The Kindergarten Toolbox

Amy Murray
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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. 2d ago

    32. The Best Classroom Rules for Kindergarten (And What to Do When Students Break Them)

    How many classroom rules do you really need in kindergarten? And what should happen when students don't follow them? In this episode, we're talking about how to keep kindergarten classroom rules simple, explicitly teach your expectations, and choose consequences that actually make sense to five- and six-year-olds. You'll learn why consistency doesn't mean giving every behavior the same consequence, why consequences should be timely and connected to the behavior, and how visuals can help students understand what's expected of them. If you're looking for a practical approach to kindergarten classroom management that teaches students how to be successful in school instead of simply punishing misbehavior, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 🔗 Classroom Rules Posters 🔗 Classroom Visuals Bundle 🍎 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint 📝 Show notes:  https://kindergartentoolbox.com/best-classroom-rules-and-consequences-for-kindergarten/ 🎧 Follow The Kindergarten Toolbox so you don't miss future episodes with simple, practical kindergarten classroom management and teaching strategies.

  2. Aug 4

    31. What Behavior System Should You Use in Kindergarten?

    What behavior system should you use in kindergarten? Classroom economy, Dojo points, desk pets, prize boxes, reward systems...there are SO many options. But just because a behavior system works with older students doesn't mean it's the right fit for five- and six-year-olds. In this episode, we're talking about how to choose a kindergarten behavior system that is developmentally appropriate, manageable for teachers, and actually supports strong kindergarten classroom management. I'll share some popular behavior systems I would think twice about using in kindergarten, why taking away something a student has already earned can create problems, and the questions I want you to ask before choosing a behavior system for your classroom. I'll also share the two behavior tools that became my go-to choices in my own kindergarten classroom and how they helped me reinforce positive behavior without creating another complicated system to manage. And if you're looking for more support with classroom management in kindergarten, Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint gives you both the training AND the tools to build strong classroom management through simple, consistent systems. ►►► Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint is $97 through August 5th. Today is the LAST DAY to save $50! Resources Mentioned: 🍎 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint ✨ Glow & Grow Behavior Notes 🏗️ Build-a-Reward Behavior Charts 🔗 Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/what-behavior-system-should-you-use-in-kindergarten-episode31/

  3. Jul 29

    30. The Biggest Classroom Management Myth Kindergarten Teachers Believe

    Do you think classroom management starts when student behavior becomes a problem? One of the biggest classroom management myths kindergarten teachers believe is that behavior management is all about consequences, clip charts, rewards, or figuring out what to do when students misbehave. But strong kindergarten classroom management starts long before that. In this episode, I’m sharing the lesson that completely changed the way I thought about kindergarten behavior and classroom management. We’ll talk about why relationships, behavior systems, student independence, consistency, and simple routines all work together to help you feel more confident and in control of your classroom. I’ll also share the story of returning from maternity leave to a kindergarten classroom where my old behavior system suddenly wasn’t working, and what that experience taught me about what classroom management really is. If you’re preparing for a new school year and wondering, “What if they don’t listen?” this episode will help you focus on building strong classroom management from the beginning instead of waiting for behavior to become a problem. Resources Mentioned: 🍎 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint KBB is both a course and a toolbox of ready-to-use classroom management resources built around the BRICK Method: Behavior Systems, Relationships, Independence, Consistency, and Keep It Simple. Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint is $97 through August 5th only. 🔗 Learn more about Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/classroom-management-myth-kindergarten-teachers-believe/

  4. Jul 22

    29. What to Plan Before the First Week of Kindergarten (Hint: It's Not Your Centers)

    Are you spending your summer organizing centers, decorating your classroom, and shopping for kindergarten supplies, but you're still not sure what to teach during the first week of school? You're not alone. Every summer, kindergarten teachers spend hours preparing classroom centers, bulletin boards, and materials while putting off the one thing that has the biggest impact on the entire school year: planning the first week of kindergarten. In this episode, I'm sharing what actually deserves your attention before school starts, why routines, procedures, and classroom expectations matter more than perfectly prepped centers, and how focusing on the right things will help you start the year feeling confident instead of overwhelmed. If you've been wondering what to teach during the first week of kindergarten or you're feeling unsure about where to start, this episode is for you. I also share all the details about First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint, my three-day workshop designed to help you stop guessing and walk into your classroom with a clear plan for those critical first five days. You'll learn exactly what to teach, when to teach it, and how to build the routines and classroom management systems that set the tone for the entire school year. Resources Mentioned: 🔗 First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint Show Notes:

  5. Jul 15

    28. Do Kindergarten Teachers Need to use a Daily Behavior Report?

    Should kindergarten teachers send home a daily behavior report for every student? It's one of the most common classroom management questions I see every summer, especially from teachers preparing for a new school year. While many classrooms use daily behavior calendars, clip charts, or behavior reports to communicate with families, are they really the most effective way to talk about kindergarten behavior? In this episode, I'm sharing why I stopped using daily behavior calendars in my kindergarten classroom, what I use instead, and how a simple shift in communication helped create more meaningful conversations with families while saving me time. If you're looking for kindergarten behavior strategies, classroom management ideas, or a better way to communicate student behavior with families, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned: 🔗 First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint 🔗 Shop Glow and Grow Behavior Notes Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/should-kindergarten-teachers-use-a-daily-behavior-report/

  6. Jul 8

    27. Should Kindergarten Students Have Classroom Jobs? Here's Why I Use One Daily Helper Instead

    Should kindergarten students have classroom jobs? Classroom jobs have been a tradition in elementary classrooms for years, but are they actually teaching responsibility or creating more work for teachers? In this episode, I'm sharing why I stopped using traditional classroom jobs in my kindergarten classroom and switched to a simple Helper of the Day system instead. You'll hear how this change simplified my classroom management, eliminated job chart headaches, and still gave every student meaningful leadership opportunities. If you're preparing your kindergarten classroom for back-to-school and wondering whether classroom jobs are worth it, this episode will help you decide what works best for your students—and your sanity. Resources Mentioned: 🔗 First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/episode-27-should-kindergarten-students-have-classroom-jobs/

  7. Jul 1

    26. Community Supplies or Individual Supplies? What Works Best in Kindergarten

    Should kindergarten students have individual school supplies or community supplies? It's one of the biggest classroom setup decisions kindergarten teachers make before the school year begins. In this episode, we're breaking down the pros and cons of both systems and why the "right" answer depends more on your classroom management than the supplies themselves. I'll share why I chose individual toolboxes in my kindergarten classroom, how I used numbered supplies to teach responsibility and accountability, and why explicitly teaching students how to use their school tools is far more important than whether those tools are shared. If you're preparing your kindergarten classroom for back-to-school and wondering how to organize crayons, pencils, glue sticks, scissors, and other classroom supplies, this episode will help you choose a system that works for both you and your students. Resources Mentioned: 🖍️✏️ Free School Tools Worksheets 🔗 First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint 🔗 Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/community-or-individual-supplies-for-kindergarten/

  8. Jun 24

    25. What to Teach During the First Week of Kindergarten (And What Can Wait)

    If you're planning for the first week of kindergarten and feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to teach, this episode is for you. One of the biggest mistakes kindergarten teachers make is trying to jump straight into academics before teaching students how to be students. Before children can successfully learn letters, numbers, and all the other skills on your curriculum map, they need to learn how to walk in line, use classroom materials, follow routines, and understand expectations. In this episode, I'm sharing what I actually focused on during the first week of kindergarten and why relationships, routines, and procedures matter so much more than academics during those first few days of school. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how I taught school tools like crayons, pencils, glue sticks, and scissors one tool at a time so students could build independence while learning classroom expectations. If you're wondering what to teach during the first week of kindergarten, how to introduce school supplies, or how to set your classroom up for success from day one, this episode will give you a practical starting point. Resources Mentioned 🖍️✏️ Free School Tools Worksheets 🔗 First Week of Kindergarten Blueprint 🔗 Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/what-to-teach-first-week-of-kindergarten/

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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Amy Murray
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Kindergarten Toolbox
  • Show Website
    The Kindergarten Toolbox

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