PODCAST · education
Apple Blossom Teachers
by Lorraine Padilla, Elementary Teacher
A podcast for blooming teachers who are looking to learn, reflect, grow, and connect within a supportive teaching community. I am here to be your personal teacher mentor, leading you on your personal professional development journey without the nonsense busy work that often gets piled on new teachers!Learn more at appleblossomteachers.com
Episodes
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66. REAL Lesson Planning Outline for Student Engagement
We've all sat through PD sessions that were less than engaging. It doesn't feel great to be sitting through a session covering content we already know, or that has us sitting and listening for the bulk, rather than actively putting the new content into practice. The same goes for our students....
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65. Ditch the reading logs! Try this instead...
(TLDR - reading logs don't work, but this FREE printable bookshelf can!) Traditional reading logs - we've all seen them, used them, most likely fibbed on them...GASP! It's the truth though - in every post I see about reading logs, so many teachers and parents share anecdotes about how they have...
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64. Student-centered Curriculum Design
Student centered norms and classroom design are important to establishing the ownership and engagement we desire. But what about when we get into the day-to-day, actual content area instruction? Many of our teacher manuals aren't particularly designed to be student-centered, primarily because the...
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63. Classroom Routines & Procedures in a Student-Centered Classroom
Today I'm sharing a quick run down of tips to keep in mind as you plan your class procedures and how you will introduce them during that very busy first week of school. The short version: Pre-teach things that are essential to starting a task Mention that you may pause their work mid-activity to...
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62. First Week of School Activities to Prevent Student-centered Learning Challenges
With student ownership over their learning comes a need for shared responibility over the space and systems. Today I'm sharing 3 activities you can do within the first few days of school to support positive classroom management and gain student buy-in. Anchor charts to open dialogue about our...
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61 Back to School Tips for Student Centered Classroom Design
Let's look at a few easy swaps and considerations for setting up a student-centered classroom. Today we'll talk: math manipulatives classroom library student supplies writing station and more! Links and resources: Interview with Mona Iehl of Mona Math - hear a bit about the math journey I…
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60. What Is Student-Centered Learning and Why Is It Important in Upper Elementary?
Today we are kicking off a mini series all about student-centered learning environments. What is student centered learning and why is it important in upper elementary? Today's episode will be a little more philosophical…overall what does this mean to us and other educators? How has this looked in...
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59. Elementary Earth Day Activities...with a dose of SEL?!
In honor of Earth Day, I'm RECYCLING and REPURPOSING an incredible interview with Amy Louise Davis, of Alou Artist, all about how we can reduce "throw away culture" in our classrooms while also supporting mindfulness and creativity in our students. Amy is a textile artist and embroiderer who is...
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58. Teacher Inspiration Stories and Strategies
What was the BEST class you've ever been in? What made it so? Great teachers have a knack for seamlessly weaving inspiration, passion, and content together in a way that creates a community of curiosity & excitement. We no doubt always start the year with the mindset of creating this type of...
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57. Differentiated Novel Studies: Helping all readers access complex texts
We've been chatting a ton about higher order thinking skills and getting our students really digging deep with our grade level content. 🤷♀️But what do we do when students are struggling to simply meet that grade level content? How can we simultaneously scaffold our instruction while also...
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56. Teaching Informational Texts Doesn't Have to be Boring!
Looking for some fun ways to teach informational text structures, author's purpose, nonfiction text features, and more that go beyond the usual activities and anchor charts? Here's a quick mini-lesson and an exploration activity you can use to engage your students authentically with informational...
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55. Higher Order Thinking Question Examples - an easy strategy for leveling up student-generated questions
Let's chat about an easy way to push students' observations, analyses, and questioning to a higher level. Using a strategy known as "Think Like A Disciplinarian," students are challenged to take on the perspective of an expert in a field or topic. Students ask questions, make observations, and…
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54. The Science of Reading Goes Beyond Decoding
I'm sharing a tool, known as the Icons of Depth and Complexity, for getting our students to think deeply about the texts we read, events we discuss, and situations we encounter. This simple tool for helping students access and apply higher-order thinking skills is a game changer for so many...
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53. Make Good Reading Responses Even Better
These 2 strategies had my students asking if they were allowed to go back and reread! Yup, a great reading response prompt can be the difference between "I have to go back and find text evidence." and "I've gotta find evidence to prove my point!!" Strategy 1: Add a Likert Scale to yes/no…
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52: Hot take - When students are stuck, just GIVE them the information.
Today's quick win strategy is all about keeping our students moving forward, allowing them to deeply engage with complex upper elementary skills, by just giving them the key information. Literally, just give them the key! Fluently solving multiplication facts, figuring out how to spell a word,...
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51. Student Publishing to Increase Writing Motivation
Over the last few weeks, we've been chatting all about how we can bridge high quality reading instruction to strengthen our students' writing. Today I want to share this throwback episode to give you some project ideas your students can actually apply all these lessons to. I hope this juicy past...
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50. Lessons on Writing from Real Authors
We've talked about using physical texts such as novels, picture books, and poems as mentor text for writing and reading standards. But what if instead of just learning from the author's writing, we actually learn directly from the author themselves? Today I'm sharing all about why and how you can...
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49. How to Use one Mentor Text for Narrative Writing and Reading Skills
Today's focus will be literary mentor texts - using one text with paired reading and writing standards to maximize our class time, increase student engagement with the content, and create learning that lasts. One picture book can tackle authors craft moves, author's voice, tone of the story…
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48. Using a reading lesson plan for writing
One strategy to really deepen complexity and understanding beyond memorization, to a place where students are truly applying that skill, is to be very intentional with pairing reading and writing. Today, we're chatting all about using your weekly reading lesson plan to truly guide your writing...
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47. Reading Conferences: A sneaky strategy for reading instruction in upper elementary
It boils down to this: Students can't love reading without knowing HOW to read. The good news is, teaching students how to read and creating a class community full of students who love to read can definitely happen simultaneously. And in upper grades, it absolutely needs to. Reading conferences…
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46. 3 Novel study no-no's you may be making (and how to fix them!)
These are 3 common novel study and read aloud no-no's, all 3 that I've definitely done myself! Teaching the BOOK, not the READER. Choosing a book that doesn't resonate with your current readers. Choosing a book that will take too long, OR taking too long on a short book. Today's episode shares…
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45. Classroom Community Building Starts with a Strong Reading Culture
Want 5 simple ways you can support a strong reading culture in upper elementary, and surprisingly have some strong classroom community building as a bonus?! Allow for reading choice Make time for book talks & reading life chats Use reading journals instead of traditional reading logs Incorporate...
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44: Writing Strategy for Peer Editing - The Speed Proofread
You've heard of speed dating, right? What if I told you that model works for efficient and pretty thorough peer editing, too?! "Speed Proofread" eliminates some of the challenges and pressure that come with exchanging papers with one peer, and shifts proofreading and revisions to a whole-class,...
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43: Gallery Walk Peer Feedback
This is a simple, no-prep method for helping students give authentic, skills-focused feedback on peer projects. Having students set up art projects, STEM designs, etc. around the room in a gallery format, then having students leave sticky note compliments around peer projects using…
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42. Gallery Walk Student Presentations
Short on time, but still want students to regularly practice formally presenting to peers? Enter - Gallery Walk Presentations! This is a great strategy for building students' presentation confidence, and great for assessing peer listening comprehension. Listen in for a quick run down of what this...
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41. School Accessibility: Considerations for field trips, assemblies, and more with Erin Castillo of Affirmations and Accessibility
Accommodations aren't just for inside our classrooms, and Erin Castillo of @AffirmationsAndAccessibility is sharing some insight on how we can make all parts of our school year engaging and accessible to all our learners. This is such an important conversation full of eye-opening considerations....
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40. Student Engagement Strategy: Guest speakers in the elementary classroom
Guest speakers can be an easy way to make learning relevant, help students build value for skills, topics, and disciplines you are covering, and form partnerships that can open even more learning opportunities within your community. Ready for more? Join me on July 28th for a half-day, virtual,...
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39. A Simple Reading and Writing Strategy
Short and Sweet Episode Week 3: This is a strategy called "Step In - Step Out," which I originally learned from Michael Friermood, AKA The Thinker Builder. You can learn more about his version HERE, which is awesome for building a deeper understanding of a narrative text, as well as the impact of...
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38. Student Engagement: Quick scans to introduce vocabulary
Welcome to week two of our Short And Sweet Summer episodes! Each week I'll share one quick-win engagement strategy for your third through sixth grade classroom, along with a brain dump of ways YOU can use it! These SASS-y episodes are great for a quick listen while running errands, or to save up...
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37. Student Engagement: Examples and non-examples sorts for every subject area
Welcome to week one of our Short And Sweet Summer episodes! Each week I'll share one quick-win engagement strategy for your third through sixth grade classroom, along with a brain dump of ways YOU can use it! These SASS-y episodes are great for a quick listen while running errands, or to save up...
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36. Top 3 Tips to Maximize your Teacher Summer PD
Top 3 Tips to Maximize your Summer PD: A system for your notes, a system for your files, and a system to keep track of how well (or not!) the new ideas work when you try them! These are my top 3 tips to get the most out of the amazing summer learning you have planned. And speaking of summer...
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35. Teacher Summer Priorities
Teacher Summer Priorities: Join me in a more casual episode as I share a little behind-the-scenes of the summer reflection process we've been chatting about. If you need a little inspiration or camaraderie, this is the episode for you! Looking for something a little more actionable? Grab the FREE...
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34. Teacher Summer Learning: Choose your own PD adventure
Welcome to "Choose-your-own-adventure" summer learning edition! Whether it's organization and planning, instruction in specific content areas, or even taking your teaching to the next level, here are some recommendations. Use the guide below to quickly find what you need, or listen to the full...
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33. Before your summer PD, ask these questions to reflect on your school year
Have you ever come back to that one week of teacher prep time feeling like it's just NOT enough to really help you mentally and instructionally plan for a solid year? Then once we get into the day-to-day hustle, it's impossible to catch up, let alone get ahead! This leads to that...
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32. Elementary Writing Instruction: Take off the training wheels:
It can be such a great feeling when our kids are writing solid paragraphs or essays, using the fun little acronyms or mnemonic devices we've supported them with. But just like learning to ride a bike with training wheels, it's not until those extra supports are taken off that you're truly...
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31. Upper Elementary Writing Engagement: authentic audience project ideas for 3rd - 6th grade teachers
Students who are BEGGING for more writing time? Yes, please! One easy key to increasing writing engagement and motivation is adding in an authentic audience. Here's why you need to be leveraging this strategy, plus real 3rd - 6th grade project ideas from no additional prep all the way to the big...
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30. Using Writing Workshop to increase motivation and writing growth in upper elementary
How can you differentiate for such a wide range of writing levels in upper elementary, especially when it feels like pulling teeth to get your kids excited about writing? Writer's Workshop is a great solution, and with a few key moves in your teacher toolbox, your students' writing will start to...
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29. Informational Writing Instruction: 3 activities to help your students "read like writers" and improve their informational writing
Do you use literary mentor texts in your classroom? This practice has definitely gained popularity, and for good reason, but many of the resources out there offer strategies for using picture books, novels, and poetry as mentor texts for writing. The strategies from literature analysis can be...
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28. Build Your Classroom Library on a Budget: Informational Text Edition
Remember all those incredible types of informational text we talked about last week? (ICYMI, definitely head back to episode 27!) Today I'm spilling my secrets for bulking up your informational classroom library section on a budget. Listen in for 6 ways you can support student learning with more...
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27. Informational Text Your Classroom Needs: Going beyond books and articles
Welcome back! I am so pumped for this relaunch. Let's jump on in! >>> Nonfiction books and articles are often readily available in our curriculum and digital downloads, but there's a whole world of real informational text we can easily incorporate beyond that. Grab your notepad, because I'm…
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26. The not-an-art-teacher's guide to sketchbooks in the classroom: boost engagement, content retention, and social skills through simple and transferrable art explorations
Summary: Today's episode is FULL of simple and actionable strategies that will level up your students' motivation, retention of content knowledge, interpersonal skills, and so much more. The key? Sketchbooks!! I'm sharing a little about my journey with sketchbooks in the classroom, and how I use...
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25. What makes a great math class? A chat with Mona Iehl, your "math teacher cheerleader!"
Summary: Were you a math lover or a "math avoider" as a student? What do you want your students to be? I had the privilege of chatting with Mona Iehl of Local Learners and Co, who is sharing her passion and strategies for building positive math identities within our students. Mona is an absolute...
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24. New teaching job? Start here!
Summary: Congrats! You just landed a new teaching job...but where to begin?! You're so excited to start, but it's still a couple months until you can really meet with your team or set up your room. Even if you aren't sure of the specifics quite yet, there are a few things you can think about that...
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23. Classroom Trash to Treasure: An interview with artist Amy Davis on sustainability, mindfulness, and tackling "throw away culture" in our classrooms
Summary: Elementary classrooms are notorious for cute, colorful decor and fun little projects that supplement our content, but that often comes with a cost in terms of sustainability. Today I'm interviewing Amy Louise Davis, of Alou Artist, all about how we can reduce "throw away culture" in our...
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22. Kickstart your Project Based Learning experiences: a chat with Kristen Moore about getting started with PBL
Summary: Project Based Learning, PBL, is an incredible way to bring authentic learning applications to your students. Today, I'm chatting with Kristen Moore of @moorethanjustX all about getting started with PBL, some common challenges in designing authentic PBL units as well as how to avoid them,...
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21. Closing out your classroom so future you thanks you!
Summary: Now that you've closed out your teacher-brain for the year and wrapped up your time with your students, it's time to think about closing out your classroom! But before you lock that door or turn in your key for the summer, follow these tips so August you will be singing your praises! I'm...
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20. Intentional plans to rest and recharge this summer, so you are re-energized in the fall!
Now that you've reflected on your school year and started to clear out your "teacher thoughts," it's time to set some plans in place for summer! Wait, aren't we just going to chill and recharge over the summer?! YES!! But if you're anything like me, without intentionally planning the things that...
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19. Closure with your professional self, part 1: reflections, goal-setting, and notes for future you!
Let's make sure that teacher brain of yours is ready to close out this chapter of your teaching career, rest and recharge over the summer, and prepare to start another incredible chapter in the fall! Today is definitely a grab a notepad, be ready to hit pause a few times kind of episode, so get...
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18. Closure as a class family: the formalities, the sentiments, and the fun stuff!
You and your students have made significant memories and progress as a group this year. Honor that relationship and provide great closure by tying up your loose ends, making some extra-fun lasting memories, and reflecting on your year together. Today I share some of my favorite ways to close out...
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17. Avoid an interview brain fart by doing these 3 things ahead of time!
No one wants to draw a blank in an interview! You know you have the experience or knowledge you need to answer confidently, but being put on the spot can lock the words on the tip of your tongue!! Doing these 3 things can help you prepare to rock your teaching interview and answer any question…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A podcast for blooming teachers who are looking to learn, reflect, grow, and connect within a supportive teaching community. I am here to be your personal teacher mentor, leading you on your personal professional development journey without the nonsense busy work that often gets piled on new teachers!Learn more at appleblossomteachers.com
HOSTED BY
Lorraine Padilla, Elementary Teacher
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Apple Blossom Teachers have?
Apple Blossom Teachers currently has 67 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Apple Blossom Teachers about?
A podcast for blooming teachers who are looking to learn, reflect, grow, and connect within a supportive teaching community. I am here to be your personal teacher mentor, leading you on your personal professional development journey without the nonsense busy work that often gets piled on new...
How often does Apple Blossom Teachers release new episodes?
Apple Blossom Teachers has 67 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Apple Blossom Teachers?
You can listen to Apple Blossom Teachers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Apple Blossom Teachers?
Apple Blossom Teachers is created and hosted by Lorraine Padilla, Elementary Teacher.
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