Rainbow Skies for Teachers

Teaching math isn't just about delivering great lessons. It's about juggling fast finishers, planning engaging activities, differentiating for every learner and somehow finding the time to prepare it all.

If you've ever felt like you're reinventing the wheel every math lesson, this episode is for you!

In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we're tackling nine of the most common challenges when teaching math and sharing practical, low-prep solutions that will help you save time while building confident, engaged mathematicians. From reusable games to simple classroom routines, these ideas are designed to help you work smarter, not harder.

In this episode, we'll chat about:

• Simple strategies for keeping fast finishers meaningfully engaged
• Fun alternatives to repetitive maths fact practice 
• How to build maths centres without constantly creating new resources
• Ways to cut down on prep time 
• Tips for helping students work independently 
• Easy ways to differentiate without doubling your workload
• How games naturally encourage rich mathematical conversations 
• Why reusable resources are a better investment than one-off activities
• Practical ideas for keeping students motivated and excited about math

One of the biggest themes throughout this episode is the power of using familiar, flexible resources in multiple ways. Whether it's a simple deck of cards, dice or reusable game templates, you'll discover how versatile resources can support a wide range of math concepts while giving your students the confidence that comes with familiar routines.

If you're looking to make math lessons more engaging, more manageable and a lot more fun, this episode is packed with ideas you can start using straight away.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Times table games

Math Chatterboxes

Flip it Games (for all operations)

UNO Math Games collection for all grades

Check out our Rainbow Coins Loyalty program here

Previous Podcast Episodes mentioned:

Episode 54: Unlocking 9 Differentiation Strategies

Episode 78: Making division fun

Episode 148: 5 Math Warmups with Jess Stedman

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Looking for fresh ways to spark mathematical thinking without spending hours preparing? This week we sit down with Jess from The Sydney Teacher to talk about five simple, engaging math warm-ups that you can take straight into your classroom tomorrow.

These warmups are fun, flexible, require little to no preparation, and best of all, they're designed with a low floor, high ceiling approach. That means every student can join in, experience success, and be challenged at their own level.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why low-prep math warm-ups can have such a big impact.
• How to encourage rich mathematical thinking through open-ended tasks
• Simple activities that promote problem-solving, reasoning and discussion
• Ways to engage every learner, regardless of ability
• 5 math warmups you can add to your toolbox and start using tomorrow!

Whether you're filling the first ten minutes of your math lesson, reviewing concepts, or simply looking to build excitement around math,this episode is full of practical inspiration that you can implement straight away.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Jess on Instagram @the.sydney.teacher - Send her a DM with the word MONDAY to get on her Monday morning maths club list. 

Check out her website here.

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About Today’s Guest

Jess, also known as The Sydney Teacher, is an experienced Australian primary school teacher with a passion for helping children build confidence and success in maths. After becoming frustrated with resources that didn't align with the curriculum or stand up to the realities of everyday classrooms, she began creating her own. Today, she designs classroom-tested, curriculum-aligned maths resources that are practical, engaging, and easy for teachers to use—helping educators save valuable time while giving students meaningful learning experiences.

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Sometimes your class doesn't need another lesson, they just need a reset…

In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we're sharing 6 quick, engaging brain breaks that are perfect for those moments when your students need to move, laugh and refocus. The best part? They all use one simple classroom resource that you probably already have sitting in a drawer.

These games are low-prep, easy to explain and flexible enough to work across a range of year levels. Whether you're filling the last five minutes before lunch, breaking up a long maths block or simply bringing the energy back into your classroom, we've got you covered.

In this episode, we'll chat about:

• Why brain breaks are essential for student focus and learning.
• How one simple pack of cards can become your new favourite classroom tool.
• 6 fun brain break games that are quick to set up and easy to play.
• Ways to adapt each activity for different ages and abilities.
• Tips for keeping students engaged without adding to your workload.

If you aren't using brain breaks regularly in your classroom, consider this episode a sign to get started!

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

28 Brain Breaks using UNO cards 

Check out our Rainbow Coins Loyalty program here

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What do your students remember most about their time in your classroom?

It's probably not the math lesson or the spelling test. It's how you made them feel.

This week, Ashleigh sits down with James to explore one of the most powerful aspects of teaching: building genuine relationships that help every student feel seen, valued and connected.

From creative morning roll calls and fun call-and-response routines to greeting every child at the classroom door, James shares the simple strategies that have transformed the culture of his classroom. Together, Ashleigh and James unpack why the smallest moments often have the biggest impact, and how making time for connection doesn't mean sacrificing learning.

They also dive into leadership, discussing how school leaders can encourage fun and creativity without adding pressure, and why giving teachers permission to build relationships in ways that suit their own style is so important.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why students remember how you made them feel long after they've forgotten the learning
• Creative ways to transform routines into a relationship-building opportunities
• Simple greeting rituals
• How listening to students' interests can completely change engagement, behaviour and confidence.
• Practical classroom ideas 
• Why teachers need permission to have fun without feeling like they're creating extra work for everyone else

Relationships aren't something you fit in around the curriculum, they're the foundation that makes great learning possible. If you've ever wondered whether those little conversations, silly moments or personalised gestures really matter, this episode is your reminder that they absolutely do.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Listen to our previous episode with James about brain breaks here.

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About Today’s Guest

James is an innovative educator and passionate primary teacher with over 12 years of experience in education, including 6 years in senior leadership. Throughout his career, he has specialised in curriculum implementation, coaching, innovation, creative arts, and wellbeing—always striving to inspire and engage both students and teachers through creative and out-of-the-box approaches. 

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Book Week is one of the most exciting events on the school calendar, but let's be honest, it can also feel like one more thing to organise!

In this episode, we share a collection of fun, low-prep, and creative Book Week ideas that will have your students excited about reading without adding unnecessary stress to your week.

From engaging classroom challenges and hands-on crafts to whole-school activities that build a love of books, you'll leave this episode with plenty of inspiration to make Book Week memorable for everyone.

In this episode, we chat about:

• What Book Week is and why we love it
• The Book Detectives challenge that gets students exploring books 
• Creative ways to use your school library to encourage curiosity and conversation
• A fun book swap that builds excitement around reading 
• Turning cereal boxes into impressive 3D book displays 
• Emoji-inspired reading response activities 
• A global reading challenge that introduces students to stories from around the world
• Book tastings that help students discover new authors or stories
• A whole-school Where's Wally treasure hunt 

Book Week doesn't have to be elaborate to be memorable.

The most successful celebrations are the ones where teachers and students genuinely share their excitement for books and stories. When we create opportunities for curiosity, conversation and creativity, we're helping students build a lifelong love of reading, and that's what Book Week is all about.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned

• Book Week costume inspiration
• Costume inspiration using your Where’s Wally Striped shirt
• Our Book Week classroom activity collection
• The Book Detectives activity for Grades K-2 and Grades 3-6
• Cereal box book covers - Learn how here 
• 3D Book Week craft
• The FREE Where's Wally treasure
• Our blog packed with even more Book Week ideas

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Want to help your students become faster, more confident mathematicians?

In this episode, we dive into one of the most powerful number skills you can teach in the early years: doubles and halving. These foundational strategies help students move beyond counting, build number fluency and free up valuable brainpower for more complex mathematical thinking.

Best of all? Learning doesn't have to feel like drill and practice.We're sharing our favourite hands-on activities, low-prep games and engaging classroom ideas that make doubles and halving fun, memorable and meaningful for students in Grades 1–3. 

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why doubles and halving are high-impact skills for developing number fluency
• How these strategies support stronger mathematical thinking
• Fun classroom games like Spot the Number and Flip It and Doubling with Dice
• Ways to adapt activities for independent work, partner tasks or small-group challenges
• Simple ideas for sending math games home to reinforce learning with families

When students know their doubles and halves automatically, they're free to focus on solving bigger mathematical problems instead of using all their energy to count.

By making practice hands-on, playful and engaging, you're building strong number sense while helping students develop confidence that lasts well beyond the primary years.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

FREE Doubles Speedy Number booklet

Doubles Ladybug CraftDoubles 

Spot the Number game

Flip It - Doubles and Halves

Doubling and halving chatterboxes

Guess Who game

Doubling card and dice games

Digital Doubling games

Find more doubling lesson inspo on our blog

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Have you ever felt guilty for switching off after school hours? Like being a “good teacher” means always being available, always saying yes, and always putting yourself last?

In this honest and empowering episode, we sit down with veteran educator and author Erin Sponaugle to unpack the reality of teacher burnout, boundary setting, and why protecting your wellbeing is essential, not selfish.

Drawing on 23 years of classroom experience and insights from her book Teachaholic, Erin shares practical mindset shifts that help teachers step away from the martyr mentality and create healthier, more sustainable teaching habits.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why teachers struggle to set boundaries without guilt
• The pressure of being seen as the “good teacher”
• The hidden costs of constantly overworking
• The “martyr mentality” and superhero syndrome in education
• Erin’s 7-day mindset shift framework from Teachaholic
• The importance of sustainable teaching practices
• Practical ways to be “closed for the day” after work hours
• How boundaries actually make teachers more effective
• Why self-care is necessary for career longevity

This conversation is a powerful reminder that you can be an incredible teacher without sacrificing yourself in the process.

Because together, we grow, and that includes protecting our peace, too.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Connect with Erin on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube

Erin’s website https://www.erinsponaugle.com

Watch Erin’s TEDx talk

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About Today’s Guest

Dr. Erin Sponaugle has taught grades 3-5 for the past 23 years and currently teaches visual art to students at Tomahawk Intermediate School in Hedgesville, West Virginia, USA. She is a former state teacher of the year and a National Board Certified teacher. 

Erin recently gave a TEDx talk on teacher resilience and the global teacher shortage. She is the author of two children's books and recently published her first book for teachers, Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching. 

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Looking for simple ways to get your students moving while reinforcing important math concepts?

In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we're taking maths learning outdoors with one of our favourite classroom resources: UNO cards!

After the incredible response to our outdoor learning episode, we wanted to share practical ways to combine movement, fresh air, and meaningful math practice. Inspired by a conference presentation we recently delivered, this episode is packed with easy-to-implement games that require minimal preparation and can be adapted across a range of year levels.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why movement and outdoor learning can improve engagement and participation
• How to use UNO cards to create meaningful maths games
• Simple ways to adapt classroom activities for outdoor spaces
• Lots of game ideas covering: Addition, subtraction, odd and even numbers, comparing numbers using greater than, less than and equal to symbols, rounding numbers, multiplication fluency and prime and composite numbers
• Brain break ideas that reinforce maths concepts while keeping students active

Outdoor learning doesn't need to be complicated.

Sometimes the most effective lessons come from taking a familiar classroom activity and giving it a fresh twist outside. By combining movement, collaboration, and hands-on learning, students can build confidence while developing important mathematical understanding.

The best part? Most of these activities require little more than a deck of UNO cards, some chalk, and a willingness to get outside.

There are rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

FREE UNO games to try 

UNO Brain Break cards + presentation

Check out our other UNO card resources here. 

Listen to Episode 88: Outdoor Classrooms

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Student wellbeing isn’t an “extra”… it is the foundation for everything else in education!

In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we sit down with Ashley McGrath from OurFutures Institute to explore why wellbeing needs to move from the sidelines to the centre of every school conversation.

Ashley shares practical insights into how student and teacher wellbeing directly impact learning, engagement, behaviour, and academic success. Together, we unpack what schools are getting right, where many are struggling, and how educators can create proactive wellbeing cultures that genuinely support students for the long term.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why student wellbeing is the foundation for all learning
• The connection between teacher wellbeing and classroom success
• Early signs that students may be struggling emotionally
• Creating psychologically safe classrooms where students feel seen and heard
• Why reactive wellbeing approaches often miss the mark
• The importance of preventative mental health education
• Supporting students without teachers needing to “become counsellors”
• How peer influence impacts student decision-making
• Evidence-based wellbeing programs and what schools should look for
• Why long-term wellbeing strategies matter more than one-off initiatives

With experience supporting nearly 1,500 schools across Australia, Ashley brings evidence-based strategies, realistic advice, and an encouraging reminder that wellbeing work doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

There are rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Connect with Ashley via email: [email protected] or LinkedIn

www.rethinkcollective.com.au

https://ourfuturesinstitute.org.au

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About Today’s Guest

Ashley McGrath is a founder, author, and systems strategist who works across philanthropy, business, government, and community. He's the author of Rethink - Thriving Young Futures Begin with Systems Change, and the founder of The Rethink Collective, which helps organisations align strategy and collaboration around real social impact.

He co-founded Good in the Hood, a community initiative tackling loneliness in Sydney's Inner West, and Our Futures Institute, which partners with the University of Sydney to bring evidence-based wellbeing programs into schools. He also serves on the board of StreetWork.

Ashley's work is never abstract, it's grounded in a genuine belief that we can build something better, and a practical commitment to doing exactly that.

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Do your students freeze when faced with multiplication facts? Or perhaps they're relying solely on memorisation without really understanding what multiplication means?

In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we're diving into one of the most important building blocks of math: multiplication fluency. We unpack what fluency actually looks like in the classroom, why so many students struggle with multiplication, and how we can support them through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

Rather than focusing on speed and rote learning alone, we're exploring how students can develop deep understanding, flexible thinking, and confidence with multiplication facts. From practical classroom strategies to game-based learning ideas, this episode is packed with simple ways to make multiplication practice meaningful and enjoyable.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What multiplication fluency really means (and why it's much more than memorising times tables)
• Common reasons students struggle with multiplication
• How mathematical language supports deeper understanding
• Hands-on activities that help students visualise multiplication concepts
• Why games are one of the most effective tools for building fluency
• Simple ways to incorporate short, consistent fluency practice into your daily routine
• Brain break activities that reinforce multiplication while boosting engagement
• How to build confidence by focusing on understanding before speed

Multiplication fluency isn't built through pressure, timed tests, or endless worksheets. It develops when students have opportunities to explore patterns, use a variety of strategies, and engage in regular practice that feels achievable and fun.

When we prioritise understanding first, confidence naturally follows.

There are rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Free Flip it Multiplication Game

Our fave Multiplication games blog post

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