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. 4d ago

    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 min

  2. May 20

    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 min

  3. May 13

    19. How to Survive End-of-Year Behavior in Kindergarten (Without Starting Over)

    If your kindergarten classroom feels louder, messier, and harder to manage right now, you are not alone. End-of-year behavior in kindergarten is real, and May can start to feel like pure survival mode for teachers. In this episode, we’re talking about the “May-cember” effect, why classroom behavior gets harder at the end of the school year, and realistic ways to make these last few weeks feel more manageable for both you and your students. We’ll chat about why it’s easy to focus only on negative behaviors, how to shift back toward connection and positive reinforcement, and simple ways to help your class finish the year strong without overhauling your entire classroom management system. Plus, I’m sharing easy end-of-year behavior supports, positive reinforcement ideas, and why simple incentive systems like Build-a-Reward charts can help reset the tone in your classroom. If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and counting down to summer break, this episode will help you feel more calm, more supported, and a little less alone. 🔗🍩 Try our donut reward chart FREE 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/end-of-year-behavior-kindergarten

    11 min

  4. May 6

    18. Why Kindergarten Classroom Management Still Feels Hard

    Kindergarten classroom management shouldn’t feel this hard, but if you’re constantly repeating directions, managing every transition, and ending the day exhausted, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down why classroom management still feels overwhelming even when you’re using routines, behavior strategies, and clear expectations. Here’s what’s actually happening: It’s not that you need more strategies.  It’s that your classroom systems aren’t working together. When routines, visuals, and expectations aren’t connected, everything falls back on you. That’s when teaching starts to feel exhausting. We’ll talk about how to shift from managing behavior moment by moment to building simple, consistent systems that help your students work more independently so you can actually teach again. If your classroom feels chaotic or harder than it should, this episode will help you see what’s missing and what to do next. 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint 🔗 Show Notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/episode-18-why-your-classroom-management-still-feels-hard/

    10 min

  5. Apr 29

    17. 3 Things Every Kindergarten Classroom Management System Needs

    In this episode of The Kindergarten Toolbox Podcast, Amy Murray breaks down the three essential components of effective kindergarten classroom management: clear expectations, visual supports, and consistent routines. If your classroom feels unpredictable, if you are constantly repeating directions, or if your behavior strategies are not sticking, this episode will help you understand what is missing and how to fix it with simple systems that actually work in a real kindergarten classroom. You will learn how clear expectations help students know exactly what to do, why visual supports reduce interruptions and increase independence, and how consistent routines create a calm, predictable classroom environment. This is not about adding more strategies. It is about putting the right pieces in place so your classroom management system can do the work for you. Plus, walk away with a simple, actionable step you can try tomorrow to start improving behavior and routines right away. Calmer days start with simple, consistent systems.  🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint 🔗 Show Notes: kindergartentoolbox.com/kindergarten-classroom-management-system-3-things

    10 min

  6. Apr 22

    16. What Kindergarten Classroom Management Looks Like When It’s Working

    In this episode of the Kindergarten Toolbox Podcast, Amy Murray breaks down what a well-managed kindergarten classroom really looks like on a normal day. Not perfect. Not silent. But structured, predictable, and calm enough for real teaching to happen. You’ll hear what shifts when simple systems and clear expectations are in place, from smoother routines and transitions to more focused small groups and more independent writers. If you’re tired of constant interruptions, repeating directions, and ending the day mentally drained, this episode will help you see what’s possible. Plus, walk away with a simple way to improve one part of your day using visuals, routines, and consistency that actually work for real five and six year olds. Calmer days are possible. This is what it looks like. 🔗 Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint 🔗 Show notes: kindergartentoolbox.com/episode-16-what-does-kindergarten-classroom-management-actually-look-like-when-its-working

    8 min

  7. Apr 15

    15. Why Behavior Strategies Work and then Suddenly Stop

    You try a behavior strategy… and it works. Your class is calmer.  You’re finally able to teach. And then… it stops. If you feel like you’re constantly starting over with classroom management, this episode is for you. Let’s chat about why behavior strategies work at first—but don’t last—and what your classroom actually needs instead. Because it’s not that nothing works… You just haven’t been given something simple enough to stick with yet. Get step by step clasroom management systems the work inside Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint. Show notes: https://kindergartentoolbox.com/episode-15-why-behavior-strategies-work-and-then-suddenly-stop/

    9 min

  8. Apr 8

    14. Phonemic Awareness That Works in Kindergarten

    Phonemic awareness in kindergarten does not always click with repetition alone. Many students need more support than fast-paced, verbal routines can provide. In this episode, we break down how to teach phonemic awareness using hands-on and visual activities that support skills like rhyming, syllables, and beginning, medial, and ending sounds so students truly understand and apply these foundational skills. 🔗 Save on the Kindergarten ELA Bundle Show notes:  www.kindergartentoolbox.com/phonemic-awareness-that-works-in-kindergarten

    10 min
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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
    2K
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Kindergarten Toolbox
  • Show Website
    The Kindergarten Toolbox

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