Deedee and Adam chat about teachers that had an impact on them. They share heartfelt stories about the teachers who left a lasting impact on our lives. Join us as we delve into the inspiring world of education, reminiscing about the dedicated individuals who shaped our early years. We'll explore the profound influence these teachers had on our journeys, discussing the teaching methods that made learning engaging and unforgettable. From innovative activities to memorable classroom moments, we'll paint a vivid picture of the educators who made a difference. Get ready for a conversation filled with anecdotes, laughter, and a genuine appreciation for those unsung heroes in education. Tune in to discover how the passion of these teachers ignited a spark within us, shaping the way we view learning and the impact it can have on young minds. This podcast episode is not just a trip down memory lane, but a celebration of the incredible educators who dedicate their lives to shaping the future. Join Deedee and Adam as we pay tribute to those special teachers who go above and beyond to make a lasting impact on the lives of their students. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee and Adam sit down to chat with Shannon Olsen, second grade teacher turned best selling children's book author! Shannon is the author behind the children's books: Our Class is a Family Our School is a Family A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of SchoolA Letter From Your Teacher: On the Last Day of School  Join us as we discuss her inspiration for her books and how she took her first book from idea to publication! Find more about Shannon and book an author visit on her teaching blog: https://lifebetweensummers.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee and Adam chat about how to provide small group instruction in the science of reading world! Many of us were familiar with how to form small groups when we taught guided reading through leveled texts. Now that we know leveled texts actually hinder student reading progression, should our small group instruction look different? Deedee will share her ideas on forming skills groups and how to structure your small group differentiated instruction that aligns with a structured literacy approach. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee and Adam get together to chat about what they've been up to, plans for the upcoming year, and goals they've set for themselves. A few reminders for teachers to take care of themselves are also included! Find more from Deedee & Adam: www.mrswillskindergarten.com www.adampetersoneducation.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

In today's episode of the Classroom Collaborative Podcast, Deedee and Adam sit down with the creative genius that is Jerry Kolber!   Jerry is the co-founder and CEO of edutainment company Atomic Entertainment Group. He is also an Emmy-nominated co-creator and showrunner of Nat Geo's biggest hit series Brain Games and Netflix's Brainchild with Pharrell Williams. Beginning his career within the production auditing department of New York Undercover, Jerry dove in headfirst when it came to working in the entertainment field with networks as varied as Disney, Bravo, HBO, National Geographic, Animal Planet,  and MTV. Overall, Jerry has written, produced, supervised, and run over 400 episodes of various premium television and streaming content pieces. Today, Jerry is focused on education - specifically changing the game to create a system that helps children learn without stamping them all out of the same mold along the way. He is the voice behind Who Smarted? a podcast that’s aimed at children aged 6 to 10. Each episode teaches kids something new through humor, stories, and even interactive games. Within just one year, they’ve hit 3 million downloads for the show. You can find Jerry: On Twitter:  @JerryKolberOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerkolber/Who Smarted?Atomic Entertainment Group Find ways to help hook for kindergarten, first and second-grade students with the content found on Who Smarted? podcast  and it is free! You can find the show notes and transcripts at: Podcasts For Kids – Teach Children In A Way They Want To Learn With Special Guest Jerry Kolber --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Let's Talk about Classroom Behavior!  We have heard from countless kindergarten teachers and first-grade teachers about how classroom behaviors are more prevalent in schools. In this episode of the Classroom Collaborative Podcast, Deedee is joined by special guest Brandie Rosen.  Deedee and Brandie discuss a few practical ideas to include in your classroom to help students become more independent and self regulating. Brandie has spent the past 25 years as a special education teacher, administrator, and teacher coach. She has mentored 1000s of teachers, built district-wide programs, and trained teachers both nationally and internationally in creating classrooms that work for all students. She has worked with students with and without disabilities from preschool through high school. She provides training in classroom management, behavior,  and all things special education.   She is passionate about creating professional development for teachers that is practical, meaningful, and most importantly, makes their lives easier.  She has also created online courses and memberships in classroom management, special education, and behavior management. You can learn more about Brandie on her website: https://teachinguntangled.com/ You can find other episodes: https://mrswillskindergarten.com/podcast/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Elementary teachers in summer!   How are you taking a break and how can you fill your teacher bucket?  Adam and Deedee talk about some professional learning opportunities for kindergarten and first-grade teachers.  They offer suggestions on books to read and conferences that will get them excited for next year! Learn more about The Educator Summit by going to: The Educator Summit Catch up on all of the past podcast notes by heading to:   https://mrswillskindergarten.com/podcast_episodes/teacher-professional-development/ You can find the show notes and transcript by clicking: Teacher Professional Development Teachers Sliding Into Summer! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee and Adam chat about Adam's kindness movement that has spread globally.  His #betheyellow message challenges people of all ages to create brightness wherever they go! Adam's TEDx TalkYellow Day Activities How can you include these kindness ideas in your own classroom?  Listen as Adam explains what Yellow Day looks like in his own kindergarten classroom. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee and Adam continue their discussion on the Science of Reading. Specifically, they discuss blending and segmenting best practices.  Deedee was asked by a kindergarten teacher if teachers should include alphabet cards that include the key sound picture (mnemonics) on the card to practice blending and segmenting. Listen in to learn about how to make your instruction more efficient and more effective. Learn more and download the free file mentioned by clicking: Phonics Blending Best Practices – Blending Practices That Yield Better Results Learn more about the Science of Reading in these articles: What Does A Science Of Reading Lesson Plan Look Like? Free File TooHow To Teach Blending Letter Sounds And Word-Building In Kindergarten You can find the show notes and transcript by clicking: https://mrswillskindergarten.com/podcast_episodes/phonics-blending-best-practices/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

How Much Time Should a Phonics Lesson Take? Deedee and Adam discuss an article by Tim Shanahan where he answers the question about the length of a phonics lesson and best practices.  Deedee and Adam talk about phonics instruction AND application in kindergarten and first-grade classrooms through the lens of the Science of Reading. High leverage routines will have students actively apply phonics skills while practicing blending and segmenting. By making your lessons more concise and explicit, you can shorten the time spent doing low-yielding activities.  A few tweaks to your routines will result in amazing results. How Much Phonics Should I Teach? Learn more about the daily routines of a Science of Reading Lesson Plan by clicking: What Does A Science Of Reading Lesson Plan Look Like? Free File Too You can find the show notes and transcript by clicking: Daily Phonics Lesson Length – How Much Time Should A Phonics Lesson Take? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee and Adam continue to talk about the Science of Reading and specifically get into the differences between sound walls and word walls in kindergarten and first-grade classrooms. Read more about sound walls vs word walls: Turning Kindergarten High Frequency Words Into Sight Words (FREE FILE) READING ROCKETS ARTICLE: Transitioning from Word Walls to Sound Walls You can find the show notes and transcript by clicking: Word Walls Or Sound Walls In A Science Of Reading Classroom --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee and Adam discuss the Science of Reading and how it affects leveled texts in kindergarten and first grade.  Many teachers continue to use guided reading as part of their small group instruction or intervention instruction. Deedee and Adam chat about the texts we select to use in our classrooms.  They offer tweaks to instruction that will help teachers align their practices closer to the ideals outlined with structured literacy. Read more about the difference between Leveled Texts and Guided Reading: Are Guided Reading Lesson Plans Wrong? 5 Ways To Bring The Science Of Reading Into Your Classroom You can find the show notes and transcript by clicking: Science Of Reading – Is Guided Reading Dead? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee and Adam discuss social-emotional learning with Elizabeth Coller.  Elizabeth is a kindergarten teacher in California and teaches in a Montessori-inspired charter school that emphasizes the importance of social-emotional learning from elementary school to high school. Elizabeth shares some classroom environment strategies that will change the way you approach classroom management and building classroom community.  Through teaching, practice, lessons, and modeling the classroom becomes student-led with peer-to-peer accountability.  This frees up instructional time so the teacher can then focus on instruction and the curriculum.  Come and get inspired by what you hear! You can find Elizabeth Coller on: YouTubeInstagramFacebookThe KinderHearted Classroom You can find the show notes and transcript by clicking: Social-Emotional Learning In Kindergarten With Elizabeth Coller --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Teaching writing to PreK, kindergarten, and first-grade students can be challenging. Deedee is joined by the author of Patterns of Wonder, Whitney La Rocca as she simplifies the process and offers advice to primary teachers!  This is a must-listen episode!  You can find Whitney's book on Stenhouse Publishers or on Amazon. Inviting Emergent Writers to Play with the Conventions of Language by Whitney La Rocca and Jeff Anderson About Whitney: Whitney La Rocca, with more than 20 years in education, has been a teacher, a literacy coach, and a consultant, working with children and teachers across grade levels, schools, and districts. With a deep knowledge of content, standards, and best practices, Whitney enjoys delivering professional development and coaching teachers to support children as they develop their identities in the world of literacy. She continues to learn from children each day. You can find the show notes and transcript by clicking: Emergent Writing With Whitney La Rocca Author Of Patterns Of Wonder --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Is homework appropriate for kindergarten? In this episode, Deedee and Adam share ideas that allow students to practice essential skills as homework, but it feels like play... because it is!  They will discuss some ideas that primary teachers can use in their own classroom with kindergarten and first-grade students that are fun.  Games are a great way to activate learning and they encourage more time on task. Instead of homework, try these instead: HomePlay ActivitiesBUMP Games You can find the show notes and transcript by clicking: Homework In Kindergarten? Nope, Let Them Play --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee and Adam chat with Edna from Boddle Learning.  What is Boddle Learning?  It is a free 3D math game that makes learning fun and personalized.  This is not just for kindergarten!   Boddle Learning has curriculum-based learning for K-6 students!  Best of all... it is free for teachers. Teachers have control of the math games and activities that students experience.   In this episode, you will hear the history behind this start-up that has gotten the attention of AT&T and Google!  You can learn more about Boddle by clicking: Boddle Learning You can find the show notes and transcript by clicking: Boddle Learning Free Math Learning Game --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee and Adam chat about what mastery is and how it should be assessed. This conversation was inspired by an email that Deedee received about assessing letter sounds.  The question circled around what are we assessing and how much support should be given while assessing? Are we really helping students in the long run if alter assessments?  Take a listen! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee chats with Jan Burkins and Kari Yates about their blockbuster book, Shifting the Balance.  6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee is joined by Marsha McGuire to discuss fine motor skills in kindergarten.   Marsha shares some ideas that every teacher can incorporate into their daily instruction that will strengthen students' fine motor skills. Grab your exclusive Podcast Free file: Podcast Free File Where can you find Marsha?: Differentiated Kindergarten Blog Follow her on: InstagramFacebookTeachers Pay Teachers --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support

Deedee and Adam discuss some of the pros and cons that surround redshirting in kindergarten. SOURCES:  Samuels, Christina A. , 2017, August 29, Delaying Child’s Starting Age for School a Tough Call for Parents, Education Weekly  https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/delaying-childs-starting-age-for-school-a-tough-call-for-parents/2017/08 Wong, Alia,  Updated, 2021, March 11,  Beyond the Pros and Cons of Redshirting, Atlantic Weekly, https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/08/beyond-the-pros-and-cons-of-redshirting/401159/ Podcast: Cult of Pedagogy, 2016, APRIL 24,  Kindergarten Redshirting: How Kids Feel About it Later in Life, https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/academic-redshirting/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theclassroomcollaborative/support