Teaching to the TOP

148. How to Press the Reset Button on Your Planning Time

We all love a good reset. Weekends help us decompress before the start of a new week. A new school year helps us to get re-energized for a new group of students, and a new year helps us to feel refreshed and ready to tackle the last 5 months of school. But what about those times in the year when we don’t have a break. How do we go about resetting during the middle of the week or during our planning periods. In this episode we have some of our best tips for getting you back on track. We want to share how you can get your planning done efficiently when you’ve gone off course. 
In this episode we share: 
Why calling yourself out is the first (most critical) step to solving any problem. 
How making excuses can be easy but they keep us from finding a solution. 
The steps for getting you back on track. 
Why creating a plan can help you build the momentum you need to keep going. 
How knowing your why can give you the inspiration and motivation you need to push through a difficult time. 
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Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

147. Batch Planning 101: The BEST Way to Maximize Your Time

Imagine walking into your classroom and having a month worth of lessons and materials planned. How would that make you feel? For those thinking that it would be amazing but that it is also incredibly unrealistic, we want to stop you right there. What  if we had a way to make planning in advance a reality? 
We’ve talked about batching since our first episode of this podcast. It is that good of a strategy when it comes to your productivity. Today we want to take a deep dive into what batching is, why it’s important and how to utilize it in all aspects of your life. 
In this episode we share: 
How batching has changed our lives in both teaching and our personal lives. 
Why batching can maximize your time and increase your productivity. 
The steps to take to get you started with batching. 
Why sticking through the beginning can change how you plan in the end. 
SUBMIT YOUR TIME SUCKING HURDLE!
We want to know what is sucking up all of your time either as a teacher or just a person. Head over to our website and submit your TSH so that you can have a chance to be featured on the podcast!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

146. 5 Easy Strategies to Get Ahead in Your Planning

Planning out your lessons is one of the most challenging parts of our jobs. It is time consuming, changes day-to-day based on the needs of students, and (to be honest) we don’t get as many resources to help support us in this area. So how can we get ahead of the curve? How can we go beyond planning week-to-week or day-to-day? 
In this episode we want to share 5 strategies that will help you get ahead in your planning. These strategies are proven to work because we use them in our classrooms, and a lot of the strategies were learned from starting this podcast and having to learn how to be efficient with our time. So grab a pen and paper and get ready to learn 5 strategies that will change the way you plan. 
In this episode you will hear:
How developing a scope and sequence can help you have a bigger picture of what you are teaching and where you are going next. 
Why templates are the key to developing a structure and speeding up the planning process. 
Why batching has changed our lives and it can change yours too!
How developing an activity bank can benefit not only you but also your students. 
Why you should give your students more control in the classroom
SUBMIT YOUR TIME SUCKING HURDLE!
We want to know what is sucking up all of your time either as a teacher or just a person. Head over to our website and submit your TSH so that you can have a chance to be featured on the podcast!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

145. Steal This Productive Monthly Routine (That Actually Works)

Have you ever thought about giving yourself a restart every month? No need to wait until the start of a new school year or after some major break, you can start fresh every month. This is a time to get your ducks in a row and feel like your most productive self. 
In today’s episode we want to share a routine that will work for any lifestyle. You’ll find that after going through this exercise you will have a better plan at what the month will bring and be able to anticipate deadlines, events, and more. Sounds great, right? 
Components to a Monthly Routine:
Reviewing your calendar
Setting intentions
Determining your projects
Setting up your to-do lists
Establish a routine
Check out our new Planner Inserts!
SUBMIT YOUR TIME SUCKING HURDLE!
We want to know what is sucking up all of your time either as a teacher or just a person. Head over to our website and submit your TSH so that you can have a chance to be featured on the podcast!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

144. Unit Planning 101: The Secret to Maximizing Your Planning Time

If you are a teacher then the chances that you had to undergo some form of unit planning in college is very high. However, we have to know! Have you actually used your skills from college to plan out a unit? We’d assume that the percentage of teachers who are willing to create 120 page planned units is very small. The majority of the (little) time we have as teachers is spent creating those detailed lessons that we use week to week. 
Only, we recognize that unit plans can save us a LOT of time! Afterall, isn’t it just batch planning at it’s finest? This is why we thought it was important to include an entire episode on how to develop effective unit plans. We’ll take you from the college unit planning experience to our TOP Teacher recommendations. 
In this episode you will hear: 
Our step-by-step process for developing your unit plans. 
Why creating a lesson progression will help to define your individual lessons. 
How embedding your lesson structure will save you time and energy. 
Our quick tips for making this process more efficient and less stressful!
Check out these additional episodes:
140: The ONE Thing Holding Your Lesson Planning Back
141: Lesson Planning 101: How to Plan MORE Lessons in LESS Time
143: Plan Your Entire School Year In ONE Day (Yes, really!)
Check out our new Planner Inserts!
 
SUBMIT YOUR TIME SUCKING HURDLE!
We want to know what is sucking up all of your time either as a teacher or just a person. Head over to our website and submit your TSH so that you can have a chance to be featured on the podcast!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

143. Plan Your Entire School Year in ONE DAY (Yes, really!)

You better gird your loins because we are taking lesson planning to a WHOLE other level. Lesson planning is one of the biggest hurdles for teachers all around the world, but  we know that as TOP teachers, being proactive is a great way to reduce our stress and help us tackle our to-do list well in advance. But how do we go about being proactive with our lesson plans? The answer to this question is to plan out your ENTIRE school year in one day!
We’ve all heard the term scope and sequence. This is something that many schools have adopted as their form of a curriculum map. However, a scope and sequence isn’t a detailed lesson plan. The purpose is to structure your year so that you can anticipate when to begin and end units based on other events that are occurring during the school year. How many times have you planned a lesson, only to have your plans changed because you forgot to account for an assembly, fundraiser, or field trip? 
We want to take you step by step to develop the perfect scope and sequence for this school year. This will help you create a flow to the year, allow you to anticipate beusy weeks and more importantly hit all the standards. 
In this episode you will hear:
The step by step approach we use to create a scope and sequence. 
The key ingredient to incorporate into your scope and sequence. 
Why adding in buffer dates will help to save your instruction. 
Why we work backwards when planning. 
Our quick tips for making this process easier. 
Check out our new Planner Inserts!
SUBMIT YOUR TIME SUCKING HURDLE!
We want to know what is sucking up all of your time either as a teacher or just a person. Head over to our website and submit your TSH so that you can have a chance to be featured on the podcast!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

142. Chatty Check In: Bridget’s New Teaching Job + Michelle’s New Routines

It’s time to get chatty! It’s no secret that some of y’alls favorite episodes are the ones where we just sit back and get chatty about life, school, and everything in between. In this week’s podcast episode we want to share some life updates. We share some funny stories, Michelle’s input in seeing Bridget’s classroom, Bridget’s reflection on starting at a new school and finally Michelle’s transition into a new routine. Grab a coffee, go on a walk, or turn it on in the car as good friends have a catch-up. 
SUBMIT YOUR TIME SUCKING HURDLE!
We want to know what is sucking up all of your time either as a teacher or just a person. Head over to our website and submit your TSH so that you can have a chance to be featured on the podcast!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

141. Lesson Planning 101: How to Plan MORE Lessons in LESS Time

What’s the most time consuming aspect of teaching? Did you say lesson planning? Most teachers would whole-heartedly agree with that sentiment. As soon as you feel as though you’ve gotten your plans and materials ready, you have another week of hours of research, creating, and assigning assignments to students. What if we told you that your lesson planning routine could be completely revolutionized by giving you back your time and decreasing your stress? 
Lesson planning is the process of deciding how you will teach a specific skill. This includes the explicit instruction to the independent practice that you will provide to your students. This can be considered the roadmap of learning. Even if you teach kindergarten to high school, each teacher will include some of the same elements that will help their students master the skills. In this episode we want to share the process we have used for years to develop our lesson in less time. 
In this episode you will hear:
The key steps for developing a scaffolded lesson plan. 
How your assessment should be planned first before the content. 
Why developing the hook is the most important part of your lesson. 
Our approach to developing quick and easy differentiation options. 
Quick tips for making the process easier!
Be sure to check out episodes that continues the conversation:
140: The ONE Thing Holding Your Lesson Planning Back
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SUBMIT YOUR TIME SUCKING HURDLE!
We want to know what is sucking up all of your time either as a teacher or just a person. Head over to our website and submit your TSH so that you can have a chance to be featured on the podcast!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!