Halloween in the classroom can be a whole lot of fun, but when the excitement starts climbing, it can feel like you’re trying to teach a room full of caffeinated squirrels! In this classic replay episode, we’re sharing our Halloween survival guide for keeping the fun without letting your classroom structure fall apart. We talk about how to keep your core routines intact while sprinkling in just enough seasonal magic, how to plan ahead with a Plan B schedule, and how to manage parties, costumes, treats, brain breaks, and all that extra energy. The big idea? Follow the candy rule: a handful of fun can create some pretty magical classroom moments, but a whole bucket can lead straight to chaos.

Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/halloween-classroom-management/

Resources:

• Shop all our Halloween resources here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/product-category/halloween/
• Order our book: Structure and Spark
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 33. Class Party Success - Our 7 Step Class Party Planning Checklist
• Episode 34. Plan the Perfect Halloween Class Party With 7 Easy Steps
• Episode 96. How to Plan an Amazing 2nd Grade Class Halloween Party

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the Teacher Approved Club, where members get seasonal morning work pages for grades K–5 this month to add fall and holiday fun without throwing off their routines: https://secondstorywindow.net/club

There’s nothing quite like looking around your classroom mid-lesson and wondering, “Are they learning, or am I just talking?” In this episode, we’re talking about student engagement and how guided notes can keep students thinking during instruction. We break down five steps for creating guided notes that encourage students to make connections and show what they understand, plus ways to use those notes for study guides, retrieval practice, warm-ups, and exit tickets. The goal isn’t simply to keep kids busy. It’s to create meaningful opportunities for students to think and stay engaged while you teach!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/guided-notes/

Resources:

• Order our book: Structure and Spark
• Halloween Resources
• Victoria Magazine
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 161. How to Get Students Actively Engaged: 5 Teacher Approved Techniques
• Episode 165. Keeping Students Engaged All Year Long, No Matter the Season
• Episode 35. 5 Ways to Increase Student Engagement – Our Secret Weapon for Teachers
• Episode 33. Class Party Success – Our 7 Step Class Party Planning Checklist
• Episode 34. Plan the Perfect Halloween Class Party With 7 Easy Steps
• Episode 96. How to Plan an Amazing 2nd Grade Class Halloween Party

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the Teacher Approved Club, where members get seasonal morning work pages for grades K–5 this month to add fall and holiday fun without throwing off their routines: https://secondstorywindow.net/club

Once you’ve had a few weeks to get to know your students, it’s the perfect time to take another look at your seating chart. In this replay episode, we’re sharing our best strategies for choosing a seating arrangement, using proximity to keep students on task, and recognizing when a seating setup that worked at first is no longer working for your classroom. We’ll help you make strategic seating changes that support smoother classroom management and a more productive learning environment.

Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/classroom-seating-arrangements/

Resources:

• Order our book: Structure and Spark
• Editable Seating Chart Maker
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 102. Classroom Behavior Problems: How to Plan Ahead to Handle Them Effectively
• Episode 164. Why You Need a Classroom Carpet and How to Manage Student Behavior
• Episode 285. Positive Classroom Culture is Your Management Secret Weapon
• Episode 282. 3 Ways to Hold Students Accountable to Your Classroom Expectations

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the Teacher Approved Club, where members get seasonal morning work pages for grades K–5 this month to add fall and holiday fun without throwing off their routines: https://secondstorywindow.net/club

Mondays can feel overwhelming when you’re carrying unfinished tasks and trying to remember EVERYTHING that needs to happen! In this episode, we’re sharing a 5-step weekly reset to help you wrap up loose ends, prepare for the week ahead, and create a clearer starting point for Monday. It’s not about getting everything done, it’s about being prepared with a plan!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/weekly-reset-for-teachers/

Resources:

• Order our book: Structure and Spark
• TheraICE Migraine Relief Cap
• Muse Apothecary Pillow Ritual: Calming Pillow Mist
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 93. Teacher Morning Routine: 10 Tips for Creating Your Perfect Plan
• Episode 243. How to Protect Your Planning Time (So You Can Stop Working For Free)
• Episode 147. Teacher Approved Tips: How to Plan Ahead for Future Problems!
• Episode 228. The Simple 6-Step Plan for Resetting After a Sub

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the Teacher Approved Club, where members get seasonal morning work pages for grades K–5 this month to add fall and holiday fun without throwing off their routines: https://secondstorywindow.net/club

Transitions can quietly eat up valuable instructional time, especially when students start moving before directions are finished. In this episode, we’re breaking down a simple framework for making prompted transitions smoother, more efficient, and easier to manage by standardizing your approach. We’ll walk through the key steps and how they can help students know when to listen, when to move, and what to do next. With a consistent format in place, transitions can become a smoother, more predictable part of your classroom day.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/smooth-classroom-transitions/

Resources:

• Order our book: Structure and Spark
• Ungodly Rich
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 48. How to Make Classroom Transitions Simple With Clear Beginnings and Endings
• Episode 49. Rapid Classroom Transitions: How to Save 45 Hours a Year
• Episode 50. 3 Guidelines to Make Classroom Transitions Work Smarter Not Harder
• Episode 254. Why Your Students Get Chatty During Transitions (And How to Stop It)
• Episode 282. 3 Ways to Hold Students Accountable to Your Classroom Expectations

Your classroom culture is what teaches students how to behave, whether you’re the one doing the teaching or not! In this episode, we’re talking about how to intentionally shape a positive classroom culture that makes classroom management easier. We break down five practical steps and explain how social skills, positive peer pressure, and clearly reinforced expectations can help students take more ownership of how your classroom works.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/positive-classroom-culture/

Resources:

• Order our book: Structure and Spark
• Hangers
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 283. Why Reaching for a Reward System Might Be the Wrong First Move
• Episode 245. How to Build a Teacher Wardrobe That Fits Your Life
• Episode 150. Perfect Your Classroom Procedures with the Help of Our Guiding Questions
• Episode 278. Want Better Behavior? Start with Relationships
• Episode 87. 4 Important Ways to Build Classroom Community at Back to School

Hallway procedures might seem like a small part of classroom management, but they can have a much bigger impact on classroom success than you might expect. In this classic replay episode, we’re breaking down how to create effective hallway procedures by planning strategically, responding to disruptions, and teaching and practicing expectations with your students. With a little intentional planning and practice, your hallway procedures can become a simple but powerful foundation for a calmer, more successful classroom.

Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/hallway-behavior-management/

Resources:

• Order our book: Structure and Spark
• Classroom Procedures and Routines Teaching Slides Bundle
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 150. Perfect Your Classroom Procedures with the Help of Our Guiding Questions
• Episode 173. Getting into the Nitty Gritty of Classroom Procedures and Routines
• Episode 75. Classroom Procedures and Expectations: How they Differ and How to Teach Them
• Episode 18. Procedures for Success!
• Episode 98. 5 Reasons Your Attention Signal Isn’t Working and How to Improve It