293. 3 Things Smart Teachers Do Before December Hits

December can feel overwhelming when your school responsibilities collide with gifts, gatherings, and everyday tasks at home. In this episode, we’re shifting our focus from your classroom to your home with three practical ways to simplify your routines and prioritize what matters most. With a little planning and a willingness to let some things go, you can head into winter break with more energy to enjoy the season instead of spending it recovering from the chaos.Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/holiday-stress-for-teachers/Resources:Reclaim Your Winter Break ChallengeHoliday Headstart PlaybookChristmas Snack Containers with LidCaddy basketOrder our book: Structure and SparkJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 168. How Teachers Can Get a Jumpstart on a Stress-Free Winter BreakEpisode 169. Our Best Teacher Tips for Finding Pockets of Prep Time to Get Ahead for JanuaryEpisode 209. The Most Important Back-To-School Prep No One Talks AboutEpisode 234. How to Plan Teaching in December So January Feels EasyEpisode 236. Your Tired Teacher Guide to January Prep from Your CouchEpisode 276. The Real Reason Teachers Are Exhausted in AugustHoliday Headstart Episode 13. Holiday Housekeeping: How a December Upkeep Plan Will Save Your SanityMentioned in this episode:Reclaim Your Winter Break: a free 4-day challenge with Heidi and Emily, November 15–18. Get ahead of January now so you can leave school behind and enjoy your time off: https://secondstorywindow.net/winterbreak

December has a way of sneaking up on you, and suddenly your classroom routines are unraveling while your energy and to-do list are stretched to the limit. In this episode, we’re sharing how to use November to get ahead of the December chaos by prioritizing what matters, letting go of what can wait, and creating a realistic plan. Our goal is to prepare for the predictable so you have room for the unpredictable and can head into the holiday season feeling more prepared.Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/december-teacher-planning/Resources:National Park puzzle badge bannerBarebells Corn Crunch Protein BarsReclaim Your Winter Break ChallengeOrder our book: Structure and SparkJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 36. How Teachers Can Plan Lessons The Week Before a Holiday BreakEpisode 105. Festive Fun in December: Engaging Holiday Activities to Do With Your ClassEpisode 171. 5 Tried and True Tips for Teaching in DecemberEpisode 233. The Smooth December Framework Every Teacher Needs (And It Starts in November)Episode 234. How to Plan Teaching in December So January Feels EasyEpisode 235. 4 Teacher-Approved Ways to Manage Classroom Behavior in DecemberMentioned in this episode:Reclaim Your Winter Break: a free 4-day challenge with Heidi and Emily, November 15–18. Get ahead of January now so you can leave school behind and enjoy your time off: https://secondstorywindow.net/winterbreak

When classroom behavior starts to slide, it can feel like your only options are to ignore it or stop everything to shut it down. In this episode, we’re sharing our four-step behavior response ladder, plus how to use consequences that teach instead of punish. We talk about avoiding power struggles, creating predictable expectations, and recognizing signs that a student needs more support. Disruption in the classroom will inevitably happen, but when you already have a plan to deal with it, you’ll be able to respond to off-task behavior while you keep the learning going!Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/classroom-behavior-management-strategies/Resources:Trashie Take Back BagsCard ShufflerOrder our book: Structure and SparkJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 102. Classroom Behavior Problems: How to Plan Ahead to Handle Them EffectivelyEpisode 164. Why You Need a Classroom Carpet and How to Manage Student BehaviorEpisode 282. 3 Ways to Hold Students Accountable to Your Classroom ExpectationsEpisode 285. Positive Classroom Culture is Your Management Secret WeaponEpisode 290. How to Read the Room When Student Behavior Feels OffMentioned in this episode:Reclaim Your Winter Break: a free 4-day challenge with Heidi and Emily, November 15–18. Get ahead of January now so you can leave school behind and enjoy your time off: https://secondstorywindow.net/winterbreak

Halloween in the classroom can be a whole lot of fun, but when the excitement starts climbing, it can feel like you’re trying to teach a room full of caffeinated squirrels! In this classic replay episode, we’re sharing our Halloween survival guide for keeping the fun without letting your classroom structure fall apart. We talk about how to keep your core routines intact while sprinkling in just enough seasonal magic, how to plan ahead with a Plan B schedule, and how to manage parties, costumes, treats, brain breaks, and all that extra energy. The big idea? Follow the candy rule: a handful of fun can create some pretty magical classroom moments, but a whole bucket can lead straight to chaos.Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/halloween-classroom-management/Resources:Shop all our Halloween resources here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/product-category/halloween/Order our book: Structure and SparkJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 33. Class Party Success - Our 7 Step Class Party Planning ChecklistEpisode 34. Plan the Perfect Halloween Class Party With 7 Easy StepsEpisode 96. How to Plan an Amazing 2nd Grade Class Halloween PartyMentioned in this episode:Reclaim Your Winter Break: a free 4-day challenge with Heidi and Emily, November 15–18. Get ahead of January now so you can leave school behind and enjoy your time off: https://secondstorywindow.net/winterbreak

What if the behavior you’re seeing in your classroom is actually giving you useful information? In this episode, we’re looking at how to read the energy in your classroom, use (you guessed it!) structure and spark to understand what students need, and make small, targeted adjustments instead of changing the whole lesson. We’re sharing real classroom examples and talking about why observing before intervening can help you respond to student behavior in more effective ways.Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/classroom-management-strategies/Resources:Darling Desi on YouTubeMy Moonstone KitchenGhost figurinesOrder our book: Structure and SparkJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 282. 3 Ways to Hold Students Accountable to Your Classroom ExpectationsEpisode 175. 10 Easy Ways to Prevent Behavior Problems Before They Start [Fan Fave]Episode 161. How to Get Students Actively Engaged: 5 Teacher Approved TechniquesEpisode 165. Keeping Students Engaged All Year Long, No Matter the SeasonEpisode 35. 5 Ways to Increase Student Engagement – Our Secret Weapon for TeachersEpisode 246. Why Your Test Review Isn’t Working (And What to Do Instead)Mentioned in this episode:Reclaim Your Winter Break: a free 4-day challenge with Heidi and Emily, November 15–18. Get ahead of January now so you can leave school behind and enjoy your time off: https://secondstorywindow.net/winterbreak

There’s nothing quite like looking around your classroom mid-lesson and wondering, “Are they learning, or am I just talking?” In this episode, we’re talking about student engagement and how guided notes can keep students thinking during instruction. We break down five steps for creating guided notes that encourage students to make connections and show what they understand, plus ways to use those notes for study guides, retrieval practice, warm-ups, and exit tickets. The goal isn’t simply to keep kids busy. It’s to create meaningful opportunities for students to think and stay engaged while you teach!Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/guided-notes/Resources:Order our book: Structure and SparkHalloween ResourcesVictoria MagazineJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 161. How to Get Students Actively Engaged: 5 Teacher Approved TechniquesEpisode 165. Keeping Students Engaged All Year Long, No Matter the SeasonEpisode 35. 5 Ways to Increase Student Engagement – Our Secret Weapon for TeachersEpisode 33. Class Party Success – Our 7 Step Class Party Planning ChecklistEpisode 34. Plan the Perfect Halloween Class Party With 7 Easy StepsEpisode 96. How to Plan an Amazing 2nd Grade Class Halloween PartyMentioned in this episode:Reclaim Your Winter Break: a free 4-day challenge with Heidi and Emily, November 15–18. Get ahead of January now so you can leave school behind and enjoy your time off: https://secondstorywindow.net/winterbreak

Once you’ve had a few weeks to get to know your students, it’s the perfect time to take another look at your seating chart. In this replay episode, we’re sharing our best strategies for choosing a seating arrangement, using proximity to keep students on task, and recognizing when a seating setup that worked at first is no longer working for your classroom. We’ll help you make strategic seating changes that support smoother classroom management and a more productive learning environment.Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/classroom-seating-arrangements/Resources:Order our book: Structure and SparkEditable Seating Chart MakerJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 102. Classroom Behavior Problems: How to Plan Ahead to Handle Them EffectivelyEpisode 164. Why You Need a Classroom Carpet and How to Manage Student BehaviorEpisode 285. Positive Classroom Culture is Your Management Secret WeaponEpisode 282. 3 Ways to Hold Students Accountable to Your Classroom ExpectationsMentioned in this episode:Reclaim Your Winter Break: a free 4-day challenge with Heidi and Emily, November 15–18. Get ahead of January now so you can leave school behind and enjoy your time off: https://secondstorywindow.net/winterbreak

Mondays can feel overwhelming when you’re carrying unfinished tasks and trying to remember EVERYTHING that needs to happen! In this episode, we’re sharing a 5-step weekly reset to help you wrap up loose ends, prepare for the week ahead, and create a clearer starting point for Monday. It’s not about getting everything done, it’s about being prepared with a plan!Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/weekly-reset-for-teachers/Resources:Order our book: Structure and SparkTheraICE Migraine Relief CapMuse Apothecary Pillow Ritual: Calming Pillow MistJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 93. Teacher Morning Routine: 10 Tips for Creating Your Perfect PlanEpisode 243. How to Protect Your Planning Time (So You Can Stop Working For Free)Episode 147. Teacher Approved Tips: How to Plan Ahead for Future Problems!Episode 228. The Simple 6-Step Plan for Resetting After a SubMentioned in this episode:Reclaim Your Winter Break: a free 4-day challenge with Heidi and Emily, November 15–18. Get ahead of January now so you can leave school behind and enjoy your time off: https://secondstorywindow.net/winterbreak

Transitions can quietly eat up valuable instructional time, especially when students start moving before directions are finished. In this episode, we’re breaking down a simple framework for making prompted transitions smoother, more efficient, and easier to manage by standardizing your approach. We’ll walk through the key steps and how they can help students know when to listen, when to move, and what to do next. With a consistent format in place, transitions can become a smoother, more predictable part of your classroom day.Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/smooth-classroom-transitions/Resources:Order our book: Structure and SparkUngodly RichJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 48. How to Make Classroom Transitions Simple With Clear Beginnings and EndingsEpisode 49. Rapid Classroom Transitions: How to Save 45 Hours a YearEpisode 50. 3 Guidelines to Make Classroom Transitions Work Smarter Not HarderEpisode 254. Why Your Students Get Chatty During Transitions (And How to Stop It)Episode 282. 3 Ways to Hold Students Accountable to Your Classroom ExpectationsMentioned in this episode:Reclaim Your Winter Break: a free 4-day challenge with Heidi and Emily, November 15–18. Get ahead of January now so you can leave school behind and enjoy your time off: https://secondstorywindow.net/winterbreak

Your classroom culture is what teaches students how to behave, whether you’re the one doing the teaching or not! In this episode, we’re talking about how to intentionally shape a positive classroom culture that makes classroom management easier. We break down five practical steps and explain how social skills, positive peer pressure, and clearly reinforced expectations can help students take more ownership of how your classroom works.Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/positive-classroom-culture/Resources:Order our book: Structure and SparkHangersJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 283. Why Reaching for a Reward System Might Be the Wrong First MoveEpisode 245. How to Build a Teacher Wardrobe That Fits Your LifeEpisode 150. Perfect Your Classroom Procedures with the Help of Our Guiding QuestionsEpisode 278. Want Better Behavior? Start with RelationshipsEpisode 87. 4 Important Ways to Build Classroom Community at Back to SchoolMentioned in this episode:Reclaim Your Winter Break: a free 4-day challenge with Heidi and Emily, November 15–18. Get ahead of January now so you can leave school behind and enjoy your time off: https://secondstorywindow.net/winterbreak