How To Build A Year-Long Read Aloud Plan In First Grade

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares how to create a year long read-aloud plan that will save you time, reduce stress, and help you teach with more intention. You’ll discover how to choose books that align with your curriculum, support your monthly themes, and make learning more meaningful for your K–2 students.

By planning ahead, you’ll always have the perfect book ready, whether you’re teaching comprehension, writing, science, or social-emotional skills. Molly walks you through how to organize your books, plan your monthly themes, and select high-quality picture books that connect across subjects.

You’ll learn:

✔️ Why having a read-aloud plan saves time and reduces classroom stress

✔️ How to organize your books by theme, month, and curriculum goals

✔️ Tips for balancing genres like fiction, nonfiction, and poetry throughout the year

✔️ How to connect your read-alouds to reading, writing, and social-emotional learning

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear system for planning your read-alouds all year long - so you can spend less time searching for the perfect book and more time enjoying them with your students.

November Read Aloud Bundle - https://firstieland.com/november

Year-Long Read Aloud Bundle - https://firstieland.com/readaloud

FREEBIE: Grab this free monthly read aloud planner to guide your read alouds for the entire school year: https://firstieland.com/freeplanner-pod

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet - https://amzn.to/49i5MXX

A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting - https://amzn.to/3JoV6wc

The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming – https://amzn.to/4osGNWd

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora – https://amzn.to/4o3SSRW

Visit our website: www.firstieland.com

Need classroom resources? Visit our TPT store here: 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/episode22

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In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares her favorite picture books and classroom activities for teaching kids about gratitude. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to help students slow down, notice the good around them, and practice thankfulness in simple, meaningful ways.

You’ll learn:

✔️ Why teaching gratitude helps reduce entitlement and negative attitudes in the classroom

✔️ How books like Thank You, Omu! and Those Shoes make thankfulness relatable for young children

✔️ Creative ways to turn these stories into fun, hands-on classroom lessons and discussions

✔️ How to build a year-round culture of gratitude—not just at Thanksgiving

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with practical, ready-to-use ideas for bringing gratitude to life through your read alouds. Your students will learn to appreciate the people, places, and small moments that make every day special.

Resources Mentioned:

Thank You Omu resource - https://firstieland.com/thankyouomu

Gratitude Activities For Kids - https://firstieland.com/gratitude

Gratitude Jar Activities - https://firstieland.com/gratitude-jar

Books Mentioned:

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora - https://amzn.to/47avuv7

The Gratitude Jar by Katrina Liu - https://amzn.to/3L7ME4U

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts - https://amzn.to/4olWa2U

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña - https://amzn.to/3KP2VeX

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson - https://amzn.to/42CNaxS

Freebie:

The Thankful Game - Free for listeners who leave a review! Send Molly a message on Instagram @firstieland or email molly@firstieland.com to get your copy.

Visit our website: www.firstieland.com

Need classroom resources? Visit our TPT store here: 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

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How To Rate And Review

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APPLE PODCAST – Head to this link and then scroll to the bottom of the page to rate and review – https://firstieland.com/apple

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Creating Thanksgiving Magic With The Turkey Hands By Susan Fairchild

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab sits down with author Susan Fairchild to chat about her playful and imaginative picture book The Turkey Hands. This fun Thanksgiving story takes a creative twist on a classic classroom activity - those adorable turkey handprint crafts we all make in November! But in Susan’s story, the turkey handprints come to life at night and cause all kinds of mischief around the classroom.

Susan shares what inspired her to write The Turkey Hands, how she created the colorful illustrations, and what teachers can do to bring this story to life with their students. You’ll get ideas for turning the book into a full Thanksgiving classroom experience — from creative Thanksgiving writing prompts and craft ideas to ways to spark students’ imaginations as they become detectives trying to solve the mystery of the turkey handprint mischief.

Whether you’re looking for a new Thanksgiving read aloud, a fun way to connect literacy and writing, or an activity that gets your students giggling, this episode will help you create some true Thanksgiving magic in your classroom!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ What inspired Susan Fairchild to write The Turkey Hands

✔️ How she created the imaginative illustrations for the story

✔️ Ideas for using The Turkey Hands in your Thanksgiving lessons

✔️ Ways to combine art, writing, and creativity for an engaging classroom experience

Mentioned In This Episode

Book – The Turkey Hands by Susan Fairchild – https://amzn.to/47rJ7XS

Turkey Detectives writing resource – https://firstieland.com/detective

Guest Connections

Connect with Susan Fairchild - @susankfairchild

Let’s Stay Connected

Visit our website: www.firstieland.com

Need resources? Visit our TPT store here: 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/episode20

Enjoying The Podcast?

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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 – Head to this link and then scroll to the bottom of the page to rate and review – https://firstieland.com/apple

SPOTIFY – Head to this link and then click the 3 dots (…) to rate and review – 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...

Thanksgiving Activities for Elementary Students Using Balloons Over Broadway

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares how to bring the magic of Balloons Over Broadway into your classroom. This inspiring picture book tells the story of Tony Sarg, the inventive puppeteer who created the giant balloons that float through the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Perfect for November lessons, you’ll discover how to connect this book to reading, writing, STEM, and even social studies.

You’ll learn:

✔️ How to teach reading comprehension strategies with Balloons over Broadway

✔️ Ways to tie Balloons Over Broadway into Thanksgiving history and traditions

✔️ Creative STEM activities that explore design and engineering,

✔️ Writing prompts and art projects that help kids imagine their own parade balloons

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a collection of ready-to-use ideas that will make the story Balloons Over Broadway an engaging, hands-on, and unforgettable experience for your students.

Mentioned In This Episode

Balloons Over Broadway TPT resource - https://firstieland.com/balloons

Book – Balloons Over Broadway – https://amzn.to/46LR2Om

Let's Stay Connected

Visit our website: www.firstieland.com

Need resources? Visit our TPT store here: 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/episode19

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 – Head to this link and then scroll to the bottom of the page to rate and review – https://firstieland.com/apple

SPOTIFY – Head to this link and then click the 3 dots (…) to rate and review – 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.

Teaching Elementary Writing In First Grade: Procedural Writing

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares simple and effective ways to introduce procedural writing (also called how-to writing) in your first grade classroom. Instead of struggling with reluctant writers or feeling lost without a writing curriculum, you’ll discover how to make writing engaging, hands-on, and fun.

You’ll learn:

✔️ Why procedural writing is the perfect next step after sentence writing

✔️ How to use picture books to model writing step by step

✔️ A gradual release strategy (I do, we do, you do) that builds student confidence

✔️ Creative lesson ideas that bring writing to life

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear plan for teaching procedural writing that keeps your students excited to write and helps them meet writing standards.

Mentioned In This Episode

Procedural Writing Bundle – https://firstieland.com/how-to-writing

Book – How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth – https://amzn.to/4lQVHUI

Book – How to Give Your Cat a Bath – https://amzn.to/4g0KPlC

Book – How to Babysit a Grandpa – https://amzn.to/3JYyAdp

Let's Stay Connected

Visit our website: www.firstieland.com

Need resources? Visit our TPT store here: 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/episode17

Watch on YouTube:

Enjoying The Podcast?

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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 – Head to this link and then scroll to the bottom of the page to rate and review – https://firstieland.com/apple

SPOTIFY – Head to this link and then click the 3 dots (…) to rate and review – 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.

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares practical classroom management strategies that actually work in a first grade classroom. Instead of feeling frustrated by constant chatter, off-task behavior, or testing of boundaries, you’ll discover ways to set expectations, build positive relationships, and create a classroom environment where learning can thrive.

You’ll learn:

✔️ Why setting clear expectations on day one is the key to long-term success

✔️ How picture books can help teach behavior in a gentle, effective way

✔️ Why modeling and practicing routines is never a waste of time

✔️ How developmentally appropriate practices lead to fewer behavior problems

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with simple ideas you can use right away to take back control of your classroom and make behavior management feel less stressful.

Mentioned In This Episode

• Freebie – 40 Classroom Routines and Procedures – https://firstieland.com/routines-checklist
• Classroom Management Picture Books - https://firstieland.com/calmclass
• Book – Teaching With Love and Logic – https://amzn.to/42aJBi1
• Book – Teaching Self-Discipline – https://amzn.to/3JFd2CG

Let's Stay Connected

• Visit our website: www.firstieland.com
• Need resources? Visit our TPT store here: 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 – Head to this link and then scroll to the bottom of the page to rate and review – https://firstieland.com/apple

SPOTIFY – Head to this link and then click the 3 dots (…) to rate and review – 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.

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares how to make your classroom Halloween party fun and educational by setting up a Haunted House packed with learning. Instead of losing a full day of instruction to costumes and candy, you’ll discover how to keep students engaged with math and literacy games that feel like play but still hit your standards.

You’ll learn:

✔️ How to set up 8 spooky-themed stations that double as math and literacy practice

✔️ Creative ideas like monster measurement, haunted sentence building, and sight word stew

✔️ A simple way to keep kids calm, busy, and learning during the excitement of Halloween

✔️ How to turn your classroom (or grade level hallway!) into a fun haunted house kids will never forget

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a ready-to-go plan that makes Halloween day exciting for your students while keeping learning front and center.

Mentioned In This Episode

• Halloween Haunted House Resource – https://firstieland.com/haunted-house
• Book - At The Old Haunted House - https://amzn.to/4lMjsgA

Let's Stay Connected

• Visit our website www.firstieland.com
• Need resources? Visit our TPT store here - 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 here to the show notes. - https://firstieland.com/episode3

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 - Head to this link and then scroll to the bottom of the page to rate and review - https://firstieland.com/apple
• SPOTIFY - Head to this link and then click the 3 dots that look like this … to rate and review - 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.

Teaching Elementary Reading, Writing & Math With Pumpkins

In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares how to bring the magic of pumpkins into your classroom to teach reading, writing, math, grammar, and science. Using picture books and simple hands-on activities, you’ll see how pumpkins can help you fit in fun without sacrificing standards.

You’ll learn:

✔️ How to use Spookley the Square Pumpkin to teach reading comprehension and story elements

✔️ A fun way to connect pumpkins to math through shapes, measuring, and graphing

✔️ How to use nonfiction books to support procedural writing and life cycle lessons

✔️ Easy grammar activities with real pumpkins to teach adjectives and descriptive language

✔️ Simple science investigations like sink-or-float and labeling pumpkin parts

By the end of this episode, you’ll have cross-curricular pumpkin ideas that make learning meaningful and bring back a little joy to your classroom this fall.

Mentioned In This Episode

• Pumpkin Unit - https://firstieland.com/pumpkin-unit
• October Read Aloud Bundle - https://firstieland.com/october-read-alouds
• Spookley the Square Pumpkin - https://amzn.to/3HWniWq
• Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington - https://amzn.to/4g2mvAc
• The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons - https://amzn.to/45CR0ZS

Let's Stay Connected

• Visit our website www.firstieland.com
• Need resources? Visit our TPT store here - 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 here to the show notes. - https://firstieland.com/episode3
• Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1ZeCknz1iS4

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 - Head to this link and then scroll to the bottom of the page to rate and review - https://firstieland.com/apple
• SPOTIFY - Head to this link and then click the 3 dots that look like this … to rate and review - https://firstieland.com/spotify

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

Molly 💜