Rainbow Skies for Teachers

Have you heard people online, around the staffroom, in teacher friend circles talking about the Science of Reading?

It is a hot topic right now and for good reason. Today, we are joined by literacy specialist Sara Marye from the Stellar Teaching Company. Sara dives into the Science of Reading and what makes it relevant in our classrooms in 2024. 

We discuss: 

• What is the Science of Reading
• The 5 pillars of Literacy instruction
• The Balanced Literacy Approach vs The Science of Reading 
• The misconceptions about the Science of Reading (aka why some teachers seem opposed to it)
• Why should teachers care and be informed about the Science of Reading
• Some practical applications for in the primary classroom

Sara is an open book and generously answers every question that pops into our minds as we dive into the Science of Reading. 

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a teacher friend!

You can access more teacher strategies, classroom inspiration and a wealth of resources by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com.

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

Scarborough’s Reading Rope

Sara’s Podcast - The Stellar Teacher Podcast

Sara’s Podcast series - Small Steps to SOR

Connect wit Sara via her website or instagram

Freebie - Strategies to help run your reading groups effectively 

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How can you fit everything into the school day? Time is the one thing ALL teachers battle, but we are here to help you make the most out of the hours in your teaching day.

Let’s talk about changing our “Time Mindset” and how less is often more with our 7 strategies:

• Managing your expectations
• Being flexible and open to making adjustments
• Utilising small groups as a teaching method
• Identifying events in the term to help with planning
• Looking at your program as a wishlist instead of a must do list
• Combining and integrating the curriculum
• Remembering quality over quantity - less is more!

School life can be so busy - but is ‘busy’ best for the students in our classrooms? We hope these ideas help you slow down and worry less when it comes to fitting everything in!

This episode of Rainbow Skies for New Teachers is brought to you by our new teacher membership, Transform your First Years. Join us here.

You can access more teacher strategies, classroom inspiration and a wealth of resources by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com.

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode:

5 FREE Maths Fluency Games

Learn more about Transform your First Years 

Let's hear from you! Text us!

Ever wondered about the superpower of an Occupational Therapist or OT?

Today, we enjoyed talking to Dave Jereb, a trailblazer as a paediatric occupational therapist in Australia. With over two decades of experience, Dave is an accomplished practitioner and a true visionary in his field. His unwavering passion for delivering transformative solutions for challenging behaviour alongside his holistic approach has earned him recognition as a thought leader.

From his award-winning ‘Move About activity cards’ to his insightful book ‘Challenging the Story’, Dave’s contributions are reshaping the landscape of occupational therapy. 

In this episode, we chat to Dave about: 

• What is an OT and how can teachers work alongside them to help students in their classroom
• The ABCs of behaviour 
• Developing connections with students 
• What we can do as teachers to best support students in the classroom 

This episode contains so many nuggets of wisdom - please share it with a teacher friend that you think would also love this conversation. 

You can access more teacher strategies, classroom inspiration and a wealth of resources by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com.

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Check out Dave’s best-selling book: Challenging the Story

Connect with Dave on Instagram

Brain Break ideas for your classroom

Join us inside  Transform your First Years 

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Math anxiety can be a significant barrier for many students, causing feelings of fear, stress, and avoidance when it comes to math-related tasks. 

Children may suffer from math anxiety for various reasons, including past negative experiences, pressure to perform, a lack of confidence in their abilities, or a perception that math is too difficult or uninteresting. This anxiety can impact their academic performance and overall attitude towards mathematics, making it essential for educators and parents to address and support students in overcoming these challenges.

Today, we share 8 strategies to help you support students suffering from Maths anxiety, particularly in the lead-up to standardised tests such as NAPLAN.

We discuss the following ideas:

• How games can have a huge impact on alleviating stress when it comes to Maths
• The importance of dedicating time to building number and fact fluency
• How you can integrate craft and Maths
• Using the ‘Write the Room’ strategy to engage students
• How to create a low-pressure environment and build growth mindset skills in Maths
• Offering emotional support and encouragement to our students
• Getting familiar with the language to help students succeed

Forewarning students before an event that may cause anxiety such as NAPLANvant to children’s lives. By incorporating these ideas into your classroom Maths routine, you can help them develop a positive attitude towards Maths and build their confidence in this important subject.

If you loved or could relate to this episode, don’t forget to follow and review our pod to stay updated with the latest content. And, send us a post on social media so we can say a personal thank you!

You can access more teacher strategies, classroom inspiration and a wealth of resources by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com.

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in today’s episode

FREE Multiplication Flip it game

FREE Division Bus Stop resource

7 Awesome Maths Games for the Classroom

Write the Room Investigations

Language of Maths Craft

Let's hear from you! Text us!

So often, we only touch base with parents when there is a problem, whether it be academic, social, or behavioural. Today, we chat about how could we make time to communicate with parents about what their children are doing well outside the regular parent-teacher interviews and reports.

We know teacher life is hectically busy and this may seem like just another thing to fit in! So, keeping this in mind, we have put together a few simple ideas for you to communicate with parents to celebrate their children that won’t take hours of your time.

Look at this list like a menu, pick and choose what you feel will work for you and your situation:

• Give positive feedback to your students to share with their parents 
• Leave a note in their diary
• Give students a personalised card/note
• Make quick positive phone calls home 
• Send a celebratory email to parents with a photo of their child in action
• Affirmations that accompany student work 
• Open up your classroom for parents to come and visit. 
• Leave random positive messages on your students' homework / in their workbooks

Positive communication is a vital part of developing strong relationships with parents, which ultimately benefits the students in your care.

If you are finding Rainbow Skies for New Teachers helpful, we would love if you could share the pod with a teacher friend or two.

You can access more teacher strategies, classroom inspiration and a wealth of resources by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com.

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

Free Positive Calls / Emails home template

If you are listening to this in real time, get 20% off our signature membership Transform your First Years (offer valid until Feb 19th, 2024). 

Let's hear from you! Text us!

We have an awesome BONUS episode that you will not want to miss!

Today, we are talking with Brittany, a teacher who has been in the classroom for two years. Brittany is so open and genuine in sharing her struggles and wins - we think you will relate to many of them, too (we certainly did). 

In this episode, we dive into the many struggles of new teachers, how it is absolutely normal to feel that way and some pearls of wisdom that can help overcome some of these difficulties. Brittany also shares how she works in an MC class and how she handles all the different needs and challenges that are thrown at her daily. 

Brittany is a positive shining light - you will love this episode.

If you know a teacher just starting out, especially one that may have neurodivergent students, share this episode with them!

You can access more teacher strategies, classroom inspiration and a wealth of resources by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com.

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

Connect with Brittany inside our Transform your First Years community or email us, and we can send you her email address. 

Class Name Word Search (freebie)

Learn more about Transform your First Years

Let's hear from you! Text us!

In this episode, Ashleigh chats with Maddi, a teacher who has just finished her first year teaching in a Year 1-2 class. We wanted to ask Maddi how she found her first year, her struggles, and if she had any advice for those who will walk in her shoes as a first-year teacher this year.

Maddi shares so many insightful ideas, including her powerful ‘why’ that explains why she became a teacher in the first place. 

Maddi’s enthusiasm and passion shine through, and we are sure you will love this episode!

If you know a teacher just starting that would find this episode helpful, please share it with them so we can help as many teachers as possible!

You can access more teacher strategies, classroom inspiration and a wealth of resources by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com.

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

Connect with Maddi @miss_pentons_classroom 

Learn more about Transform your First Years

Let's hear from you! Text us!

1. Classroom Detective
2. Number of the Day
3. We All Smile in the Same Language Banner
4. A Little Bit About Me (paper and digital)
5. BONUS: All About Me Easels

• Yay I’m a Teacher Freebie - includes our All Appout Me template
• ‘Whoever you Are’ picture book by Mem Fox
• Get Transform Your First Years Membership with a 20% discount

Let's hear from you! Text us!

Imposter syndrome is a real thing! But it is time for you to kick that train of thought to the curb because it isn’t doing you any favours. The good news is you are in the right place to do just that!

Have you ever felt like you don’t know what you are doing? Do you feel you aren’t qualified or have enough experience for your job? Do you think soon enough my colleagues are going to discover you're not doing an excellent job and it is all going to be over? 

THIS IS IMPOSTER SYNDROME.

Today, we share our experiences with Imposter Syndrome and some strategies that have helped us, including: 

• Sharing feelings
• Finding a trusted mentor
• Knowing it is ok to fail (and grow from it)
• Keeping a folder of positivity
• Learning that perfection is a unicorn
• Celebrating successes
• Using positive affirmations to combat ugly thoughts

If you loved or could relate to this episode, don’t forget to follow and review our pod to stay updated with the latest content. And send us a post on social media so we can say a personal thank you!

You can access more teacher strategies, classroom inspiration and a wealth of resources by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com.

Rainbows ahead,Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Listen to the Teacher Takeaway Podcast where we chat about Growth Mindset
• Rainbow of Possibilities affirmations
• Let us be your virtual mentors inside Transform your First Years
• Learn more about Crayola’s Creativity week here.

This episode is sponsored by Transform your First Years – A membership for new teachers that will fast-track your expertise + confidence  – because teacher life is a team sport!

Let's hear from you! Text us!

As we head into the new year, an attractive and welcoming classroom environment is often top of mind. But, the thing you have to remember is that it is you, as the teacher, that makes the classroom.

For some teachers, it is important to set up their classroom in a certain way at the beginning of the school year. 

The urge to go all out in your first few years of teaching may be strong. If that is your personality type, go for it! If you are more the low-key type, embrace it, and if you feel you should have more, trust us when we say your room is just perfect.

Today, we are chatting about our favourite classroom setup hacks to make your life easier. Because a podcast is not a visual platform, check out this blog post if you would like some visuals for what we are chatting about: https://rainbowskycreations.com/classroom-display-and-setup-hacks/

If you loved or could relate to this episode, don’t forget to follow and review our pod to stay updated with the latest content. And send us a post on social media so we can say a personal thank you!

You can access more teacher strategies, classroom inspiration and a wealth of resources by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com.

Rainbows ahead,

💕Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

Watch the replays of our New Teacher Challenge on Instagram

Some FREE classroom displays:

• Kindness Quote
• Rainbow Motivation Posters
• Future World Changers Door Display
• We all Smile in the Same Language Quote

Learn more about Crayola’s Creativity week here

This episode is sponsored by Transform your First Years - A membership for new teachers that will fast-track your expertise + confidence  - because teacher life is a team sport!

Let's hear from you! Text us!