You’ve just wrapped up an engaging lesson, given clear directions, and most of your class is happily working…except for that one student who just will not pick up a pencil. We know how discouraging it feels when this happens, so this week we’re sharing our best strategies for handling those tough moments with empathy and intention. Discover why work refusal isn’t just defiance, what students might really be communicating, and the simple shifts that can turn resistance into engagement.

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

Resources:

• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• A Fall Day For Bear
• A Visitor for Bear Vocabulary - Read Aloud Lesson
• @nococookiecakes on Instagram
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your 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 219, How to Build a Classroom Community That Lasts All Year
• Episode 223, The Core 4 Routines Every Classroom Needs to Run Like Clockwork
• Episode 226, The October Reset Every Teacher Needs

Do you feel like you’re stuck in back-to-school survival mode while the rest of the year flies by? You’re not alone! In this episode, we’re talking about an October Reset for teachers - our favorite way to shift from the September sprint to a sustainable teaching routine. We’ll share five essential strategies to help you recover from the post-September crash, evaluate what’s working (and what’s not) in your classroom systems, and focus your energy where it really counts.

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

Resources:

• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Atmosphere, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love, by India Holton
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 32, 5 Classroom Management Questions to Help Banish Bad Class Habits
• Episode 94, A Great Day Before School Even Starts: Your Perfect Teacher Morning Routine At School
• Episode 176, Our 4 Tried and True Tricks to Reset a Rough Day of School
• Episode 223, The Core 4 Routines Every Classroom Needs to Run Like Clockwork

The back-to-school honeymoon is over, and if your once angelic class is now fidgety and distracted, don’t panic. You haven’t lost your classroom magic! In this episode, we break down the September slump, why it’s normal, and how to use it as an opportunity to boost engagement without burning yourself out. You’ll learn five simple, low-prep ways to bring back the spark, plus how to spot the “check engine” lights that signal it’s time to revisit routines. These micro-novelties keep curiosity alive while maintaining the structure students need.

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

Resources:

• Digital Seating Chart Tool
• Glass pot
• The New York Times Game: Pips
• The Holiday Headstart Podcast
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 97, 3 Secrets For Using Your Classroom Seating Arrangement to Boost Classroom Management
• Episode 99, Get Students Engaged with 3 Types of Active Participation Strategies
• Episode 156, Starting the School Year with Surprise and Delight: 5 Easy Ideas