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Feeling behind on back-to-school prep? You’re not alone—and you’re not late. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what I do (and don’t) prep during the summer to help you head into the school year feeling calm, confident, and focused on what really matters.

I’ll walk you through my real-life classroom checklist, how I’ve learned to ditch the pressure to “do it all,” and the simple systems that actually make a difference.

Plus, I’ve created a free Back-to-School Prep Checklist just for you—grab it in the show notes or over on my TpT store to help you prep with intention, not overwhelm. 💛

You’ll Learn:
✔ What to focus on during summer prep
✔ What to let go of (guilt-free!)
✔ Easy wins to save time during the year
✔ How to prep in a way that actually supports you

🔗 Snag the free checklist + browse my favorite back-to-school resources at Teachers Pay Teachers – Simply Lauren Denny.

Follow me on Instagram: @simplylaurendenny

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Lauren Denny-- www.laurendenny.com

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Have you ever walked into a kindergarten classroom and instantly felt the energy—bright colors, fun posters, cozy corners—and then flashbacked to your high school or college experience where the walls were... gray, plain, and uninspired? Yeah, me too.

In this episode, I’m diving into a fascinating study that explores how classroom design changes as students get older—and what that says about how we treat learning at different ages. We’ll unpack the research behind why creative environments foster engagement, how classroom aesthetics impact student success, and why older learners deserve inspiration too.

As a former elementary teacher turned high school media instructor, I’m sharing how I’ve intentionally transformed my classroom into a warm, inviting space—and why I launched a sign business to help other teachers do the same. Because comfort isn’t just for little kids. A creative space can shape how students show up—and how they believe in themselves.

We’ll talk:

• What the research says about classroom design and student performance
• Why color, comfort, and creativity belong in every grade level
• How your learning space might be helping—or hurting—your students
• Tips to rethink your classroom setup, no matter your teaching level
• Why I believe classroom design is one of the most underrated tools in education

✨ Plus: High schoolers give the most honest feedback—you’ll hear how mine react to a colorful, comfy classroom made just for them.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• University of Salford's study on classroom design & learning
• Edutopia’s articles on flexible, student-centered learning environments
• My Teachers Pay Teachers shop: Simply Lauren Denny
• Follow @simplylaurendenny on Instagram for teaching tips and cozy classroom inspo

🎯 Whether you’re a new teacher, a veteran educator, or someone who just loves a good cozy vibe—this episode is for you.

Support the show

Lauren Denny-- www.laurendenny.com

Send me a Text!

Is your classroom stuck in passive mode? It’s time to hit power up on student engagement!

In this episode, I’m breaking down what gamification actually is (hint: it’s more than just points and prizes), why it works, and exactly how to start using it—without overwhelming your teaching flow. Whether you're in an elementary classroom or high school media lab, gamification adds energy, purpose, and joy to your daily lessons.

We’ll cover:

• Why game-based learning isn’t just for kids
• The psychology behind why gamification works
• 5 free tools that help bring your classroom to life:
  • 🧩 Gimkit – Earn points, power-ups, and learning momentum
  • 📸 Plickers – Real-time feedback with zero student devices
  • 🎉 Bamboozle – Team-style fun that’s easy to set up
  • 📊 AhaSlides – Interactive polls, quizzes, and spin-to-win games
  • 🔍 Sporcle – Trivia-style challenges on just about every topic

Plus, I’ll share how I use an XP system in my classroom, how my students actually respond (spoiler: they’re brutally honest), and a few creative ways you can start small and scale up.

🎯 Ready to make learning feel like an adventure?

Grab ready-to-use gamification resources on my TpT store (Simply Lauren Denny), and follow me @simplylaurendenny on Instagram for daily ideas, classroom strategies, and teacher encouragement.

🎙️ These are the good days—let’s make them fun.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHzNL5fx8Zo/?img_index=1

Support the show

Lauren Denny-- www.laurendenny.com