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45 episodes
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Kindergarten Cafe Podcast Zeba McGibbon
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- Education
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4.9 • 27 Ratings
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Are you an overworked or overwhelmed kindergarten teacher? Or maybe you're just a kindergarten teacher looking for fresh, new ideas. You are in the right place. The Kindergarten Cafe podcast will share weekly tips and tricks to help you save time, work smarter (not harder) and support students with engaging and purposeful lessons. I'm here to help you with everything you need from arrival to dismissal. Let's get started!
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44. 7 Activities for Your First Month of Kindergarten
In this episode, we discuss 7 vital activities for a successful kindergarten year. We highlight building a classroom community, introducing alphabet concepts, math exploration, social-emotional learning, preparing for guest teachers, and providing a First Month of Kindergarten Survival Kit.
In this episode I share:Building Classroom CommunityIntroducing Alphabet FunMath Exploration TimeTeaching About Guest Teachers
Related Blog Posts:Top 10 Back to School Read Alouds3 Kindergarten Writing Activities to do Before Launching Writer’s Workshop10 Steps for a Smooth and Successful First Day of Kindergarten
Resources Mentioned:First Month Survival Kit TPTBack to School Activities KindergartenThis School Year Will Be the Best by Kay Winters
Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe
Mentioned in this episode:
First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit
Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website!
First Month Survival Kit
TPT - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Month-of-Kindergarten-Success-Kit-9834168?st=5099a0e1f8b3c99dfd410a4162bb0d0c
Website - https://kindergartencafe.org/first-month-survival-kit/ -
43. Building Strong Classroom Management
Get rid of the clip charts and public behavior displays! We need to understand behavior as communication and advocate for a problem-solving approach. In this episode, we explore effective classroom management strategies, and highlight the inefficacy of quick-fix systems. It is important to invest time in proactive measures rather than implementing instant solutions. Key components such as teacher language, classroom setup, routines, and student relationships are identified, alongside the significance of responding to misbehavior with empathy and logical consequences. Consistent reinforcement of positive behaviors and clear expectations through proactive strategies are so important. As well as strong student-teacher relationships in successful classroom management.
In this episode I share:How behavior is a form of communicationProactive classroom measuresBuilding relationships with studentsResponding to misbehavior with empathy
Related Blog Posts:Kindergarten Classroom Management
Resources Mentioned:Classroom Management Workshop (through my website)Classroom Management Workshop (through TPT)Kindergarten Classroom Management ResourceThe Power of Our Words
Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe
Mentioned in this episode:
First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit
Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website!
First Month Survival Kit
TPT - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Month-of-Kindergarten-Success-Kit-9834168?st=5099a0e1f8b3c99dfd410a4162bb0d0c
Website - https://kindergartencafe.org/first-month-survival-kit/ -
42. Do’s and don’ts of Classroom Decor
In this episode, we discuss classroom decoration dos and don'ts from a kindergarten teacher's perspective. We want to create purposeful decor, avoiding overstimulation, and prioritizing student needs over personal aesthetics. Tips on cost-effective decoration and fostering student ownership are shared, encouraging a student-centered approach to classroom design.
In this episode I share:Decorating with a purposeAvoiding unnecessary decorationsSimplifying your color schemeLeaving room for studentsEmbracing imperfection and evolution
Related Blog Posts:Classroom Decoration Ideas: The Do’s and Don’tsThe secrets to a welcoming classroom environment6 Tips for Setting up a New Classroom
Resources Mentioned:Check out all my classroom decoration options
Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe
Mentioned in this episode:
First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit
Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website!
First Month Survival Kit
TPT - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Month-of-Kindergarten-Success-Kit-9834168?st=5099a0e1f8b3c99dfd410a4162bb0d0c
Website - https://kindergartencafe.org/first-month-survival-kit/ -
41. Back to Basics: Classroom Organization
This episode covers key insights on effective classroom organization for kindergarten teachers. I discuss the importance of using visual labels to aid student independence and emphasize font readability and supply organization based on traffic flow and subject areas. I also explore strategies for managing shared materials, stressing the separation of teacher and student supplies and offering tips on efficient teacher resource organization. From classroom library organization by categorizing books and implementing labeled systems for easy access, to sharing practical advice on maintaining organization through individual bins and visual guides. I hope to help you aim to create a structured and efficient learning environment.
In this episode I share:Importance of Labels in Classroom OrganizationOrganizing Classroom Layout and MaterialsStrategies for Organizing Classroom LibraryImportance of Individual Bins for OrganizationUsing Photos for Maintaining Organization
Related Blog Posts:7 Tips for Organizing The Classroom: SuppliesThe Kindergarten Must-Haves: Classroom Supplies and Materials7 Tips for Thinking of your Classroom Set Up for KindergartenA Proven Classroom Set Up for Kindergarten Independence6 Tips for Setting Up a New Classroom
Resources Mentioned:Classroom Decorations (including labels)
Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe
Mentioned in this episode:
First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit
Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website!
First Month Survival Kit
TPT - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Month-of-Kindergarten-Success-Kit-9834168?st=5099a0e1f8b3c99dfd410a4162bb0d0c
Website - https://kindergartencafe.org/first-month-survival-kit/ -
40. Drama Games in the Classroom with Sam from Pocketful of Drama
Join me on Kindergarten Cafe as I chat with Sam Marsden about the magic of drama games for young learners. We explore the benefits of imaginative play, the power of repetition, and how drama boosts empathy and confidence. Sam shares tips for hesitant teachers and introduces her book "Drama Games for Early Years."
In this episode we share:Benefits of Drama GamesMorning Meeting ActivitiesUsing Music in Drama GamesTips for Being Dramatic
Connect with Sam:Instagram - @pocketfulofdramaDrama Games for Early Years
Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe
Mentioned in this episode:
First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit
Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website!
First Month Survival Kit
TPT - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Month-of-Kindergarten-Success-Kit-9834168?st=5099a0e1f8b3c99dfd410a4162bb0d0c
Website - https://kindergartencafe.org/first-month-survival-kit/ -
39. Using Seesaw for Improving Family Communication
In today's episode, we explore the benefits of using Seesaw as a communication tool among teachers, students, and families. I discussed how Seesaw facilitates the sharing of students' learning experiences with their families, promoting engagement and connection. By guiding the integration of Seesaw into the classroom, I highlighted the importance of privacy and security measures for student submissions. Additionally, I want to empower students to showcase their work independently and assign interactive activities to enhance learning. Leveraging Seesaw as a versatile platform for communication and learning fosters collaboration, creativity, and parental involvement, ultimately creating a more interactive and meaningful educational experience.
In this episode I share:Benefits of Using SeesawEnsuring Privacy and Approval ProcessSetting Up Preferences for FocusAssigning Activities on Seesaw
Related Blog Posts:5 Steps to Making an Interactive Seesaw Activity
Resources Mentioned:Literacy Seesaw Activities for the Year!Kindergarten Math for the WHOLE YEAR
Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe
Mentioned in this episode:
First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit
Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website!
First Month Survival Kit
TPT - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Month-of-Kindergarten-Success-Kit-9834168?st=5099a0e1f8b3c99dfd410a4162bb0d0c
Website - https://kindergartencafe.org/first-month-survival-kit/
Customer Reviews
My Favorite Kindergarten Podcast!
As a 2nd year kindergarten teacher, I absolutely love this podcast! Zeba consistently produces great content that is exactly what I need, when I need it. Her podcasts are fun to listen to and super informative. I look forward to new episodes every Thursday!
A huge blessing. To Kindergarten teachers
I don’t listen to many podcasts, but The Kindergarten Cafe has me nodding my head in agreement! As a veteran K teacher, I agree wholeheartedly with Zeba and the knowledge she shares. Her podcasts are a must for any K teacher out there-new or seasoned!
Super helpful for understanding kindergarten!
This podcast is packed full with so much helpful information for any kindergarten teacher! Love getting advice from someone who gets what kindergarten is all about