WEBVTT 00:00:00.010 --> 00:00:02.590 I know that you're enjoying yourself. 00:00:02.620 --> 00:00:03.670 You're on holiday. 00:00:04.399 --> 00:00:07.729 You're enjoying the sunshine or you enjoying, you know, Log 00:00:07.729 --> 00:00:09.710 fires and glasses of red wine. 00:00:10.070 --> 00:00:11.239 But there comes a point. 00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:15.449 . In January, when we, as teachers have this little annoying voice in our 00:00:15.499 --> 00:00:17.539 head, and we start to think about. 00:00:17.899 --> 00:00:19.369 Going back to school. 00:00:20.059 --> 00:00:21.109 What are we going to do? 00:00:21.139 --> 00:00:24.349 How are we going to set up you already, perhaps have been on Amazon. 00:00:24.349 --> 00:00:27.169 You've been to KMart you've been to Target you've been wherever, 00:00:27.259 --> 00:00:28.729 and you already starting to buy. 00:00:29.449 --> 00:00:33.499 Well, this episode is here to tell you to take a chill pill and stop buying. 00:00:33.829 --> 00:00:38.029 And don't buy anything for your classroom or anything don't spend 00:00:38.029 --> 00:00:39.259 any money on your classroom. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:41.659 Until you've listened to this episode. 00:00:41.929 --> 00:00:44.869 And I'm going to direct you in this episode to some of the previous 00:00:44.869 --> 00:00:49.179 episodes which we're actually at the beginning of 2024 to give you a 00:00:49.179 --> 00:00:53.199 start on how you set up a classroom and everything that goes into getting 00:00:53.199 --> 00:00:56.229 organized for the back to school year. 00:00:57.149 --> 00:01:02.029 So I want to just start by saying, in episode 41. 00:01:02.029 --> 00:01:06.709 I spoke about something that is more important than your classroom 00:01:06.709 --> 00:01:09.879 decor and your most important thing 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:13.149 when we going back to school is to think about how an earth you 00:01:13.149 --> 00:01:15.099 are going to engage those kids. 00:01:15.550 --> 00:01:18.789 What are you going to do to keep them curious and questioning? 00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:22.270 Because there's nothing more infuriating for a teacher 00:01:22.300 --> 00:01:23.979 than a kid who sits at a desk. 00:01:24.639 --> 00:01:27.069 And you see those eyes and there's nothing. 00:01:27.069 --> 00:01:28.569 There is nothing behind them. 00:01:28.599 --> 00:01:29.409 There's no light. 00:01:30.339 --> 00:01:33.969 For me as a teacher, that was always my biggest fear is I 00:01:33.969 --> 00:01:35.259 don't want to see kids like that. 00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:37.569 I don't want to see kids that are not switched on. 00:01:37.960 --> 00:01:41.469 I want to see kids that are eager and ready to learn. 00:01:42.129 --> 00:01:46.089 And so I think our biggest challenge is not what colors we're doing our classroom. 00:01:46.539 --> 00:01:52.479 But what are our strategies that we are going to use to keep the kids 00:01:52.479 --> 00:01:57.129 in our class, engaged interested in what we're teaching them. 00:01:57.959 --> 00:02:06.059 So I think we need to make curiosity a priority when we're planning our lessons. 00:02:06.660 --> 00:02:10.320 And when we're planning the way we set up our classrooms. 00:02:10.649 --> 00:02:13.649 We should not be thinking what pretty colors can I put in? 00:02:13.950 --> 00:02:16.920 But rather, what can I put into my classroom 00:02:17.130 --> 00:02:19.619 that's going to get these kids interested in learning. 00:02:20.459 --> 00:02:22.649 So that was episode 41. 00:02:22.890 --> 00:02:27.269 How to make curiosity a priority for back to school and I'll leave 00:02:27.299 --> 00:02:28.890 a link to that in the show notes. 00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:31.019 Episode 40. 00:02:31.769 --> 00:02:35.640 The one just before that was actually what started getting my goat was when 00:02:35.640 --> 00:02:40.679 I was seeing all these teachers on Instagram, putting up these amazingly 00:02:40.679 --> 00:02:42.899 decorated classroom, spending a fortune. 00:02:42.899 --> 00:02:45.749 And I was just asking myself why. 00:02:46.559 --> 00:02:51.089 We do not need to spend a fortune on decorating our classrooms. 00:02:51.719 --> 00:02:53.790 We are not on the block. 00:02:54.390 --> 00:02:57.779 And the block is an Australian program where people are competing 00:02:57.779 --> 00:03:00.780 to see who's got the most beautifully decorated and designed house. 00:03:01.019 --> 00:03:02.189 We are not doing that. 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:09.119 Our aim is to see if we can get kids to learn, not who's got the smartest 00:03:09.119 --> 00:03:11.730 and who's got the nicest and prettiest classroom. 00:03:12.359 --> 00:03:17.040 And so I really think that instead of spending your money on Amazon, everywhere 00:03:17.040 --> 00:03:21.090 else, Start thinking about things that are really important, because a lot of 00:03:21.090 --> 00:03:25.199 that decoration is just fluff and, you know, without a shadow of a doubt, the 00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:26.910 kids come in there before, you know it 00:03:26.910 --> 00:03:29.939 it's a mess anyway, and they've destroyed half the stuff that you put in there. 00:03:30.600 --> 00:03:36.420 So let's not spend our money on decorating our classrooms, but rather 00:03:36.660 --> 00:03:41.489 on buying things, perhaps if you have too, I prefer going to secondhand shops 00:03:41.489 --> 00:03:45.299 and op shops where you can get some really interesting old things that are 00:03:45.299 --> 00:03:47.429 going to get kids asking questions. 00:03:47.730 --> 00:03:50.009 And of course your classrooms should be attractive. 00:03:50.220 --> 00:03:53.040 You want kids to want to walk in and think, oh, this is a 00:03:53.040 --> 00:03:54.689 really nice space to learn in. 00:03:55.109 --> 00:03:56.100 But remember. 00:03:56.970 --> 00:04:00.059 That overwhelm is also a big problem. 00:04:00.269 --> 00:04:04.079 You do not want to bring everything from home, including the kitchen sink and 00:04:04.079 --> 00:04:08.460 stick that in your classroom because kids are going to get overwhelmed by that. 00:04:08.850 --> 00:04:10.799 Keep things simple. 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:13.889 Keep things easy. 00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:18.029 And you also want to think about your colors. 00:04:18.689 --> 00:04:23.100 You know, we love all those pretty colors, but actually it's the natural 00:04:23.100 --> 00:04:27.270 colors that keep kids calm, think about nature and try to replicate the 00:04:27.270 --> 00:04:29.520 colors of nature in your classroom. 00:04:29.819 --> 00:04:31.409 Not primary colors. 00:04:31.740 --> 00:04:35.579 You want to think about, you know, soft blues, thinking about the ocean 00:04:35.610 --> 00:04:37.679 thing about mountains, soft greens. 00:04:37.679 --> 00:04:38.760 Think about the earth. 00:04:39.150 --> 00:04:41.730 Sort of soft beigey, browny colors. 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:45.919 That's what you want in your classroom, because those colors are calming. 00:04:46.669 --> 00:04:47.539 And that's what you want. 00:04:47.539 --> 00:04:49.519 You do not want kids bouncing off the walls. 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:53.210 And also remember that more and more of our classes have now got neurodivergent 00:04:53.239 --> 00:04:59.780 kids and a lot of stuff and a lot of bright colors all cause overwhelm. 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:05.900 So think about what you can do to keep calm environment. 00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:10.419 Then I want to talk about the outdoor learning environment as well. 00:05:10.449 --> 00:05:11.859 And this was a big episode. 00:05:11.889 --> 00:05:16.419 It was episode 12 of the podcast and you really need to go and listen to that one. 00:05:16.929 --> 00:05:21.459 Because our outdoor environment is just an extension of our indoor environment. 00:05:21.909 --> 00:05:24.099 It's not just a bare base. 00:05:24.529 --> 00:05:27.799 And one of my interviews last year, I interviewed Victoria Hackett and 00:05:27.799 --> 00:05:30.079 she's the outdoor classroom expert. 00:05:30.409 --> 00:05:32.149 And you can go and listen to that episode too. 00:05:32.179 --> 00:05:35.539 I'll put a link in the show notes where you can learn and listen to 00:05:35.539 --> 00:05:37.639 how do we set up outdoor classrooms? 00:05:37.639 --> 00:05:42.289 So that they too can spark curiosity in our children. 00:05:42.529 --> 00:05:44.359 It's not just about sending them outside. 00:05:44.629 --> 00:05:46.789 It's about how do we set up the outdoors? 00:05:47.599 --> 00:05:49.639 Just not with spending money. 00:05:49.939 --> 00:05:54.239 Just using the things that you've got and using natural things wood, sticks, 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:56.299 stones, all these kinds of things. 00:05:56.539 --> 00:06:01.519 And how you actually think about going about setting up that outdoor space 00:06:01.819 --> 00:06:06.199 so that it can be an extension of the learning that you're doing indoors. 00:06:06.709 --> 00:06:10.699 So go and listen to episode 12 of the podcast after you're 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:12.319 finished listening to this one. 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:18.919 And then the last one that I want to talk about is episode 39. 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:20.809 And episode 39. 00:06:21.169 --> 00:06:25.009 Is the ultimate back to school organization for teachers. 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:29.149 This was all about the big picture stuff that's necessary. 00:06:29.269 --> 00:06:32.779 The things like you need, your planning, your organization. 00:06:33.219 --> 00:06:34.549 Your start of the year. 00:06:34.809 --> 00:06:35.799 How are you going to kick it off? 00:06:35.829 --> 00:06:37.029 Where are you going to put the stuff? 00:06:37.089 --> 00:06:39.339 Where are the kids going to put their backpacks? 00:06:39.339 --> 00:06:40.899 Where are they going to put their drink bottles? 00:06:40.899 --> 00:06:44.469 Where are they going to put their I dunno, their diaries or their folders or 00:06:44.469 --> 00:06:47.349 whatever you might have in your classroom. 00:06:47.659 --> 00:06:49.569 You've got to think about that organization. 00:06:49.569 --> 00:06:50.979 How are they going to store their books? 00:06:51.009 --> 00:06:53.049 Is it going to be easy for them to get to it? 00:06:53.529 --> 00:06:57.159 Because remember, we're also got kids that struggle with executive function. 00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:00.159 You want to make it easy for these children. 00:07:00.189 --> 00:07:04.089 You want to make it easy so that they can get hold of their books and the necessary 00:07:04.929 --> 00:07:07.629 equipment to get on with a lesson. 00:07:07.809 --> 00:07:11.559 So think about your organization that is super important. 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:17.379 But then we also want to think about the provocations in our classroom. 00:07:17.679 --> 00:07:20.949 What are we going to stick in our classrooms that is going to 00:07:20.949 --> 00:07:24.729 cause children to ask questions and be interested in learning. 00:07:25.269 --> 00:07:29.859 And so, again, as I've said earlier, go to op shops, go to second hand shops 00:07:29.949 --> 00:07:31.509 and go and see what you can get there 00:07:31.509 --> 00:07:34.329 that is related to what you were teaching. 00:07:34.899 --> 00:07:38.439 The things that you have set up, the provocations that you have set up in 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:43.999 your room should link directly to your curriculum, to what you're teaching. 00:07:44.359 --> 00:07:49.369 So whatever you're doing this first term for science or your humanities, 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:55.069 those are the kinds of provocations that you should be setting up in 00:07:55.069 --> 00:07:57.319 your classroom for this first term. 00:07:57.719 --> 00:08:00.779 And remember that in early childhood you want little different 00:08:00.779 --> 00:08:02.699 rooms inside your classroom. 00:08:02.999 --> 00:08:05.699 You want an area where kids can play with blocks. 00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:09.419 You want an area where kids can go and explore scientific things where they 00:08:09.419 --> 00:08:14.909 can experiment where they can grow seeds, where they can observe animals. 00:08:15.269 --> 00:08:21.479 You want an area where there's perhaps still Lego or construction materials 00:08:21.479 --> 00:08:24.629 where they can go and build and construct with recycling materials 00:08:24.629 --> 00:08:27.809 for example, you want an area where there's a, where they can 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:32.189 go and be quiet and have a book corner and grab a book and read. 00:08:32.469 --> 00:08:35.499 Perhaps you want an area where you can actually sit with a small group 00:08:35.499 --> 00:08:39.129 of children when you're doing your guided reading practice for example. 00:08:39.129 --> 00:08:43.279 When you're learning and teaching them about, comprehension strategies. 00:08:43.669 --> 00:08:47.659 All these little areas in your room are really important in early childhood. 00:08:47.929 --> 00:08:52.339 And don't think that when a kid gets to year two or year three, you now need 00:08:52.369 --> 00:08:54.409 to take away the Lego and the blocks. 00:08:54.679 --> 00:08:56.449 They're still only seven and eight. 00:08:56.689 --> 00:09:01.969 They need those things to play with and to express themselves with. 00:09:02.389 --> 00:09:05.269 And not forgetting, of course, manipulatives. 00:09:05.359 --> 00:09:10.069 I've heard so many times, where in a year, two or year three classroom 00:09:10.339 --> 00:09:13.699 there aren't even counters for children to actually come to grips 00:09:13.699 --> 00:09:18.900 with real materials which can help them in their mathematical thinking. 00:09:19.140 --> 00:09:25.260 We still need manipulatives and hands-on materials even in older year groups, 00:09:25.499 --> 00:09:29.760 because you will have kids in your five that are still trying to grapple 00:09:29.760 --> 00:09:32.569 with math concepts from year two. 00:09:32.999 --> 00:09:39.269 So you need counters, you need materials that children can use, where they 00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:44.849 can express their understanding in a concrete way with manipulatives. 00:09:45.089 --> 00:09:47.369 And of course, that's another way you can actually assess them as 00:09:47.369 --> 00:09:52.349 well, because you don't always need a worksheet for assessment purposes. 00:09:53.069 --> 00:09:58.319 So this little podcast episode today is a short and sweet one. 00:09:58.680 --> 00:10:03.509 And it's really just about encouraging you to think about why you're doing 00:10:03.509 --> 00:10:07.019 things before you rush off and go and buy a million things before you 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:08.550 start setting up your classroom. 00:10:08.939 --> 00:10:11.519 Just think about why, why are you putting. 00:10:12.300 --> 00:10:14.459 This thing into your classroom. 00:10:14.969 --> 00:10:19.439 Why are you choosing to put a block corner in this corner? 00:10:19.920 --> 00:10:24.150 And as long as you really understand, and you know why you're doing things 00:10:24.239 --> 00:10:25.920 then cool, go ahead and do them. 00:10:26.219 --> 00:10:30.629 But you really do have to be very intentional. 00:10:30.869 --> 00:10:34.499 You know that you hear that word a lot in teaching intentional being intentional. 00:10:34.859 --> 00:10:38.040 But it is really true as much of a cliche that it is. 00:10:38.430 --> 00:10:43.109 We do have to actually think before we do, and we have to understand 00:10:43.109 --> 00:10:46.439 why we're doing so that if anybody comes in, admin comes in and asks 00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:47.430 you, well, how come that's there? 00:10:47.459 --> 00:10:48.329 How come that's there? 00:10:48.719 --> 00:10:51.689 You can actually explain your thinking behind that and why 00:10:51.719 --> 00:10:53.280 you've doing what you're doing. 00:10:54.119 --> 00:10:55.530 So that's all for this week. 00:10:56.230 --> 00:10:59.439 I just want to give you a heads up about next week's episode and that's 00:10:59.439 --> 00:11:02.780 going to be with Daniel Barton 00:11:03.140 --> 00:11:07.760 from Educated by Nature here in Perth, Australia, he is all 00:11:07.760 --> 00:11:09.800 about taking learning outdoors. 00:11:10.280 --> 00:11:14.250 So if that's something that you're thinking of doing next week's 00:11:14.250 --> 00:11:17.940 episode with Daniel Barton is the perfect episode to listen to. 00:11:17.970 --> 00:11:18.660 So don't forget. 00:11:18.660 --> 00:11:21.450 So you should really follow the show, click that follow button. 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:24.720 So then you'll be notified every time a new episode is published. 00:11:25.110 --> 00:11:26.340 That way you won't miss out. 00:11:26.730 --> 00:11:30.540 And also listen, if you enjoy listening to blooming curious, then 00:11:30.540 --> 00:11:32.010 could you please do me a favor? 00:11:32.010 --> 00:11:35.040 Click on those three buttons and share the episode with a friend. 00:11:35.140 --> 00:11:37.990 The only way this podcast grows, and the only way we get more 00:11:38.020 --> 00:11:41.980 listeners is if you tell more people, word of mouth works, a treat. 00:11:42.370 --> 00:11:44.590 So click on those three buttons, share with a friend. 00:11:44.890 --> 00:11:48.630 And if you really like the podcast, please leave a review 00:11:48.780 --> 00:11:50.370 that would really make my day. 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:54.510 So until next week, when it's Daniel Barton on talking about outdoor 00:11:54.510 --> 00:11:56.490 learning, I will love and leave you. 00:11:56.520 --> 00:11:59.850 And remember that curiosity is your superpower. 00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:01.950 So stay blooming, curious. 00:12:02.190 --> 00:12:03.180 I'll see you next week.