A discussion board is a simple and effective tool to use to help facilitate collaboration amongst students. Discussion boards remove some of the pressure of ‘on the spot’ discussions, by allowing students to first write an individual response down before verbally sharing their ideas with others. Discussion boards also give you a written sample of students’ discussion responses, which you can either keep a copy of for your own records or use to start whole class discussions later on.
Tag Archives: Learning
Time to Reflect – How To Help Students Reflect on Their Learning 
With limited teaching time each day and a never-ending list of things to cover with our students, it can be easy to move through our lessons at a fast pace, always ready for the next topic. There’s an important step in the learning process though that we must not forget about though. That important step is – reflecting on learning.
Grids, Mazes & Photo Shoots – 8 Engaging Times Table Homework Activities 
Many primary school teachers include times table practice as part of their homework routine. So often though, this involves repetitive revision of the same set of times tables over and over again, leaving both students and teachers alike feeling bored with times table practice. There are many activities that you can use to keep your students engaged in their times table practice though, and in this post you’ll find my top 8 suggestions for fun times tables homework tasks.
What it’s Like to Teach 3-Year-Olds, 18-Year-Olds, and Everything in Between
Would you rather teach 3-year-olds or 18-year-olds?
Although I am primary school trained, during my years as a relief teacher I experienced teaching the tiniest to the tallest of students. I may have my preferences, but I’ll let you decide what yours are based on my brief list of observations.
Exploring Shadows – 7 Shadow Learning Activities for Kids
Do you notice shadows anymore? Children do, and there are so many learning opportunities in something as simple as a shadow. I hope that these ideas inspire you to try exploring shadows with the children that you work with.
Lists, Rules & Exceptions – 11 Engaging & Effective Tips for Teaching Children Spelling and Vocabulary
There are so, so many options for activities and strategies to use when it comes to teaching and practising spelling. Yet, I know that sometimes as teachers we can still find ourselves searching for new ways to try to keep our students interested in their spelling work. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of some of my favourite tips for teaching spelling and vocabulary to students that will not only keep them engaged, but will also be effective for helping them practise that tricky English language.
The Vast Unknown
As difficult as it is, I’m beginning to accept the fact that sometimes things are out of our control. However, I’m also beginning to realise that one of the most beautiful things about life is its unpredictability. And perhaps by holding more loosely to our expectations as we learn to embrace what comes our way, we’ll be pleasantly surprised at what that vast unknown holds for us.
Tackling Those Times Tables – 12 Fun Ideas for Teaching Children Times Table Facts
Teaching those terrible times tables. It’s something that all educators and parents who work with kids above the age of about 6 have to deal with at some point. Knowing your times tables is a helpful skill to have, but there is just no real way to learn them other than through mundane repetition and memorisation – or is there?
Using Intentional Questioning in the Classroom to Encourage Deeper Thinking
Encouraging students to think deeply and creatively about the content we teach is beneficial in so many ways. It causes them to stop and reflect on the information, and it encourages them to be more thoughtful and independent in their learning. One useful way to start is by being intentional with the questions we ask.
An Open Letter to New Teaching Graduates
Dear New Teaching Graduate,
Congratulations! You’ve made it this far. A world of possibility lies before you. . .
English Meets Maths – 5 Ways to Integrate English and Maths Lessons
To prioritise English or to prioritise Maths – that is the question. But what if there was a way to spend time covering both at once? Well, there is.
12 Behaviour Management Tips for Relief Teachers
Those who are newer to my blog might not know that before I became a mum, and before my years as a full-time primary school teacher, I was a relief teacher here in Australia for a long two years. Oh, how clearly I remember the challenges that season brought for me! One thing that you soon come to learn when relief teaching is that a good behaviour management plan is everything.
The Musings of Mrs T 