How to Keep Your Students Engaged in October

After years of letting interruptions disrupt my teaching, I realized that blurting wasn’t usually about disrespect. It was about impulse control. With that mindset shift, I began approaching blurting as a skill gap my students needed help with. In today’s episode, I’m sharing three simple, practical, and ready-to-use strategies to stop blurting and turn those interruptions into focused, respectful participation. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/end-blurting  Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist  Impulse Control Strategies that Work Toolkit: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/impulse-control-strategies-that-work-bundle  Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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  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 for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 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

October can be one of the most engaging months of the school year when you weave in seasonal themes, keep lessons interactive, and give students ownership of their learning. This month, my goal is to help stock your seasonal resource bucket with ideas that are both effective and fun. To kick things off, today’s episode shares six simple, creative strategies to keep students engaged during October, so learning stays front and center while still celebrating the season. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/october-classroom-management  Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist  24+ Best Halloween & Fall-Themed Books for Elementary Classrooms: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/24-best-halloween-books-for-elementary   October Teacher Bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/October-First-Year-Teacher-Bundle-New-Teacher-Bundle-2nd-4th-Grade-7167611   3D, Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Haunted House Literacy Centers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/3D-Glow-in-the-Dark-Halloween-Haunted-House-Literacy-Centers-4841381   October Imagination Station: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fast-Finisher-Activities-October-Imagination-Station-Gr-2-5-7167419   October/Halloween Jokes Morning Work:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Morning-Meeting-Halloween-Morning-Work-Google-Slides-Vocabulary-Jokes-6044059   Halloween Mystery Motivator (Print & Digital): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mystery-Motivator-for-Halloween-Print-Digital-Versions-Included-4871005   Meet My Lil’ Monster Informational Writing Unit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meet-My-Lil-Monster-Informational-Writing-Unit-for-Halloween-6099383 Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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  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 for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 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

When parents question your decisions as a teacher, it can feel like your professionalism is on trial, but it’s actually an opportunity. Instead of bracing for conflict, what if you leaned in with clarity, calm, and confidence?  As the excitement of a new school year wears off, new and challenging situations often arise. That’s why I created the September Survival Series; to give you practical tips, strategies, and encouragement to remind you that everything will work out. In the first two episodes, I shared how to reset your routines and procedures and how to manage stress during those first hectic weeks. In this final episode, I’m focusing on what to do when parents question you, and how to handle those situations with confidence and professionalism. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/teacher-relationships-with-parents  Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist  R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club Informational Page: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-club-vs-the-academy  Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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  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 for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 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

Every September, teachers get swept into the “stress spiral” - the endless to-do lists, stacks of papers to grade, and the constant feeling of barely keeping your head above water. But what if this season didn’t have to drain you?  In last week’s episode, I kicked off the September Survival Series, which highlights how teachers can regain control and re-establish routines and procedures with confidence once the realities of the school year set in. The challenge is that the stress spiral often takes hold before most teachers even realize they’re in it. That’s why, in episode two of this series, I define what the September stress spiral is and share practical ideas and mindset shifts you can use before it takes over your classroom. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/teacher-stress  Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist  R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club Informational Page: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-club-vs-the-academy  Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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  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 for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 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

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 episode, I’m diving into how to reset your classroom routines without starting over. You’ll learn how to do it in a way that’s calm, consistent, and reinforces your authority. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/reset-routines  Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist  Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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  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 for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 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

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: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/unsupportive-admin  Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist  Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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  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 for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 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

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: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/when-kids-ignore-you  Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist  Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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  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 for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 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

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: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/classroom-management-in-elementary  Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist  Fantastic Books for the First Weeks of School K - 5th Grade: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/first-week-of-school-books  Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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  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 for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 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

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: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/teacher-mindset-2  Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist  Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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  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 for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 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

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: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/specials-teachers  Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist  Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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  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 for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 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