Where learning feels like play.
Written by Molly Schwab, host of the Firstieland Podcast and YouTube channelAugust 5, 2026 Flexible seating classroom management has become one of the hottest topics among elementary teachers. If you’ve been spending any time on Pinterest or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen all kinds of beautiful flexible seating classrooms. Maybe you’ve even wondered if it’s something you should try in… Read More
Written by Molly Schwab, host of the Firstieland Podcast and YouTube channelJuly 29, 2026 If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen classroom after classroom that looks absolutely perfect. Everything matches, every shelf is color coordinated, and every plastic bin has a cute label. After teaching first grade for 35 years, I can tell you that’s not what… Read More
Written by Molly Schwab, host of the Firstieland Podcast and YouTube channelJuly 17, 2026 ย First week of school activities can make all the difference in how the rest of your new school year goes. After teaching first grade for 35 years, I learned that the beginning of the school year isn’t the time to jump right into academics. Instead,… Read More
Written by Molly Schwab, host of the Firstieland Podcast and YouTube channelJuly 15, 2026 Wondering what the first day of school routines and procedures should be in first grade? After 35 years of teaching, I learned that the first day isn’t about jumping into reading and math. It’s about helping your students feel safe, teaching important routines and procedures, and… Read More
Written by Molly Schwab, host of the Firstieland Podcast and YouTube channelJuly 8, 2026 If you feel like you spend your entire day repeating directions, stopping interruptions, or reminding kids what theyโre supposed to be doing, you might not actually have a student behavior problem. You might have a classroom routines and procedures problem. After 35 years of teaching first… Read More
Written by Molly Schwab, host of the Firstieland Podcast and YouTube channelJuly 8, 2026 Teaching Students To Work Independently In First Grade One of the biggest frustrations teachers have during literacy centers is constant interruptions. You finally sit down with your small group, and within a few minutes someone needs a pencil, another student doesn’t know what to do, someone… Read More
