Rainbow Skies for New Teachers Ashleigh and Alisha

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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 staffLeaving amenities baskets in the bathroomsPlaying ‘secret agent’Leaving positive notesSetting up a team fitness morningOrganising a coffee vanWinter soup rosterProviding fresh flowers for the staffroom tableTeachers dressing in theme15-minute massagesRandom raffles for staff prizesBonus idea: Host a random acts of kindness weekBuilding 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). 


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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 toHow 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


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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 distractionsWork at a time when you are at your most energeticPrepare your workspace and have everything ready before you beginTry batchingKeep checklistsTry an hour of PowerUse positive self-talk (the brain is powerful)Remember to refuel your bodyTake breaks Use generic comment banks or AI to help youWork smarterBe 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!


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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

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The benefits of music in education have been scientifically proven. Today, we will talk about the practical ways to use this research to create a bigger impact in your classroom. 


Ricky from Amplify Music Education joins us and talks us through all the ways Music is beneficial to the students sitting in your classroom as well as some practical ways we can implement it.


We talk about:
How does prior experience in Music (for the teacher) impact teaching and learning in the classroom?What is the importance of teaching Music in the primary classroom?How can a mainstream teacher use Music in their classrooms outside of 'music lessons'?Some practical ways to implement more Music in your classroom.A deep dive into the music platform Ricky and his team have created at Amplify Music Education.


Ricky’s passion and energy is contagious! We hope you love this episode as much as we loved recording it.


Before you head off, please share this episode with another teacher (or even your principal) and help spread the word about how beneficial music can be for our students' brains.


Rainbows ahead,
Ashleigh and Alisha



Resources mentioned in this episode
Enjoy a free trial at Amplify Music Education
Connect with Ricky via his website, on Twitter or through Instagram 


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We are dropping this episode a little early to help you get organised - What are some fun ways I can start the new school term on that first day after the holidays? 
The first day back after a school break can be challenging for everyone – teachers and students! We are, more likely than not, in holiday mode. The first day is the perfect time to reconnect with your class, find out about their holidays, reestablish the expectations of learning/working habits, and have a bit of fun together.
In today’s episode, we brainstorm some ideas that have worked for us that you may like to use in your classroom too:
Icebreaker games such as 2 Truths and a LieWays to refresh your students about how to work together as a teamGetting your students writing/drawing beyond the typical holiday recountPlay holiday bingoCreate a 3D display for the classroomMake it a theme day eg, Growth Mindset or KindnessThese are some favourites we have used in our classroom over the years. We hope your students enjoy them, too!


If you are finding Rainbow Skies for New Teachers helpful, we would love it 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
Classroom detectives freebieGrowth Mindset 3D displayGrowth Mindset Yeti’sLighting up the Year 3D displayRecount templates

Learn how to save time with our ebook: 8 Secrets to Help Save Time in your Teacher Week. 

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