Send us a text Feeling overwhelmed by all the prep work for centers, games, and task cards? You’re not alone! In this episode, I introduce you to the idea of starting a Future Teachers Club (or Teacher Assistant Club)—a simple, effective way to involve your students in prepping materials while giving them a sense of pride and responsibility. I share how to recruit student helpers, organize tasks, and keep it fun with tips that can make a huge difference—especially as test prep season looms. Tune in to learn how this win-win strategy can lighten your load and create a more engaging, learning-centered classroom! Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text Hey there! In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my wildly popular mystery readers’ theaters and how they all started—with my daughter’s unforgettable murder mystery birthday party! 🎉 From the flapper-themed surprise to writing 20 extra characters by hand (yes, really!), I’ll share how these experiences inspired me to create engaging, low-prep classroom activities that students LOVE. Plus, I’ll spill the details on my Valentine's Day favorite, Who Gave Us Cupcakes? —a fun, educational way to celebrate with your class. 🍩 If you’re looking for an exciting way to boost reading and inferencing skills while keeping students hooked, you won’t want to miss this. Tune in now and let’s chat mystery, fun, and making learning unforgettable! https://minds-in-bloom.com/product/reader-theater-solve-a-mystery-valentines-day-activities-readers-theatre-scripts/ -- 50% OFF with coupon code: CUPCAKE Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Caroline Koehler , a former kindergarten teacher and special educator with 20 years of experience. Caroline shares her journey from the classroom to becoming a successful teacher author, with hundreds of digital resources, a thriving teacher membership, and over 50,000 customers across 81 countries. Caroline's passion for helping teachers stay organized , especially when working with high-needs students, shines through in our conversation. We dive into the biggest challenges general education teachers face when it comes to supporting students with special needs and managing the overwhelming amount of paperwork that comes with it. In this episode, you'll learn: Caroline's journey into special education and how she found her passion. The top 3 challenges gen ed teachers face when working with special needs students. Practical tips for staying organized and managing paperwork efficiently. How to create a behavior toolkit that actually works. Preventive classroom strategies to avoid future problems before they arise. And of course, we wrap up with a fun farm-inspired game , where Caroline compares common teaching challenges to farm animals—trust me, you won’t want to miss her take on paperwork being like a baby donkey! 🐴 Links & Resources: Sign up for Caroline’s free special education training: celavora.com/special-education-trainings Visit Caroline's website: celavora.com Follow Caroline on social media: Follow me on Facebook for updates and inspirationhttps://www.facebook.com/CarolineKoehler TPTstore https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/caroline-koehler Visit me at Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/carolinemsk/ See me on TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@caroline.koehler Send me a message on IGhttps://www.instagram.com/carolinemsk/ Swing by my YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCATkgk3-fK42QTXE-rCX5zw Whether you're a special education teacher or a general ed teacher with special needs students in your class, this episode is packed with practical advice and encouragement to help you feel more confident and organized. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:20 Caroline's Background and Experience 02:43 Challenges in Special Education 07:45 Tips for Teachers 13:47 Seeking Support and Community 18:15 Upcoming Free Training 20:01 Fun Farm Animal Game 25:14 Conclusion and Farewell Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text Welcome back to another episode of the Triple T Podcast! In today's episode, we are talking about teaching one of the most essential reading skills: inferencing. Using a fun and engaging method of analyzing found receipts, we explore how to help your students read between the lines and make educated guesses. Gathering discarded receipts, students can practice inferencing and characterization by creating backstories, writing letters, and even coming up with outrageous scenarios. This episode offers a range of creative exercises that will not only boost inferencing skills but also make learning incredibly fun and memorable. Join us for a nosy neighbor-inspired adventure that transforms an ordinary day into a great one! 00:00 Introduction to Inferencing 00:36 The Nosy Neighbor Approach 01:03 Using Receipts for Inferencing 02:19 Analyzing and Characterizing from Receipts 03:24 Creative Writing and Fun Activities 05:10 Extending the Lesson Beyond Receipts 06:57 Encouragement and Conclusion Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text Welcome back, teacher friends! In this first episode of 2025, I'm excited to share a fun and easy no-prep activity to inspire your classroom: Goal Setting Bingo. Inspired by the viral '2024 bingo card' trend, this activity engages students in setting and achieving goals in a gamified way. It’s perfect for New Year’s resolutions and keeps students motivated throughout the year. I'll guide you through creating custom bingo cards that can include academic, personal growth, and kindness goals. This interactive and visual method ensures that goals are consistently worked towards and celebrated. Join me to start the year off strong with this meaningful classroom activity! 00:00 Welcome to the New Year 2025! 00:20 Introducing Goal Setting Bingo 01:04 Why Goal Setting Matters 02:23 How to Play Goal Setting Bingo 02:47 Customizing Your Goals 04:01 Kickstarting the Activity 04:45 Maintaining and Motivating 05:34 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text In today's episode, let's talk about the Million Dollar Project—a beloved classroom activity for December. Originating from my first year at Hassler, this project involves students spending a fictional million dollars by clipping and calculating their dream purchases, initially using magazines and later transitioning to digital options like Amazon. The activity enhances fourth-grade skills in subtracting decimals and evolves to include a social-emotional dimension where students buy thoughtful gifts for loved ones. Tune in for creative variations of this project that incorporate taxes and gift parameters to make it more engaging and educational for students. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:30 The Million Dollar Project: An Overview 01:45 Evolution of the Project: From Magazines to Digital 02:30 Adding a Social-Emotional Learning Component 04:00 Creative Variations and Challenges 06:06 Conclusion and Encouragement Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text In this episode of The Teachers Teaching Teachers Podcast , Cassi chats with Melissa Campbell, a K-5 Math Specialist with the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI). Melissa shares her unique approach to blending math and literature to help students develop perseverance and problem-solving skills. From using the humorous picture book Stuck by Oliver Jeffers to brainstorm strategies for getting “unstuck” in math, to her favorite tips for integrating reading into STEM lessons, Melissa’s insights are practical, inspiring, and easy to implement. Plus, hear about her favorite books to use in the classroom and how they can transform the way students see math. Whether you’re looking to enhance your math lessons, explore cross-curricular connections, or simply get inspired by fresh teaching ideas, this episode has something for you! Links and Resources: Connect with Melissa on Twitter: @MelAGCampbell or @AMSTI4all Learn more about AMSTI: amsti.org 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement 01:01 Melissa Campbell's Background and Role 03:32 Integrating Reading and Math in the Classroom 06:55 Favorite Books for Teaching Math 10:28 Incorporating Literature into Math Lessons 21:24 Fun Math Story Problems Based on Books 25:21 Final Tips and Contact Information Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow educator, Mikey Sivert, a passionate fifth-grade teacher and expert in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). With November here, we’re chatting all about the theme of gratitude and exploring how to make it a genuine and lasting part of our classrooms. Mikey shares practical ways to introduce gratitude to students, build buy-in, and keep the practice alive beyond just the holiday season. From creative activities like gratitude circles to tying gratitude into other subjects, Mikey’s insights are both easy to implement and deeply impactful. Plus, he’s offering a special set of resources to help you bring these ideas into your own classroom. Join us for a conversation filled with inspiration, laughter, and actionable ideas to create a more thankful classroom all year long. @MikeyDTeach www.MikeyDTeach.com FREE RESOURCES: https://hello.mikeydteach.com/the-science-of-gratitude Time Stamps: 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:43 Mikey's Background and Passion for SEL 02:23 The Importance of Gratitude 03:58 Teaching Gratitude to Students 05:08 Integrating Gratitude into Daily Routines 10:00 Gratitude Projects and Activities 16:03 Gratitude in Science Lessons 20:03 Final Thoughts and Farewell 21:21 Fun Gratitude Game 26:54 Closing Remarks and Resources Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text Are you struggling to fit science into your already-packed classroom schedule? 🌟 In this episode, I chat with science expert Shari Stewart, Science Coordinator at Manzano Day School, who shares her tried-and-true tips for making science fun, engaging, and easy to manage! With over 20 years of experience, Shari reveals her secrets to hands-on labs that don’t require tons of prep or materials, plus clever ways to integrate science with other subjects like reading and math. 🧪✨ Join us as we discuss practical ways to prioritize science, engage students with everyday materials, and keep the joy of discovery alive in the classroom. We even play a fun game where Shari shows how to turn household items into mini science labs that students will love. Don't miss this episode if you're looking for tips to make science an exciting and achievable part of your curriculum! 🎧 🔗 Download a list of ways to integrate science content into your lesson plans! https://bit.ly/ShariScience 🔗 Download a Weather vs Climate Activity https://bit.ly/ShariWeather 🔗 Download a Fossils Activity https://bit.ly/ShariGummyBears Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by Jeannine Schneider, a teacher with 20 years of classroom experience and a master at adding seasonal fun to her lessons—without sacrificing learning. Jeannine shares all about Boo-grams, a creative way to spread kindness and build community in the classroom that might not be what you think! If you’re scrambling for a last-minute, no-prep Halloween idea that won’t add stress to your day, this episode is for you. Plus, stick around for a fun game of ‘What’s Scarier?’ where Jeannine and I talk about some of the spookiest moments teachers face. Let's get started! Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text In this episode of The Teachers Teaching Teachers Podcast , we’re joined by Teresa Kwant, a former 6th-grade teacher and full-time teacher-author, to explore the many ways Canva can transform your classroom. Teresa shares her top tips on how educators can use Canva to make lesson planning quicker, classroom decor more creative, and teaching more engaging for students. We also talk about fun and practical ways students can use Canva to enhance their own learning. Whether you’re a Canva newbie or a daily user, this episode is packed with ideas and tools to help you get the most out of this powerful platform. Don’t miss the rapid-fire game where Teresa reveals her favorite Canva features! Tune in for practical, easy-to-apply strategies to level up your teaching with Canva. Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Alissa Levy, a veteran educator and author of Morning Routines for Productive Teens . With over 20 years of experience in education, Dr. Levy has worn many hats—from classroom teacher to Montessori school founder—and she’s here to share her wisdom on how effective morning routines can transform both home and classroom environments. We’ll talk about why morning routines are so crucial for students, how parents and teachers can help kids develop their own routines, and how even small habits can make a big difference. Dr. Levy also shares insights from her Montessori background and offers practical tips for creating routines that help kids thrive, no matter their age or ability. Whether you're a parent trying to establish a smoother morning for your kids, or a teacher looking to integrate structured routines into your classroom, this episode has something for you! Stick around until the end for a fun rapid-fire game where Dr. Levy reveals her own morning habits. Listen in to discover: The role morning routines play in student success How to introduce micro-habits that build independence Ways to make morning routines fun and engaging for kids Tips for integrating routines into classroom management If you’re looking for simple, actionable ways to create a more organized and productive start to the day, this episode is for you! Resources Mentioned: Dr. Alissa Levy’s book, Morning Routines for Productive Teens (available on Amazon) Visit Dr. Levy’s website: alissalevybooks.com Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text I am so excited about today's guest, Heather Bookstaver! With over 33 years of experience, Heather is a true veteran of the classroom and a second-generation teacher who’s been teaching in the very same district where she grew up. We talk about her incredible journey—teaching alongside her parents and even her spouse—and how she’s navigated some tough personal challenges, including beating cancer during COVID. Despite it all, Heather has completely reimagined how she approaches teaching, putting a huge emphasis on social-emotional learning (SEL). In this episode, Heather shares how she’s creating warm, supportive classroom environments, the role of SEL in helping students regulate their emotions, and her experience with programs like the Positivity Project. Heather’s insights will inspire you to prioritize your students' emotional wellness and rethink what it means to really connect with them. You’ll walk away feeling empowered to create a classroom where students feel seen, heard, and supported. You won’t want to miss this conversation—it’s heartfelt, motivating, and full of practical tips that you can bring right into your classroom tomorrow! Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text In this episode, I had the chance to chat with Rachel Gurr, an educational consultant and coach who’s incredibly passionate about student-centered learning. Rachel dives into her experiences and shares some fantastic insights on how to foster student agency, spark creativity, and tackle classroom challenges. We get into what it really looks like to put students in the driver's seat and talk about some practical, easy-to-implement ways teachers can start shifting toward a more autonomous classroom. Rachel also gets real about her own transition into student-centered learning—what worked, what didn’t, and everything in between. Whether you're ready to make small tweaks or take big leaps in your teaching, this conversation is packed with useful advice and inspiration for building a more student-centered classroom. Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…

Send us a text Welcome to the podcast! These first few episodes are all about getting to know me, your host, Cassi Noack, by introducing you to the amazing teachers who have been key players in different chapters of my teaching journey. Each of these incredible teacher friends you'll meet has played a vital role in shaping my path, leading me to where I am today as a resource creator and advocate for teachers through Minds-in-Bloom.com. In this inaugural episode of the Triple T Podcast , I’m thrilled to introduce you to Tonya Dunn, my student teaching mentor and one of the most instrumental teachers in my early public school years. Our conversation is packed with laughs, heartfelt stories, and plenty of practical tips that will give you a taste of what’s ahead on the podcast. Tonya and I talk about everything from the surprise of her being named Teacher of the Year to the little things that make a big difference in the classroom—like creative writing and cozy, dim-lit rooms that feel like home. We also dive into the ups and downs of mentorship, sharing how we both grew through the experience and how embracing different teaching styles can make all the difference. This episode is all about celebrating the connections that make teaching so special—whether it’s with students, parents, or fellow teachers. So, grab your favorite drink and settle in for a conversation that’s as inspiring as it is practical. Thanks for joining us on this journey! Learn more about Tonya: https://minds-in-bloom.com/our-podcast-guests/#callie-danielle Visit us at Podcast.minds-in-bloom.com…