Test-Taking Strategies for Math in Elementary
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
Release Date: 03/12/2025
When Kids Test You in September: How to Reset Routines Without Starting Over
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
At the start of the school year, everything feels fresh. Students are eager, polite, and full of curiosity. But as the weeks go on, that initial sparkle can begin to fade. Routines get tested, boundaries are pushed, and the excitement starts to wear off. For most teachers, this transition tends to happen in September, when reality starts to set in. That’s why I’m launching a brand-new series called the September Survival Series. Over the next three episodes, you’ll get practical tools and strategies to help you navigate this first big month of school with confidence. In this first...
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When You Have Mean or Unsupportive Admin — How to Protect Your Peace When Your Admin Doesn’t Have Your Back
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
When teachers feel like their admin doesn’t have their back, it can be exhausting, isolating, and even hopeless at times. But you're not powerless. In fact, there are ways to protect your well-being, advocate for yourself, and create positive change—even when support from the top is lacking. In today’s episode, I’m sharing what to do when you're dealing with mean or unsupportive admin, and how to protect your peace by setting healthy emotional boundaries. Show Notes: Classroom Management Club Waitlist: Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: ...
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What to Do When Kids Ignore You in Your Elementary Classroom
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
If you're a beginning teacher dealing with students who constantly ignore you, here are two things you need to know: you're not alone, and it doesn't mean you're a bad teacher. Need some good news? It doesn’t have to stay this way! In today’s episode, I’m sharing why students might not be listening and giving you a clear, 5-step action plan to help your students follow directions without having to repeat yourself over and over again. Show Notes: Classroom Management Club Waitlist: Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: Grab a copy of my...
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Top Children’s Literature Books to Help You Manage Your Elementary Classroom
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
While many of us use books to support lessons or create a calm, engaging moment with our class, did you know there are other powerful ways to use them? Children’s literature isn’t just about telling stories. It’s an effective tool for establishing expectations, modeling behavior, and building a positive classroom culture. In today’s episode, I’m sharing five of my favorite children’s books that will help you teach classroom expectations, build community, and support your behavior management plan, especially at the beginning of the year. Show Notes: Classroom Management Club...
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When You Experience Fear of Not Being Good Enough
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
As you set up your classroom and wait for students to arrive, a different kind of noise often fills the silence: worry. Teachers carry a lot on their shoulders, and sometimes that worry grows loud enough to drown out everything else, stirring up self-doubt. In today’s episode, you’ll learn simple, practical strategies to quiet that worry, take away its power, and boost your confidence, both in the classroom and in your everyday life. Show Notes: Classroom Management Club Waitlist: Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: Grab a copy of my...
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Classroom Management for Specials Teachers
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
Classroom management isn’t just a concern for homeroom teachers. Specials teachers face their own unique set of challenges: rotating classes, varying expectations, and limited time to build relationships. But with the right strategies, you can turn that chaos into connection and create a learning environment where students thrive, no matter how short the time you have with them. In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through several classroom management strategies tailored specifically for specialist teachers, along with practical tools for implementing them. Show Notes: Classroom...
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10-Minute Guided Meditation for Teachers: Let Go & Rest
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
With such long and exhausting days, teachers need more opportunities to relax and declutter their minds, and meditation does just that. It's a powerful tool that allows educators to recharge, reduce stress, and regain focus, helping them show up with presence, patience, and purpose, both in and out of the classroom. In today’s episode, I’ve created a 10-minute guided meditation you can listen to at the end of the day, during a break, or whenever you need to reset your mind. Show Notes: 10-Minute Guided Meditation on YouTube: Classroom Management Club Waitlist: ...
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Master Your Classroom Management with 2nd Grade Teacher Margaret McLellan
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
One thing I always emphasize is that teachers are lifelong learners. They’re constantly evolving, growing, and striving to be their best. Because this mindset plays such an important role in a teacher’s success and happiness, I love interviewing educators who truly embody it, and my guest today does just that. Margaret McLellan is a member of the Classroom Management Club and is joining me to share how the Club has impacted her classroom management and how you can find success and support through it as well. Show Notes: Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: ...
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How to Use Five-Minute Field Trips to Help Kids Regulate, Re-Focus, and Re-Energize
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
Tapping into your creative side during summer break is a great way to develop engaging strategies that make a real impact on your students and classroom community. Five-minute field trips are one of those strategies you’ll want to keep in your toolkit. In today’s episode, I revisit this special technique—explaining what it is, when to use it, and how it helps students become regulated, refocused, and reenergized. Show Notes: Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step...
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Classroom Management Coaches: Advice for Elementary Teachers - Part Two
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
When you’re part of the Classroom Management Club, you’re not just exchanging ideas and strategies; you’re sharing purpose, strength, and the kind of support that only fellow educators can offer. Last week, we kicked off our conversation with three of our fabulous coaches—Alicia, Michelle, and Becca—who shared their experiences as members of the Club and offered tips for improving classroom management. In part two of this conversation, they're discussing why they love being coaches, everything the Club has to offer, and their advice for beginning teachers on managing their...
info_outlineIf standardized tests make you anxious, you’re not alone! In this episode, we’re continuing our test prep series by shifting focus to math. I’m sharing five powerful test-taking strategies to help students tackle math challenges with confidence.
Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/math-test-taking-skills-in-elementary
Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset
Love Notes for Your Kiddos - Bookmarks: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Love-Notes-for-Your-Kiddos-Positive-Bookmarks-Surprises-5111445
Love Notes for Your Kiddos - Certificates: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Love-Notes-for-Your-Kiddos-Positive-Certificates-Surprises-5109084
Growth Mindset Bookmarks: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Growth-Mindset-Bookmarks-Positivity-in-the-Classroom-5121671
Math Test-Taking Strategies for Elementary Students: https://www.sadlier.com/school/sadlier-math-blog/math-test-taking-strategies-for-elementary-students-math-multiple-choice-test-taking-strategies
How to Solve Math Word Problems: https://thebluebrainteacher.com/4-math-word-problem-solving-strategies/
Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap for Elementary Classrooms: https://amzn.to/3w3zZJ7
Lung Cancer Free: One Couple’s Journey Through a “Lungs in a Box” Double Lung Transplant: https://www.lungcancerfree.com/
Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk):
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk
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I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one.
Xo Lori
P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist