225. 5 Easy Ways to Reignite Student Engagement During the September Slump

The back-to-school honeymoon is over, and if your once angelic class is now fidgety and distracted, don’t panic. You haven’t lost your classroom magic! In this episode, we break down the September slump, why it’s normal, and how to use it as an opportunity to boost engagement without burning yourself out. You’ll learn five simple, low-prep ways to bring back the spark, plus how to spot the “check engine” lights that signal it’s time to revisit routines. These micro-novelties keep curiosity alive while maintaining the structure students need.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/september-slump-in-the-classroom/

Resources:

• Digital Seating Chart Tool
• Glass pot
• The New York Times Game: Pips
• The Holiday Headstart Podcast
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 97, 3 Secrets For Using Your Classroom Seating Arrangement to Boost Classroom Management
• Episode 99, Get Students Engaged with 3 Types of Active Participation Strategies
• Episode 156, Starting the School Year with Surprise and Delight: 5 Easy Ideas

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the Teacher Approved Club, where members get seasonal morning work pages for grades K–5 this month to add fall and holiday fun without throwing off their routines: https://secondstorywindow.net/club