We Teach So Hard!

Want an engaging approach to collaboration? Try adding technology. Whether you're teaching kids how to podcast or setting up book discussion skyping sessions across your school district, state, country, or even the world, adding technology to any collaborative lesson can really motivate your learners. In this episode, we discuss ways we've used technology to teach collaboration...and we wouldn't be "us," if we didn't rant a little, too. This is the second episode in our technology series. If you missed the first, be sure to check that out, too! Like what you hear? Be sure to follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weteachsohardpodcast/ Or visit us at... Tracy @ http://www.mossyoakmusings.com/ Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Retta @ https://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Image Credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com) LIcensed under Creative Commons: by Attribution 3.0 LIcensed https://creative commons.org/license/by3.0

Hey lovely listeners! We hope you're enjoying your summer as much as we are. Welcome to the second installment of We Teach So Hard's Summer Reads Series where we suggest pleasure-read books and hold book club discussions. This episode, our title is a recent bestseller, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. This read is filled with lyrical language, and heartbreaking abandonment. It's a gorgeous coming-of-age story of survival, physical survival and emotional survival. Kya will break your heart. She broke ours, for sure. Delia Owens' writing is like a prose poem. Transcendent! If you haven't read the book yet, then save this podcast episode for after. This is your only SPOILER ALERT! This week, Deann is offering a beautiful companion resource for this book... JUST FOR YOU because you teach so hard! You can snag it here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Reads-Series-for-Teachers-Where-the-Crawdads-SingFREE-RESOURCE-4657719 OR, you can check out her blog post about the book. It has some cool stuff in it! https://socrateslantern.com/2019/06/summer-reads-series-for-teachers-where-the-crawdads-sing.html Like what you hear? Check out our Facebook page for our summer podcast reading list: https://www.facebook.com/Weteachsohardpodcast/ Or visit us at... Tracy @ https://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Image Credit: Jennifer Ward Music from https://filmmusic.io: "Serene," "White," "Long Road Ahead," Sapphire Isle," "The Show Must Be Go" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) Licence: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Do we hear wailing and the gnashing of teeth? The end is near, and your students are squirrely and CHECKED OUT. Don't freak out! Take them outside! In this episode of WE TEACH SO HARD, we share fun end-of-year ideas for taking the learning and teaching outside. Spring is in the air, don't despair! Take it outside. Student engagement will soar!  Like what you hear? Be sure to give us a shout out. Leave a comment or rate us on your listening platform. We're always looking for podcast ideas, share yours in the comments! Or, stop by and visit our blogs. We write weekly about teaching, learning, and teacher life.  Tracy @  https://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com  Retta @  http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com  Deann @  https://socrateslantern.com  Kathie @  https://triedandtrueteachingtools.com  Image Credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 3.0 Licensed https://creativecommons.org/license/by3.0

March is Reading Month and Read Across America week are just around the corner? Are you ready? We love the intention of these celebrations...the cool learning activities, the goal setting, the diving into good books with our kiddos. But we'd be lying if we didn't admit that these things can add a layer of crazy to our classrooms. Give this episode a listen. We share our ideas for keeping our reading celebrations student-centered.  Like what you hear? Then you need to visit our blogs! This week, we're linking up to share ideas with you.  Tracy @ https://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Image credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com) LIcensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensed https://creativecommons.org/license/by/3.0

We've all been there. Whether it's at a state, community or building level, things happen that affect our morale. Sometimes, it's really hard to come to work. When we're down, it affects our whole learning community, including the students. How do you bounce back when everything or everyone around you is in the dumps? This episode is for YOU! Like what you hear? Visit us at: Tracy @ https://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Image credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Nothing says FUN (or mayhem) like taking 25 + kiddos to the zoo, the museum, or the farm. In this episode, we laugh, we cry, we commiserate, and we talk trash about our best tips for a successful field trip experience for EVERYONE! You don't want to miss this episode! Like what you hear? Then come visit us at our blogs. We write about our classrooms every week and offer ideas, resources and freebies. Come visit! Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Image credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

It's teacher evaluation season. Are you crunching data? Studying Marzano? Tossing and turning at night? This episode is just for you! Join us as we talk about the "good ole' days" when teacher evaluation made sense, or at the very least, was more authentic. We've got some "do as I say, not as I do" stories to entertain you as well! Like what you hear? Then stop by our blogs and visit us. We've got tons of goodies and ideas waiting for you! Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Image Credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

We've all been there! It's January, and the kiddos have returned to the classroom. Sometimes it seems like they've forgotten every routine and procedure they knew before winter break. We've got you covered with some humorous (an serious) tips to get everyone back in line! Like what you hear? Be sure to follow our blogs in the links below! We share tons of tips and treasures with our followers each week! Tracy @http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com Deann @https://socrateslantern.com Retta @http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Kathie @https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Image credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Https://creative commons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Martin Luther King Jr. day is coming up, and teachers are teaching, crafting, and reading with their kids about his life. But what if we taught about the things Dr. King held near and dear to his heart throughout the school year? What does it mean to be a culturally responsive teacher? Join us as we discuss this very important topic! Like what you hear? Check out our blogs for more great tips and ideas! Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Image credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We've worked so hard. YOU'VE worked sooooo hard! It's time to kick your feet up, stay in your jammies all day, eat some good food, drink some yummy cocktails and read some great books. Remember? Some authors actually write fiction for adults, too! Join us as we potluck together. We've curated our favorite winter break recipes for entrees, cocktails, and desserts. And, we're recommending some great reads to keep your heart happy. PSSSSTTTT! We've included some winter break freebies for you, too! Because YOU TEACH SO HARD! Visit our blogs to snag recipes, book recommendations and freebies! Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Image Credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We might be aging ourselves, but remember that fitness guru Susan Powell and her "Stop the insanity" commercials? That sums up our teacher angst this time of year. Stop the insanity...cuz we wanna get off this bus! December always feels like cardiac arrest for teachers. Give us a listen as we laugh and cry our way through self-care ideas! Like what you hear? You can read more by visiting us below! Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com Image credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin Macleod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creative commons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Hissing cockroaches, live chickens, exploding cricket cages and more! This episode is meant for all teachers who have ever contemplated having animals in their classroom...and for those teachers who would never dream of it! Seriously, this episode might make you pee your pants...some of us might have in the recording of it. Let us entertain you with the highs and the lows of classroom pets. Like what you hear? Come join our Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/497555223992033/ Or visit us at any of the links below! Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Image credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

STEM? STEAM? PBL? What's the difference? Give us a listen as we discuss the differences, the reasons for incorporating it in your classroom, as well as some practical tips and tricks for success. Let us entertain you with a few fails of our own, as well! Like what you hear? Visit us at our blogs below! We promise, you won't be sorry you stopped by! Don't forget to comment or rate our podcast! Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Kathie @ http://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Image credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries and TURKEY! It's a buffet of Thanksgiving topics for teachers! We're laughing and crying our way through Thanksgiving cocktails, teaching ideas, sing-a-long songs, culturally responsive teaching, and more! You don't want to miss this episode...we PERFORM a head banging rendition of our favorite Thanksgiving song! The words are included for you below! And don't forget to enter our giveaway! It closes this Sunday. You could win $100 for Amazon, Tieks, Starbucks, or Teachers Pay Teachers! Check out the link below! ENTER HERE https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rafflecopter.com%2Frafl%2Fdisplay%2Fa5d60bf35%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cb8616a0429954507beaa08d642b5cc31%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636769745904703434&sdata=JnYUdwKW9Wo6lXVjC0OPdzn4evXr%2BRx2Cg3fA6Fvih0%3D&reserved=0 (To the tune of Frere Jacques) Turkey dinner, turkey dinner, gather round, gather round, who will get the drumstick... yummy, yummy yumstick? All sit down, all sit down. Cornbread muffins, chestnut stuffin' pudding pie, one foot high. All of us were thinner, 'til we came to dinner, me oh, my... me oh, my. Like what you hear? Come visit us at the links below! Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/

Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Do your students? How do you teach gratitude? Join us as we explore books and resources for teaching gratitude, not just in November, but all year long! The research says our brains and our bodies are healthier when we learn how to incorporate gratitude into our daily lives. We end this podcast by THANKING YOU, our listeners, with a $100 giveaway! We've got big things planned. Join us! Want to enter our giveaway? Click this link http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a5d60bf35/ And visit our blogs! We've linked up to offer some free teaching resources! Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Image credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Join us as we explore approaches to use when you teach about the election. What happens when students have questions that are difficult to answer? How do you remain neutral? How do you discuss American politics today? DO YOU discuss American politics? This podcast can be a starting point for your classroom lessons! Like what you hear? Visit us at Kathie @ https://triedandtrueteachingtools.com Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Image Credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It's that time of year again...parent-teacher conferences. Nothing causes sleepless nights and stomach butterflies like the anxiety we feel as we prepare for conferences. But guess what? Parents get nervous, too! And if you do student-led or student-involved conferences, your students are a bundle of nerves as well. That makes for a lot of anxiety around the conference table. Join us as we share tips and war stories to make your conferencing less anxious! Like what you hear? SUBSCRIBE to WE TEACH SO HARD! Rate us or drop us a comment and tell us what you'd like to hear more of. Or... visit us on our blogs! Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Image credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Hey there! What are you going to be for Halloween this year? Sexy pirate? Sexy witch? Sexy panda? Seriously though, come laugh and plan your Halloween survival strategies with us at We Teach So Hard. We've got you covered with some funny stories and expert tips! Like what you hear? Then you need to follow us or rate us! You can also find us on our blogs. We love to write almost as much as we love to talk. Come visit! Tracy @ https://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com Kathie @ https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Image credit: Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ever feel like you're an imposter? Everyone else around you has it all together or fits the teacher mold, but you're not a REAL teacher, because you're not like them. We ALL feel like this sometimes. Come laugh and commiserate with us as we explore the lie #4, a lie we often tell ourselves! It's the IMPOSTER SYNDROME! No antibiotic needed, we promise! Like what you hear? Comment or rate us! OR...visit us below! Tracy @http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Kathie @https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/ Deann @https://socrateslantern.com/ Retta @http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Image by Jennifer Ward "The Show Must Be Go" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Hush your mouth and raise your hand if you've ever heard the saying, "Those who can do; those who can't, teach." I know, right? Nothing makes us roll our eyes more than that lie. Listen in as we talk shop, laugh a little, and rant a little as we explore lie #3. Don't forget to rate us on iTunes or subscribe! Like what you hear? Consider joining our facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/497555223992033/?ref=bookmarks OR, join us on our blogs! We've got lots of good stuff to share with you! Deann @ https://socrateslantern.com/ Tracy @ http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/ Retta @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/ Kathie @ http://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/