WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.719 Many people believe that teaching is indeed a great 00:00:03.719 --> 00:00:07.350 job because of the holidays! 00:00:07.790 --> 00:00:10.950 However we teachers know that yes, teaching is rewarding 00:00:10.950 --> 00:00:14.520 and it does allow you to have holidays with your own children. 00:00:15.149 --> 00:00:18.689 Teaching, however is the job that is never done. 00:00:19.560 --> 00:00:24.029 It's never a nine to three thirty job and holidays are there to 00:00:24.029 --> 00:00:26.520 save us from imminent burnout. 00:00:27.540 --> 00:00:32.640 Teaching is one of those jobs that has a lot of invisible work that happens 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:34.290 when we're not in front of students. 00:00:34.769 --> 00:00:37.800 Things like your planning and your lesson prep. 00:00:38.370 --> 00:00:43.440 Designing and preparing lessons to meet all those individual student needs of 00:00:43.769 --> 00:00:47.220 anywhere between 20 and 32 students. 00:00:47.910 --> 00:00:50.760 We're filling in individual education plans for children, 00:00:50.760 --> 00:00:53.640 and of course we know that those are increasing every year. 00:00:54.370 --> 00:00:59.279 We're marking and giving feedback, setting up classrooms and provocations 00:00:59.279 --> 00:01:01.949 that will spark children's curiosity. 00:01:01.980 --> 00:01:02.699 Hopefully. 00:01:03.180 --> 00:01:06.330 We're writing reports, the bane of every teacher's life. 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:10.410 We're uploading data to various administrative platforms. 00:01:10.410 --> 00:01:12.240 We're completing professional development. 00:01:12.240 --> 00:01:16.430 And of course, helping out or running extra curricular activities. 00:01:17.270 --> 00:01:19.190 And when do we do all these things? 00:01:19.760 --> 00:01:21.650 Well before and after school hours. 00:01:21.950 --> 00:01:25.340 And of course on weekends and holidays. 00:01:25.790 --> 00:01:26.900 And here's the thing. 00:01:27.410 --> 00:01:31.310 More and more teachers are leaving the profession because of burnout. 00:01:31.340 --> 00:01:35.000 And of course, for many, it's a decline in student behavior. 00:01:35.540 --> 00:01:37.490 Education needs a change. 00:01:37.880 --> 00:01:39.020 And we all know that. 00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:44.240 And teaching, I believe needs a really good shakeup. 00:01:45.170 --> 00:01:49.490 And this shake up, it needs is a discussion for another day. 00:01:50.180 --> 00:01:53.960 So today let's just focus on what we can do these holidays to ensure that 00:01:53.960 --> 00:01:58.340 we are physically and emotionally prepared for the term and or year ahead. 00:01:59.210 --> 00:02:03.380 If you are in the Northern hemisphere, you indeed have three whole 00:02:03.380 --> 00:02:07.310 months to rest and recuperate and prepare for the new academic year. 00:02:08.090 --> 00:02:10.880 And if you're in the Southern hemisphere, well, you only have two or 00:02:10.880 --> 00:02:15.800 three short weeks to rest up and get yourself ready to face another term. 00:02:16.700 --> 00:02:21.350 And for those of us, south of the equator, we need to take at the very 00:02:21.380 --> 00:02:24.890 least the first week, just to decompress. 00:02:25.370 --> 00:02:29.060 Now, turn off those computers and stick them into a dark cupboard 00:02:29.060 --> 00:02:29.870 if you have to. 00:02:30.440 --> 00:02:34.250 Take this time to spend with friends and family. 00:02:34.790 --> 00:02:38.630 And if you can take a trip somewhere, even if it's only for a day. 00:02:39.110 --> 00:02:42.200 Make a plan to get into nature people. 00:02:42.470 --> 00:02:47.390 This is great for the whole family and gets you out of the house, which at this 00:02:47.390 --> 00:02:52.730 time of the year, when it's cold and or wet outside is a recipe for cabin fever. 00:02:53.480 --> 00:02:54.800 Play board games. 00:02:55.219 --> 00:02:56.540 Watch Netflix. 00:02:56.840 --> 00:02:58.160 Cook wholesome meals. 00:02:58.220 --> 00:03:01.220 It's winter, so stews and soups are all on the menu. 00:03:01.880 --> 00:03:05.959 And all in all, just take time to chill, but here's the thing. 00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:08.600 Do things that are good for you. 00:03:08.660 --> 00:03:12.019 So don't spend all the time in front of a screen watching movies. 00:03:12.140 --> 00:03:14.840 And if you've got kids in the house, remember they're watching. 00:03:15.530 --> 00:03:20.420 Get outside where your mind and body can relax. 00:03:20.959 --> 00:03:25.410 That's probably the best thing you can do for your own self care. 00:03:26.359 --> 00:03:30.560 Now in the last few days before going back to school, you should probably 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:35.750 start thinking it's what all teachers do, about your plans for the term ahead. 00:03:36.350 --> 00:03:40.070 And one of the best things you can do is to collaborate with a colleague. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:44.060 Invite your colleague or your partner teacher over and have a brainstorm 00:03:44.060 --> 00:03:48.829 session of how you can teach your various subject areas in a holistic way. 00:03:49.549 --> 00:03:51.620 My favorite way is always a mind map. 00:03:51.859 --> 00:03:54.200 You might have some of your own ways. 00:03:55.070 --> 00:03:58.490 And find out and look, where are the links? 00:03:58.670 --> 00:04:03.170 How can you integrate English and social studies or English and science? 00:04:03.950 --> 00:04:08.329 And where can you link mathematics and art into other subject areas? 00:04:08.600 --> 00:04:10.219 So that students can see the link. 00:04:11.329 --> 00:04:16.250 After all, everything we do in life is linked. 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:18.800 Our lives aren't compartamentalized, 00:04:18.890 --> 00:04:20.570 so why should our subjects be. 00:04:21.290 --> 00:04:24.409 If you're learning about money in mathematics, for example. 00:04:24.890 --> 00:04:28.730 Why not take kids shopping for some vegetables and they can then add up 00:04:28.730 --> 00:04:30.710 the amounts and learn to give change. 00:04:31.219 --> 00:04:34.400 Which really is learning about the difference in maths isn't it. 00:04:35.210 --> 00:04:38.690 Or bring vegetables into class with price tags on them. 00:04:38.960 --> 00:04:40.370 If you can't go shopping. 00:04:40.850 --> 00:04:44.060 You see, there's always a way around things we like to say, well, 00:04:44.090 --> 00:04:45.830 I can do this and I can do that. 00:04:46.260 --> 00:04:51.929 We spoke about that in episode 33 of this podcast so go back and listen to that 00:04:52.289 --> 00:04:56.429 in my interview with April, from April's Teaching Tree, where she gave lots of 00:04:56.429 --> 00:05:01.979 examples of exactly how we can overcome all the obstacles that are in our way. 00:05:02.760 --> 00:05:04.710 But don't just stop there at the shopping. 00:05:04.799 --> 00:05:07.260 Think of other areas in the curriculum you can link. 00:05:07.530 --> 00:05:11.130 What about using those same vegetables and creating a still life to paint. 00:05:11.130 --> 00:05:15.000 And once you've done that, get out those peelers and get kids to peel and then chop 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:16.919 the vegetables that you can make a soup. 00:05:17.640 --> 00:05:19.260 Which the kids can then eat. 00:05:19.859 --> 00:05:24.000 Link this to science by looking at the seeds inside of vegetables. 00:05:24.030 --> 00:05:27.719 When then of course you're learning about the fact that when they have seeds 00:05:27.719 --> 00:05:29.609 and not actually vegetables, but fruit. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:33.539 What about classifying the vegetables into different groups and 00:05:33.539 --> 00:05:35.010 learning about the different types? 00:05:35.010 --> 00:05:40.049 For example, root veg like carrots or tubers, like potatoes and fruit, like 00:05:40.049 --> 00:05:44.880 pumpkins, and then you can even have a go at growing your own veggies, things like 00:05:44.880 --> 00:05:49.289 sweet potatoes, or cut off the tops of carrots, and have a go at growing them. 00:05:49.739 --> 00:05:52.950 And you can also use vegetables and integrate measurement. 00:05:53.190 --> 00:05:57.090 Measure them, weigh them, and even learn about circumference with round 00:05:57.119 --> 00:05:58.710 ones like gem squash and pumpkins. 00:05:59.219 --> 00:06:02.549 And don't forget to find good books that you can use in your literacy 00:06:02.549 --> 00:06:04.679 plans that link to all of this. 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:08.769 So, for example, if we keep to the vegetable theme, why not integrate 00:06:08.769 --> 00:06:13.059 Stone Soup by Ann McGovern or Wombat Stew by Marsha Vaughn. 00:06:13.509 --> 00:06:15.909 And then there's a whole heap of books around soup. 00:06:16.210 --> 00:06:18.729 Books like Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper. 00:06:19.239 --> 00:06:23.619 Or read soup recipes and perhaps this is a great time to teach instructional or 00:06:23.619 --> 00:06:28.269 procedural texts, and then students can write the instructions for making soup. 00:06:28.689 --> 00:06:33.400 Introducing those sequence words, like first, next, then, and after. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:37.150 And of course before they can write instructional or procedural 00:06:37.150 --> 00:06:41.590 texts, they should really be able to give instructions orally first. 00:06:42.099 --> 00:06:45.159 So perhaps they need picture cards to prompt them. 00:06:45.549 --> 00:06:50.049 So think and plan to take photographs as you go about making the soup and 00:06:50.049 --> 00:06:53.139 turning those into picture prompt cards. 00:06:53.650 --> 00:06:57.909 I love teaching writing, using Pie Corbett's Talk for Writing and a great 00:06:57.909 --> 00:07:01.840 book for teaching procedural texts by the way, is Pie Corbett's Talk 00:07:01.840 --> 00:07:03.579 for Writing Across the Curriculum. 00:07:03.969 --> 00:07:05.769 I link it in the show notes for you. 00:07:06.849 --> 00:07:11.469 And by the way, I'm saying soup because it's freezing here in Australia right now. 00:07:11.530 --> 00:07:12.549 Well, I say freezing. 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:16.179 It's nothing like Europe, but our homes are not really equipped for cold weather. 00:07:16.179 --> 00:07:16.479 So. 00:07:17.229 --> 00:07:21.400 It's probably more cold inside my own home than it is outside right now. 00:07:22.389 --> 00:07:25.509 But you could do the exact same thing in America 00:07:25.509 --> 00:07:29.499 when you go back after the holidays instead, make a vegetable or fruit salad. 00:07:30.069 --> 00:07:31.869 What I'm trying to illustrate here. 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:34.659 Is that when you collaborate with a colleague. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:40.090 You can cook up more ideas, pardon the pun, and it makes the whole 00:07:40.090 --> 00:07:42.400 planning process so much easier. 00:07:42.519 --> 00:07:45.669 And of course, more fun because you can do it over a cup of tea or coffee 00:07:45.669 --> 00:07:48.669 or wine even if that's your thing. 00:07:49.419 --> 00:07:53.169 And while you're brainstorming and making notes, one of you can then 00:07:53.169 --> 00:07:56.259 plan the English lessons for the term and the other one can plan the 00:07:56.259 --> 00:07:58.299 science or the social studies lessons. 00:07:58.719 --> 00:08:02.710 And this way you don't have to plan all the subject areas yourself. 00:08:02.979 --> 00:08:06.580 Lighten the load, work smarter, not harder. 00:08:07.330 --> 00:08:10.149 And if you're in the Northern hemisphere, I've just come back 00:08:10.149 --> 00:08:11.649 from an epic European trip, 00:08:11.649 --> 00:08:15.639 and the one negative thing about the three month holiday is that it's too long. 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:17.710 Kids forget what they've learned. 00:08:17.710 --> 00:08:21.879 And of course it's a problem for working parents, having such a long holiday and 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:23.499 not knowing what to do with the kids. 00:08:24.070 --> 00:08:26.799 I noticed many groups of children on summer camps having 00:08:26.799 --> 00:08:28.239 days out while I was there. 00:08:29.019 --> 00:08:34.149 And I have a great little activity sheet with 24 fun things to do with kids to 00:08:34.149 --> 00:08:38.079 get them off screens and you can get it by going to bloomingcurious.com/ 00:08:38.470 --> 00:08:40.539 24 fun learning activitiesforkids. 00:08:42.490 --> 00:08:44.349 I link that in the show notes too 00:08:44.710 --> 00:08:48.069 so you can get that, and it's a great thing if you're running a holiday 00:08:48.069 --> 00:08:52.089 program or even if you have kids at home, you could just tick off the 00:08:52.089 --> 00:08:54.099 activities together as you do them. 00:08:55.450 --> 00:08:57.790 Now once you've had a bit of a break. 00:08:58.060 --> 00:09:02.710 And you've taken the time to rest and recuperate, perhaps then is the 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:06.730 time to think about how you could go about kickstarting your new term or 00:09:06.730 --> 00:09:13.060 year ahead by integrating inquiry and inquiry questions into your existing 00:09:13.089 --> 00:09:15.609 lessons or into your new lessons. 00:09:16.329 --> 00:09:21.429 Making changes to the usual way you do things is a great way to reignite 00:09:21.429 --> 00:09:24.129 your passion and get kids interested. 00:09:24.729 --> 00:09:29.109 Having a go at something new is also great way to model to students at 00:09:29.109 --> 00:09:32.889 learning new things can be tricky at first, but also rewarding. 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:37.929 So why not start the new term off by really focusing on integrating 00:09:37.929 --> 00:09:40.209 inquiry across different subject areas. 00:09:40.599 --> 00:09:43.509 And just having some fun with students this term, instead of 00:09:43.509 --> 00:09:47.109 always killing yourself with all that paperwork and marking. 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:51.219 Isn't it time to get real with learning and put some spark 00:09:51.219 --> 00:09:52.779 back into those kids' eyes. 00:09:53.439 --> 00:09:57.879 I have a whole bunch of ready-made resources for you to help you on your way. 00:09:58.269 --> 00:10:03.429 So go to resources.bloomingcurious.com and check out what's available 00:10:03.429 --> 00:10:06.249 there for you, I'll link it in the show notes to make it 00:10:06.249 --> 00:10:07.599 easy for you just to click. 00:10:08.469 --> 00:10:12.219 I wish you all a very relaxing break. 00:10:12.609 --> 00:10:14.649 Remember to get out into nature. 00:10:14.859 --> 00:10:19.689 Personally, I love walking and listening to all my favorite inspirational podcasts, 00:10:19.959 --> 00:10:24.009 only one ear bud in of course, because I like to still be aware of the sounds 00:10:24.009 --> 00:10:26.229 around me because I'm old school. 00:10:26.229 --> 00:10:28.779 I'd like to thank you all for listening to blooming curious, 00:10:28.809 --> 00:10:32.409 especially since you have the choice of listening to any of a thousand other 00:10:32.409 --> 00:10:34.329 podcasts, but you've chosen this one. 00:10:34.719 --> 00:10:35.709 So thank you. 00:10:36.219 --> 00:10:41.319 If you like this podcast, can you please do me a really big favor? 00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:46.119 Please share it with a friend or colleague, and please leave a review. 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:50.499 You can do that by going to the show, not just the episode, and then 00:10:50.499 --> 00:10:54.069 scrolling all the way down and then clicking where it says, leave a review. 00:10:54.549 --> 00:10:56.439 This will really help the show grow. 00:10:56.769 --> 00:10:59.319 Not to mention, make my day. 00:11:00.069 --> 00:11:04.419 And hey, if you want to get curious, why not sign up to receive my weekly 00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:08.889 newsletter, where I share insider tips and inspiration around curiosity. 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:15.419 Subscribe at resources.bloomingcurious.com/getcurious. 00:11:15.759 --> 00:11:17.709 I'll leave the link in the show notes for you. 00:11:18.579 --> 00:11:21.579 And with that I'll love and leave you until next week. 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:23.139 Remember to chill. 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:25.779 Remember to take some time for yourself. 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:29.829 And when you're ready, go and click on the links I've left you. 00:11:30.429 --> 00:11:36.819 And until then, and until next week, remember to stay blooming curious.