Advertise on podcast: Firstieland Podcast For Elementary Teachers: Education Teaching Tips And Ideas For Kindergarten And First Grade

Looking for small group reading organization ideas? In this episode, Molly shares five tips for setting up your first grade reading area so you can spend less time searching for materials and more time teaching. Learn where to place your table, arrange seating, choose useful reading tools, organize your storage, and keep lessons running smoothly. Plus, take a look at Molly’s favorite small group materials and her simple Post-it note system for keeping track of student progress! Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Word Building Activities & Mats - https://firstieland.com/magnetic-letter-games Phonics Games - https://firstieland.com/phonics-games Whisper phones - https://amzn.to/4hDiVPk Reading Wands - https://amzn.to/3TMJBUI Witches Fingers - https://amzn.to/47OMUOm Eyeball Rings - https://amzn.to/4iggcLK Horseshoe Table - https://amzn.to/4ypYOta Elkonin Box Boards - https://amzn.to/4jO6Acn Tabletop Easel - https://amzn.to/4jgDoL2 Toolbox - https://amzn.to/4AVObkh Magnetic Letters - https://amzn.to/4hFcUSa Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to https://firstieland.com Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Looking for a classroom management strategy for your early finishers? In this episode, Molly shares how to set up an area in your first grade classroom for students who finish their work early and teach a simple routine that keeps kids working independently while the rest of the class finishes. Learn how to choose hands-on activities, organize your materials, teach cleanup expectations, and handle common problems like rushing through work or finding an activity already taken! 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: Fast Finisher Activities: https://firstieland.com/early-finisher-pod Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to https://firstieland.com Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Looking for Halloween classroom activities for first grade that keep kids learning? In this episode, Molly shares 10 easy ideas to turn all that excitement about pumpkins, monsters, and Halloween into reading, writing, math, and science! 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: Pumpkin Life Cycle Activities – https://firstieland.com/pumpkin-unit-pod Spookley the Square Pumpkin Activities – https://firstieland.com/spookley Adopt a Pumpkin – https://firstieland.com/pumpkin-adoption-pod How to Carve a Pumpkin Writing & Craft – https://firstieland.com/carve-pumpkin Spooky Spelling – https://firstieland.com/spooky-spelling-pod Bone Soup Activities – https://firstieland.com/bone-soup-pod Disguise a Ghost Writing & Craft – https://firstieland.com/disguise-a-ghost Monster Adjectives Writing & Craft – https://firstieland.com/make-your-monster The Leaf Thief Activities – https://firstieland.com/leaf-thief-pod How to Rake Leaves Writing & Craft – https://firstieland.com/leaf-raking Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to https://firstieland.com Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Do your students constantly blurt out answers or interrupt while you’re teaching? In this episode, Molly shares six simple behavior management strategies for first grade to help students stop blurting and learn to wait their turn. Learn how to clearly tell students when and how to answer question, teach impulse control through picture books and games, and use silent visual cues that redirect interruptions without stopping your lesson. You’ll also learn how to create an individual support plan for a frequent blurter while recognizing the whole class for meeting expectations. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: Interrupting Chicken Activities - https://firstieland.com/interrupt-chicken Book - My Mouth Is A Volcano - https://amzn.to/4xCvTBy Book - Interrupting Chicken - https://amzn.to/4yKKawT Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to https://firstieland.com Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

If you’re looking for classroom management strategies to quiet a noisy classroom, you’ve come to the right place. In this episode, Molly shares how to get your class quiet without yelling or raising your voice. Learn how to use silent signals, quick attention getters, visual and auditory cues, games for transitions, and fun tricks for keeping students quiet in the hallway and on the carpet. You’ll walk away with a whole toolbox of classroom management strategies you can start using tomorrow! 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: Attention Getter Slides & Posters - https://firstieland.com/attention-getters FREE 30 Ways To Quiet A Noisy Classroom - https://firstieland.com/quiet-class-freebie 📺 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁: 68. What To Do When Students Won't Stop Talking Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to https://firstieland.com Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Students won’t stop talking in your classroom? If you feel like you spend your entire day saying “stop talking” and “shhh,” to talkative students, this episode is for you! Molly shares 6 simple strategies to help get your chatty class and student talking under control without expecting your classroom to be silent all day. Learn how to give students appropriate times to talk, explicitly teach and model your expectations, use picture books and voice levels, introduce silent hand signals, and support individual students who just can’t seem to stop talking. Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Lacey Walker & Decibella Voice Level Resource - https://firstieland.com/decibella-lacey Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to https://firstieland.com Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Classroom management mistakes can make your school day harder than it needs to be and sometimes we don’t even realize we’re making them! In this episode, Molly shares 5 common classroom management mistakes that can lead to behavior problems all year long. Learn simple ways to set clear rules, get students’ attention before giving directions, correct behavior without disrupting your lesson, use consistent consequences, and stay prepared so there’s less downtime for behavior problems to begin. 📺 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁: 59. Routines And Procedures First Grade Teachers Need To Teach For Better Classroom Management Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to https://firstieland.com Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Building classroom community with morning meeting greetings is a simple way to help kids feel seen, make connections, and build friendships from the very beginning of the school year. In this episode, Molly shares her favorite morning meeting greetings that are quick, easy, and fun for first grade students. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: Morning Meeting Slides - https://firstieland.com/morning-slides FREE Morning Meeting Greeting Cards - https://firstieland.com/free-greetings Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to https://firstieland.com Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Morning meeting in elementary can be one of the most valuable parts of your school day and it only takes about 15 minutes! In this episode, Molly shares the 5 things she included in her first grade morning meeting after more than three decades of teaching. Learn simple ideas for morning meeting greetings, sharing, activities, morning message, and calendar time that help build classroom community, practice important academic skills, and make every minute count. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: Morning Meeting Slides - https://firstieland.com/morning-slides FREE Morning Meeting Greeting Cards - https://firstieland.com/free-greetings Digital Calendar - https://firstieland.com/calendar-tpt Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to https://firstieland.com Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Meet the teacher night can feel overwhelming, but a successful evening has a lot less to do with having a Pinterest-perfect classroom and a lot more to do with being prepared. In this episode, Molly shares 5 common Meet the Teacher Night mistakes elementary teachers make and what to do instead. You'll learn how to create a welcoming classroom, have a plan for families, organize the information parents need, collect important forms and volunteer sign-ups, and handle school supplies before the first day. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Meet the Teacher Night Slides, Stations & Forms - https://firstieland.com/open-house-forms Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to https://firstieland.com Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Flexible seating classroom ideas are everywhere, but does flexible seating really improve behavior in first grade? In this episode, Molly shares her honest experience after using alternative seating in her first grade classroom for years. She talks about what worked, what didn't, her three biggest fears before getting started, and the surprising classroom management benefits she discovered along the way. Resources Mentioned In This Episode Flexible Seating Starter Kit - https://firstieland.com/flex-seating-pod Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to https://firstieland.com Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Classroom Organization Ideas For Elementary Teachers | Where To Start In this episode, Molly shows you classroom organization ideas for elementary teachers and exactly where to start so you can create a space that runs smoothly without feeling overwhelmed. Instead of focusing on Pinterest-perfect bins and decorations, you'll learn the four key areas to organize first before your students ever walk through the door. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: FREE Classroom Routines Checklist: https://firstieland.com/routines-checklist Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://firstieland.com/podcast Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

First Week Of School Activities In First Grade | A Day-By-Day Plan In this episode, Molly shares her exact first grade first week of school activities and walks you through a simple day-by-day plan to help you teach routines, build classroom community, and set the stage for a successful school year. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: First Week of School Activities: https://firstieland.com/first-week-activities School Bus Safety video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VnGcdjrZNk 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: 60. First Day Of School Activities For First Grade - My Exact First Day Plan Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://firstieland.com/podcast Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

First day of school activities for first grade don't have to feel overwhelming. In this episode, Molly walks you through her exact first day plan, including the classroom routines, procedures, and fun activities she used to help students feel comfortable, build confidence, and set the stage for a successful school year. After 35 years of teaching, Molly learned that the first day of school isn't about squeezing in academics. It's about teaching students exactly how your classroom works. In this episode, she'll show you the 10 routines she always taught on the first day, from morning arrival and bathroom procedures to lunch, recess, dismissal, and more. She'll also share simple first day activities like First Day Jitters, Jitter Juice, and writing activities that help students learn expectations while having fun. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: Classroom Routines And Procedures Google Slides - https://firstieland.com/routines-slides Digital Calendar - https://firstieland.com/digi-calendar First Day Jitters Activities - https://firstieland.com/jitter FREE Classroom Routines Checklist - https://firstieland.com/free-routines-checklist Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://firstieland.com/podcast Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

In this episode, Molly shows you how to teach classroom routines and procedures in first grade that actually stick so you can improve classroom management and help your students know exactly what to do each day. After 35 years of teaching first grade, Molly learned that most behavior problems don’t happen because kids are trying to misbehave. They happen because students haven’t been taught exactly what they are expected to do. In this episode, she’ll walk you through the 5-step process she used for teaching routines, creating clear expectations, improving student behavior, and setting up classroom procedures that help your classroom run smoothly all year long. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲: Classroom Routines & Procedures Slides: https://firstieland.com/routines-slides Free 40 Classroom Routines Checklist: https://firstieland.com/free-routines-checklist Let's Stay Connected Visit the website: www.firstieland.com Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store Watch on YouTube: https://firstieland.com/youtube Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://firstieland.com/podcast Enjoying The Podcast? Be sure to tap follow so you don't miss an episode. How To Rate And Review If this podcast has been helpful to you, I'd love for you to leave a review. 🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple 🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play... see you next week! Molly 💜 Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.