Best Upper Elementary Teacher Podcasts (2024)

1
Teacher Life + a Special BONUS 8:42

7d ago8:42

8:42

Welcome to episode 71 of the Upper Elementary Simplified Podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush shares a big announcement and offers a HUGE discount on resources just in time for back to school! Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio Website Upper Elementary Simplified Website Join the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers…

1
48. Back to School Series: Dealing With Administrators 15:15

1h ago15:15

15:15

In today's episode, we're discussing a crucial but often challenging topic: navigating relationships with school administrators. Whether you’re lucky enough to have supportive leaders or are dealing with more difficult administrators, understanding how to communicate and collaborate effectively with your administrators can make a big difference in …

1
Field Trip Ideas for Students in Texas 15:25

2h ago15:25

15:25

If you're struggling to make time for social studies in your school day, maybe it's time for some fresh field trip ideas to support your curriculum! Today's episode shares some of my favorite field trips from around the Lone Star State. I also share with you some tips for where to look for even more ideas that your upper elementary students will lo…

1
Listening/Speech Training: The Joy Of Learning & If There's Anything I Can Do (Elementary) 12:34

2d ago12:34

12:34

1. The Joy of Learning: 学习的乐趣学习是一件很有趣的事。很多人一提到用心学习，就觉得这是没有可能的，因为他们认为学习是一件不是很有趣的事情。其实当你找到你喜欢的学科之后，你就会开始认为学习是有趣的了。在学习上，遇到简单的问题会觉得是一种复习，遇到困难的问题时，会觉得是一种挑战。Xuéxí shì yī jiàn hěn yǒuqù de shì. Hěnduō rén yī tí dào yòngxīn xuéxí, jiù juédé zhè shì méiyǒu kěnéng de, yīnwèi tāmen rènwéi xuéxí shì yī jiàn bùshì hěn yǒuqù de shìqíng. Qíshí dāng nǐ zhǎodào nǐ …

1
47. Back to School Series: Get Your Classroom Systems Set 20:52

2d ago20:52

20:52

Systems help your classroom run smoothly. In this episode we'll be discussing some classroom systems you should have in place and how middle school teachers can set up effective systems that streamline classroom management, create more responsible students, enhance student learning, and build a positive classroom environment. Topics Discussed What …

1
4 Classroom Read-Aloud Tips for Grades 3-5 11:17

3d ago11:17

11:17

Rich, thought-provoking discussions are in your future because this year class read-alouds are IN for upper elementary students. In this episode I'm sharing all my tips for class read-alouds with big kids. Episode Highlights How to choose the right text The importance of previewing a text Guided class discussion tips Wrapping up the learning activi…

1
If There's Anything I Can Do (Elementary) 34:34

6d ago34:34

34:34

This week we discuss offering to help out. I liked this dialogue from Maayot.com because of the useful phrase at the end which is a great one to know in any language: "If there's anything I can do, please let me know". Join us as we discuss this and other useful Chinese words and expressions.Vicky and I also have a website! For one-on-one Chinese l…

1
46. Back to School Series: Student Neatness, Class Expectations, & Class Room Rules 19:08

7d ago19:08

19:08

Today we're diving into three key areas that can significantly enhance the learning environment and set your students up for success: student neatness, class expectations, and classroom rules. We'll discuss the benefits of each and share some practical ideas on how to implement them effectively. Topics Discussed Student neatness Class expectations …

1
Using Bell-Ringers and Warm Ups in Grades 3-5 16:41

7d ago16:41

16:41

Those first 10-15 minutes of the block are so important. Let's talk about my favorite ways to make the most of the classroom warm-up time. Episode Highlights What are warmups Why warmups help How to use warmups How to prep for warmups Some resources I love for the warmup block Resources and Links Social Studies Daily Passage Warmups 3rd Grade Daily…

1
Minisode: I Wonder... (Elementary) 7:18

7d ago7:18

7:18

我很好奇他怎么没来。。I wonder why he didn’t come..好奇 - Curious奇怪，他怎么没来？。。Strange, why didn’t he come? 我很好奇答案是什么。。I wonder what the answer is..我很好奇发生了什么。。。I wonder what happened我好奇你用中文怎么说？.. I wonder how you say that in Chinese.我还以为是谁带来这些饼干，原来是你啊！ I was wondering who brought those cookies, so it was you!我以为今天要下雨，原来是一个大晴天。 I thought it was going to rain today,…

1
45. Back to School Series: Team Building Activities with Pentominoes 12:49

21d ago12:49

12:49

If you aren’t a math teacher and think this episode won’t be for you, hold on! Pentominoes are great for non-math classes, too, so tune in as we explore all the benefits of using Pentominoes, especially at the start of the school year. Topics Discussed What are pentominoes? What are the benefits for teachers? What are the benefits for students? ***…

1
Breaking Down the TEKS: Texas Social Studies Standards for Grades 3-5 19:42

17d ago19:42

19:42

If reading the newly updated TEKS is making your head spin, let's break it down together and make a game plan before the new school year begins. Episode Highlights When the new updates go into effect Topics we MUST cover Topics we CAN cover if time allows Breaking down the 8 strands How to support STAAR testing at the secondary levels Resources and…

1
The Joy Of Learning (Elementary) 29:08

20d ago29:08

29:08

Join us this week for a beginner Chinese lesson about The Joy of Learning, something as language learners, I believe we can all relate to.Thanks again to Maayot for being our sponsor for this episode as well as providing the article for today's lesson. For daily, bite-sized stories sent to your inbox, follow the link right here: www.maayot.comVocab…

1
44. Back to School Series: Leveling Classes and Using Small Groups 18:05

28d ago18:05

18:05

As you think about next school year, do you wonder what the best way to divide and level your classes for math and reading is? Join us in this episode as we dive into the art and science of creating leveled small groups. Topics Discussed The benefits of small group instruction at the middle school level Tips for setting up groupings Tips for managi…

1
6 Fun and Engaging Class Meeting Ideas 15:24

22d ago15:24

15:24

Using morning meeting every day can be an important tool in building social emotional learning skills. And even though it's only a short time each day, it can make a lasting impact at how students interact with others. Today I'm sharing 6 fresh ideas for your morning meeting block. Episode Highlights Slideshows Question of the day Spreading out Sca…

1
Minisode: Punching In (Pre-Intermediate) 9:33

30d ago9:33

9:33

Lindi: 听说你刚刚去了华盛顿。玩儿得怎么样？（Tīng shuō nǐ gānggāng qùle HuáShèngDùn. Wán er dé zěnme yàng?）I heard you just went to Washington D.C. How was your trip? Vicky: 啊，是的，是的，我们这个周末去了一趟华盛顿。。很不错。以前去华盛顿都是去白宫这些旅游景点打卡，可是这一次我们去的是一些居民区，感觉特别不一样啊。（A, shì de, shì de, wǒmen zhège zhōumò qùle yī tàng huáshèngdùn.. Hěn bùcuò. Yǐqián qù huáshèngdùn dōu shì qù báigōng zhèxi…

1
Classroom Management Tips for Upper Elementary Teachers: A Chat with Jennifer Raymond from The Old Barn Teaching Co. 33:30

1M ago33:30

33:30

Welcome to episode 70 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Jennifer Raymond all about classroom management and building relationships in the upper elementary math classroom. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio Website Upper Elementary Simplified Website Join the FREE Facebook Group for Uppe…

1
43. Back to School Series: Favorite Teacher Supplies 19:33

1M ago19:33

19:33

Today, we're diving into a fun and practical topic — the top favorite teacher supplies for middle school teachers! We asked members of our Facebook groups about their favorites, too, so we’ve got our ideas and some great favorites from many classroom teachers. Let’s see what rules the school! Topics Discussed Favorites for the teacher's desk Math s…

1
Smart and Simple Social Studies Membership Q&A 25:38

29d ago25:38

25:38

Today I'm answering all the questions you might have about the Smart and Simple Social Studies Membership. Here's a peek into what I'll be answering in this week's episode! What is Smart and Simple Social Studies? Are the resources standards-based? Who can join Smart and Simple Social Studies? What is included in the Texas/TEKS membership option? C…

1
Listening/Speech Training: Fitness Newbie & Dieting Misconceptions (Upper Intermediate) 16:23

16d ago16:23

16:23

Fitness Newbie1. 女性：锻炼。。。锻炼腿部。。。。腹部。。。腿部和腹部。。。。锻炼腿部和腹部。。。。。主要。。主要是锻炼腿部和腹部。。。。。小白。。。健身小白。。。。但我是健身小白。。。。。主要是锻炼腿部和腹部，但我是健身小白。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。男性：你想锻炼哪个部位？。。。。。。。。。。女性：主要是锻炼腿部和腹部，但我是健身小白。2. 男性：我们这里。。。有很多。。。有很多器械。。。。我们这里有很多器械。。。。。可以。。。可以帮你。。。。。达到目标。。。可以帮你达到目标。。。。。。我们这里有很多器械可以帮你达到目标。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。女性：你可以给我一些具体建议吗？。。。。。。。。。。。男性：当然！我们这里有很多器械可以帮你达到目标…

1
Differentiation in the Upper Elementary Math Classroom: A Chat with Amanda Stitt 35:32

21d ago35:32

35:32

Welcome to episode 69 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Amanda Stitt all about differentiation in the upper elementary math classroom. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio Website Upper Elementary Simplified Website Join the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers…

1
42. Back to School Series: What to Do on the First Days of School 21:52

1M ago21:52

21:52

What can teachers do to make the first few days of school not only smooth but memorable? Let’s jump into twelve ideas that could transform those initial school days into an exciting gateway for the rest of the year. Resources -> 10 Team Building Games: https://thecoloradoclassroom.com/10-team-building-games -> Pentominoes Blog Post: https://cogniti…

1
New Changes to the TEKS Social Studies Standards in 2024 14:03

1M ago14:03

14:03

In November of 2022, the State Board of Education in Texas approved significant revisions to the Social Studies Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for implementation in the 2024-2025 school year. Let’s dive into what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how you can implement these standards in your classroom. Episode Highlights What wa…

1
Dieting Misconceptions (Upper Intermediate) 37:04

23d ago37:04

37:04

Weight Loss Misconceptions, and Unhelpful HabitsThanks to Maayot for sponsoring today's episode! Please visit Maayot.com to improve Chinese reading comprehension and more.Website: https://www.maayot.com减肥 – to lose weight误区 – a misconception, a persistent mistaken idea饮食 – food and drink, diet – as in what one normally eats情绪 – morale, feeling, moo…

1
Building Systems in Your Classroom: A Chat With Helena Hains of The Present Teacher 24:43

28d ago24:43

24:43

Welcome to episode 68 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Helena Hains all about how teachers can implement The Thriving Teacher Framework to build systems in their classroom. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio Website Upper Elementary Simplified Website Join the FREE Facebook Group for U…

1
41. Back to School Series: Preparing Your Classroom for the New School Year Ahead 25:15

2M ago25:15

25:15

Whether you clean house in May or June when you get out of school, or you run home and off to vacation and wait until July or August, classroom prep still needs to be done, some years more than others. So join Brittany and Ellie as we take the Teaching Toolbox into the realm of preparing your classroom for the fall. Topics Discussed Clean, Organize…

1
5 Social Studies Activity Ideas for the 2nd Week of School 15:13

1M ago15:13

15:13

Once you've established rules and routines and built that important classroom community, it's time to move into teaching social studies curriculum! Today's episode shares 5 activities you can use in this important transitional time that takes place around the 2nd week of school. Episode Highlights Create a classroom map My place in the world Commun…

1
So Cliche (Intermediate) 6:34

1M ago6:34

6:34

Lindi: 诶？听说昨天我们这儿有一个名人演讲。你去听了吗？(Éi? Tīng shuō zuótiān wǒmen zhè'er yǒu yīgè míngrén yǎnjiǎng. Nǐ qù tīngle ma?)Hey I heard a well-known speaker came here to give a speech yesterday. Did you go?Vicky: 哎。。。我去了。别提了。你什么也没错过。都是一些陈词滥调。没什么意思. (Āi... Wǒ qùle. Biétíle. Nǐ shénme yě méi cuòguò. Dōu shì yīxiē chéncílàndiào. Méishénme yìsi.)Ah...I went. Don't…

1
Preventing Teacher Burnout: A Chat With Brittany Blackwell of Teaching Mind Body & Soul 23:32

1M ago23:32

23:32

Welcome to episode 67 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Brittany Blackwell all about teacher burnout prevention. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio Website Upper Elementary Simplified Website Join the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers…

1
40. Back to School Series: Meal Prep as a Busy Teacher 24:24

2M ago24:24

24:24

Today, we are delving into meal prepping as busy teachers. Let’s see what we have cooked up for you today! Topics Discussed Busy teacher friendly meal ideas Tips for meal planning as a busy teacher Resources Mentioned Phomemo Printer: https://amzn.to/3UP3BDI ***ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY*** https://forms.gle/B356umfSumtaQ2sx5 Please subscribe on your fav…

1
5 Social Studies Activity Ideas for the 1st Week of School 15:02

2M ago15:02

15:02

If you're starting to make plans for the start of the next school year, this episode is for you! These 5 activities are related to community building since you're getting to know your students, probably not necessarily diving right into your social studies curriculum. We'll talk about great icebreaker activities and ways to build a positive classro…

1
Fitness Newbie (Intermediate) 40:51

1M ago40:51

40:51

Are you into fitness, or do you aspire to do it more often and fall short? Either way, you're not alone. Join us as we talk about exercise basics, being a novice, and more.A big thank you to today's sponsor, Maayot.com. I often use Maayot as a way of staying up to date on current stories in China, while getting in some daily Mandarin practice. Plea…

1
Curriculum Mapping Tips: A Chat With April Pickett from Teach Travel Read 21:04

1M ago21:04

21:04

Welcome to episode 66 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with April Pickett all about curriculum mapping and lesson planning for upper elementary teachers. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio Website Upper Elementary Simplified Website Join the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers…

1
39. Drama Integration in the Classroom With Radio Theater 23:12

2M ago23:12

23:12

If you've heard of Reader's Theater you'll love today's discussion about Radio Theater. Author Deb Baldwin is joining the podcast today to share wisdom from 38 years of teaching theater to help you add some new skills to your teacher toolbox. The book, We're Live! Radio Theater #101 describes her experiences in using radio theater in her own classr…

1
Social Studies Summer Series Part 5: How to Teach Economics Skills 15:52

2M ago15:52

15:52

This is part 5 of the Social Studies Summer Series! Teaching economics and the free enterprise system to upper elementary can seem like something that is a Herculean task. With the right approach, and with the right resources, it can be both engaging and educational. By breaking down complex concepts into simple steps, and hands-on activities engag…

1
Listening/Speech Training: Setting Up A Smart Phone & Cell Phone Savvy (Intermediate) 14:07

2M ago14:07

14:07

Setting Up A Smart Phone:老奶奶: 我刚买了一部新手机，但有一些功能不太懂。你能帮我设置一下吗？(Wǒ gāng mǎile yī bù xīn shǒujī, dàn, yǒu yīxiē gōngnéng bù tài dǒng. Nǐ néng bāng wǒ shèzhì yīxià ma)小洋: 当然可以！你先开机，然后选择语言和地区，接下来选择手动设置。下一步，加入你的Wi-Fi。之后，你就可以根据它的提示一步一步进行操作。比如说，设置面部识别、密码解锁等等，最后选择想下载的App。这样就设置完了。(Dāngrán kěyǐ! Nǐ xiān kāijī, ránhòu xuǎnzé yǔyán hé dìqū, jiē xiàlái xuǎnzé shǒ…

1
Productive Struggle in the Upper Elementary Math Classroom: A Chat with Mona Iehl from Mona Math 29:50

2M ago29:50

29:50

Welcome to episode 65 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Mona Iehl all about productive struggle in the upper elementary math classroom. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio Website Upper Elementary Simplified Website Join the FREE Facebook Group for Upper Elementary Teachers…

1
38. Tips for Being a Grade Level Leader 23:04

2M ago23:04

23:04

In today's episode, we're diving into the trenches of middle school, but not just any trenches—those of a grade level leader. Imagine being the bridge between the admin and the other teachers in your grade level. It's a role that's part superhero, part diplomat, and all heart. Join us as we explore the responsibilities and pros and cons, along with…

1
Social Studies Summer Series Part 4: How to Teach Government/Civics Skills 13:08

2M ago13:08

13:08

This is part 4 of the Social Studies Summer Series! Here are some simple steps to help you effectively teach government and civics skills to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students. Episode Highlights Starting with the basics Using real-life examples Leveraging interactive activities Incorporating multimedia resources Connecting with community resour…

1
Cell Phone Savvy (Intermediate) 31:29

2M ago31:29

31:29

In this episode, Vicky and I talk more about cell phone technology and Apps. We narrow in on vocabulary about Notification Settings, silencing or turning them off, and Smart Voice Assistants in China (like Xiao Du). A special thanks to Maayot.com for sponsoring today's episode. I use Maayot to improve my Mandarin skills, and have previously created…

1
Tips for Student Engagement & Creative Teaching: A Chat With Kristen Higdon of All That Teacher Sparkle PART TWO 18:14

2M ago18:14

18:14

Welcome to episode 64 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Kristen Higdon all about student engagement & creative teaching in the upper elementary classroom. This is part two of a two part interview. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio Website Upper Elementary Simplified Website Join the FR…

1
37. How Much of Your Summer is Yours? 22:27

3M ago22:27

22:27

Summer is coming - do you have big plans to take a break from your teaching-related activities? Or are you planning all the teaching things you’ll get done in the summer so you don’t have to worry about them in the fall? Or do you have plans for both? Whatever your plans, we’ve got some tips for how to make sure that at least SOME of your summer is…

1
Social Studies Summer Series Part 3: How to Teach Culture and Society Skills 14:29

2M ago14:29

14:29

Understanding different cultures is important in our world today. As teachers, we play a big role in helping students appreciate and learn about diverse traditions, celebrations, art, literature, science, technology, and society. This is part 3 of the Social Studies Summer Series, where you will learn some easy steps with activities and examples to…

1
Minisode: That's Catchy (Intermediate) 6:23

2M ago6:23

6:23

Dialogue:Vicky: 我最近听了一首特别让我上头的歌。叫 My Stupid Heart. 那个小孩特别可爱。不知道你有没有听这首歌？(Wǒ zuìjìn tīngle yī shǒu tèbié ràng wǒ shàngtóu de gē. Jiào “My Stupid Heart” Nàgè xiǎohái tèbié kě'ài. Bù zhīdào nǐ yǒu méiyǒu tīng zhè shǒu gē)I recently heard a song that’s super catchy. It's called “My Stupid Heart” That kid is so cute. I don’t know if you've heard this so…

1
Tips for Student Engagement & Creative Teaching: A Chat With Kristen Higdon of All That Teacher Sparkle PART ONE 28:08

2M ago28:08

28:08

Welcome to episode 63 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. In this episode, host Danna Rodebush chats with Kristen Higdon all about student engagement & creative teaching in the upper elementary classroom. This is part one of a two part interview. Connect with Danna: Teacher Tech Studio Website Upper Elementary Simplified Website Join the FR…

1
36. End of Year Activities 12:42

3M ago12:42

12:42

It's that time of the year when we reflect on all the growth and memories made throughout the school year. But before we get too sentimental, let's talk about some fantastic ways to wrap up the year with our students. Topics Discussed Reflecting on Achievements & Growth Fun & Meaningful Farewell Activities Setting the Stage for Summer and Beyond Ch…

1
Social Studies Summer Series Part 2: How to Teach History Skills 10:33

3M ago10:33

10:33

This is part 2 of the SS Summer Series! Here are some straightforward tips, along with fun activities, to help 3rd-5th graders master history skills. Episode Highlights Connecting history to today Diving into primary sources Exploring like detectives Bringing history to life Thinking critically Reflecting on lessons learned Resources and Links Chec…

1
Setting Up Your Smart Phone (Intermediate) 39:53

3M ago39:53

39:53

We're learning some cell phone related words today! I was realizing recently that I still struggle to say commonly used words like, "swipe left/swipe right" or "I have you on speaker", etc, and yet with our smart phones literally being next to us everywhere we go, I thought it was time to dig into some related expressions. Come join me as I learn a…

1
How to Recharge Your Teacher Battery This Summer 7:40

2M ago7:40

7:40

Welcome to episode 62 of the Upper Elementary Simplified podcast. Happy summer! Isn’t it crazy how when you are in the middle of the school year it seems like summer is soooo far away but then again it seems like summer comes around very quickly…more so every single year. In this episode we begin the podcast summer series. Connect with Danna: Teach…

1
35. Preventing Summer Learning Loss With Summer Slide Research and Activities 19:20

3M ago19:20

19:20

Today, we will discuss the dreaded summer slide learning loss and how we, as teachers, can help prevent it. Let’s slide right in. Topics Discussed What is summer slide? Why does it happen? How can we help prevent it? Resources Check out this Cognitive Cardio Blog Post - https://cognitivecardiomath.com/cognitive-cardio-blog/tips-for-preventing-summe…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Upper Elementary Teacher Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide