Best Zeba McGibbon Podcasts (2025)

1
93. Building a Classroom That Invites Curiosity and Exploration 12:01

Play Pause

7d ago12:01

12:01

In this week’s episode of our Classroom Setup Mini-Series, we’re focusing on how to set up your classroom in a way that naturally invites curiosity, creativity, and exploration. Something every kindergarten classroom needs. I’m sharing simple, teacher-tested ideas for creating thoughtful play areas like a science center, sensory table, block corner…

1
92. Classroom Organization Tips For Overwhelmed Teachers 14:54

14d ago14:54

14:54

Welcome to the Classroom Setup Mini-Series! We’re kicking things off with one of the most important (and sometimes overwhelming) parts - classroom organization. Whether you're in a brand-new classroom or just trying to make your space work better this year, I’m sharing the tried-and-true tips that have helped me create systems that actually work fo…

1
91. What To Do If You Can’t Get Into Your Classroom Yet 15:18

21d ago15:18

15:18

If you’re itching to start getting ready for back-to-school but still can’t get into your classroom…this is for you! There is so much you can still do from home to feel more prepared and a whole lot less stressed when the school doors finally open! In this episode, I’m sharing practical things you can start on this summer. I’ll also walk you throug…

1
90. Building a Manageable Summer Plan for Kindergarten Teachers 9:15

28d ago9:15

9:15

You made your summer prep list last week - now what? In this episode, I’m walking you through how to turn those reflections into a simple, manageable plan for the summer months. Whether you’re hoping to improve classroom routines, get organized, or grow your teaching skills, I’ll help you break things down so you don’t burn out before the school ye…

1
89. How to Recharge and Reflect for a Better Kindergarten Year Ahead 8:58

1M ago8:58

8:58

Summer is upon us (some of you have already got a head start)! But no matter whether you are already on summer break or soon to be, it is so important to create an intentional summer plan that balances rest, reflection, and preparation. I encourage you to take a little time at the start of summer to reflect on what went well during the school year …

1
Episode 114 Wins Wins Wins: 3 Classrooms' Journey of Independent Writing Time 25:24

1M ago25:24

25:24

You will be inspired from this episode! The transformation that occurred for all three of these fabulous teachers as well as their students was incredible! Listen in to hear about: Huge wins in a short amount of time Increased teacher confidence with teaching writing How students' engagement and idea generation increased Growth in kindergarten writ…

1
88. Summer learning with Kindergarten Cafe 14:50

1M ago14:50

14:50

It’s June, teacher friends! Which means some of us are officially in summer mode while others (like me!) are counting down the days. In this shorter episode, I’m giving you a sneak peek at everything happening this summer at Kindergarten Café - from free challenges to coaching and resources to help you prep for the new school year without the overw…

1
Episode 113 Tips for Fantasy Writing with Carl Anderson (Pt 2) 32:11

1M ago32:11

32:11

The second part of my conversation with Carl Anderson provides you with helpful and interesting information about teaching writing and more about the genre of fantasy. You will hear Carl's thoughts on: writing your own mentor text-Do not be afraid! the importance of showing how writers navigate writing writing in front of students (modeled writing)…

1
87. The First 3 Things I Did When I Found Out I Was Teaching Kindergarten 11:48

2M ago11:48

11:48

Did you just find out you are moving to Kindergarten? In this episode, I share my experience as a first-time kindergarten teacher, giving you some tips that helped me my first year. It can be pretty emotional when discovering your new teaching assignment and what helped me most was seeking mentorship from an experienced kindergarten teacher. Review…

1
Episode 112 Fantasy for the Win with Carl Anderson Pt 1 27:36

2M ago27:36

27:36

You will LOVE this discussion with Mr. Carl Anderson about his newest book, Teaching Fantasy Writing: Lessons That Inspire Student Engagement and Creativity, Grades K6. This book is a MUST-HAVE for teachers and hearing Carl's insights on the book as well as his passion for the fantasy genre for students is palpable! In the episode you will hear abo…

1
86. Is Kindergarten the Right Grade for Me? 15:52

2M ago15:52

15:52

Are you wondering if Kindergarten is the right grade for you? I have taught several grade levels so in this episode I share the differences between Kindergarten and upper grades. Kindergarten has some unique challenges but also so many rewards! For those unsure about their right grade level fit, I offer strategies and support for building student i…

1
Episode 111 Myths and Misconceptions about Writer's Workshop 30:58

2M ago30:58

30:58

We've all heard remarks about the writer's workshop method that are a bit off. In this episode, I bring up some of the misconceptions, and sometimes just untruths, of writer's workshop and try to set the record straight. After telling a bit about the history of the workshop model, I share what I feel are a few of the possible reasons for these misc…

1
85. How to Help Kindergarteners Avoid the Summer Slide 14:01

2M ago14:01

14:01

The summer slide is inevitable unless we encourage and help parents keep the learning over the summer going. In this episode, I share strategies to keep their learning on track and in fun ways to where the students actually enjoy what they are learning. I provide activities parents can incorporate into daily routines to make learning fun and engagi…

1
Episode 110 All Things Kinder with Zeba McGibbon 39:56

2M ago39:56

39:56

Oh so many tips and insights were shared by the fabulous Zeba McGibbon of the Kindergarten Cafe! Listen in to hear about: -the importance of supporting students with SEL -including a variety of aspects for helping students with writing -Zeba's Caring Critters book series! You can find Zeba - On her Podcast-Kindergarten Cafe On Instagram @kindergart…

1
84. End of the Year Teacher Tips to Prepare for a Smooth Start Next School Year 14:30

2M ago14:30

14:30

I know you are thinking there is no way I can already be thinking about next year, but I promise… if you prepare for the upcoming school year as the current one wraps up…your future self will be thanking you. This episode gives you so many tips on things you can do now such as organizing classroom materials, taking note of unused supplies, creating…

1
Episode 109 An Inside View: 3 Classrooms' Journey of Independent Writing Time 37:30

2M ago37:30

37:30

I am currently in the process of supporting three teachers with implementing an authentic independent writing time and wanted to give you an insider's look! In this episode you will hear about teachers and students from three different grade levels and how they are progressing with implementing student choice, multiple drafts and more. Our coaching…

1
83. End of the Year Celebrations in Kindergarten 13:23

3M ago13:23

13:23

Celebrating kindergarten students and their families by recognizing growth and achievements at the end of the year is so important. In this episode I discuss effective strategies, such as creating personalized memory books and organizing an end-of-year party with slideshows and student portfolios. I also suggest incorporating theme days to engage s…

1
Episode 108 Practical and Effective Tips for Supporting Multi-lingual Writers with Katherine Hamilton 38:54

3M ago38:54

38:54

I know that teachers are always looking for more ways to be able to provide effective support for their students who are multilingual learners. In this episode, Katherine Hamilton from Ensemble Learning discusses mindsets and strategies that are able to be implemented without lengthy preparation and will generalize across other areas of instruction…

1
82. End-of-Year Magic: Unleashing Excitement with Theme Day Ideas 14:19

3M ago14:19

14:19

The end of the year is quickly approaching! In this episode I share some of the end-of-the-year celebrations specifically designed for kindergarten teachers aiming to enhance excitement and engagement during this transitional time. I share my approach to implementing themed days leading up to the school year's end, shifting focus from an anxious co…

1
Episode 107 Thoughts on "Free Writing" and Journals 21:47

3M ago21:47

21:47

The term "free writing" is used often, and I have to say, I don't love it. To me, it signals that providing students "freedom" to choose their own topics, make mistakes, right without what is considered "proper structure", make mistakes or go at their own pace is something that is different from or outside of the writing that is typically done. Hea…

1
81. Science of Reading 101 With Heidi from Droppin' Knowledge 49:22

3M ago49:22

49:22

In this episode we have Science of Reading expert Heidi, from Droppin’ Knowledge who shares her journey into learning about Science of Reading and the importance of decoding skills over traditional sight word memorization. We discuss strategies for teachers to adapt outdated curriculum, focus on phonological awareness, and provide developmentally a…

1
Episode 106 Meaningful Grammar Instruction with Patty McGee 43:45

3M ago43:45

43:45

Students struggle with grammar. Teachers struggle with grammar. But...Patty McGee says it doesn't have to be that way! If you are looking for simple yet powerful ways to help your students to apply grammar skills, you will not want to miss this discussion! Patty shares a wealth of information on best practices in grammar instruction including high-…

1
80. Teaching Self-Regulation Skills Through Everyday Routines 11:18

3M ago11:18

11:18

Being able to have self-regulation skills is essential for students. In this episode, I talk about how to teach self-regulation skills through daily classroom routines. I share practical strategies, including engaging activities like voice volume greetings and techniques such as five-finger breathing to help students calm down during transitions. I…

1
Episode 105 Holding Space for Writers' Needs: One Teacher's Win! 12:50

3M ago12:50

12:50

When teaching writing, there are so many things on our mind-so many skills to worry about our students mastering. Most of these skills are what we can see on paper, and they can easily steal the majority of our focus. However, there are a multitude of skills, abilities, beliefs and characteristics of writers that need to be developed and addressed …

1
79. Loose Parts 101: Creative Play and Learning for Young Children 14:43

3M ago14:43

14:43

In this episode, I share how my classroom play center, Loose Parts, is sparking creativity and self-expression in young learners. Using everyday items like those from my recycling bin, there is so much power in open-ended materials in imaginative play. I also discuss simple organization strategies and how introducing materials gradually helps kids …

1
Episode 104 Empowering the Writer Within with Author Sarah McDavis 37:19

4M ago37:19

37:19

This incredible conversation with author and speaker Sarah McDavis will have you feeling inspired! Sarah gives us a peek into her mind as a writer sharing: How she begins a new book Her process for drafting Her own version of planning Strategies for when you are "stuck" Using charts and graphs to revise her book She reminds us that each and every w…

1
78. Building Effective Literacy Centers with the Science of Reading 21:15

4M ago21:15

21:15

What are your thoughts on the Science of Reading? Well, in this episode, I explain what the Science of Reading is and its impact on designing effective literacy centers. I highlight the key pillars of literacy instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, and advocate for a balanced approach. I also tell you abou…

1
Episode 103 Master Sentences before Writing? I Don't Think So 24:23

4M ago24:23

24:23

How can we expect perfection from our young writers when we don't expect it of ourselves? Does a young basketball player need to perfect his shot before he can play a game? Do professional authors publish their first draft? For some reason there are literacy professionals who are promoting having students "master sentences" before they are able to …

1
77. A Weekly Routine for Teaching Sight Words in Kindergarten 17:03

4M ago17:03

17:03

Teaching sight words, high-frequency words, trick works, whatever you choose to call them are a key element of early literacy. In this episode, I discuss the evolution of sight word instruction, and talk about outdated methods of rote memorization with a more effective strategy that introduces one word per week. It’s a necessity to memorize high-fr…

1
Episode 102 Help! I Don't Know What to Teach Them! 18:41

4M ago18:41

18:41

When I first began using the workshop model, I felt very unequipped to help my writers. I wasn't a writer myself and certainly had not had any training in writing or how to teach writing. So, when I sat next to my little ones and read over their pieces, I felt like I didn't know how to help them. The truth was, I knew so many things about writing t…

1
76. Fun and Easy Vocabulary Activities for Kindergarten 15:18

4M ago15:18

15:18

This episode is the first of a mini-series on literacy. We’ll begin with the importance of vocabulary development for young learners and its role as a predictor of reading success. I share strategies for effective vocabulary instruction, including explicit teaching during read-alouds and interactive games that encourage peer engagement. As always, …

1
Episode 100 Elevating Writing Instruction with Carl Anderson and Matt Glover Pt 1 31:38

4M ago31:38

31:38

This is it!!! The 100th Episode! For my 100th am joined by two incredible writers themselves who have given so much to the field of education through their work on writing instruction: Matt Glover and Carl Anderson. In this first episode of the two-part series, we discuss ways to provide more student ownership in writing, which increases engagement…

1
Episode 101 Elevating Writing Instruction with Carl Anderson and Matt Glover Pt 2 30:59

4M ago30:59

30:59

Get ready for the rest of this fantastic discussion with Carl Anderson and Matt Glover! You will hear more about the importance of student engagement in writing as well as helpful tips for navigating the various aspects of a writer-focused workshop model. Check out what the authors have to say about: Illustrations as an integral part of composition…

1
75. Differentiating Instruction in Kindergarten for Diverse Learners 17:23

4M ago17:23

17:23

How exactly do we differentiate for students in our classrooms? In this episode, I explore the essential components of differentiating instruction in kindergarten, sharing actionable strategies and insights beneficial for educators. I clarify the differences between differentiation and accommodation and give you practical examples. I demonstrate ho…

1
Ep 99 But We Don't Have Enough Time! 27:19

4M ago27:19

27:19

Time just does not seem to be on a teacher's side! There are so many things requiring or affecting your time-some you can control, some you cannot. Some you are invested in, some you are not. More often than not, writing is the part of literacy that gets pushed aside for other areas. But writing is an ESSENTIAL part of our students' day and life an…

1
74. Phonemic Awareness in Action: Tips from Kristina Harrill 35:11

5M ago35:11

35:11

How important is phonemic awareness, really? In this episode, Kristina from Sweet for Kindergarten explains the crucial role of phonemic awareness in developing literacy skills in young learners. We explore the differences between phonemic and phonological awareness, and Kristina shares effective teaching strategies and engaging tactile methods. Sh…

1
Episode 98 Writers Struggling? Try a New Perspective! 14:33

5M ago14:33

14:33

We all get stuck in a rut with our teaching. Sometimes it just takes a different perspective to figure out what works! This episode shares a few examples of looking at parts of teaching writing in a new way and provides you with steps to try it out yourself! Listen in to this short episode for some helpful tips for improving your writing instructio…

1
73. The Power of Positive Reinforcement in Kindergarten 16:48

5M ago16:48

16:48

What would it look like to give positive feedback without having to constantly feel like you are nagging? In this episode, I discuss the role of positive reinforcement in the classroom, and how specific praise highlights student successes. I share strategies for celebrating small improvements and fostering a supportive classroom culture. The episod…

1
Episode 97 Little Things Make a HUGE Difference! 14:01

5M ago14:01

14:01

Implementing effective writing instruction is a big task. There are many moving parts and lots of important young writers to take care of! I find it helpful to know and remember that often times the little details are what also make a huge impact on your student writers. This episode shares examples of those small practices and hopefully helps to s…

1
72. Encouraging Independent Play in the Classroom 15:44

5M ago15:44

15:44

In this episode, I discuss the significance of fostering independent play in kindergarten classrooms, sharing strategies for a play-based learning environment. I differentiate between various play types—independent, purposeful, and child-led—and explain how each supports child development. I highlight the value of balance between independent and co…

1
Episode 96 Why Can't We Just Use the Oreo Planner? 13:02

5M ago13:02

13:02

Teaching is hard. Teaching writing is hard...and, it's not the only thing you have to teach! I get it. Trying new things can be time-consuming and a bit scary. But also...it can be so worth it! If you want your students to be engaged and successful in writing, it's time to take a risk! If you are frustrated with lack of student progress and even st…

1
71. How to Effectively Manage Kindergarten Math Centers 15:27

5M ago15:27

15:27

This episode explores effective management of math centers in kindergarten classrooms, and the importance of hands-on, playful environments for engaging early math instruction. I outline the ideal structure for a math block, which involves a mini-lesson followed by interactive activities that replace traditional worksheets. Practical tips for organ…

1
Episode 95 Peer Feedback that Works with Michelle Ruhe Pt 2 22:03

5M ago22:03

22:03

Part 2 with Michelle Ruhe of Coach from the Couch continues with more actionable steps for implementing peer feedback with your writers. In this episode we discuss: the importance of slow, strategic implementation using checklists and rubrics providing quality, exemplar writing pieces and how to set goals while staying within a writer's ZPD This co…

1
70. Building Math Fluency Beyond Memorizing Facts 13:06

6M ago13:06

13:06

In this episode, I explore the key difference between math fluency and memorization, focusing on the vital role of number decomposition for young learners. I share insights on how breaking down numbers fosters flexibility in thinking and confidence in addition and subtraction. Practical strategies include hands-on activities and games that promote …

1
Episode 94 Peer Feedback that Works with Michelle Ruhe Pt 1 16:52

6M ago16:52

16:52

It can sound scary and impossible, but it's not! In this first episode with Mrs. Michelle Ruhe of Coach from the Couch, we share the power of peer feedback to: enhance writing quality engage students and distribute the feedback workload You will hear about the transformative potential of peer feedback in fostering student ownership and improving wr…

1
69. Building Strong Number Relationships in Kindergarten 15:48

6M ago15:48

15:48

In this episode, I discuss essential number relationships and effective strategies for kindergarten teachers to support young learners in math. I explain the importance of number order, introduce engaging activities like the movement-based game "Pop," and explore the use of tangible objects for understanding more and less. I also outline a structur…

1
Episode 93 Are You Over-Scaffolding your Writers? 19:34

6M ago19:34

19:34

Can't stand the mess? Then get out of the kitchen! I couldn't help but think of that saying when writing show notes for this episode! Just like I over-supported my children when baking cookies to avoid the "mess" of little hands, writing teachers often over-scaffold their writers. If you have ever said, "I taught you how to do that!" or "We've been…

1
68. Supporting Missing Skills in Kindergarten Math 41:23

6M ago41:23

41:23

Finding support in Kindergarten is always a necessity. In this episode, I speak with a fellow kindergarten teacher about implementing a scripted math curriculum while addressing students' essential skill gaps. We discuss structuring classroom routines with engaging warm-ups and effective partner work, as well as the challenges of managing small gro…

1
Episode 92 Writing Strategies Series: Volume 27:49

6M ago27:49

27:49

I recently had a teacher I am coaching say, "That's going to be hard for me," when we discussed allowing students to try multiple drafts on different topics for their informational books. I completely understand why this fabulous teacher was hesitant...and there are so many reasons! But the truth is, we all need repeated practice to improve our ski…

1
67. Engaging Families in Supporting Struggling Learners 12:59

6M ago12:59

12:59

In this episode, I discuss strategies for supporting struggling students at home, explaining the importance of early communication with families to build a collaborative support system. I share practical tips for integrating fun learning activities into daily routines, emphasizing that even short, engaging practices can lead to significant improvem…