Rainbow Skies for Teachers

The wait is over… UNO Version 4 is officially HERE!

Today we are taking you behind the scenes of our brand-new UNO Version 4 math activity packs and sharing all the fun, engaging, and hands-on learning opportunities included in these brand new resources.

From our brand-new pre-primary pack for 3–4-year-olds to upper primary activities exploring Fibonacci sequences, elapsed time, multiplication, probability, and more, these packs are packed with meaningful math learning your students will LOVE.

We chat about some of our favourite activities across each grade band, the creative process behind designing Version 4, and why this collection may just be our most exciting release yet.

Plus, we share how teachers around the world are already using our UNO packs in their classrooms — and even translating them into different languages!

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Our brand-new pre-primary UNO pack
• Our favourite activities from Kindergarten through Grade 6
• How our UNO resources support differentiation
• Measurement activities using UNO cards
• Elapsed time, probability, multiplication, Roman numerals, Money and positional language activities
• How teachers are using these resources around the world

If you are looking for low-prep, highly engaging math activities that support differentiation, independent learning and last you the entire year, this episode is for you.

There are rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

UNO freebie to try before you buy

Preschool / Pre K UNO resource

Kindergarten UNO Version 4

Grade 1-2 UNO Version 4

Grade 3-4 UNO Version 4

Grade 5-6 UNO Version 4

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Ever wondered why some teaching strategies just seem to click… while others fall flat?

In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa Riegel, who brings a fresh and fascinating perspective on how the brain really learns, and how we can use that knowledge to become more intentional, effective, and empowered educators.

This conversation is packed with those “aha” moments that help you connect what you’re already doing in the classroom with the science behind it. From understanding how repetition, emotion, and experience shape learning, to exploring what truly drives student engagement, Lisa helps us see teaching through a whole new lens.

We also dive into the importance of creating safe, connected classroom environments where students are ready to learn, and why a stressed brain simply can’t engage. Lisa shares practical, easy-to-implement strategies that support both student learning and teacher wellbeing, helping you work smarter, not harder.

This is one of those episodes that will deepen your understanding, spark your curiosity, and leave you feeling inspired to reflect on your own practice.

Key Takeaways

• The brain learns best through repetition, emotion, and meaningful experiences
• Engagement goes beyond being “on-task” it’s about connection, purpose, and understanding
• Intrinsic motivation is key to long-term learning and student ownership
• Creating a sense of safety and belonging is essential for effective learning
• Practical, brain-aligned strategies can support focus, regulation, and productivity in the classroom
• Lisa’s 8C framework offers a powerful approach to building thriving, human-centred learning environments
• When we understand how the brain works, we can make small, intentional changes that have a big impact

If this episode sparked your curiosity, we’d love to hear from you! Send us a DM, share your biggest takeaway, or let us know what questions you still have about our big beautiful brains - we’re all learning and growing together.

You can also connect with Lisa using the links in the show notes to learn more about her work and how she supports educators and leaders around the world.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Learn more about Lisa here

Connect with Lisa via email here: [email protected] 

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

Lisa’s books: Neurowell and Aspirations to Operations

60 Brain Break Ideas you can use in class today!

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About Today’s Guest

Lisa Riegel started her career in education, driven by one goal: to help people reach their potential. Over time, she realized that fulfillment, whether in a classroom, company, or community, comes from understanding how the brain drives behavior and how systems shape success.

That discovery became the foundation for her life’s work. As an educator, researcher, and author, she has spent two decades helping schools, leaders, parents, and organizations align brain science with human systems - creating cultures where people feel connected, capable, and in control of their growth.

Dr. Riegel earned dual bachelor's degrees in English and Secondary Education from Kent State University. She holds a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Otterbein University and a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Leadership from The Ohio State University. Her work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals and she has authored five books, including her two latest books, NeuroWell, and Aspirations to Operations, focused on brain science and how we can leverage it to help people become happier, healthier, and more successful. 

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This is a very honest (and slightly spicy!) episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers! We are sharing our biggest hot takes about teaching and education right now. From report cards and staff meetings to screen time, teaching slides, homework, and math textbooks, nothing is off limits!

We’re diving into the practices we think need a rethink, the systems that may be adding unnecessary pressure to teachers, and the changes we’d love to see in schools moving forward.

Whether you completely agree, strongly disagree, or sit somewhere in the middle, this episode is designed to spark conversation, reflection, and maybe even a few laughs along the way.

Our teacher hot takes include:

• Staff meetings 
• School newsletters
• A–E reporting 
• Homework 
• Teaching slides
• Technology and screen time in classrooms
• Math textbooks 

Whether you completely agree, strongly disagree, or sit somewhere in the middle, this episode is designed to spark conversation, reflection, and maybe even a few laughs along the way.

Because together, we grow (and sometimes growth starts with challenging the way things have always been done).

There are rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Join our email list and get a special FREEBIE here.

Follow up on Instagram

Follow us on TikTok

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Burnout in teaching is real and if you’ve ever felt constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’re running on empty, this episode is for you.

In this honest and eye-opening conversation, Ashleigh sits down with burnout coach Filly to unpack what burnout actually looks like in teachers, why it happens so often in our profession, and the practical ways you can start protecting your energy today.

Together, they explore the physical, emotional, and mindset patterns that contribute to burnout and why simply “resting more” often isn’t enough to truly recover.

Filly shares powerful insights about adrenal fatigue, the hidden stress patterns many teachers carry, and the small daily habits that can make a big difference to your wellbeing.

Key Takeaways

• Burnout doesn’t happen overnight.
• Rest isn’t always recovery.
• Your body isn’t working against you.
• Small changes can create powerful shifts.
• Teachers deserve support too.

If you’ve been feeling drained, stretched too thin, or stuck in survival mode at school, this episode will help you understand what your body is telling you, and how to start listening.

Because taking care of yourself as a teacher isn’t selfish. It’s essential.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

FREE Ending Body Burnout book 

Free Ending Body Burnout Assessment 

Ending Body Burnout Method program 

Check out Filly’s Website - www.chrisandfilly.fm  

Connect with Filly and Chris on FaceBook, Instagram, or  LinkedIn  

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About Today’s Guest

Filipa Bellette  is Co-Founder of multi award-winning health practice Chris & Filly Functional Medicine - and author of Ending Body Burnout. She is an accredited Clinical Nutritionist, Functional Medicine Practitioner, Coach & Trauma Therapist. She is also a PhD Scholar & regularly featured in the media, such as the Today Show, nine.com.au, Forbes and Body+Soul.

Together with her husband Chris Bellette, Filipa has worked with over 3,500+ burned-out clients in the past combined 30+ years. Their practice is best known for ending body burnout (for good!) in “busy” people with energy, mood & gut issues, with their ROOT-root-cause approach. They were awarded as the Tasmanian State Winner & National Finalist for the Telstra Best of Business Awards, as well as Winner for the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.

Filipa’s own passion for helping “busy” people have more energy, productivity and connection, came from her own personal experience of body burnout, after juggling the demands of business, family, and her failing health.

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Today, we are diving into how to teach kindness in the classroom all year round and why small, intentional moments can have a lasting impact on your students.

Teaching kindness is something we all have ‘on the list’. So, we wanted to share practical strategies and activities that help students understand, practise, and model kindness in authentic ways. From creative tasks to whole-class activities, these ideas support students to build confidence, connection, and a positive classroom culture.

And the best part? These activities are easy to implement and can fit seamlessly into your existing routines.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Why teaching and modelling kindness go hand in hand
• A powerful 3D writing activity that helps students reflect on kindness and personal growth
• How tearaway kindness flyers can spread positivity in your classroom and beyond
• Using kindness Code Crackers to combine maths, critical thinking, and social skills
• A compliment jar lesson that builds connection and teaches students how to give meaningful feedback
• How the bucket filler concept supports emotional awareness in younger students
• Simple ways to embed kindness into your classroom without adding extra workload
• How small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect throughout your classroom community

If you are looking for simple, impactful ways to build a kind, connected classroom where students feel valued and supported, this episode is full of ideas you can start using straight away.

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources Mentioned in this episode: 

Unlock Kindness 3D writing and craft

FREE Kindness tear away flyers

Grade 1-2 Kindness math code cracker

Grade 3-6 Kindness math code cracker

Compliment Jar lesson

FREE Bucket filler activity

FREE Kindness quote display

FREE We all smile in the same language display

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In this special episode, we’re celebrating 10 years of Rainbow Sky Creations with a fun behind-the-scenes conversation about how it all began and how the business runs today. To mark the occasion, our incredible Online Business Manager, Jarka, turns the tables and interviews us about our journey, our partnership, and what the last decade has looked like behind the scenes.

Recorded together in beautiful Jervis Bay, this episode reflects on where it all started, from teaching in Dubai and the idea to create resources for teachers, to building a business that supports educators around the world.

We also chat about the realities of running a creative online business, including the tools we rely on, the products we love most in our store, and the team who helps everything run behind the scenes. Along the way, we reflect on the challenges, the growth, and the mindset shifts that have shaped the last decade.

Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or are new to Rainbow Sky Creations, we’re so grateful you’re here celebrating this milestone with us.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• How Rainbow Sky Creations first began and the moment the idea was born
• Why choosing the right business partner makes all the difference
• The strengths we each bring to the business
• The “North Star” that guides every decision we make
• The incredible team who supports Rainbow Sky Creations behind the scenes
• Our favourite resources in the store (including one of our most popular maths routines)
• The digital tools and platforms that keep the business running smoothly
• The challenges we’ve faced along the way and the conversations that helped us grow
• How we’ve built a business that allows flexibility for family life

And most importantly, we reflect on the teachers who have supported us along the way. This journey wouldn’t exist without you.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources Mentioned in this episode: 

Free Number of the Day (2-digit and 3-digit versions)

Free Uno Games - Volume Conversions and Place Value

Find our Dots and Boxes games here

Check out our website here. 

Find our online shopify store here.

Listen to Jarka’s podcast: Soulful Nomad Life on Apple podcasts or Spotify. 

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We’ve got something special to share… and trust us, you’re going to want to hear this!

To celebrate 10 incredible years of Rainbow Sky Creations, we’re saying a HUGE thank you to our amazing teacher community with something a little extra exciting.

Yes, we’ve got a 20% off storewide sale running from May 10 to May 13—but that’s just the beginning.

The real magic? Rainbow Coins have officially landed!

In this episode, we’re giving you a quick and simple rundown of how Rainbow Coins work and how you can start earning rewards straight away. Think of it as a little “thank you” every time you engage with our resources.

Here’s the fun part:

• You earn Rainbow Coins every time you make a purchase
• You can turn those coins into real credit to use on future orders
• And the best bit? Leaving a review earns you a generous boost of coins

That means sharing your thoughts doesn’t just help other teachers, it helps you too!

And because we love a good surprise, we’re also including a gift with purchase during the sale. Spend over $15 and you’ll receive a taster of our much-loved Math Code Crackers - perfect if you’ve been curious to try them out.

This episode is your go-to guide for making the most of the sale, understanding how Rainbow Coins work, and getting rewarded while you do what you already love.

Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources Mentioned in this episode: 

• Shop and earn Rainbow Coins Here
• Learn more about Rainbow Coins Here 

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What if leaving at 4 PM actually made you a better teacher?

In this empowering episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we sit down with educator and curriculum creator Shelly Rees to talk about meaningful teaching, strong student relationships, and, most importantly, creating boundaries that protect your personal life.

Shelly shares the moment she realised something had to change. Teaching had become all-consuming, and her family life was feeling the strain. So she made a bold decision: arrive at 7:45 AM, leave at 4 PM. No exceptions. And guess what? Her teaching didn’t suffer. It improved.

Shelly also shares her 4 go-to routines to make her teacher life more smooth, efficient and practical.

Key Takeaways from this episode:

• Boundaries make you a better teacher, not a worse one.
• Relationships matter more than rigid rules.
• Small daily routines prevent overwhelm.
• Positive parent communication changes everything.
• Teacher intuition is more powerful than trends.
• Self-care is a professional responsibility.

If you’re craving balance, clarity and practical strategies that actually work, this episode is your permission slip to do things differently. 

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Shelly’s Website: https://appletasticlearning.com/
• Shelly’s TpT store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/shelly-rees 
• Connect with Shelly on Instagram

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About Today’s Guest

Shelly Rees has over 23 years of experience teaching students in the upper elementary grades. She has a love for learning and believes in providing instruction that is hands-on, fun, and engaging. Shelly is passionate about helping other teachers by creating and providing educational resources that will help reduce their stress-load and deliver great academic results. She is also a mom of 4 grown boys and now 4 bonus daughters, grammy to the cutest granddaughter ever, and lives in rural Wyoming with her husband, Aric. In her free time, she enjoys cookie baking, home projects, and riding in her side by side in the mountains.

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Today, we are diving into how to keep students motivated in math and why engagement is the key to deeper learning and long term success.

Teaching math can sometimes feel like a constant push to keep students focused and on task. Today, we move away from heavy book work and share simple, effective ways to make maths lessons more engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable.

We are sharing practical strategies that help students build confidence, stay motivated, and feel successful in math. By focusing on choice, connection, and capability, these ideas support students to take ownership of their learning while actually enjoying the process.

And the best part? These strategies are easy to implement and can fit seamlessly into your existing maths block.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• How autonomy, competence, and relatedness create a powerful foundation for student motivation
• Simple ways to give students more choice without overwhelming your classroom
• How Code Crackers turn maths into an exciting, story-based challenge
• Using chatterboxes to build fluency through quick wins and immediate feedback
• How Dots and Boxes supports strategy, problem solving, and engagement
• Why Uno cards are a flexible and effective tool for practising maths concepts
• Ways to reduce book work while still strengthening understanding and retention
• How student progress tracking builds confidence, ownership, and motivation

If you are looking for ways to boost engagement and create a math classroom where students feel confident, connected, and excited to learn, this episode is packed with ideas you can try straight away.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Grab a FREE Christmas code cracker for Grades 1-2 here and Grades 3-6 here.
• Explore our Code Cracker collection
• Explore our Chatterbox collection
• Explore our Dots and Boxes collection
• Explore our Speedy Numbers collection
• Explore our UNO card resources
• Learn more about UNO cards and grab some free games to try here.

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What does the Science of Reading actually look like in a real classroom?

In this powerful and practical episode, we’re joined by Jen Jones from Hello Literacy, who breaks down the research into clear, doable steps teachers can implement straight away.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about guided reading, running records, sight word lists, or online readers - this episode is your permission slip to rethink, refine, and reset.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• Why grouping by skill (not reading level) changes everything
• The simple assessment shift that gives you clearer data in minutes
• How to use decodable texts without making literacy feel robotic
• A smarter way to teach sight words that actually sticks
• The permission teachers need when shifting to Science of Reading practices

Key Takeaways:

• Teach the skill, not the level
• Align your literacy block with decoding research
• Progress over perfection when making changes
• Use a phonics scope and sequence as your instructional roadmap
• Create small group folders organised by phonics skill

This conversation is honest, empowering, and packed with actionable strategies. And perhaps most importantly? Jen reminds us that growth requires experimentation and imperfection is part of the process.

Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Check our Jen’s website: Hello Literacy
• Hello Decodables website 
• Jen’s Free Phonics Assessment and Quick Placement Assessment 
• Connect with Jen Jones on Instagram
• Purple Project Video mentioned
• Book mentioned: The ABCs and All Their Trick By Margaret Bishop

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About Today’s Guest

Jen Jones is a veteran educator, literacy consultant, and the founder of Hello Literacy and Hello Decodables. With over 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher and literacy coach, Jen specializes in translating the Science of Reading research into practical, classroom-ready instruction. She is the author of a comprehensive phonics scope and sequence and has created a full library of decodable books and small-group lessons used in schools across the country. Jen is passionate about helping teachers move from confusion to clarity so students can become confident, skilled readers.

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