WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.160 It's back to school time in the Northern hemisphere. 00:00:02.460 --> 00:00:06.030 So I felt that it might be the perfect time to give those of you that are 00:00:06.030 --> 00:00:09.540 returning to classrooms, or perhaps this is your first time in a classroom. 00:00:10.410 --> 00:00:14.850 And I guess just for educators everywhere else, because let's face it every 00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:16.590 day is a good day to start fresh. 00:00:17.159 --> 00:00:20.670 But if you are getting ready to return to the classroom, then today's 00:00:20.670 --> 00:00:22.770 episode might be just what you need. 00:00:23.400 --> 00:00:26.430 By now you've got your class list and hopefully you've got some idea 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:30.390 of the needs of the children that you are going to be teaching this year. 00:00:30.810 --> 00:00:31.630 So now what? 00:00:32.190 --> 00:00:36.240 I think that there are two areas that we need to address when it 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:40.110 comes to getting ready and start teaching on that very first day. 00:00:40.980 --> 00:00:45.330 Firstly, everything is about being organized in terms of the setup and 00:00:45.330 --> 00:00:47.340 practicalities of running a classroom. 00:00:47.790 --> 00:00:51.690 And secondly, and I think most importantly is thinking about your why 00:00:52.020 --> 00:00:55.980 when it comes to lesson planning and content, you're going to be teaching. 00:00:56.910 --> 00:01:01.710 Your WHY is driven by your belief system and your values. 00:01:02.160 --> 00:01:05.820 And this is why your, why needs to be really clear. 00:01:06.360 --> 00:01:08.970 What do you think about how children learn best? 00:01:09.510 --> 00:01:11.130 What does the research say? 00:01:11.490 --> 00:01:13.620 Who do you most closely align with? 00:01:14.130 --> 00:01:17.460 I wrote a blog post sometime ago when I unpacked Waldorf 00:01:17.790 --> 00:01:19.620 Reggio Emilia, and Montessori. 00:01:19.860 --> 00:01:23.340 So if you're a graduate or new to these educational approaches, 00:01:23.670 --> 00:01:24.870 you might want to have a read. 00:01:25.470 --> 00:01:29.670 I'll link to that post in the show notes and also I'll link to 00:01:29.700 --> 00:01:34.080 episode eight, where I discussed finding your educational philosophy. 00:01:34.890 --> 00:01:37.920 For me, everything starts with the needs of the child. 00:01:38.370 --> 00:01:42.990 In other words, how you set up your room needs to take consideration 00:01:43.020 --> 00:01:44.340 what is best for children? 00:01:45.300 --> 00:01:46.710 Not what we like. 00:01:47.010 --> 00:01:48.690 But what's best for children. 00:01:49.470 --> 00:01:53.040 Every child comes to us with their own experiences. 00:01:53.520 --> 00:01:56.910 Just think how hectic mornings can be in homes. 00:01:57.300 --> 00:02:01.560 Where parents are trying to get kids ready and themselves to go to work. 00:02:01.980 --> 00:02:06.839 So our learning spaces need to be places that are not only inspirational, 00:02:06.839 --> 00:02:08.639 inspire curiosity for kids. 00:02:08.940 --> 00:02:12.209 But also places that are organized and calm. 00:02:12.869 --> 00:02:15.089 Everything needs to have a place. 00:02:15.339 --> 00:02:18.819 You'll need all those practical things like where you're put books and equipment 00:02:18.849 --> 00:02:22.959 and where kids will put their bags and any equipment they need to bring into class. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:26.509 Children really need help with organization. 00:02:26.749 --> 00:02:31.129 So having a practical routine in place will really go a long way to help 00:02:31.129 --> 00:02:37.309 them settle in because routines make things predictable and children thrive 00:02:37.369 --> 00:02:39.019 when their lives are predictable. 00:02:39.289 --> 00:02:43.849 So make sure you model the model with them, walk them through on that 00:02:43.849 --> 00:02:47.569 very first day, where they put their stuff, how and where they put their 00:02:47.569 --> 00:02:49.399 books, how to store their work. 00:02:49.819 --> 00:02:53.989 These practical routines are not something you just do once on the first day. 00:02:54.379 --> 00:02:59.419 These routines are things you model each and every day until they get it. 00:02:59.479 --> 00:03:00.739 And it becomes automatic. 00:03:01.129 --> 00:03:01.789 And guess what? 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:06.469 When they go on holiday for two weeks and come back the next term, you 00:03:06.469 --> 00:03:09.889 have to model the routines again, because most of them will forget. 00:03:10.549 --> 00:03:14.539 You'll find that there will be those children who will forget stuff. 00:03:15.079 --> 00:03:18.619 Their cubbies or their desks or their backpacks will be littered with paper, 00:03:18.829 --> 00:03:21.919 and basically they have difficulty organizing themselves and their 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:23.599 thoughts, and their learning. 00:03:24.049 --> 00:03:26.089 And learning can be chaotic for these kids. 00:03:26.089 --> 00:03:29.149 And often they're not meeting their full potential simply because they're 00:03:29.149 --> 00:03:31.069 lacking executive function skills. 00:03:31.699 --> 00:03:35.899 Apart from all the other things we integrate and teach kids, I think to 00:03:35.899 --> 00:03:39.859 teach them how to approach things in a systematic way is really helpful. 00:03:40.309 --> 00:03:44.299 So just like, if you want kids to be curious, we need to be curious. 00:03:44.689 --> 00:03:45.619 In the same way 00:03:45.619 --> 00:03:48.799 if we want kids to be organized, we need to be organized. 00:03:49.459 --> 00:03:52.519 So make sure you have an organized space. 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:58.639 Where everyone knows exactly where everything should go, and also how you 00:03:58.639 --> 00:04:00.709 want students to complete their work. 00:04:01.129 --> 00:04:05.869 Model, the writing of their name on that piece of work when you complete a task. 00:04:06.920 --> 00:04:11.089 Model what it is they need to do or where they need to place their work. 00:04:11.540 --> 00:04:14.719 For many of us adults, this organization comes naturally. 00:04:14.929 --> 00:04:17.179 But it doesn't come naturally to all students. 00:04:17.700 --> 00:04:21.450 And think about as you go about your day, what does your desk look like? 00:04:21.719 --> 00:04:24.929 Because I think our workspace also sets an example. 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:29.280 One of the things, many teachers that I work with are doing more and more 00:04:29.309 --> 00:04:31.349 are removing their own teacher's desk. 00:04:31.770 --> 00:04:35.969 Not only does this mean you no longer have a dumping space, but it also means 00:04:35.999 --> 00:04:40.499 you have more room for students and it forces you to be super organized. 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:45.020 Your teacher's desk could now either be removed totally or used 00:04:45.050 --> 00:04:49.909 as a work surface where kids can tinker or create, or perhaps that's 00:04:49.909 --> 00:04:51.260 where their equipment is stored. 00:04:52.219 --> 00:04:55.280 A quick browse on Pinterest will give you so many ideas and I'll 00:04:55.280 --> 00:04:58.940 put a link to my Pinterest board in the show notes, and hopefully you 00:04:58.940 --> 00:05:00.469 can find some inspiration there. 00:05:01.159 --> 00:05:04.730 Another thing we need to consider is where we store our books and equipment. 00:05:05.060 --> 00:05:08.810 Because you want it to be some way where children can reach things. 00:05:09.140 --> 00:05:13.310 We are trying to grow independent, self-reliant children, autonomous 00:05:13.340 --> 00:05:16.370 children that feel that they have some power over their lives. 00:05:16.790 --> 00:05:21.020 So making it easier for them to access equipment is crucial. 00:05:21.320 --> 00:05:26.060 Think carefully about your storage and how easy or difficult it will be for young 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:29.180 children to reach and to access equipment. 00:05:30.140 --> 00:05:33.320 Now let's talk next about decorating classrooms. 00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:36.290 And this is something so many teachers just love, 00:05:36.290 --> 00:05:37.460 love, love, love, love. 00:05:37.969 --> 00:05:40.070 But I'm going to put a spanner in the works here. 00:05:41.030 --> 00:05:43.280 Yes, you want to get your labels done. 00:05:43.760 --> 00:05:47.810 Yes, you want to have designated places in your room where you're wanting to display 00:05:47.840 --> 00:05:52.730 stuff and label things and you totally should because those labels also serve 00:05:52.730 --> 00:05:55.219 as word banks and they help kids read. 00:05:55.640 --> 00:05:59.750 So when you're printing out labels, make sure the font is such that it helps 00:05:59.750 --> 00:06:04.280 kids to easily read the label, and for young children, the label may need to be 00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:06.560 accompanied by a picture or a photograph. 00:06:07.219 --> 00:06:10.640 And keep in mind what life is like for children, 00:06:10.909 --> 00:06:14.180 and even for ourselves nowadays, life is hectic. 00:06:14.659 --> 00:06:16.580 There is stimulation everywhere. 00:06:16.849 --> 00:06:20.390 And many students come into our spaces already overstimulated. 00:06:20.780 --> 00:06:24.080 So our rooms need to be places of calm. 00:06:24.680 --> 00:06:29.390 Remember, you might like bright colors and want to bring every single thing 00:06:29.390 --> 00:06:32.659 from your store room or your garage from home and the kitchen sink. 00:06:32.900 --> 00:06:35.540 But this is not a space for you. 00:06:35.900 --> 00:06:40.430 This is a space that you're creating where you want children to be calm, 00:06:40.640 --> 00:06:43.159 be independent and be curious. 00:06:43.550 --> 00:06:47.900 So a mishmash of rainbow colors and plastic fantastic, so that it 00:06:47.900 --> 00:06:51.500 looks like kids have just stepped into a fanfare is not the look you 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:55.250 want to go for because you know how kids end up at a fanfare, right. 00:06:55.280 --> 00:06:58.490 They're bouncing off walls, cause they're so overstimulated by all 00:06:58.490 --> 00:07:00.500 the colors and sights and sounds. 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:01.790 And everything. 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:06.469 So you want to think about creating a place that reduces 00:07:06.469 --> 00:07:08.990 stress and is calming for people. 00:07:09.770 --> 00:07:13.730 And when you think about a place that reduces stress and is calming for just 00:07:13.730 --> 00:07:16.280 about everyone what do you think of? 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:18.980 For me it's nature. 00:07:19.849 --> 00:07:24.469 So one of the best things you can do when setting up your space, I think is to keep 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:27.469 your colors neutral and think nature. 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:32.599 Muted tones of sand think forests and mountains and beaches. 00:07:32.960 --> 00:07:35.360 Bring in natural elements like pot plants. 00:07:35.390 --> 00:07:39.200 And if you need to hang something, why not bring in more nature and 00:07:39.200 --> 00:07:41.180 branches that you can hang stuff from. 00:07:41.719 --> 00:07:44.719 Reggio, Emilia classrooms do this really well. 00:07:45.050 --> 00:07:47.989 And keep in mind that the space is the third teacher. 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:49.460 The first teacher. 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:54.349 is the parents, the second is you and I, the educator and 00:07:54.349 --> 00:07:55.849 the third is the environment. 00:07:56.330 --> 00:07:58.580 And when you're setting up your environment, you need 00:07:58.580 --> 00:08:00.859 to keep asking yourself why. 00:08:01.249 --> 00:08:04.520 Why are you putting these things in the places that you are. 00:08:05.030 --> 00:08:07.520 Why are you including this or that thing? 00:08:07.849 --> 00:08:12.290 How does it benefit children's learning or their social, emotional development? 00:08:12.890 --> 00:08:15.499 Children's needs should be in the forefront when we're 00:08:15.499 --> 00:08:17.090 creating spaces for them. 00:08:18.320 --> 00:08:19.910 We're not showing off how good we are 00:08:19.969 --> 00:08:25.310 interior decoration, we're trying to get children, to connect to 00:08:25.340 --> 00:08:31.940 the space so that they want to be curious, want to know more, want to 00:08:31.969 --> 00:08:34.760 ask questions and feel safe to do so. 00:08:36.619 --> 00:08:42.020 So our classrooms should be spaces where children can also reflect 00:08:42.260 --> 00:08:44.390 on their work and their wishes. 00:08:44.730 --> 00:08:47.280 So, yes, we need to be organized. 00:08:47.640 --> 00:08:51.180 But we shouldn't be filling all the walls with all sorts of posters. 00:08:51.180 --> 00:08:55.200 We need to keep some base spaces where children can display their work. 00:08:55.470 --> 00:08:58.860 We also need a big bare wall for creating a learning wall. 00:08:59.430 --> 00:09:02.850 Which is going to evidence your students, learning their questions, 00:09:03.449 --> 00:09:06.810 and their answers and you can find out more about learning 00:09:06.810 --> 00:09:10.620 walls by the way, and how do you use them in the interview I had with the 00:09:10.650 --> 00:09:12.959 expert on learning walls Jessica Vance. 00:09:13.290 --> 00:09:15.689 I'll put a link in the show notes to that episode. 00:09:16.319 --> 00:09:21.390 Another thing we need to consider are our invitations and our provocations. 00:09:21.990 --> 00:09:28.079 We want the objects, that we've put into our spaces, to be intentional. 00:09:28.439 --> 00:09:33.449 And we want those objects to spark wonder and thinking and curiosity. 00:09:33.900 --> 00:09:37.319 We're not just putting in random stuff from home because we wanted out of 00:09:37.319 --> 00:09:39.420 our garage and out of our store rooms. 00:09:40.100 --> 00:09:43.730 We need to be thinking about our why the entire time. 00:09:44.510 --> 00:09:49.310 When someone walks into your classroom, your values will be clearly visible. 00:09:49.880 --> 00:09:54.080 The colors you've used, your objects or invitations or your provocations 00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:56.900 will all clearly convey your values. 00:09:58.310 --> 00:10:02.660 After I completed a course with Claire Warden on nature pedagogy, 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:06.740 the way I approached setting up my classroom completely changed. 00:10:07.520 --> 00:10:12.140 In my own classroom, for example, I used either hessian which is beige 00:10:12.140 --> 00:10:17.180 brown in color to cover all the colorful notice boards on the walls, or black, 00:10:17.450 --> 00:10:22.280 both are great neutral backdrops that make children's work really stand out. 00:10:22.880 --> 00:10:28.040 I also have lots of natural elements in my room and my provocations 00:10:28.070 --> 00:10:32.030 are always linked to my science and my humanities curriculum. 00:10:32.750 --> 00:10:38.120 And often my Science stuff in an area in front of my window, where I have 00:10:38.150 --> 00:10:42.680 invitations for children to explore and read and create independently. 00:10:43.160 --> 00:10:47.170 And outside the window, I had a bird bath and inside the window, 00:10:47.199 --> 00:10:51.369 a poster with the different types of birds that visit our garden. 00:10:52.630 --> 00:10:56.949 I was also lucky to have access to an outdoor area where I had planters 00:10:56.949 --> 00:11:00.790 and gardening tools and natural loose parts, things like pebbles 00:11:00.790 --> 00:11:02.680 and rocks and sticks and seed pods, 00:11:02.680 --> 00:11:03.459 and gumnuts. 00:11:04.060 --> 00:11:08.319 And I also had a dead tree inside my room, which was really not actually a 00:11:08.319 --> 00:11:10.329 tree, it was just a bunch of branches. 00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:16.870 Large branches that I had tied together and used this as a tree, in my room where 00:11:16.959 --> 00:11:20.569 I, hung many of my children's creations. 00:11:21.020 --> 00:11:25.069 So, if you had to imagine this or walk into my classroom, I 00:11:25.069 --> 00:11:29.750 think my values and my love for nature pedagogy is very evident. 00:11:30.290 --> 00:11:34.430 How you arrange the tables or the desks in your classroom also says a 00:11:34.430 --> 00:11:38.540 lot about your values and what you know about how children learn best. 00:11:39.229 --> 00:11:44.089 In episode 11, I spoke about creating inspirational indoor spaces 00:11:44.329 --> 00:11:48.050 so have a listen to that episode next, I'll link it for you in the show notes. 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:54.469 And I also have a free checklist for you that you can use as a handy planning tool 00:11:54.709 --> 00:11:56.719 as you go about setting up your space. 00:11:57.079 --> 00:12:01.160 I'll link that in the show notes for you too so you can very easily download that. 00:12:02.060 --> 00:12:03.290 Now you're organized, 00:12:03.290 --> 00:12:05.870 everything has a place, you've got everything labeled. 00:12:05.870 --> 00:12:07.430 You've got your routines planned. 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:10.699 And your provocations invitations are all set up. 00:12:11.689 --> 00:12:15.560 Just a heads up that I will be interviewing someone very special 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:19.640 and knowledgeable when it comes to invitations and provocations, so 00:12:19.640 --> 00:12:21.410 make sure you take the follow button 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:24.650 so you're notified when that episode drops, because you won't want to 00:12:24.650 --> 00:12:29.359 miss out on that it promises to be a very exciting episode all about 00:12:29.359 --> 00:12:32.089 setting intentional provocations. 00:12:32.959 --> 00:12:37.490 Now, the next part of getting ready is to consider your planning and your lessons. 00:12:37.520 --> 00:12:42.170 And of course, If you're here it means you're either not a run of the 00:12:42.170 --> 00:12:46.760 mill teacher or you're someone that really wants to make a change and 00:12:46.760 --> 00:12:50.359 find the best way to engage children and get them interested in learning. 00:12:50.900 --> 00:12:55.310 And I have to say almost every episode of blooming curious 00:12:55.370 --> 00:12:56.689 has something to do with that. 00:12:57.020 --> 00:13:00.530 So might I suggest you take this podcast along with you when you're 00:13:00.530 --> 00:13:04.069 going for your walk or your run with please only one ear bud, because 00:13:04.069 --> 00:13:07.819 you still want to be aware of your surroundings, and have a bit of a binge. 00:13:08.359 --> 00:13:13.910 Obviously, as I have spoken about until the cows come home, if you want to truly 00:13:13.910 --> 00:13:18.979 not only get kids curious, but keep them curious and engaged then you simply have 00:13:18.979 --> 00:13:21.349 to make inquiry part of your teaching. 00:13:21.709 --> 00:13:24.709 And that does not mean throwing out explicit instruction. 00:13:25.130 --> 00:13:29.900 It means dovetailing explicit instruction and inquiry and I've spoken about that 00:13:29.900 --> 00:13:35.689 in several episodes to which I will link in the show notes for you so you 00:13:35.689 --> 00:13:37.760 can take a deep dive into that next. 00:13:39.229 --> 00:13:41.540 Now I've said it before, and I'll say it again. 00:13:41.660 --> 00:13:44.030 Inquiry does not add to your workload. 00:13:44.089 --> 00:13:45.530 It's not a separate subject. 00:13:45.560 --> 00:13:48.050 Inquiry is a lens through which you teach. 00:13:48.079 --> 00:13:51.109 It's about getting kids to think, to question and to become 00:13:51.439 --> 00:13:53.630 independent and autonomous learners. 00:13:54.469 --> 00:13:58.520 And as an inquiry teacher, the student and their needs are at the 00:13:58.520 --> 00:14:00.410 forefront of everything you do. 00:14:00.829 --> 00:14:05.420 You're asking yourself why the whole time to make sure you're not just doing things 00:14:05.420 --> 00:14:09.859 for the sake of it, but because you have a valuable purpose, and you're getting 00:14:09.859 --> 00:14:15.020 kids to think about why too, so they can start thinking about how they learn, 00:14:15.290 --> 00:14:17.990 so they are developing those metacognition skills. 00:14:18.949 --> 00:14:24.119 Last week I attended the most awesome two day seminar with a wonderful Jessica 00:14:24.119 --> 00:14:26.390 Vance and Trevor Mackenzie here in Perth. 00:14:26.900 --> 00:14:32.270 It was entitled, Unlocking Curiosity: Nurturing and Cultivating Inquiry, and 00:14:32.270 --> 00:14:37.550 of course they took us on an inquiry journey to uncover the various teaching 00:14:37.550 --> 00:14:42.199 strategies that lead to inquiry and a cultivation of curiosity in our 00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:46.939 classrooms, everything from questioning and thinking techniques to how we 00:14:46.939 --> 00:14:50.990 evidence and document children's learning and wondering through learning walls. 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:57.050 And what really struck me most and the one message that stayed with me is that 00:14:57.109 --> 00:15:00.469 it's our dispositions and our mindset 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:05.599 that really matter if we want to lead and teach with a lens of inquiry. 00:15:06.439 --> 00:15:12.589 Inquiry is about being curious and finding ways to solve problems, 00:15:12.920 --> 00:15:14.870 and think about things differently. 00:15:15.319 --> 00:15:19.099 It's not about accepting obstacles that prevent us from doing 00:15:19.099 --> 00:15:20.689 something in a certain way. 00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:27.500 But more about finding ways around obstacles to empower us and our students. 00:15:28.010 --> 00:15:32.990 I loved chatting to April Zajko in episode 33, where she talked about 00:15:32.990 --> 00:15:37.849 how she overcame obstacles about taking children outside for learning. 00:15:38.890 --> 00:15:43.660 Which really illustrated how, when we put children and their needs at the forefront 00:15:43.930 --> 00:15:48.010 we can overcome all the challenges and the red tape that we sometimes have. 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.410 Where there is a will. 00:15:50.530 --> 00:15:54.130 There is a way When we think about the curriculum. 00:15:54.610 --> 00:15:55.870 It is what it is. 00:15:55.900 --> 00:15:57.460 We have no control over it. 00:15:57.849 --> 00:16:01.119 What we do have control over is how we approach it and what 00:16:01.119 --> 00:16:02.500 happens in our classrooms. 00:16:02.859 --> 00:16:05.859 And the strategies we use to teach the material. 00:16:06.310 --> 00:16:10.209 So as you sit down with that curriculum in front of you, Think about how 00:16:10.209 --> 00:16:14.229 you can use your science and social studies to drive the learning. 00:16:14.589 --> 00:16:17.260 Think about the essential questions you might ask. 00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:21.790 Think about the provocations and invitations, you will need in your space 00:16:21.790 --> 00:16:23.859 to get kids interested and wondering. 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:28.629 Listening to episode 37, where I talk about integrating 00:16:28.629 --> 00:16:30.460 science will be really useful. 00:16:30.730 --> 00:16:33.099 And I'll link that in the show notes for you too. 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:37.990 And then from there, you plan your English language arts and your literacy, as 00:16:37.990 --> 00:16:40.000 well as your mathematical experiences. 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:46.360 In episodes 21 and 23, I spoke about how to plan integrated experiences 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:50.350 so those might be useful episodes for you to listen to as well. 00:16:51.070 --> 00:16:56.170 Now I know, and I understand completely how overwhelming it 00:16:56.170 --> 00:16:57.610 can be to start something new. 00:16:57.610 --> 00:17:02.500 You.. But I also know that trying new things makes life more exciting. 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:08.830 And inquiry is just such a beautiful thing because it truly taps into 00:17:08.830 --> 00:17:10.840 what is most important for children. 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:13.000 Things like having autonomy. 00:17:13.630 --> 00:17:16.840 Inquiry also has that element of challenge. 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:21.250 And it's the challenge that kids like just think about how they love playing video 00:17:21.250 --> 00:17:25.330 games and getting to the next level they get so excited and pumped about that. 00:17:25.690 --> 00:17:28.780 It makes them excited because it's challenging for them. 00:17:29.410 --> 00:17:32.560 Our brains are hardwired to learn new things. 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:34.900 And to face and overcome challenges. 00:17:35.290 --> 00:17:37.480 This is what real learning is about. 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.790 From your standpoint 00:17:39.970 --> 00:17:43.960 I also know full well, what it's like to be the one that tries new 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:48.160 things or to be the one inquiry teacher and no one else is doing it. 00:17:48.580 --> 00:17:53.290 I know what it's like to want someone to bounce ideas off and there's no one there. 00:17:53.830 --> 00:17:57.310 Because perhaps your peers don't share your values or your mindset. 00:17:57.910 --> 00:18:02.710 Or you want to chat about how you can get kids curious, but your partner 00:18:02.800 --> 00:18:06.160 teacher just wants to talk about the parties they're going to on the weekend. 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:11.710 We all crave that human connection, just like the kids we teach, we 00:18:11.710 --> 00:18:13.510 all want to belong to a group. 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:15.430 Just like the kids we teach. 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:20.710 And that's what my vision is for Blooming Curious a resource for 00:18:20.710 --> 00:18:23.260 curious like-minded educators. 00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:28.330 I also know how difficult it can be to implement what you learn either 00:18:28.330 --> 00:18:33.340 from a podcast or perhaps in-person at a professional development day or 00:18:33.340 --> 00:18:35.440 a workshop with your favorite expert. 00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:37.630 And then you get back to your classroom. 00:18:37.930 --> 00:18:40.960 Or you sit down and plan how you're going to implement all this and 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.760 you suddenly feel overwhelmed. 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:46.960 And you just wish you had someone there you can bounce ideas off someone 00:18:46.990 --> 00:18:48.550 to walk you through the process. 00:18:49.150 --> 00:18:54.070 So what I've done to help you get started with inquiry is create a step-by-step 00:18:54.100 --> 00:18:58.900 guide called inquiry 1 0 1, which takes you through the exact first 00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:01.030 step that I took in my own classroom 00:19:01.030 --> 00:19:03.010 when I got started with inquiry. 00:19:04.150 --> 00:19:07.600 And I'll leave a link for you in the show notes so that you can get 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:10.360 your own copy of inquiry 1 0 1. 00:19:11.170 --> 00:19:13.270 But to take this one step further. 00:19:13.930 --> 00:19:17.980 I also know how so many teachers are craving that interaction 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:20.380 with other like-minded educators. 00:19:21.100 --> 00:19:25.360 And I spoke to those teachers at this two day PD at this two day 00:19:25.810 --> 00:19:27.790 workshop that I was on last week. 00:19:28.270 --> 00:19:31.930 So many of us, are just craving that interaction with 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:33.760 other like-minded educators. 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:39.340 And so I would like to offer you an opportunity to join a group of educated 00:19:39.340 --> 00:19:44.410 who are just like you educators who want to break away from the status quo. 00:19:44.890 --> 00:19:47.740 Educators who wanted teach through an inquiry lens. 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:53.340 Educators who want to include more of a connection to nature for their students. 00:19:53.850 --> 00:19:58.110 Educators that really want to make a difference, not just to their students' 00:19:58.140 --> 00:20:00.120 learning, but in their own lives too. 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:06.510 Educators that want a place to get support, uh, chat to others, get ideas and 00:20:06.510 --> 00:20:09.990 get PD, professional development on tap. 00:20:10.350 --> 00:20:15.210 As well as perhaps a step-by-step course to accompany, the inquiry one-on-one 00:20:15.210 --> 00:20:21.960 e-guide if you would love to be part of such an exclusive private, professional 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:27.090 and supportive learning community, I invite you to just click the link in the 00:20:27.090 --> 00:20:29.610 show notes to register your interest. 00:20:30.060 --> 00:20:31.440 There's nothing else attached. 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:36.480 You're simply saying hell yes, I would be interested in being part 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:39.900 of a group of colleagues and friends where we help and support each other 00:20:40.230 --> 00:20:42.900 to be exceptional curious educators. 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:47.070 Now I can go on and I can talk for days and there's so much to cover. 00:20:47.850 --> 00:20:53.070 But the best advice I can give you, as you start planning to receive students 00:20:53.070 --> 00:20:58.710 and get them thinking and curious is simply to place the needs of your students 00:20:58.710 --> 00:21:00.600 at the forefront of everything you do. 00:21:01.290 --> 00:21:02.580 Remember your why? 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:07.200 Don't lose sight of your why, and just be brave to try new 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:09.150 things and go and have some fun. 00:21:09.930 --> 00:21:15.120 I wish you all the best as you start out on this new year and this new journey. 00:21:15.510 --> 00:21:19.110 And I will be here with hopefully more inspirational content. 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:23.040 And remember, don't worry about things you have no control over. 00:21:23.730 --> 00:21:27.990 Just focus on what you can control and where you can make a difference in the 00:21:27.990 --> 00:21:29.880 lives of the children in your care. 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:36.150 So go to the links, download your free checklist on how to plan an inspirational 00:21:36.150 --> 00:21:38.130 classroom, as well as you inquiry 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:40.110 one-on-one e-guide to get started. 00:21:40.770 --> 00:21:43.860 Listen to all the episodes I mentioned I'll link them all 00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:45.210 in the show notes for you. 00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:48.120 So thanks for listening and following along. 00:21:48.630 --> 00:21:52.680 I know you could listen to any of hundred shows out there, but you chose 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:54.450 this one and I'm so pleased you did. 00:21:54.840 --> 00:21:58.860 And if you like or appreciate the show, I would love you to leave a 00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:01.020 review, which will help the show grow. 00:22:01.300 --> 00:22:04.810 And also hit the share button and send it to a colleague or friend 00:22:04.840 --> 00:22:08.530 that you think would appreciate getting blooming curious too. 00:22:09.100 --> 00:22:12.790 And if you want more of my personal insights and tips to get kids 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:17.500 curious and interested in learning, then sign up to get curious my 00:22:17.530 --> 00:22:19.210 inspirational weekly newsletter. 00:22:19.300 --> 00:22:21.550 There'll be a link for you in the show notes. 00:22:22.060 --> 00:22:27.520 So until next week, same time, same place stay blooming curious.