Beginning Teacher Talk

Formal observations are one of the things about teaching that really scares us as new teachers. They can send you right into panic mode, even if you have a really supportive administration. Often, the most nerve-wracking part is the feedback that comes after the observation. Critical observation feedback can immediately cause you to doubt your teaching ability. However, there is a way you can reframe how you view observation feedback that I want to share with you today. It will help you to feel more empowered and encourage you to take the next steps towards becoming the teacher that you’ve always dreamed of being. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/critical-observation-feedback Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on

If you’re reading this then you may be an avid podcast listener, but have you ever used podcasts in your classroom? They are such a fun way to connect the real world to what you’re doing in your classroom. I’m sharing five fantastic podcasts that you can use with your kids and simple low-prep activities to use with them. You may be surprised at how easily podcasts can be incorporated into any subject area and any time of the day.  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/podcasts-for-the-classroom Grab Your FREE Podcast Listening Worksheets: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Podcast-Listening-Worksheets-FREE-Listening-Comprehension-7613393 Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.c

Returning to school after winter break usually presents several challenges. It can take some time to get back into your normal routines after being away from school for an extended period of time. One of the things that can be especially difficult to get back into is independent reading. To make this process much easier for you, I have a special "gift episode" for you today! It features content originally aired on my good friend Sara Marye's podcast, The Stellar Teacher Podcast. Sara shares 5 ways to successfully jump back into independent reading in the new year.  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/independent-reading Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If

I recently was asked a question by a member of my READY For School Academy that sparked the topic of today's episode. One of my members, Rebecca, asked how she can get parents involved in the classroom even though they aren't allowed in her school building right now due to COVID. This is such a great question, and I'm answering it with nine super fun and easy-to-implement ways that you can invite parents to support you and your students without ever entering your classroom. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/parent-involvement Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra lov

When I was in the classroom, it took me a long time to figure out how to best set up learning centers for my students. Now I am so excited to be able to share this information with you so you don't have to go through the same learning curve that I did. Even if it's the middle of the school year and you haven't yet implemented learning centers, it's not too late. While it takes some time and work right now, it will be a super valuable time investment that you're going to benefit from for years to come. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/centers Grab your Easy Learning Centers Starter Kit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Easy-Learning-Centers-Starter-Kit-for-2nd-5th-Grade-7456667 Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect

By the time December rolls around, it's very likely that you have had at least one experience with a difficult parent. Maybe it was during a parent-teacher conference, or maybe it was a nasty email or phone call. Facing a parent who has a complaint or is challenging you in some way is extremely difficult to deal with, especially because you probably haven't had any preparation for these scenarios. Learning to handle parents effectively is a learned skill set and having strategies in place will help you to feel calm and confident when faced with difficult parents in the future. I'm sharing some entertaining, yet very relatable, examples and words of wisdom from Suzanne Tingley's book, How to Handle Difficult Parents.  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/how-to-handle-difficult-parents Watch my FREE masterclass, 5 Classroom-Tested Ways to Enjoy the Holiday Season with Your Students. Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check

In the weeks leading up to winter break, you are right in the midst of the disillusionment phase. This is the third phase that beginning teachers experience throughout the school year and it is one that comes with lots of emotions. You're likely feeling extremely burnt out and exhausted. You may even be questioning your ability to continue your career as a teacher. You are not alone in feeling this way, and I'm going to share 3 things that will help you navigate this difficult phase of teaching. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/disillusionment-phase Watch my FREE masterclass, 5 Classroom-Tested Ways to Enjoy the Holiday Season with Your Students. Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagr

I am privileged to have the most magical and loving holiday memories from my childhood, and this is why I was always so excited to share the joy of this season with my students. Now that I'm no longer in the classroom, I want to pass that magic on to you and your students. One way that I can do this is through a very special project that I have been working on for you called My Sneaky Snowman Adventure. It is a narrative writing project mixed with arts and plenty of imagination. If you try this project with your students, don't forget to tag me on Instagram @beginningteachertalk so I can see your pictures!  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/sneakysnowman Grab your Sneaky Snowman Adventure here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/My-Sneaky-Snowmans-Adventure-A-Narrative-Writing-Art-Project-2nd-4th-Gr-7424282 Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teac

Teaching is challenging. There's no doubt about that. As the holidays approach, your job may even feel more difficult than ever. If you are counting down the days until winter break and desperately need some time off, or maybe even considering quitting, that is very normal. Your feelings about teaching will ebb and flow throughout the year. In fact, you will hear how common it is to experience these feelings as I share the phases of first-year teachers' attitudes towards teaching from August through July.  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/first-year-phases Grab a copy of my Out-of-Control, Chatty Class Rescue Bundle: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/rescue-bundle Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https

If you are new to teaching English Language Learners, it can be challenging to navigate. You may wonder how to best support them and ensure that they feel like a valued member of your classroom community, especially if they aren't speaking very much English yet. I have some practical and effective ways that you can provide your ELL students with the tools they need to learn and thrive while they are in your classroom and for years to come. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/english-language-learners Check out my First-Year-Teacher-Bundle for November: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/November-First-Year-Teacher-Bundle-New-Teacher-Bundle-2nd-4th-Grade-7369276 Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagra

Children spent a lot of time learning from home in the past year and a half. Now that they are back in the classroom, it's a difficult adjustment for everyone. If you are struggling to take control of a chatty class this year, it's not too late to push the reset button on your classroom management. I have three simple and proven strategies for you that will help you regain a sense of order for you and your students right away. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/chattyclass Get a copy of my Out-of-Control, Chatty Class Rescue Bundle: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/rescue-bundle Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helpi

There's a lot of negativity in the world right now, especially within the education space. Teachers are being challenged like never before, and I get it if that has resulted in you feeling stuck in the heaviness of it all. Today I want to remind you of all the light and joy going on in the world and in your classroom every single day. Practicing gratitude of what we do have, and teaching our students to do the same, can have a lasting impact on our overall happiness. This episode will give you 10 fun and simple ways that you can cultivate more gratitude in your students this season and beyond. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/thanksgiving-season Watch my free masterclass, 10 Ways to Uplift and Inspire Your Students this Thanksgiving: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Conn

It's easy to get caught up in the constant rush of the day to day. There's always something more to do, but have you ever thought that maybe you're over scheduling yourself? I invite you to pause and give yourself some grace if you're feeling like you have too much on your plate and you're unable to get it all done. When you consistently build more white space into your schedule, you just may find that you'll become inspired and even more productive. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/whitespace Watch my free masterclass, 10 Ways to Uplift and Inspire Your Students this Thanksgiving: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the

There are so many creative Halloween books and activities that you can bring to your classroom during the month of October. You know that I always want to save you time and make things a bit easier for you, so I've done the groundwork by creating a list of my top 10 favorite activities using Halloween literature. This list includes options for book-specific activities as well as activities that you can use with books of your choice. I hope these ideas spark some inspiration in you and your students this season! Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/halloween-activities Sign up for my free masterclass, 6 Ways to Make October Spooktacular (Even if you can't use the word "Halloween" in your classroom): https://www.drlorifriesen.com/october-spooktacular-masterclass-2021-opt-in Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk

If COVID has taught us anything, it's that we all need connection. We want to feel safe, loved, and that we're a part of a community. The same goes for our students. Holding a morning meeting every day is the perfect way to accomplish these things for our students and start the day off in a peaceful and positive way. Whether you are already implementing morning meetings, or have yet to start, I'm sharing why morning meetings are so special and my top tips for running them daily! Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/morning-meetings Join my FREE 8-day challenge: Your First 8 Steps as a New Elementary Teacher When You're Hired Mid-Year (or Want a Do-Over): https://www.drlorifriesen.com/challenge Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect

Are you feeling like you are too busy and overwhelmed to even listen to this podcast episode? If the answer is yes, then you most definitely need to listen to this podcast episode! Your teacher to-do list may be endless, but you can't work yourself so hard that you reach burn out. When you begin to give yourself grace, prioritize your tasks, and set boundaries, you'll find your mental load a lot lighter. Today I'm offering you a few strategies that will help you take the first steps towards separating your work from your life.  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/separating-school-from-life Join my FREE 8-day challenge: Your First 8 Steps as a New Elementary Teacher When You're Hired Mid-Year (or Want a Do-Over): https://www.drlorifriesen.com/challenge Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori o

It's hilarious that I can devote an entire podcast episode to pencil management, but here we are! Truthfully, having a system in place for students' pencils is a critical piece of classroom management. If you have students who constantly lose their pencils, get up to the sharpen them at inappropriate times, or even eat them (ew, gross), then this episode is for you. :)  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/pencil-management Join my FREE 8-day challenge: Your First 8 Steps as a New Elementary Teacher When You're Hired Mid-Year (or Want a Do-Over): https://www.drlorifriesen.com/challenge Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast

Teachers, how are you doing? It's the beginning of the year, so I can assume that you are likely feeling a rush of overwhelm. I have been there and I want to help. That's why I am dedicating an entire episode to talking about how to reduce the stress and anxiety that you are experiencing. My hope is that you will be able to use these strategies throughout the entire year, not just at the beginning. Just remember, I am here to support you and am cheering you on every step of the way! :-)  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/stress-and-anxiety-as-a-new-teacher Watch my FREE, On-Demand Masterclass: 6 Ways to Make October Spooktacular: https://www.drlorifriesen.com Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https:/

Halloween is coming and I am probably just as excited as your students! As October approaches, I'm giving you my 6 most spooktacular strategies to refresh creativity and engagement for both you and your students. And here's the best part: many of these activities will work for you even if your school doesn’t allow you to do any type of Halloween activities. :-)  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/6-ways-to-make-october-spooktacular Watch my FREE, On-Demand Masterclass: 6 Ways to Make October Spooktacular: https://www.drlorifriesen.com Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're fee

Substitute teaching can be an incredible way to gain valuable experience before securing a full-time teaching position. With the helpful suggestions of one of my listeners, I'm going to share useful tips to make your days of subbing a bit easier and that much more enjoyable! Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/top-tips-for-substitute-and-supply-teaching Watch my FREE, On-Demand Masterclass: 7 Hot Tips for Success in September: https://www.drlorifriesen.com Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review fo