Teaching Made Simple

022. Just-in-Time Learning is Taking Over Small Group Instruction

021. Meaningful Minimum Mindset

Do Less. Teach Better. Focus on What Matters Most. Feeling overwhelmed by everything you’re supposed to be doing in your classroom? In this episode of Teaching Made Simple, we’re talking about the Meaningful Minimum Mind

020. Fresh Start in 2026

Aura Estelle B6 Daily Planner

019. Intervention Characteristics Teachers Need to Know

In this episode, I’m breaking down what an intervention really is—and why so many teachers feel stressed or unsure about planning one. This lesson comes straight from the Interventions pillar inside the Bridging Literacy

018. How Book Talks Can Build a Love of Reading

In this episode, Bridget shares how she intentionally helped students who didn’t think they were readers fall in love with books through Book Talks. Book talks are short, engaging presentations, like a mini commercial fo

017. 7 Simple Strategies for Building Background Knowledge

As a presenter, one thing I always like to acknowledge before starting any session is that teachers bring a wide range of experience and knowledge to the table. It’s nearly impossible to create a session where everything

016. The Dos and Don’ts of Background Knowledge

Have you ever been in a situation where everyone around you seemed to know something you didn’t? That was me in a leadership team meeting when I was asked to pick my favorite Muppet character. I only knew two: Kermit and

015. Stop the Vocab Struggle: Easy Ways to Build Word Knowledge in Grades 3–6

Episode 15 | Stop the Vocab Struggle: Easy Ways to Build Word Knowledge in Grades 3–6 If you’ve ever wrapped up a read-aloud or small group lesson only to hear your students describe characters as “nice,” “mean,” or “kin

014. This Routine Will Change Your Instruction

Comprehension is the heart of upper elementary instruction—and while we spend a lot of time teaching it, not all strategies give students the same results. What if there was one simple routine that could make comprehensi

How to Start the Year Strong: 5 Simple Tips for Launching Your Literacy Block

The start of the school year is always a whirlwind—between classroom setup, professional development, and learning 25 new names (or more), it’s easy to feel like your literacy block becomes an afterthought. But those fir

012. Teaching Grammar in the Classroom Simple Strategies

If grammar instruction feels like the one part of your week that’s constantly getting shuffled, trimmed, or skipped altogether… you’re not alone. Between fitting in reading groups, writing blocks, and all the moving part

011. Mentor Sentence Made Simple: How to Introduce Grammar in Context

In this episode of Teaching Made Simple, we’re cutting through the clutter of grammar instruction and zooming in on one powerful tool that is perfect for introducing grammar in context—mentor sentences. Whether you’re ti

010. The Writing Process Simplified for 3rd Through 6th Grade

Do your students groan when it’s time to write? You’re not alone. But here’s the good news: writing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—for them or for you. In this episode, we’re breaking down the writing process into cle

009. How to Build a Writing Block That Actually Works

Let’s be honest—writing blocks are one of the first things to get pushed aside when the schedule gets tight. And if you’ve ever tried to teach writing while juggling pull-outs, behavior needs, and a jam-packed calendar,

008. The 5 Biggest Writing Myths Teachers Still Believe

Here’s the truth: most of the writing frustration we feel as teachers isn’t because we’re doing something wrong—it’s because we’ve been taught to believe things that simply aren’t true. Whether it came from professional

007. Why Writing Feels So Hard to Teach--and What to Do About It

If teaching writing feels overwhelming, frustrating, or like an endless guessing game—you’re not alone. In today’s episode, I’m sharing a story from my own journey, moving from kindergarten to fourth grade with nothing b

006. Clarity Over Chaos: How to Reset Your Literacy Instruction This Summer

Feeling exhausted by the end of the school year but still determined to “figure things out” this summer? This episode is your permission slip to stop trying to do all the things—and instead, focus on creating clarity and

005. Talk It Out: How Oral Language Sparks Academic Growth

What if the key to better reading, writing, and engagement isn’t another worksheet—but a conversation? In this episode, Bridget shares how oral language lays the foundation for academic growth in upper elementary classro

004. Active Student Engagement: The Secret to Getting Every Student Involved

Is your classroom engagement strategy working for you—or against you? In this episode of Teaching Made Simple, we’re diving into the practical power of active student engagement and why it’s one of the most important thi

003. Why Rushing to Fluency Can Hurt Learning

Have you ever taught a skill over and over again, only to wonder, “Why aren’t they getting it?” It might be because we’re rushing right past acquisition and diving headfirst into fluency—and that shortcut is costing our