This Instead!)

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying this podcast, we would love to hear from you! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teacher-approved/id1613980327

Is your classroom feeling cluttered and chaotic? In this replay episode, we’re sharing six simple and effective spring cleaning tips to help you freshen up your space. We’ll walk you through easy ways to declutter, organize supplies, and create a more functional, inviting learning environment. From tackling paper piles to refreshing classroom decor, these tips will help you finish the school year strong and set yourself up for success moving forward!

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

Resources:

• Decodable Fluency Passages Bundle
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 181, How to Get Ahead on Your Teacher Tasks For a Stress-Free Spring Break
• Episode 124, Spring Fever: 3 Tips to Help Your Spring Classroom Management
• Episode 53, How Teachers Can Name What Matters to Survive the Mid Year Slump
• Episode 52, 10 Teacher Approved Tips for Elementary Teachers That We Think You’ll Love
• Episode 10, What You Can Do Now for Next Year

Are your students forgetting everything by test day? In this episode, we’re sharing smart test prep strategies that actually help students retain and apply what they’ve learned—without last-minute cramming. You’ll discover two research-backed methods that make information stick, why some common test prep practices might be doing more harm than good, and an easy way to integrate these strategies into your daily routine. Plus, don’t forget to grab our morning work spiral review pages to reinforce key concepts effortlessly!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and all resources mentioned in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/smart-test-prep-strategies/

Resources:

• Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning by Pooja K. Agarwal and Patrice M. Bain 
• Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
• Spiral Review Morning Work
• Fiber Well Gummies
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 182, Boost Your Test Prep With These 3 Retrieval Practice Activities
• Episode 122, 20 Best Teacher Approved Tips for Surviving Testing Season
• Episode 121, How to Plan Your Test Prep Around What Content Matters Most
• Episode 5, Ditch Your Test Review (This This Instead!)
• Episode 3, Strengthening the Brain

Ready or not, test season is coming, which means it’s time to start thinking about test prep! In this episode, we dive into retrieval practice for test review, a proven strategy that boosts memory and recall. Instead of passive review methods, retrieval practice helps students retain more and feel prepared for the test. We’ll discuss why this technique works and how you can easily implement it in your classroom!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and all resources mentioned in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/retrieval-practice-test-review/

Resources:

• Around the Room review 
• Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning by Pooja K. Agarwal and Patrice M. Bain 
• Emily Amick’s Substack 
• The Favorites
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 122, 20 Best Teacher Approved Tips for Surviving Testing Season
• Episode 121, How to Plan Your Test Prep Around What Content Matters Most
• Episode 5, Ditch Your Test Review (This This Instead!)
• Episode 3, Strengthening the Brain

Spring break is almost here, and while you’re excited for the time off, the thought of catching up on work when you return can be stressful. What if you could prep for the first days back before break starts—without the overwhelm? In this episode, we’re sharing top strategies for teacher spring break prep, including how to break tasks into manageable steps and make the most of prep time in small bursts. With these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your break while feeling ready for a smooth return to school!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and all resources mentioned in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-spring-break-prep/

Resources:

• Bioderma shower oil
• Gavin and Stacey: A Fond Farewell
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 168, How Teachers Can Get a Jumpstart on a Stress-Free Winter Break
• Episode 169, Our Best Teacher Tips for Finding Pockets of Prep Time to Get Ahead For January
• Episode 172, The 2nd First Day of School: How to Take Advantage of the Week After Winter Break

Morning work is more than just busy work! It sets the tone for your day, reinforces important skills, and encourages independence. In this episode, we’re sharing our five best morning work tips to help you create a routine that works for both you and your students. If you're looking to start your day with ease and purpose, this episode is packed with actionable advice you won’t want to miss!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and all resources mentioned in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/morning-work-tips/

Resources:

• Spiral Review Morning Work
• Shrinking
• A Man on the Inside
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 179, How to Find Fast Finished Success: No More ‘I’m Done, Now What?’
• Episode 173, Getting Into the Nitty Gritty of Classroom Procedures and Routines
• Episode 150, Perfect Your Classroom Procedures With the Help of Our Guiding Questions
• Episode 94, A Great Day Before School Even Starts: Your Perfect Teacher Morning Routine at School
• Episode 91, Start Your Day Strong: Top Tips for Maximizing Your Morning Work

Teachers pour their time and energy into the major aspects of teaching, but it’s often the smaller, overlooked parts of the job that create uncertainty. One such challenge is managing fast finishers—a topic that doesn’t always get the spotlight but plays a crucial role in the flow of your day. In today’s episode, we’re going to unpack this loaded topic and discuss how fast finishers can find success in the classroom.

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/fast-finishers

Resources:

• Word Family Poems - 1st Grade
• Word Family Poems - 2nd Grade
• I’m Done, Now What? How to Challenge Fast Finishers Blog Post
• Nex Playground
• Valari Pillow
• Oriental Trading Valentines
• Target Valentines 
• MindWare Valentines
• Paper Source Valentines
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 173, Getting into the Nitty Gritty of Classroom Procedures and Routines
• Episode 165, Keeping Students Engaged All Year Long, No Matter the Season
• Episode 163, The 6 Key Ways to Boost Student Engagement Every Day
• Episode 159, How to Set up Successful Learning Centers at the Beginning of the Year

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying this podcast, we would love to hear from you! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teacher-approved/id1613980327

By this point in the school year, your class is very familiar with each other. And while you love the community aspect, it can often bring unnecessary or excessive talking amongst your students. If this sounds like your class, we’re replaying a fan favorite episode sharing five teacher approved to help you tame your chatty class!

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/chatty-class

Resources:

• Editable Digital Seating Chart Tool
• Classroom Procedures and Routines Planning Guide Bundle
• Class Craft noise meter
• Bouncy Balls noise meter
• The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 98, 5 Reasons Your Attention Signal Isn’t Working and How to Improve It
• Episode 97, 3 Secrets For Using Your Classroom Seating Arrangement to Boost Classroom Management
• Episode 83, Classroom Setup Tips For Success: 8 Guiding Questions for Designing Your Space

Now that you’re back to school from winter break, you might be noticing that some of your classroom procedures aren’t running as smoothly as they were before break. While this might be caused by multiple reasons, it’s something you want to address right away. In this fan favorite episode, we’re sharing questions that help you identify your classroom management problems and ways to fix them!

For all the resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/classroom-management-problems

Resources:

• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 154, 5 Steps for Classroom Procedure Success
• Episode 75, Classroom Procedures and Expectations: How they Differ and How to Teach Them
• Episode 32, 5 Classroom Management Questions to Help Banish Bad Class Habits
• Episode 20, Mastering Morning Routines
• Episode 18, Procedures for Success!