Upper Elementary Simplified

Danna Rodebush, Teacher Tech Studio

Are you an upper elementary teacher in need of new ideas, strategies, and inspiration to provide engagement for your students?  Upper Elementary Simplified is a podcast for busy teachers to listen to on the car ride to and from school, during lunch or planning, or by the pool during the summer to learn new ways to engage students in meaningful learning.

Danna Rodebush from Teacher Tech Studio is a former 5th grade classroom teacher who now shares teaching resources, math lessons, and classroom inspiration to support upper elementary teachers around the world.  Visit teachertechstudio.com to learn more.

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Introducing Upper Elementary Simplified - Trailer
May 4 2023
Introducing Upper Elementary Simplified - Trailer
Welcome to Upper Elementary Simplified, the podcast where busy and overwhelmed teachers find thoughtful ideas to get students engaged in meaningful learning experiences.Join your host Danna Rodebush, former 5th grade classroom teacher and founder of Teacher Tech Studio as she shares practical tips and strategies that will help you grow as an educator.If you are a tired upper elementary teacher searching for ways to cut down your planning time while boosting student engagement, you are in the right spot!  Are you ready?  Let's simplify!Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers

Episodes

How to Teach Writing With a Focus on Revising & Editing: A Chat With Marianna Monheim of Creatively Comprehensive
3d ago
How to Teach Writing With a Focus on Revising & Editing: A Chat With Marianna Monheim of Creatively Comprehensive
Welcome to episode 59 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Marianna Monheim all about teaching revising and editing explicitly.Were you the kid who loved to write, and was a self-proclaimed author by the age of 10?  Or were you the kid who struggled to put pen to paper and organize your thoughts as they came out of your head?  Unfortunately a lot of students are discouraged by the writing process because we as teachers may not be offering them the instruction that they really need to be successful.  I recently had a chat with an expert in this topic and I am excited to share our conversation with you today…Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
You Are Appreciated, Teacher
May 7 2024
You Are Appreciated, Teacher
Welcome to episode 58 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush celebrated teachers in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week.Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
15 Tips for Packing Up Your Classroom for the Summer
Apr 30 2024
15 Tips for Packing Up Your Classroom for the Summer
Welcome to episode 57 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush shares 15 tips for packing up your classroom for the summer.Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
9 End of Year Ideas for Upper Elementary Teachers
Apr 23 2024
9 End of Year Ideas for Upper Elementary Teachers
Here we are at the end of April, testing is over & the weather is getting warmer, which means students are getting excited about summer.  Today host Danna Rodebush expands on last week's topic of discussion on end of year activity ideas.In this episode you will hear from 9 different experienced teachers about their favorite end of year activity ideas.Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
After Testing Activities: A Chat with Christine DeArmitt from Reading Teacher Buzz
Apr 16 2024
After Testing Activities: A Chat with Christine DeArmitt from Reading Teacher Buzz
Welcome to episode 55 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Christine DeArmitt, who discusses bringing fun back into the classroom and gives many great activity ideas to use in the upper elementary classroom. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
How You Can Turn Boring Math Into Engaging Math
Apr 9 2024
How You Can Turn Boring Math Into Engaging Math
Are you in a battle with your math curriculum?  I’ve been there…you may be looking at the piles of math books that your district provided to you or you were told were the best of the best…and you’re thinking to yourself something along the lines of:How am I ever going to get my students to enjoy math? Or how can I possibly plan engaging whole group and small group lessons with the way this curriculum is organized? Or how am I going to properly assess my students and ensure that they reach mastery of grade level skills?  Whether you are already running a guided math classroom or if you have been thinking of giving a more structured approach to your math block a try, this episode is for you.  Especially if you are nodding your head to any of the questions I just asked.Today I am going to talk about how you can implement a guided math routine in your classroom even if you’re feeling limited by your boxed curriculum.Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
How to Prepare for State Testing: A Chat With Annamarie Krejci From Krejci Creations
Apr 2 2024
How to Prepare for State Testing: A Chat With Annamarie Krejci From Krejci Creations
Welcome to episode 53 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Annamarie Krejci all about math test prep in the upper elementary classroom. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
How Math Instruction is Affected by Reading Comprehension: A Chat with Ciera Harris from Ciera Harris Teaching
Mar 26 2024
How Math Instruction is Affected by Reading Comprehension: A Chat with Ciera Harris from Ciera Harris Teaching
Welcome to episode 52 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Ciera Harris all about how reading comprehension affects math instruction in the upper elementary classroom. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
Providing Student Choice During Math Workshop: A Chat with Jennifer Jochen from Smith Curriculum & Consulting
Mar 19 2024
Providing Student Choice During Math Workshop: A Chat with Jennifer Jochen from Smith Curriculum & Consulting
Welcome to episode 51 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Jennifer Jochen all about student choice & math workshop in the upper elementary classroom. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
Simplifying Fraction Concepts: A Chat With Enrica Minetti from Matemaths
Mar 12 2024
Simplifying Fraction Concepts: A Chat With Enrica Minetti from Matemaths
Welcome to episode 50 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Enrica Minetti all about teaching fraction concepts in the upper elementary classroom. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
How Mindset Affects Math Instruction: A Chat with Rachelle McCracken
Mar 5 2024
How Mindset Affects Math Instruction: A Chat with Rachelle McCracken
Welcome to episode 49 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Rachelle McCracken all about math mindset in the upper elementary classroom. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
Number Sense in the Upper Elementary Classroom with Amy Dickson from Amazing Materials 4 You
Feb 27 2024
Number Sense in the Upper Elementary Classroom with Amy Dickson from Amazing Materials 4 You
Welcome to episode 48 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Amy Dickson from Amazing Materials 4 You all about number sense in the upper elementary classroom. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
Comics in the Classroom: A Chat with Laura Balliett from Cool School Comics
Feb 20 2024
Comics in the Classroom: A Chat with Laura Balliett from Cool School Comics
Welcome to episode 47 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Laura Balliett from Cool School Comics all about creative teaching by using comic books to teach & review math concepts. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
Here's What Teachers Are Saying About The Growing Problem Of Fact Fluency
Feb 13 2024
Here's What Teachers Are Saying About The Growing Problem Of Fact Fluency
Welcome to episode 46 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush shares stories from the classroom about multiplication fact fluency. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
This One Thing Will Change Math Forever
Feb 6 2024
This One Thing Will Change Math Forever
Welcome to episode 45 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush shares her secret about the one thing that will change math forever. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
Are You Still Using Those Incomplete Fact Mastery Programs?
Jan 30 2024
Are You Still Using Those Incomplete Fact Mastery Programs?
Welcome to episode 44 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush discusses incomplete fluency, what it is, why it’s a problem, and what you can do to solve it.  So let’s go ahead and get started. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
Three Characteristics of Math Fact Fluency
Jan 23 2024
Three Characteristics of Math Fact Fluency
Mastery refers to having great skill at something or total dominance over something.  If you are fluent in a language, you have a mastery of the language.Welcome to episode 43 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush discusses the 3 characteristics of multiplication fact mastery.Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
How Fact Fluency is Like Baking a Cake
Jan 16 2024
How Fact Fluency is Like Baking a Cake
Imagine reading a sentence that says:  “Elevated abecedarian pupils toil amidst computative certitude eloquence credentials instigating extensive thwarting.”Are you able to comprehend the meaning of the sentence?  Maybe you can comprehend but it takes you  just a little bit longer because you aren’t familiar with the meaning of all of the words.Welcome to episode 42 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush discusses slipping into the shoes of students and understanding their frustration with higher level math skills.Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
The Reason Your Students Are Still Counting On Their Fingers
Jan 9 2024
The Reason Your Students Are Still Counting On Their Fingers
Raise your hand if you have students in your upper elementary classroom who still count on their fingers or draw circles, or draw tally marks to find the product of 6x8?Welcome to episode 41 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush discusses a massive problem that teachers are facing on a daily basis.Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers
Celebrating 20/40!
Dec 7 2023
Celebrating 20/40!
Welcome to episode 40 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush & 19 of her teacher friends tell stories from the classroom to inspire you to finish December strong, to be the teacher you want to be, and the teacher your students deserve. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio WebsiteUpper Elementary Simplified WebsiteJoin the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers