Home Podcasts Firstieland Podcast For Elementary Teachers: Education Teaching Tips And Ideas For Kindergarten And First Grade
Firstieland Podcast For Elementary Teachers: Education Teaching Tips And Ideas For Kindergarten And First Grade

Firstieland Podcast For Elementary Teachers: Education Teaching Tips And Ideas For Kindergarten And First Grade

Molly Schwab 53 Episodes Jul 22, 2026

The Firstieland Podcast For Elementary Teachers: Teaching Tips And Ideas is a weekly podcast that gives kindergarten and first grade teachers real, practical strategies to make teaching easier, more effective, and a whole lot more fun. Hosted by Molly Schwab, a former kindergarten and first grade teacher with over 30 years of classroom experience, the podcast shares creative ideas for classroom management, building community, and using picture books to integrate subjects. Each episode provides easy-to-implement ideas to help educators feel more confident and in control of their classroom.

Episodes

60. First Day Of School Activities For First Grade - My Exact First Day Plan
60. First Day Of School Activities For First Grade - My Exact First Day Plan Jul 22, 2026 11:56 First day of school activities for first grade don't have to feel overwhelming. In this episode, Molly walks you through her exact first day plan, including the classroom routines, procedures, and fun activities she used to help students feel comfortable, build confidence, and set the stage for a successful school year.After 35 years of teaching, Molly learned that the first day of school isn't ab
59. Routines And Procedures First Grade Teachers Need To Teach For Better Classroom Management
59. Routines And Procedures First Grade Teachers Need To Teach For Better Classroom Management Jul 15, 2026 09:26 In this episode, Molly shows you how to teach classroom routines and procedures in first grade that actually stick so you can improve classroom management and help your students know exactly what to do each day. After 35 years of teaching first grade, Molly learned that most behavior problems don’t happen because kids are trying to misbehave. They happen because students haven’t been taught exactl
58. How To Teach Without Interruption During Centers In First Grade
58. How To Teach Without Interruption During Centers In First Grade Jul 8, 2026 12:32 In this episode, Molly shows you how to teach without interruption by training students to work independently during centers. Welcome to Part 6 of the full masterclass on how to set up and manage centers in your classroom. You can listen to the entire series in order beginning with Episode 53. After 35 years of teaching, Molly learned that students working independently at centers don't happen
57. Word Work Centers For First Grade | 25+ Easy Phonics Activities
57. Word Work Centers For First Grade | 25+ Easy Phonics Activities Jul 1, 2026 11:38 Word Work Centers For First Grade | 25+ Easy Phonics ActivitiesIn this episode, Molly shares more than 25 easy word work activities that help first grade students practice phonics skills while working independently. Welcome to Part 6 of the 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺. You can find the entire series beginning with episode 53.Whether you're setting up your
56. What Every First Grade Word Work Center Needs
56. What Every First Grade Word Work Center Needs Jun 24, 2026 10:52 What Every First Grade Word Work Center NeedsIn this episode, Molly shares exactly what every first grade word work center needs to help students practice phonics skills, build independence, and stay engaged while you meet with small groups. If you're setting up your literacy centers for back to school, this episode will show you how to create a simple word work center without spending a fortune o
55. Easy First Grade Writing Center Set Up And Ideas
55. Easy First Grade Writing Center Set Up And Ideas Jun 17, 2026 08:35 Easy First Grade Writing Center Set Up And IdeasIn this episode, Molly shares how to set up a writing center that helps students practice writing independently while keeping them engaged and productive. If you're getting ready for back to school or looking to improve your learning centers, the writing center is a great place for students to practice the writing skills you've been teaching througho
54. How To Set Up A Classroom Library Center In First Grade
54. How To Set Up A Classroom Library Center In First Grade Jun 10, 2026 07:16 How To Set Up A Classroom Library Center In First GradeIn this episode, Molly shares how to set up a classroom library that students will love using all year long. If you're getting ready for back to school and wondering which learning center to introduce first, the classroom library is a great place to start. It requires very little prep, helps students practice working independently, and gives y
53. 5 Classroom Literacy Center Mistakes Teachers Make (And How To Fix Them)
53. 5 Classroom Literacy Center Mistakes Teachers Make (And How To Fix Them) Jun 3, 2026 10:53 In this episode, Molly shares five common literacy center mistakes that can make center time feel chaotic and frustrating for teachers. After 35 years of teaching, she learned that most center problems actually start long before students ever rotate to a center.From introducing centers too quickly and skipping important modeling to making centers too complicated, Molly shares simple strategies tha
52. Organizing A First Grade Classroom For A Smoother Year
52. Organizing A First Grade Classroom For A Smoother Year May 27, 2026 09:38 In this episode, Molly shares simple classroom setup and organization ideas that can help make your next school year feel smoother and much less chaotic. After 35 years of teaching first grade, she learned that the way you arrange and organize your classroom can make a huge difference in your classroom management, student independence, and daily routines.From traffic flow and center placement to o
51. First Grade Teacher Must Haves For The Classroom
51. First Grade Teacher Must Haves For The Classroom May 20, 2026 07:48 First Grade Teacher Must Haves For The ClassroomIn this episode, Molly shares her top 10 must-have items for every first grade classroom after 35 years of teaching. These are the classroom tools she reached for every single day to save time, stay organized, and make teaching easier.These teacher must haves will help you create a more organized, efficient, and student-friendly classroom. Whether yo
50. How To Clean And Organize Your Classroom Before Summer Break
50. How To Clean And Organize Your Classroom Before Summer Break May 13, 2026 08:45 In this episode, Molly shares simple and practical tips for how to clean and organize your classroom before summer break so you can leave school feeling less stressed and come back in August ready to go. These classroom organization ideas are designed to help elementary teachers pack up efficiently, stay organized, and make back to school setup so much easier.In this episode, you’ll learn:✔️ How t
49. What To Do The Last Week Of School In First Grade (Fun & EASY Ideas)
49. What To Do The Last Week Of School In First Grade (Fun & EASY Ideas) May 6, 2026 07:44 In this episode, Molly shares simple and fun ideas for what to do during the last week of school in your elementary classroom. These low prep end of year activities are designed to keep students engaged, help you manage those final busy days, and still create meaningful memories before summer break.If your class is feeling done and you're trying to keep things under control while wrapping up the s

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