Reading groups… we love the idea of them. But let’s be honest, sometimes they feel overwhelming, noisy, and just plain stressful.

In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about the challenges teachers face during reading groups!

If reading groups feel chaotic instead of calm in your classroom, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and rebuild with systems that actually work.

We’re sharing practical strategies to help you feel organised, confident, and back in control, without adding more to your plate.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• The biggest frustrations teachers face during reading groups (and why you’re not alone)
• How clear routines and expectations can completely transform your sessions
• Why a consistent, predictable timetable reduces stress for you and your students
• The power of starting with a “top five” set of independent activities
• How a dress rehearsal can set your groups up for long-term success
• Planning tips like batching, reusing resources, and using simple templates
• Tools like The Hive platform to streamline your reading group organisation
• A practical guide to help you transform your reading groups step by step

Reading groups don’t have to feel chaotic. With the right systems, routines, and ready-to-go resources, they can become one of the most powerful parts of your literacy block.

You don’t need more ideas - you need a foolproof system. Let’s work smarter, not harder, together!

Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Transform your Reading Groups (course for teachers)

The Hive - Use the code ASHLEIGH15 for a 15% discount

Ready to print reading group activities for:

• Kindergarten
• Grade 1-2
• Grade 3-4
• Grade 5-6

*Note: These activities are included in Transform your Reading Groups

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Today we welcome back occupational therapist, educator advocate, and all-round legend Dave Jereb to dive deep into understanding and responding to challenging classroom behaviours.

Dave shares practical, teacher-friendly strategies to better connect with students, support regulation, and ultimately create more inclusive and calm classrooms. From quick connection anchors to brain-based regulation tools, Dave reminds us that meaningful change often starts with the simplest actions.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why connection changes the brain—and what happens in just 10 seconds
• Reframing “challenging behaviour” and what’s really going on beneath the surface
• A breakdown of Dave’s ABCIDEAS model for understanding student needs holistically
• Practical co-regulation tools teachers can implement immediately
• Why supporting the adults who support the kids is essential for long-term success
• The “Connected Caregiver Model” and what it looks like in action
• Using rhythm, breath, and music as tools for regulation and attention
• Making lessons meaningful by tapping into student interests

“Everything is downstream from regulation and connection.” – Dave Jereb

Key Takeaways:

• Connection comes first: A simple 10-second moment of eye-level, intentional connection can dramatically impact behaviour and learning readiness.
• Environment matters: You don’t need to “fix the child”—adjusting the activity or environment is often the fastest way to success.
• Behaviours are communication: Looking at what’s behind attention-seeking, oppositional, or sensitive behaviours helps us support rather than react.
• Support the supporters: Dave champions the idea that when we support teachers and caregivers, everyone wins.

Whether you're just kicking off the school year in Australia or you're mid-term elsewhere in the world, this episode is packed with real-life examples, refreshing reframes, and game-changing strategies you can try today, especially with those students who can make or break the energy of your day.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Check out Dave’s Book: Challenging the Story
• Dave’s Online Course: Challenging the Story of Behaviour
• Other courses offered by Move About OT linked here
• Connect with Dave on Instagram
• Say G’Day on Spotify (Dave’s sister Genevieve Jereb) 
• Episode 19 - Our first interview with Dave Jereb

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About Today’s Guest: Dave Jereb is a paediatric occupational therapist, author, and co-founder of MoveAbout Therapy Services. With over 20 years of experience, Dave is passionate about helping families and professionals rethink how we understand and respond to challenging

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In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into a topic that sits at the heart of our mission: teacher well-being. We’re unpacking the everyday challenges teachers face, like juggling too many tasks, feeling pressure to “do it all,” and navigating leadership expectations, while also offering practical, empowering strategies to help you protect your energy, set boundaries, and find your own rhythm.

We talk honestly about breaking free from the “busy culture,” why multitasking is not your friend, and how small moments of joy can truly be game-changers in a teacher’s week.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need to do it all
• Boundaries aren’t selfish; they’re essential for long-term impact.
• A notepad, a pause, or even a walk can help clear the clutter.
• Modelling wellbeing helps your students thrive too.
  Saying no today doesn’t mean saying no forever.

Whether you're just starting out or deep into your teaching journey, this episode is your friendly reminder that your wellbeing matters, and you’re allowed to take care of it. Let’s work smarter, not harder, and build a teaching life that brings joy, balance, and longevity.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 44: A conversation about Teacher Wellbeing with Amy Green

Episode 106: Real Teacher Wellbeing with Daniela Falecki

Teacher Self-care Journal

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Math shouldn't feel like a mystery or a battle, and this week, we’re breaking down the REAL reasons students struggle with maths and sharing practical solutions to help every learner thrive.

From lack of hands-on learning to low confidence and everything in between, we talk about the six key reasons students find math tricky and offer evidence-based, heart-filled strategies to turn those struggles into success. If you've ever faced a room full of groans when you say, “Time for maths!”, this episode is for you.

What We Chat About:

• The myth of “not having a maths brain” and how mindset makes all the difference
• Why hands-on learning isn’t just for early years
• How to differentiate without creating 27 different lesson plans
• Making explicit instruction powerful (not painful!)
• Supporting risk-taking and growing confidence in your students
• Helping students recognise what success in maths really looks like
• Why offering multiple learning modes helps every child access the curriculum
• Our go-to resources to make it happen (including a freebie and a PD course!)

Whether you’re new to teaching or a seasoned educator, this conversation is full of practical tips and heartfelt encouragement to help you create maths lessons your students will actually look forward to.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Free Guide: 6 Strategies to Boost Student Success in Maths
• Transform Your Maths Groups course – Learn the exact model Ash & Alisha use
• Growth Mindset Mini Tags Freebie
• Skip Counting Games

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Valentine’s Day isn’t just about hearts and flowers, it’s a golden opportunity to weave kindness, connection, and curriculum into your classroom. In this episode,we are diving into creative, curriculum-aligned math activities with a Valentine’s Day twist that your students will LOVE (pun intended!).

Whether you’re planning ahead or need something ready-to-go, we’re sharing engaging, low-prep ideas to bring the joy (and data!) into your lessons.

What We Chat About:

• Why Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate kindness in the classroom
• Easy-to-implement Valentine themed maths activities:

1. Number of the Day (Valentine-style!)
2. Fractions & Decimals of the Day
3. Valentine’s Flip It Games
4. Maths Chatterboxes (Fortune Tellers)
5. Deck-of-cards / UNO card activities for sorting and operations

• How these activities double as informal assessments (hello, teacher win!)
• Freebies and no-laminating-required resources

Whether you’re a Valentine’s superfan or a quiet kindness crusader, these activities will have your students engaged and learning without even realising it.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Number of the Day (Valentine-style!)
• Fractions & Decimals of the Day
• Valentine’s Flip It Games
• Maths Chatterboxes (Fortune Tellers) for Number Bonds and Multiplication
• FREE UNO card number sorts
  
  

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Get ready to kick off 2026 with a rainbow of inspiration! In this episode, we are diving into our top 3 favourite free resources (each!) that you can download and use right now in your classroom. From boosting student confidence to simplifying math lessons and streamlining assessment, these tried-and-tested freebies are classroom game-changers.

Whether you're teaching composite classes, looking for quick wins, or want to inject a little more joy into your everyday routines, there’s something here for you. The best part? Every resource mentioned is completely free and teacher-loved!

What We Cover:

• Hey You! compliment cards – A simple way to build student confidence and connection
• Future World Changers display – A class community favourite with photo fun
• Multiplication Flip It Games – Engaging maths games using playing cards
• Number of the Day routines – Your go-to for warm-ups, relief days or fast finisher tasks
• Exit Tickets – Quick and easy student check-ins that inform your teaching
• UNO taster activities – Test out our famous UNO games for yourself with this limited time freebie

You’ll walk away with fresh ideas to use immediately with these FREE and classroom-ready resources (they are all linked below).

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Hey You! compliment cards 
• Future World Changers display 
• Multiplication Flip It Games 
• Number of the Day 2-digit and Number of the Day 3-digit
• Exit Tickets
• UNO taster activities + workshop

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Does the thought of running smooth rotations or grouping students send your brain into a spin? You’re not alone (and this episode is here to help!).

Join us as we unpack the magic (and the real talk) behind collaborative learning routines that actually work. From tackling post-break classroom chaos to grouping students without the overwhelm, this practical and empowering episode is all about helping you reclaim your time, energy, and confidence.

What you will learn:

• Why collaborative learning is the heartbeat of a thriving classroom
• A simple 5-step January reset to get routines back on track
• How to group students using data without the stress
• What to put in centres so they run themselves
• The #1 mindset shift to keep rotations sustainable 

Whether you’re new to centres or looking to fine-tune your existing systems, this episode will leave you feeling supported, inspired, and ready to make collaborative learning work for you.

If your staffroom whisper this term is “my kids can’t work independently”… this episode is your answer. Let’s work smarter, not harder together. 

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• UNO activities for Kindergarten, Grade 1-2, Grade 3-4 and Grade 5-6 
• UNO activities for every single grade
• Mini courses: Transform Your Reading Groups + Transform Your Maths Groups
• Multiplication card and dice games

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Your students return from winter break full of stories, energy… and having forgotten every routine you spent reinforcing! Sound familiar?

Don’t worry, this episode is here to help you press the reset button in a way that feels calm, supportive, and purposeful. We share simple, actionable strategies for rebuilding routines, re-establishing classroom expectations, and reconnecting with your students.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why after the winter break is the perfect opportunity to reset classroom routines
• How to reteach procedures like it's Week 1 of school (without overwhelm)
• Strategies to reframe behaviour expectations with your students
• Rebooting collaborative learning routines and regrouping based on mid-year data
• Simple connection-building activities to ease back into learning
• Goal-setting ideas for your students (and yourself!)
• How to give yourself grace and embrace a slower start

If your classroom feels a little wobbly post-break, this episode is your friendly roadmap back to confidence, calm, and connection. Let’s make the rest of the year your best yet!

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Classroom Detective Freebie

Brain Breaks Podcast Episode 80 

New Year Code Crackers For Grade 1-2 and Grade 3-6

Lighting Up the School Year (3D Display)

3D Easels (About Me + Goals)

The Year Ahead Goal-Setting Booklet

Spinning Stars Goal-Setting Display

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Starting out in teaching is exciting, but let’s be real, it can also feel completely overwhelming. That’s why we’ve teamed up with six amazing educators to share the advice they wish they knew when they first stepped into the classroom.

This episode is full of heartfelt, practical, and encouraging tips to remind you that you’re not alone and that teaching is a journey - not a race. Whether you’re just starting out or supporting new teachers in your school, you’ll find wisdom here to guide and inspire.

Our incredible contributors share:

• Bridget Canty – Why it’s ok to stop, reteach, and take the pressure off yourself
• Jessica Werner – The importance of guilt-free time for yourself and your passions
• Jo Edgar – How to set up your teacher planner as your ultimate hub of organisation
• Ash Curmi – Why showing students it’s ok to make mistakes builds classroom culture
• Kylie Altier – The value of bringing community experts into the classroom
• Amy Green – The ripple effect of self-compassion and looking after your wellbeing

This episode is a must-listen for early career teachers. It is packed with strategies, encouragement, and reminders that teaching is a marathon, not a sprint.

Together, we’re growing a supportive teacher community, one story at a time.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• YAY I’m a Teacher FREEBIE
• Surviving your First years FREEBIE
• Transform your First Years - The self-paced course 

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In this conversation, Ashleigh joins host Mat Green to reflect on the joys and challenges of teaching, resource creating, and creating space for wellbeing. From the importance of slowing down in the classroom to her evolving views on technology and her journey from teacher to education business owner.

You’ll hear candid moments about spelling struggles, teacher wellbeing, and how the most magical classrooms often leave the biggest imprint, not because of the content, but because of how students feel. Plus, Ash shares the story behind the most popular Rainbow Sky resource UNO card games!

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Ashleigh's views on technology have evolved
• Why she’s saying "no" to rushing and “yes” to herself in 2025
• The teacher who changed her life (and what happened when she met her again 20 years later!)
• How Rainbow Sky Creations began (spoiler: it started with iPad drawings and a pregnant coffee date!)
• The philosophy behind their wildly popular UNO card maths games
• Why differentiation in teacher PD matters just as much as in student learning
• The Rainbow Sky mantra every new teacher needs to hear

This episode is full of golden takeaways, encouraging reminders, and lots of laughter. A must-listen for every teacher who’s ever felt overwhelmed, rushed, or in need of a gentle reset.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Books mentioned: Untamed by Glennon Doyle, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

View our UNO Card Maths Activities

Rainbow Sky PD Hub – On-demand, actionable professional development

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