We all know what it is like to run reading groups in a primary classroom… hectic, to say the least! It is a time when we get to sit down and work closely with our students, but at the same time, we are managing the remainder of the class that is supposed to be working ‘independently’.

Over the years, we have found some activities for the groups working independently that are better than others and today we want to share this wisdom. 

In this episode of Rainbow Skies for New Teachers, we talk about the 5 golden rules we try to stick to when choosing activities for our students to do while we are reading with individuals or small groups. 

These golden rules include:

1. Limit activities that require marking
2. Consider noise level and movement (we want minimal of each)
3. Choose activities that can be used on repeat
4. Don’t underestimate simple activities
5. Teach your students how to set and pack away to your standards

We also share activities you can implement in your classroom starting tomorrow. All tasks are aligned with the research from the science of reading and follow our ‘golden rules’ for choosing activities. 

If you want a visual of these suggestions, you can find them here.

We know a lot goes into planning reading groups so they run smoothly, and more importantly, students are learning! We hope this gives you some inspiration to guide you in choosing fun and engaging activities that allow you to work with the students in your small group. If you need more help to setup your reading groups so they run like clockwork in your classroom, check out Transform your Reading Groups.

Thank you for joining us, if you enjoyed this episode share the love and send it to a teacher friend.

Rainbows ahead,
Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Our Mini Course: Transform your Reading Groups (all activities mentioned in today’s episode come as a bonus inside this course). 
• Science of Reading Podcast Episode 21 with Sara Marye
• Scinece of Reading Podcast Episode 29 with Malia Hollowell 
• Word of the Day templates
• Roald Dahl flipbook

The Hive is an all-in-one online hub for your classroom - Get your 7-day free trial here. 

Let's hear from you! Text us!

In this insightful episode, we are joined by Lesley, a passionate advocate for integrating First Nations perspectives in education. Lesley shares her expertise on how educators can move beyond the fear of being 'tokenistic' and truly become allies. 

We delve into practical advice for teachers who are nervous or uneducated about First Nations cultures and discuss the powerful impact teachers can have, especially for children from families that are not allies. 

Lesley also highlights her efforts to support teachers during NAIDOC Week and shares what this year's theme, "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud," means to her.

With NAIDOC Week just around the corner, this is an important episode to listen to and share with a colleague. 

We also would like to formally invite each and everyone of your to join Wingaru’s NAIDOC webinar with Kylie Captian from Dream Big Education and be that teacher who makes a difference!

You can access more help with embedding First Nations perspectives on our blog and Wingaru’s blog. 

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

Where to Start Embedding First Nations Perspectives (especially if you are unsure) blog post

Explore Wingaru Education

Connect with Lesley and the team on Instagram

Purchase a NAIDOC Week pack

Join the webinar

Book: Fair Skin Black Fella by Renee Fogorty 

Check out Jordyn from @learning_to_ngangaanha

Join Transform your First Years here.

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY 

Let's hear from you! Text us!

There are loads of fun and cute ideas out there for the early years in primary school, but how can we keep our upper primary students engaged in their learning?

Today we are joined by Jess Stedman, otherwise known as The Sydney Teacher online, and she shares her teaching philosophy with us. She takes a deep dive into how we can create hands-on, open-ended and engaging classrooms for learners in Grades 5-6. 

Jess is passionate about providing lots of opportunities for her students to move, engage in conversation with each other and collaborate together as they learn. She offers advice about the different ways that you can do the same in your classroom. 

We also dive into fun lesson ideas such as thinkers keys, escape rooms and problem-solving that will encourage that ‘buy-in’ from your upper primary students. 

Jess is a passionate teacher and this conversation is one that will have you feeling inspired to go out and give some of her philosophies a go.

If you know a Grade 5 or 6 teacher, send this podcast episode through to 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 Jess on Instagram @the.sydney.teacher or through her website thesydneyteacher.com

Kagan Cooperative Learning 

UNO card Maths Packs for Grades 5-6

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY 

Let's hear from you! Text us!

Here at Rainbow Sky Creations, we are all about turning everyday stuff into cool lessons. Enter UNO cards - our hands-down favourite resource for Maths ever!

The possibilities are endless for UNO cards to spark curiosity and excitement in learners of all levels. 

We share these helpful lessons ideas for all age groups in today’s episode: 

Preschool / First Year of School 

• Colour sorting
• Identifying numbers before and after
• Number collection match
• Making tallies
• Making a number line

Grades 1 and 2

• Friends to ten
• Simple addition and subtraction number sentences
• Number of the Day generator (free here)

Grades 3 and 4

• Times table fluency
• Comparing numbers using greater than and less than symbols
• Place Value war game (free here)

Grades 5 and 6

• Multiplication fluency
• Creating fractions
• Prime and composite sort

Whether you teach preschool or Grade 6 UNO cards are a great way to engage your students in mathematical concepts and have fun at the same time.

Want more UNO inspo, find it on our blog:  www.rainbowskycreations.com/blog

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Connect with HUE Document Cameras: 

HUE HD Pro Camera

Follow @‌huecameras on Instagram

Get 15% off using the code 15RAINBOWSKY (valid on Amazon Australia until the end of June, 2023)

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Free Place Value War Game
• Free Number of the Day Template

Ready-to-print UNO resources:

• Pre K / Kindergarten (prep) 
• Grade s1 & 2 
• Grades 3 & 4 
• Grades 5 & 6 

❤️💛💚💙

This episode was brought to you by Schools for Change, an initiative created by Street Smart Australia—access free resources for your classroom here. 

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY

Let's hear from you! Text us!

Are you a teacher who sometimes feels like everything at school is just too much? Well, guess what? That's totally normal!
 
We're here to let you know that you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed with all the things teachers have to do. But just because it's common doesn't mean it's good to stay stressed out all the time. We know that being overwhelmed isn't fun, and it's hard to do a good job when you feel that way.

Even teachers who've been doing this for years, like us, still have times when we feel overwhelmed. So, we've gathered some helpful tips to share with you.
 
These are things we've learned that can make a big difference when that overwhelmed feeling starts creeping in.
 
8 ways to beat teacher overwhelm:

• Share your feelings
• Take time for yourself 
• Wishlist your to-do list
• Get enough sleep
• Stop multitasking
• Clear the clutter
• Reflect on the positive
• Try some technology free time

Learning to manage that feeling can make you feel better and help you do an even better job in your classroom.
 
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
Join us inside Transform your First Years this month where we are coaching and supporting our members through these common feelings of overwhelm.

Connect with HUE Document Cameras: 

HUE HD Pro Camera

Follow @huecameras on Instagram

Get 15% off using the code 15RAINBOWSKY (valid on Amazon Australia until the end of June, 2024)

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE PODCASTS

Let's hear from you! Text us!

This is a conversation every educator needs to hear! Today, we dive deep into advocacy for neurodiverse learners in the classroom with Lydia. 

Lydia was formally in the medical field and is now a teacher. She is also a mother of 3 children. Her son has a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, OCD and ADHD and one daughter has a diagnosis of ADHD. 

Lydia shares how she has advocated for her children over the years and how important it is for schools and parents to work together as a team. 

We also chat about the diverse needs in her own classroom, how tears are okay during your first year (in fact they are normal) and we also touch on the power of having a cheerleader who wholeheartedly believes in you. 

Save this conversation and then share it with a friend because it is gold.

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 Lydia and learn more about supporting students with Tourette’s Syndrome through https://www.tourette.org.au/

Learn more about supporting students with ADHD:

https://www.adhdaustralia.org.au/

https://www.adhdwa.org/

Get support during your first years as a teacher inside Transform your First Years

Let's hear from you! Text us!

Schools can be super inspiring and fun or they can be a total downer (trust us, we have seen it all in our teaching careers). It is so important that teachers come to work every day feeling happy and supported because it is crucial for the well-being and overall vibe of the staff. 

When your team at work feel appreciated and enjoys being part of the staff team, that energy reflects in the amazing experiences we create for our students.

Today, we share some of our favourite ways to show teachers and colleagues that you care. We chat about:

• Providing surprise coffees for staff
• Leaving amenities baskets in the bathrooms
• Playing ‘secret agent’
• Leaving positive notes
• Setting up a team fitness morning
• Organising a coffee van
• Winter soup roster
• Providing fresh flowers for the staffroom table
• Teachers dressing in theme
• 15-minute massages
• Random raffles for staff prizes
• Bonus idea: Host a random acts of kindness week

Building a school culture that values each other and teacher well-being is a key to success. Not only will teachers feel supported and valued, but the culture will also rub off on the students in our care.

Before you head off, please share this episode with another teacher. Implementing these ideas is always so much more fun when you have a partner in crime. 

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

Free Random Acts of Kindness Flyers

Ready-to-print Teacher Morale templates (find a soup roster, positive notes and staff shoutout wall inside this package). 

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE PODCASTS

Let's hear from you! Text us!

What is the best way to teach reading? Today, literacy specialist Malia Hollowell talks to us about best literacy practise. 

Malia firmly believes that you don’t need to be a reading specialist to be an exceptional reading teacher. In this episode, she shares tools and strategies that will help all teachers (and therefore students) achieve success. 

During our chat, we talk about:

• Why is the Science of Reading something teachers need to be paying attention to
• How SOR doesn’t mean we need to throw everything away and start fresh - it is all about the tweaks!
• Small changes teachers can make to make their literacy instruction more SOR aligned 
• What reading lessons look like in classrooms from Kindergarten all the way through to Grade 6.  

We also touch on some of the literacy trends as well as things teachers have been doing for decades and ask Malia if we need to keep them or ditch them all together!

This is a fun episode that will provide you with inspiration, confidence and best practice strategies when teaching reading. 

Before you head off, please share this episode with another teacher because sharing is caring!

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

Connect with Malia on Instagram

Sound Mapping Freebie

Grab the Science of Reading Quickstart Bundle

Get a copy of our FREE guide: How to Efficiently Run Reading Groups

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE PODCASTS

Let's hear from you! Text us!

Ok, we admit it: Report Writing isn’t the most interesting topic in the world of teaching… but we can promise you that once you have listened to this episode, you will be armed with the best productivity hacks that will see your reports being written and completed in record speed!

Managing your time and working productively is the key to writing your reports in less time. Today we are going to talk about these 12 strategies that have helped (and still help) us get those reports written and handed into leadership:

• Eliminate all distractions
• Work at a time when you are at your most energetic
• Prepare your workspace and have everything ready before you begin
• Try batching
• Keep checklists
• Try an hour of Power
• Use positive self-talk (the brain is powerful)
• Remember to refuel your body
• Take breaks 
• Use generic comment banks or AI to help you
• Work smarter
• Be intentional and set mini goals

When it comes to reports, procrastination isn’t your friend. Take these tips and get stuck into those reports - it will be over before you know it!

If you know someone who would benefit from this episode, please share it - we are all about teachers helping teachers here at Rainbow Sky. 

You can access more report writing strategies and tips by visiting our website  www.rainbowskycreations.com.

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in today’s episode

Join Transform your First Years

The Report Companion

Hour of Power template

Join our Podcast Facebook Group

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!

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE PODCASTS

Let's hear from you! Text us!

What is the key to success as a beginning teacher? Today we are talking with Vanessa, and she strongly feels that asking for help will propel you forward to become a confident first year teacher (and we agree). It isn’t always easy asking for help but as Vanessa says, progress is the goal and getting the support we need is a much quicker way to get closer to that goal.

Vanessa sees any challenge she has faced so far in her teaching degree as an adventure, and we love this mindset. She talks about how the beginning of her career was memorable, rewarding, and eye-opening, how she developed relationships with her students, and how she dealt with behaviour as a casual teacher PLUS some of her favourite go-to resources (they are all linked below).  

If you are a new teacher, a casual teacher or just a teacher who is looking for a little confidence, don’t skip past this episode. 

If you know a teacher that’s relief or casual teaching, share this episode with them.

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

Connect with Vanessa on Instagram - @vanessavaccarella

Grab a free copy of Number of the Day

Get our ‘Get Organised’ checklist

A freebie for Casual Teachers

Get support during your first years as a teacher inside Transform Your First Years

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE PODCASTS

Let's hear from you! Text us!