Literacy Center Strategies That Actually Work In First Grade

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares literacy center strategies that actually work in a real first grade classroom. If you feel overwhelmed and exhausted from planning and organizing centers or if keeping kids on task is a struggle, this episode is for you.

There are so many different ways teachers run literacy centers and it can feel confusing trying to figure out what works best. Instead of chasing the “perfect” system, this episode breaks down different approaches and how to choose something that fits your classroom and your time.

Molly shares what worked best for her after years in the classroom, including why she moved away from weekly centers and switched to monthly literacy centers. You’ll hear how this simple shift can save you time, reduce burnout, and make center time more engaging and manageable for both teachers and students.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ The most common literacy center challenges teachers face and why they happen

✔️ A clear explanation of Daily Five, Must Do May Do, and other popular center systems

✔️ Why monthly literacy centers can save time and reduce teacher burnout

✔️ How to keep students engaged and on task while you teach small groups

✔️ Simple ways to differentiate centers without relying on endless worksheets

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel more confident setting up literacy centers that feel manageable and realistic for first grade, without spending your nights and weekends prepping materials.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Monthly Math & Literacy Centers - https://firstieland.com/learningcenters

Learn more literacy center strategies here - https://firstieland.com/centers

Let’s Stay Connected

Visit the website: www.firstieland.com

Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store

Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland

To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://firstieland.com/podcast

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Text Connections & Opinion Writing With Brave Irene - Book Bite #4

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, Molly shares how to use Brave Irene to teach character traits, problem and solution, and opinion writing in a simple, meaningful way. This winter classic is perfect for discussing courage and perseverance while hitting key reading and writing skills.

You’ll learn:

✔️ How to teach character traits through Irene’s determination

✔️ Easy ways to text connections

✔️ Teaching opinion writing

Resources Mentioned

FREE Winter Read Aloud Challenge – firstieland.com/challenge

Brave Irene TPT resource - firstieland.com/irene

Book - Brave Irene - https://amzn.to/4oTQLRq

Let's Stay Connected

Visit our website: www.firstieland.com

Need resources? Visit our TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store

Need more help or ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland

To check out all the resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the show notes: https://firstieland.com/podcast

Enjoying The Podcast?

Be sure to tap the follow button so you don’t miss an episode.

How To Rate And Review

If you’re enjoying this podcast and it’s helpful to you, I’d love it if you’d leave a review.

🍎 APPLE PODCAST – https://firstieland.com/apple

🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify

Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play… see you next week! 💜

Molly

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Surviving Indoor Recess: Simple Play Ideas That Won’t Drive You Crazy

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares simple ways to survive indoor recess without losing your sanity. If indoor recess in your classroom feels loud, chaotic, or completely exhausting, this episode is for you.

Whether it’s freezing temperatures, pouring rain, or just one of those days when going outside isn’t an option, indoor recess happens more often than we’d like. Instead of dreading it, you’ll learn how to put a plan in place that keeps kids playing, happy, and calm, all without a ton of prep or structure.

Molly walks you through how she handled indoor recess in her own first grade classroom, from setting clear expectations to choosing play options that actually work. You’ll hear practical ideas for free play, simple materials kids love, and low-stress games that don’t turn your classroom upside down.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ Why indoor recess still needs rules and how to set them up ahead of time

✔️ Simple indoor recess expectations that help keep noise and behavior under control

✔️ Easy free play ideas kids love, like art, building toys, and playdough

✔️ How to use classroom centers during indoor recess to give kids choice

✔️ Favorite whole-group indoor games that are fun but not wild

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel more confident walking into your next indoor recess with a plan that allows kids to play while still keeping your classroom under control.

Favorite Indoor Recess Toys List – https://firstieland.com/indoor-toys

Visit the website: www.firstieland.com

Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store

Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland

To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes:

👉 https://firstieland.com/podcast

Be sure to tap follow so you don’t miss an episode.

If this podcast has been helpful to you, I’d love for you to leave a review.

🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple

🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify

Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play… see you next week! 💜

Molly

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are usually affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Fun January Room Transformation With Snowmen At Work - Book Bite #3

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares quick and easy ways to use Snowmen at Work to boost engagement during the long winter stretch. You’ll learn how to use this playful picture book to teach reading skills, spark creative writing, and bring joy back into your classroom with a simple winter room transformation.

You’ll learn:

✔️ How to teach story elements and predictions with the snowman jobs

✔️ Simple writing prompts your kids will love

✔️ Easy ideas for a Snowman Village room transformation

Resources Mentioned

FREE Winter Read Aloud Challenge – firstieland.com/challenge

Snowmen At Work TPT resource: firstieland.com/snowman

Book - Snowmen At Work - https://amzn.to/49qbirQ

Let's Stay Connected

Visit our website: www.firstieland.com

Need resources? Visit our TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store

Need more help or ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland

To check out all the resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the show notes: https://firstieland.com/podcast

Enjoying The Podcast?

Be sure to tap the follow button so you don’t miss an episode.

How To Rate And Review

If you’re enjoying this podcast and it’s helpful to you, I’d love it if you’d leave a review.

🍎 APPLE PODCAST – https://firstieland.com/apple

🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify

Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play… see you next week! 💜

Molly

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.

Teaching Animal Habitats in First Grade: Project-Based Science and Writing Unit

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares how to integrate science with writing with a project based learning unit about Animal Habitats.

If you’ve ever wondered how you’re supposed to fit science and writing into an already packed day, this episode is for you. Instead of teaching everything separately, you’ll learn how to use a simple project-based unit to cover multiple standards at once, without adding more to your plate.

Molly walks you step-by-step through her favorite animal habitats unit, a unit she taught year after year in first grade, and shows you how to make it engaging, manageable, and fun for kids.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ How to introduce animal habitats in a way that’s simple and age-appropriate for first grade

✔️ Easy ways to build background knowledge using books, videos, and anchor charts

✔️ How to guide students through basic animal research, even with emerging readers

✔️ A simple writing project that helps students organize facts and write an animal report

✔️ How to wrap up the unit with a hands-on shoebox habitat project kids love

✔️ How combining science and writing actually saves time and increases student engagement

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear picture of how to plan and teach an animal habitats unit that covers science standards, strengthens writing skills, and keeps students excited about learning, all without needing a formal curriculum.

Animal Habitats Unit (TPT) –https://firstieland.com/animalhabitats

Animal Habitats Blog Post – https://firstieland.com/animalhabitatblog

Visit the website: www.firstieland.com

Need classroom resources? Visit the TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store

Have questions or want more ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland

To see everything mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes:

👉 https://firstieland.com/podcast

Be sure to tap follow so you don’t miss an episode.

If this podcast has been helpful to you, I’d love for you to leave a review.

🍎 APPLE PODCASTS – https://firstieland.com/apple

🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify

Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play… see you next...

Character Traits & Science With Snowflake Bentley – Book Bite Episode 2

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab dives into the true story of Snowflake Bentley and shows you how to turn this beautiful winter biography into meaningful lessons across your day. You’ll learn simple ways to teach character traits, main idea, compare and contrast, and even explore winter science, all with one picture book. Instead of searching for separate activities for reading, writing, and science, you’ll discover how this story can anchor multiple lessons and keep your students engaged during the coldest month of the year.

You’ll learn:

✔️ How to teach character traits using Wilson Bentley’s determination and curiosity

✔️ Simple ways to introduce biographies to young learners

✔️ How to explore text connections with this winter read aloud

✔️ Easy science tie-ins about snow formation and why every snowflake is unique

✔️ How to use this week’s freebie to help students describe Wilson Bentley using evidence from the text

By the end of this episode, you’ll have ready-to-use ideas for teaching comprehension, writing, and science, all centered around Snowflake Bentley, plus a free character traits activity you can use right away.

Resources Mentioned

FREE Winter Read Aloud Challenge – Sign Up Today: firstieland.com/challenge

Snowflake Bentley TPT resource - firstieland.com/snowflake

Book - Snowflake Bentley - https://amzn.to/4pmixWx

Let's Stay Connected

Visit our website: www.firstieland.com

Need resources? Visit our TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store

Need more help or ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland

To check out all the resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the show notes: https://firstieland.com/podcast

Enjoying The Podcast?

Be sure to tap the follow button so you don’t miss an episode.

How To Rate And Review

If you’re enjoying this podcast and it’s helpful to you, I’d love it if you’d leave a review.

🍎 APPLE PODCAST – https://firstieland.com/apple

🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify

Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play… see you next week! 💜

Molly

What To Do When Your Class Won't Stop Talking

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab tackles one of the most common classroom struggles - kids who just won’t stop talking. From constant whispers during work time to full-blown chatter during lessons, student talking can leave you feeling overwhelmed and out of control. But don’t worry. In this episode we’re sharing real-life strategies that actually work in a Kindergarten or 1st grade classroom.

You’ll learn:

✔️ Why student talking isn’t always a bad thing

✔️ How to teach kids what silence really means

✔️ Simple visuals and hand signals that reduce disruptions

✔️ Ideas for designated “talk times” that help kids stay focused

✔️ Tips for logical consequences and positive reinforcement that work

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel more confident managing classroom noise and ready to create a calmer, more focused environment, without losing your voice or your patience.

Mentioned In This Episode

1. FREE Monthly Read Aloud Planner - https://firstieland.com/freeplanner-pod
2. Teaching About Voice Volume and Speaking & Listening Activities - https://firstieland.com/voices-and-talking
3. Decibella And Her Six Inch Voice book - https://amzn.to/4lRR79k
4. Lacey Walker Nonstop Talker book - https://amzn.to/3IQBT61
5. Quiet Timers - https://www.online-stopwatch.com/classroom-timers/

Let's Stay Connected

1. Visit our website www.firstieland.com
2. Need resources? Visit our TPT store here - https://firstieland.com/TPT-store
3. Need more help or ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland
4. To check out all the resources mentioned in this episode, head over here to the show notes. - https://firstieland.com/episode13

Enjoying The Podcast?

1. Be sure to tap the follow button so you don’t miss an episode

How To Rate And Review

If you’re enjoying this podcast and it’s helpful to you, I’d love it if you’d leave a review.

1. APPLE PODCAST - Head to this link and then scroll to the bottom of the page to rate and review -

Teaching Reading & Writing With The Snow Globe Family – Book Bite Episode 1

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab kicks off the Winter Read Aloud Challenge with one of her favorite seasonal picture books, The Snow Globe Family by Jane O’Connor. You’ll learn simple ways to turn this charming winter story into meaningful lessons for reading comprehension, writing, and even a little science. Instead of feeling pressure to come up with activities for every subject in January, you’ll discover how one picture book can anchor multiple lessons and make planning easier and more intentional.

You’ll learn:

✔️ How to teach story elements like characters, setting, plot, and problem/solution using the two parallel families in the story

✔️ A simple pocket-chart retelling activity that strengthens sequencing and comprehension

✔️ How to stretch this story into a fun winter writing project your students will love

✔️ Easy ways to integrate weather science and simple snow-themed activities

✔️ How one picture book can support reading, writing, creativity, and critical thinking all week long

By the end of this episode, you’ll have fresh, ready-to-use ideas for using The Snow Globe Family in your classroom and a free retelling activity you can start using today.

Resources Mentioned

JOIN THE FREE WINTER READ ALOUD CHALLENGE - firstieland.com/challenge

The Snow Globe Family TPT resource: firstieland.com/globe

Book - The Snow Globe Family: https://amzn.to/44916jP

Let's Stay Connected

Visit our website: www.firstieland.com

Need resources? Visit our TPT store: https://firstieland.com/TPT-store

Need more help or ideas? Send me a message on Instagram @firstieland

To check out all the resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the show notes: https://firstieland.com/podcast

Enjoying The Podcast?

Be sure to tap the follow button so you don’t miss an episode.

How To Rate And Review

If you’re enjoying this podcast and it’s helpful to you, I’d love it if you’d leave a review.

🍎 APPLE PODCAST – https://firstieland.com/apple

🎧 SPOTIFY – https://firstieland.com/spotify

Have a wonderful day and remember to make learning feel like play… see you next week!

Molly 💜

Full disclosure: Amazon links in my descriptions are affiliate links, which means if you purchase through that link, I receive a very small percentage of the sale.