The Kindergarten Toolbox

Amy Murray

Welcome to The Kindergarten Toolbox Podcast, your go-to guide for creating calmer classrooms and more confident writers in the wonderfully unique world of kindergarten. I’m Amy Murray — former kindergarten teacher, Type C “organized-in-piles” human, and vanilla-latte enthusiast. After years of helping teachers streamline their classroom routines with tips and tools that actually make sense for 5- and 6-year-olds, I created this podcast to support you with the practical strategies you’ve been craving. Each episode is short, actionable, and designed to help you: ✔ simplify classroom management  ✔ reduce behavior chaos with systems that stick  ✔ teach writing in a way that meets beginning writers where they are  ✔ build routines that make your day flow  ✔ use visuals, tools, and expectations that really work in K Whether you’re a brand-new kindergarten teacher or a seasoned pro looking for clarity and calm, you’ll find step-by-step support to help you feel more confident and in control. Because kindergarten isn’t just the new first grade, it’s a world all its own, and you deserve tools that actually work. Hit follow so you never miss an episode… Here’s to calmer days and more confident writers!

  1. 1日前

    23. The 5 Classroom Management Decisions Every Kindergarten Teacher Should Make Before School Starts

    Before school starts, there are five classroom management decisions every kindergarten teacher should make. Too often, we spend our back-to-school time organizing supplies, decorating bulletin boards, and planning lessons while putting off the classroom management planning that actually helps our year run smoothly. But students don't struggle because your classroom isn't decorated. They struggle when expectations aren't clear. I walk you through the five key pieces of a kindergarten classroom management plan: classroom rules, consequences, procedures and routines, positive behavior supports, and family communication. Whether you're a brand-new kindergarten teacher or looking to improve your classroom management this year, these simple decisions can help you start the school year with clear expectations and a plan you can actually stick with. You'll also learn why consistency matters more than complicated behavior systems and how to create a classroom management plan before students walk through the door. In this episode, we discuss: • Creating simple classroom rules for kindergarten • Planning classroom consequences ahead of time • Teaching procedures and routines effectively • Encouraging positive behavior and building classroom community • Creating a family communication plan • Building a kindergarten classroom management plan that works Links & Resources: 🔗 Free Kindergarten Classroom Management Plan 🔗 Last day to save on Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/5-kindergarten-classroom-management-decisions/ Check out my website: https://teachingexceptionalkinders.com/ Follow me on Instagram @teachingexceptionalkinders

    11分
  2. 5月27日

    21. The One Thing Every Kindergarten Classroom Needs for Better Classroom Management

    When classroom management feels exhausting, the problem may not be your students or your behavior strategies. It may be that too much of your classroom depends on you constantly reminding, redirecting, and holding everything together all day long. In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most powerful kindergarten classroom management tools teachers often overlook: simple visual systems. From visual schedules and classroom routines to behavior supports and transition expectations, visual systems help kindergarten students understand what to do without relying on constant verbal reminders. And when students know what to expect, classrooms start to feel calmer, more predictable, and much less overwhelming for both teachers and students. In this episode, we’re chatting about:  why classroom management feels exhausting when the teacher becomes the system  how visual supports increase student independence  why simple classroom management systems work better than complicated behavior programs  and the small shifts that can completely transform classroom management next school year If you’re tired of repeating yourself all day, constantly redirecting behavior, or feeling like your classroom only functions when you’re actively managing every moment, this episode will help you rethink kindergarten classroom management in a simpler, more sustainable way. Plus, I’m sharing how Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint helps teachers build calm, consistent classroom management systems that actually work with real five and six year olds. Links and Resources Mentioned: 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint Show notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/the-one-thing-every-kindergarten-classroom-needs-for-better-classroom-management/

    9分
  3. 5月20日

    20. How to Reduce Calling Out in Kindergarten Chatter Challenge

    Getting kindergarten students to stop talking can feel impossible sometimes. The blurting, interruptions, constant calling out, and nonstop classroom chatter can quickly make your classroom feel chaotic and exhausting. And after a while, it starts to feel like you’re spending your entire day repeating: “Raise your hand.” “Stop talking.” “Voice level zero.” In this episode of The Kindergarten Toolbox Podcast, we’re chatting about a simple classroom management strategy for reducing calling out and teaching appropriate classroom participation in kindergarten. You’ll learn: Why kindergarten students often struggle with calling out and interruptionsHow to teach classroom participation expectations step-by-stepWhy visual supports are so important for kindergarten classroom managementHow to use a simple whole-class behavior challenge without overcomplicating thingsWhy consistency matters more than complicated behavior systemsEasy ways to reduce classroom noise and improve student behavior during lessonsI’m also sharing how I used the Chatter Challenge — a simple visual classroom management tool designed to help kindergarten students practice raising their hands, listening, and participating appropriately during lessons. If your classroom has been extra chatty lately, this episode will give you practical, realistic classroom management ideas you can actually use with real five and six-year-olds. Links and Resources Mentioned: 🔗 Chatter Challenge Resource 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint Show notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/how-to-stop-the-constant-calling-out-in-kindergarten/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review so more kindergarten teachers can find the show too!

    12分

番組について

Welcome to The Kindergarten Toolbox Podcast, your go-to guide for creating calmer classrooms and more confident writers in the wonderfully unique world of kindergarten. I’m Amy Murray — former kindergarten teacher, Type C “organized-in-piles” human, and vanilla-latte enthusiast. After years of helping teachers streamline their classroom routines with tips and tools that actually make sense for 5- and 6-year-olds, I created this podcast to support you with the practical strategies you’ve been craving. Each episode is short, actionable, and designed to help you: ✔ simplify classroom management  ✔ reduce behavior chaos with systems that stick  ✔ teach writing in a way that meets beginning writers where they are  ✔ build routines that make your day flow  ✔ use visuals, tools, and expectations that really work in K Whether you’re a brand-new kindergarten teacher or a seasoned pro looking for clarity and calm, you’ll find step-by-step support to help you feel more confident and in control. Because kindergarten isn’t just the new first grade, it’s a world all its own, and you deserve tools that actually work. Hit follow so you never miss an episode… Here’s to calmer days and more confident writers!

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