Episode 16 "I Have a Free, What Should I Do?"

About this episode

Beth and Sunny discuss effective strategies for utilizing free periods in teaching.

Beth and Sunny are back for the new year with a question every teacher has asked themselves at least once: “I have a free period… what should I do?” In this episode, Beth explores research-supported strategies for making the most of your free sessions. She unpacks practical ways teachers can structure their planning time, avoid common time leaks , and even looks at research around the most effective time of day to tackle marking . She also touches on one of the simplest yet most powerful productivity tools for teachers: the Pomodoro Timer . Sunny reflects on how the year has started in the classroom and shares how she typically spends her free periods, from planning and preparation to the small tasks that quietly pile up throughout the week. Together, Beth and Sunny discuss the importance of intentional time use and set some practical goals for using free sessions more effectively in the weeks ahead. If you’ve ever finished a free period wondering where the time went, this episode is for you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Beth Cain, Sunny Green

Topics covered

• free period
• teacher productivity
• planning strategies
• time management
• Pomodoro Timer

Keywords

• free period
• teacher strategies
• Pomodoro Timer
• time management
• planning

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• Episode 18 Help! This Class Isn't Going Well · April 26, 2026 · 1h 5m
• Episode 17 "I have a Free What Should I Do?" Reflection · April 3, 2026 · 31 min
• Episode 15 Principal Team · November 11, 2025 · 32 min
• Episode 14 Opportunities to Respond Reflection · October 18, 2025 · 41 min
• Episode 13 Opportunities to Respond · October 2, 2025 · 45 min