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

Molly Schwab
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The Firstieland Podcast For Elementary Teachers: Teaching Tips And Ideas is a weekly podcast that gives kindergarten and first grade teachers real, practical strategies to make teaching easier, more effective, and a whole lot more fun. If you’re an educator who's feeling stretched thin trying to fit it all in as an elementary teacher, you're not alone. Each week, you’ll get easy-to-implement ideas that will help you feel more confident and in control of your classroom. Hosted by Molly Schwab, a former kindergarten and first grade teacher with over 30 years of classroom experience, The Firstieland Podcast For Early Elementary Teachers shares creative ideas to help with classroom management, building classroom community, and using picture books to integrate subjects like writing, SEL, science, and social studies into meaningful read-alouds. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned pro, you'll leave each episode with practical strategies you can put into action right away. For more ideas and resources, connect with Molly on Instagram @firstieland or visit firstieland.com

  1. 4 days ago

    57. Word Work Centers For First Grade | 25+ Easy Phonics Activities

    Word Work Centers For First Grade | 25+ Easy Phonics Activities In this episode, Molly shares more than 25 easy word work activities that help first grade students practice phonics skills while working independently. Welcome to Part 6 of the 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺. You can find the entire series beginning with episode 53. Whether you're setting up your word work center for the first time or looking for new ideas to add to your literacy centers, these simple activities will help your students stay engaged while practicing important phonics skills. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ 25+ easy word work activities for first grade students ✔️ Hands-on ways for students to build, write, sort, and make words ✔️ How to keep your word work center fresh all year without creating new games every week ✔️ The secret to using the same materials for multiple activities and skill levels Resources Mentioned In This Episode Monthly Math & Literacy Centers - https://firstieland.com/learningcenters Magnetic Letter Games Bundle - https://firstieland.com/magnetic-letters-games 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.

    12 min

  2. 24 Jun

    56. What Every First Grade Word Work Center Needs

    What Every First Grade Word Work Center NeedsIn this episode, Molly shares exactly what every first grade word work center needs to help students practice phonics skills, build independence, and stay engaged while you meet with small groups. If you're setting up your literacy centers for back to school, this episode will show you how to create a simple word work center without spending a fortune or filling your room with dozens of different activities. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ How to set up a first grade word work center in a small space ✔️ Why the word work center is an important part of your literacy block ✔️ The must-have materials for a successful word work center ✔️ Simple ways to differentiate activities for all learners Resources Mentioned In This Episode Free Learning Centers Guide: https://firstieland.com/free-centers-guide 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.

    11 min

  3. 17 Jun

    55. Easy First Grade Writing Center Set Up And Ideas

    Easy First Grade Writing Center Set Up And Ideas In this episode, Molly shares how to set up a writing center that helps students practice writing independently while keeping them engaged and productive. If you're getting ready for back to school or looking to improve your learning centers, the writing center is a great place for students to practice the writing skills you've been teaching throughout the year. You'll learn what to include in your writing center, how to organize supplies, and simple ways to encourage students to write. Molly also shares different writing activities you can add throughout the year, along with a step-by-step plan for introducing the center so it runs smoothly from the very beginning. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ How to choose the best location for your writing center ✔️ What supplies and materials to include ✔️ Writing center activities for different times of the year ✔️ How to encourage students to write independently ✔️ How to introduce the writing center and teach expectations Resources Mentioned In This Episode Writing Center Templates: https://firstieland.com/writing-prompts Bump It Up Walls: https://firstieland.com/bump-it-up 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.

    9 min

  4. 10 Jun

    54. How To Set Up A Classroom Library Center In First Grade

    How To Set Up A Classroom Library Center In First Grade In this episode, Molly shares how to set up a classroom library that students will love using all year long. If you're getting ready for back to school and wondering which learning center to introduce first, the classroom library is a great place to start. It requires very little prep, helps students practice working independently, and gives you time to meet with small groups. You'll learn how to choose the best location for your classroom library, what to include in the space, and simple ways to make it inviting for young readers. Molly also shares different activities students can do at the library center and a step-by-step plan for introducing the center so it runs smoothly from the very beginning. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ How to choose the best location for your classroom library ✔️ What to include in your library to encourage reading ✔️ 10 different activities students can do at the library center ✔️ How to introduce the classroom library and teach expectations Resources Mentioned In This Episode Free Library Book Labels: https://firstieland.com/labels 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.

    7 min

  5. 3 Jun

    53. 5 Classroom Literacy Center Mistakes Teachers Make (And How To Fix Them)

    In this episode, Molly shares five common literacy center mistakes that can make center time feel chaotic and frustrating for teachers. After 35 years of teaching, she learned that most center problems actually start long before students ever rotate to a center. From introducing centers too quickly and skipping important modeling to making centers too complicated, Molly shares simple strategies that help students become more independent and allow teachers to actually focus on their small groups. If you're looking for practical literacy center management ideas that work in real elementary classrooms, this episode is for you. In this episode you'll learn: ✔️ Why introducing literacy centers too quickly can create problems all year long ✔️ A simple step-by-step process for teaching center expectations ✔️ Why simple literacy center activities often work better than complicated ones ✔️ How to create a center management system that keeps students focused and independent ✔️ Why independence is more important than perfection during center time Resources Mentioned In This Episode Center Management System - https://firstieland.com/center-management Let’s Stay Connected Visit the website: Firstieland 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 affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

    11 min

  6. 27 May

    52. Organizing A First Grade Classroom For A Smoother Year

    In this episode, Molly shares simple classroom setup and organization ideas that can help make your next school year feel smoother and much less chaotic. After 35 years of teaching first grade, she learned that the way you arrange and organize your classroom can make a huge difference in your classroom management, student independence, and daily routines. From traffic flow and center placement to organizing supplies and planning your classroom layout, this episode is packed with practical classroom organization tips that elementary teachers can actually use. In this episode you'll learn: ✔️ The 3 most important things to consider when setting up your classroom ✔️ How classroom traffic flow can reduce stress and chaos ✔️ Simple ways to help students become more independent ✔️ Classroom organization ideas that save time every single day Let’s Stay Connected Visit the website: Firstieland 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 💜

    10 min

  7. 20 May

    51. First Grade Teacher Must Haves For The Classroom

    First Grade Teacher Must Haves For The Classroom In this episode, Molly shares her top 10 must-have items for every first grade classroom after 35 years of teaching. These are the classroom tools she reached for every single day to save time, stay organized, and make teaching easier. These teacher must haves will help you create a more organized, efficient, and student-friendly classroom. Whether you're a new teacher setting up your classroom for the first time or a veteran teacher looking for better classroom organization ideas, this episode is packed with practical tools you’ll actually use. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔️ The classroom organization tools Molly used every single day ✔️ Teacher supplies that save time and reduce classroom stress ✔️ The best small group teaching tools for guided reading and word work ✔️ Affordable classroom must haves worth investing in Resources Mentioned In This Episode Post-it Cover Up Tape - https://firstieland.com/tape Heavy Duty Magnetic Hooks -https://firstieland.com/magnet Dry Erase Boards - https://firstieland.com/boards Teacher Toolbox - https://firstieland.com/toolbox Classroom Mailboxes - https://firstieland.com/mailbox PaperPro Stapler - https://firstieland.com/stapler Tabletop Easel - https://firstieland.com/easel Personal Laminator - https://firstieland.com/laminator Magnetic Letters - https://firstieland.com/letters Paper Cutter - https://firstieland.com/papercutter 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.

    8 min

  8. 13 May

    50. How To Clean And Organize Your Classroom Before Summer Break

    In this episode, Molly shares simple and practical tips for how to clean and organize your classroom before summer break so you can leave school feeling less stressed and come back in August ready to go. These classroom organization ideas are designed to help elementary teachers pack up efficiently, stay organized, and make back to school setup so much easier. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔️ How to start packing up your classroom before the last week of school ✔️ Simple ways to organize supplies, drawers, closets, and file cabinets ✔️ How to use student cleanup challenges to make cleaning fun and productive ✔️ Why taking photos and labeling everything saves time in August ✔️ Easy ways to prep your classroom now for back to school season Resources Mentioned In This Episode Classroom Cleanup Challenge Slides - https://firstieland.com/cleanup Free End Of The Year Checklist - https://firstieland.com/checklist Let’s Stay Connected Visit our website: https://firstieland.com/ Visit our TPT store: Firstieland TPT Store Watch on YouTube: Firstieland YouTube Channel Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland 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 – Apple Podcasts 🎧 SPOTIFY – 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.

    9 min
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The Firstieland Podcast For Elementary Teachers: Teaching Tips And Ideas is a weekly podcast that gives kindergarten and first grade teachers real, practical strategies to make teaching easier, more effective, and a whole lot more fun. If you’re an educator who's feeling stretched thin trying to fit it all in as an elementary teacher, you're not alone. Each week, you’ll get easy-to-implement ideas that will help you feel more confident and in control of your classroom. Hosted by Molly Schwab, a former kindergarten and first grade teacher with over 30 years of classroom experience, The Firstieland Podcast For Early Elementary Teachers shares creative ideas to help with classroom management, building classroom community, and using picture books to integrate subjects like writing, SEL, science, and social studies into meaningful read-alouds. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned pro, you'll leave each episode with practical strategies you can put into action right away. For more ideas and resources, connect with Molly on Instagram @firstieland or visit firstieland.com

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