Best Uniquely Upper Podcasts (2025)

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16. CUPS Strategy for Student Editing 6:45

Play Pause

2M ago6:45

6:45

Episode Summary Let’s talk about the CUPS Strategy for Student Editing — and no, not the kind that holds your coffee. CUPS stands for Capitalization, Usage, Punctuation, and Spelling, and it is one of those classroom tools that most know about but rarely feel confident teaching. When I first started teaching, I would hand my students a CUPS checkli…

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15. A Thankful Pause 1:46

2M ago1:46

1:46

A quiet, sincere thank you from me to the teachers who support Commas in the Chaos. Your listens, messages, shares, and reviews shape this podcast and help more teachers find a steady space. Take a breath with me and know your support matters.

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14. Teaching Complex Sentences with Two Simple Formulas: 5 Effective Tips 6:54

2M ago6:54

6:54

Episode Summary Let’s be honest. Teaching complex sentences can feel anything but simple. Students get tripped up on commas, mix up dependent and independent clauses, and before long, everyone is frustrated. In this episode, I am sharing a strategy that completely changed how I taught this skill. It is a method that makes complex sentences finally …

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13. 5 Creative Ways to Use Task Cards in the Classroom 7:44

2M ago7:44

7:44

Episode Summary Last week, I shared the big-picture why behind using task cards, and the real benefits that make them worth your time. This week, we’re moving from theory to practice. In this episode, I’m sharing five creative ways to use task cards in the classroom that go far beyond centers and early finishers. These ideas are designed to get you…

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12. 3 Benefits of Using Task Cards (and Why You Should Use Them in Your Classroom) 7:39

3M ago7:39

7:39

Episode Summary You know that moment when you open your pacing guide and immediately think, How on earth am I going to fit all of this in? Between teaching 500 standards, trying to keep your sanity, and still having a few minutes left in the day, it’s a lot. That’s exactly why I want to talk about one of my favorite tools: task cards. In this episo…

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11. Teaching Grammar in Context: Why It Isn’t Enough on Its Own 13:53

3M ago13:53

13:53

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10. Grammar Skills: How to Use Skill Stacking to Spot Gaps and Strengthen Foundations 8:34

3M ago8:34

8:34

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09. 4 Benefits of Using Grammar Centers in Upper Elementary 6:58

3M ago6:58

6:58

4 Benefits of Using Grammar Centers in Upper Elementary Episode Summary When you hear the phrase classroom centers, do you tense up a little? I used to cringe too. Adding one more moving part to an already full day felt overwhelming. But once I saw how grammar centers transformed my classroom — giving students ownership, boosting engagement, and ma…

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Bound Together: A Journey of Friendship 22:10

3M ago22:10

22:10

In this guided meditation, we step into a cozy library where every book holds a chapter of our lives and the people who’ve shaped them. Behind a hidden door, we discover a space to meet with a dear friend—whether to heal, laugh over old memories, or simply sit in the warmth of love. With curiosity and ease, this journey invites you to explore the m…

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08. Building Classroom Community - 4 Simple Steps for a Powerful Impact 11:01

3M ago11:01

11:01

Episode 8: Building Classroom Community – 4 Simple Steps for a Powerful Impact Episode Summary Let’s press pause on grammar for a moment and talk about something just as important: building classroom community. If you’ve ever had a student walk into your room with a “reputation,” or you’ve wished your class felt more like a team and less like a bat…

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The Quiet Compass Within 23:02

4M ago23:02

23:02

In this guided meditation, we journey inward to meet a younger version of ourselves and walk with them through a treasured memory. Along the way, we notice the strengths that have always been present, the natural gifts that shaped who we are, and the quiet wisdom that continues to guide us. This practice invites you to honor your past, recognize yo…

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07. Teaching Subjects and Predicates 11:19

4M ago11:19

11:19

Episode 7: Teaching Subjects and Predicates Episode Summary Fragments and run-ons — the bane of every teacher’s grading stack. By the time back-to-school writing assignments roll in, you’ve probably already seen sentences like “Went to the park” or “The dog with a long tail and spots.” That’s why this episode is all about teaching subjects and pred…

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06. Spiraling Grammar: 2 Effective Review Strategies for Making Grammar Stick 5:57

4M ago5:57

5:57

🎧 Grammar Teaching Strategies: 2 Effective Ways for Spiraling Grammar Episode Summary Have you ever taught a grammar skill on Monday, given the quiz on Friday, and by the next week your students act like they’ve never heard the word predicate before? 🙋‍♀️ Yep, been there. That’s why today’s episode is all about spiraling grammar—and why it’s one of…

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05. Grammar Teaching Strategies That Actually Work in Upper Elementary - Mini Challenge 9:25

4M ago9:25

9:25

Grammar Teaching Strategies That Actually Work in Upper Elementary Episode Summary Teacher friend, we made it! 🎉 Welcome to Day 5 of the Grammar Confidence Kickstart Challenge. You’ve put in the work, carved out time, and committed to building something better for your grammar block—and that’s huge. In this episode, I’m pulling everything together …

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04: How to Teach Grammar in Fun Ways - Mini Series Challenge 8:28

4M ago8:28

8:28

🎧 Episode 4: Teaching Grammar in Fun Ways Episode Summary You can teach the perfect grammar lesson, have the best anchor chart, and even crush the exit ticket… but what happens when that skill disappears the moment you move on to the next one? That’s where today’s episode comes in. In Day 4 of the Grammar Confidence Kickstart Challenge, we’re talki…

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03. Building Daily Grammar Routines - Mini Series Challenge 11:44

5M ago11:44

11:44

Episode 3: Building Daily Grammar Routines Episode Summary If you’ve ever felt like grammar gets lost in the shuffle of your busy day, you’re not alone. The truth is, when it comes to building grammar confidence—for both you and your students—consistency is everything. And that’s where a daily grammar routine comes in. In this episode of the Gramma…

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02. How to Sequence Grammar in Upper Elementary - Mini Series Challenge 8:49

5M ago8:49

8:49

Welcome back to Day 2 of the Grammar Confidence Kickstart Challenge! In this episode, we’re digging into one of the most powerful shifts you can make as a grammar teacher: sequencing grammar in upper elementary in a way that actually makes sense. If you’ve ever felt like you were jumping from nouns to conjunctions without a clear path, or that your…

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01. Why Grammar Matters - Mini Series Challenge 9:47

5M ago9:47

9:47

Episode 1: Why Grammar Matters More Than You Think Episode Summary: Let’s start with the big question: Why does grammar matter—and why should we care about it more than we already do? Welcome to Day 1 of the Grammar Confidence Kickstart Challenge, where we’re kicking things off with a dose of truth, a little myth-busting, and a whole lot of reassur…

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00. Welcome to Commas in the Chaos 2:02

6M ago2:02

2:02

Welcome to Commas in the Chaos! I’m Rachel, owner of Uniquely Upper, and this is your official invitation to take a deep breath, grab your coffee (reheated, of course), and join a space designed just for you — the grammar teacher juggling lesson plans, piles of ungraded assignments, and those never-ending to-do lists. Each week, you’ll get: Short, …

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Update! 5:44

1+ y ago5:44

5:44

Hello! Yes, I am still here, just not creating new meditations at the moment. The reason for that is a shift and expansion in my spiritual practice (all good). I hope this update helps to clarify my absence. I appreciate you all more than you know and can't wait to start sharing my new recordings. A special thank you to those of you who rate my pod…

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Connecting to our Higher Self 22:34

2y ago22:34

22:34

The meditation is a guide to connect to our higher self. The purpose of this meditation is to assist you in understanding the "why" and gaining a higher perspective of your current life, its lessons, trial, relationships, and beyond. This is a meditation you can keep as a favorite and come back to.

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What is the Lesson? 24:35

2+ y ago24:35

24:35

In this meditation, we get to connect with one our teachers. This is a great meditation to give perspective to a moment in your life, repeat themes, or people & places you feel strongly connected to. I use a very similar method during past life regression. Be open, be curious and you will most certainly gain the insight you need for your healing jo…

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To be Fearless 19:05

2+ y ago19:05

19:05

Who are we are when we maximize our potential, release fear, and step fully into who we desire to be? That is the intention of this meditation; to discover ourselves. In Shamanism, we utilize animal spirits a lot. They come as medicine or as guides and teachers. When they come as medicine, they help show us the light or the power that already exist…

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Healing after Loss 21:00

2+ y ago21:00

21:00

This meditation begins on the ocean and takes us to visit a memory with the intention of observing the memory with our younger selves. When we experience trauma or loss, a part ourselves can fragment off. In shamanic terms, this fragment is referred to as soul loss. A part of ourselves leaves. When we experience this, we can have loss of memory det…

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Finding Answers- Journey to the Upper World 24:52

2+ y ago24:52

24:52

This meditation is a guide to the Upper World and a path to answering the "why". This meditation starts in your power place; a place in nature where you feel safe, and guides you to your sacred space in the Upper World. When we journey to this place/plane, we're able to see meet our guides, visit our soul book and get answers on what we wanted to l…

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Balancing your Energy- Lower Chakras 26:50

2+ y ago26:50

26:50

This meditation places the focus on clearing and breathing energy through the lower chakras (Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus, and Heart). It is within these four energy centers which we process the majority of our emotions and have a physical and emotional reaction to the outside world. At the end of the meditation, I offer guidance. The intention is to…

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Making Connections 20:08

3y ago20:08

20:08

In this episode, we have a series of moments and items that elicit feelings and possibly old memories. The intention here to is gradually bring forward a moment that needs your attention. This could be a memory and it could also be something that you strongly desire for yourself. Post meditation journal prompts: What's holding you back? What items …

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Processing Emotions- Opportunity for Release 23:55

3y ago23:55

23:55

In this meditation, we are joined by our master guide and asked to review an emotional moment. A moment where our emotions have transitioned and we continue to carry. The intention with this meditation is to observe the moment that brought the emotions and have an opportunity for closure and release. This meditation contains light music and sounds …

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Finding Our Calling 24:38

3y ago24:38

24:38

Through the pursuit of happiness we find our calling. It is the thing or things that bring us the most joy, make our heart soar, and our lips curl into an unstoppable smile. Right? Mmmmm not always. In this meditation we take the hand of our guide and explore what has defined our calling in this life and receive clarity on our journey. Enjoy!…

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An Emotional Release 30:08

3y ago30:08

30:08

This meditation is designed as an emotional release with sounds of the ocean and fire to help you relax and keep you grounded and connected to your body. This meditation is meant to assist with releasing an emotional burden from your youth and is focused on the Sacral and Solar Plexus. During this release you are visited by a younger version of you…

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Processing Our Past 23:19

3y ago23:19

23:19

This mediation brings us back to a moment in childhood and then forward to connect the learned behavior to an oder version of ourselves. This meditation has more guidance at the end to help you process and examine the images and feelings that came up. The chakras of focus in this mediation are the Root, Sacral, and Solar Plexus.…

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The Path to Answers 23:19

3+ y ago23:19

23:19

This meditation gives us an opportunity to be guided to answers we need for our healing journey. This meditation includes sounds of water and birds and images of a forest.

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Spirits of the Land 26:24

3+ y ago26:24

26:24

This meditation takes us into the world of the Fae (Fairy). We are guided through a magical world that lives all around us by connecting to a fae guide and being transported to a space that we know and love.

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The Great Climb 23:48

3+ y ago23:48

23:48

The mountain or the great climb is really a metaphor for life. The path we take, off trail/on trail, steep climb to quickly summit or the slow winding incline...we are still climbing the same mountain. Our pace and path are ours to choose. This mediation is a reflection of the path we take and insights we gain.…

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Welcome Summer- Beltane 16:20

3+ y ago16:20

16:20

This meditation begins in a fairy circle. We step out of the circle and into the world of the Fae (earth guardian spirits). We are much smaller and get to see and experience the world as the Fae see and experience it. This guided meditation includes sounds of nature (birds/wind).

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Visting Home 20:44

3+ y ago20:44

20:44

This meditation involves a visit with our younger self. This visit takes us back to our childhood home as an adult. This meditation includes the sound of rain and children laughing. I also include some guidance for the meditation at the end. Many blessings.

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Journey- Healing Rock 21:27

4y ago21:27

21:27

This meditation is actually a shamanic journey to the lower world. The "lower world" in shamanic terms is a place to meet with our ancestors, spirit guides, animal guides, and receive healing. A a Shamanic Practitioner I travel to this place frequently for my clients but it is a place you can also go anytime for deeper healing. In this journey, we …

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Unburdening your Heart 19:12

4y ago19:12

19:12

In this meditation we sit by a fire with a small package of items, neatly wrapped and tied with string. These items belong to a past us, and old story, and moments that we have held on to. Are you ready to release and move forward? At the end of this meditation, I mention my 8-Week Chakra Meditation course. This class starts April 11th and registra…

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Relaxation and Balance 26:24

4y ago26:24

26:24

This is meditation is all about relaxing with the sounds of the ocean waves and resetting our energy by balancing our chakras. Fuel your body with the energy of the sun!

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In the Classroom: Root Chakra 14:53

4y ago14:53

14:53

This meditation brings us back to observe our younger selves. We begin in a classroom where we are the teacher and our younger self is a student. In this meditation, we are observing our behaviors in a place that should give us a sense of safety and security. Much of the issues I have observed in my healing practice around feelings or behaviors con…

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Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park 15:46

4y ago15:46

15:46

Welcome to my private practice. On the last day of a 5 day excursion in Sedona, AZ, myself and three of my amazing companions stopped at the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park for a last meditation and prayer. This is a recording of my own personal meditation and chanting in this amazing space. The birds were so close, the prayer flags flapped in the ci…

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Connecting with a Spirit Animal 19:16

4y ago19:16

19:16

In this meditation we connect with a sacred animal. This meditation helps us deepen our connection and embody this amazing medicine. Guidance to this meditation is at the end. For additional information on Animal Guides, I highly recommend fellow Shamanic Practitioner Dr. Steven Farmer.

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Meeting Your Master Guide 20:03

4y ago20:03

20:03

This meditation/journey has us depart from the typical meditations I do and takes us much deeper. In this meditation we are taken to the moment of our souls inception or birth. The moment of creation. For some of you, this may fly right in the face of your traditional beliefs (fair warning). Enjoy the expanded awareness.…

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Moving Through Fire: Release 18:40

4y ago18:40

18:40

This meditation includes fire sounds and walking into flame. In this meditation we visit a past memory to observe and release. This may be a difficult meditation/healing for some so proceed with the willingness and openness to release.

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By the Seaside 13:37

4y ago13:37

13:37

In this episode we find ourselves transported to the seaside, listening to the sounds of the ocean waves as we stare out to the horizon. By our side, a simple shell that transports us to a meaningful conversation. This meditation includes the sounds of ocean waves and water lapping.

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Going Home 16:12

4y ago16:12

16:12

It's great to be back! After a month off from recording while I opened my meditation studio and recovered from losing my voice; it feels great! In this meditation I incorporate the guidance of a horse and the visual of a mountain. We go back to visit a version of ourselves. This can be helpful for healing back to a younger version of ourselves or t…

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Wisdom of the Water 22:04

4y ago22:04

22:04

This meditation includes water sounds and has us taking the plunge into the deep blue. Purpose and intention is to evaluate our emotional state and create a calm sanctuary under the surface. Healing messages from a great whale are also found during your exploration.

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Connecting With Our Souls Purpose 25:52

4y ago25:52

25:52

This meditation has a couple of layers to it. Overall the intention of this meditation is to show you what your intention was for this life and some of the trials and lessons you have gone through to get you where you are now. www.findyourki.org

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A Welcome Guest- Managing Grief 22:41

4y ago22:41

22:41

This meditation connects us with a loved one who has past. The start of this meditation has us grounded and connected to the earth when a beautiful angelic being approaches and brings with them someone to help us heal. This meditation contains light music and sounds of nature.

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Chakra Balancer 22:41

4+ y ago22:41

22:41

This meditation includes sounds in nature and is focused on grounding the body and allowing energy to flow. This meditation can also be used to scan your personal energy for any suppressed emotional energy. I also have a wrap up at the end.