Blooming Curious

How to incorporate the natural inclinations and traits of children as active learners, into learning experiences that engage children authentically. Using the picture book I Went Walking, I introduce listeners to the multitude of learning experiences that this one little book can bring, and so spark children's natural curiosity and simultaneously tick off multiple curriculum outcomes. For the free...

Rather than teaching subjects in silos, which can hinder children's ability to make connections, use the science or humanities curriculum as a starting point. Edwina shares how to plan integrated lesson plans that teach the necessary English skills linked to science or humanities topics. The episode also highlights the benefits of using hands-on activities, non-fiction texts, and outdoor experienc...

Daniel Burton, a nature educator specialising in outdoor classrooms and the co-founder of Educated by Nature discusses the program's mission to boost the mental, emotional, and physical health of children through connections with nature. Daniel shares the origin story of Educated by Nature, inspired by his experience teaching outdoors at Bold Park Community School. He explains the benefits observe...

Strategies and organisation tips essential for back to school and setting up an engaging classroom. Listen to previous episodes that focus on getting set up and organised for a new teaching year focusing most importantly on the strategies to get students engaged. Episode 41 discusses making curiosity a priority. Episode 40 warns against over-decorating and the things we should consider when decora...

Setting actionable goals instead of traditional New Year's resolutions. Edwina shares insights on the importance of reflection in teaching and the benefits of goal setting to keep students engaged and promote personal growth. We emphasise the pitfalls of reusing old lesson plans without adaptation and guide educators through reflective questions to plan for the year ahead. 🔗 Links: Download your...

Inspired by Jonathan Haidt's book, 'The Anxious Generation,' Edwina unpacks the impact of technology on children's development. The episode discusses the negative effects of excessive screen time on children's emotional and mental health and provides practical strategies for parents and educators to promote healthier alternatives. Edwina encourages parents and teachers to start small and be intent...

These days just about anyone who wants to get ahead and bring the best out of themselves has a coach. Why should educators be any different? In today's episode Edwina explores why every educator should consider getting a coach and why and how to integrate lessons that bring excitement back into the classroom and tick multiple curriculum outcomes. Edwina also announces her new introductory coaching...

Most of us spend way to much on gifts. Unfortunately, despite our best intentions, most of those gifts end up in landfill. Isn't it time to rethink gift giving? Our gift giving in our families also sets a precedent. What precedent do you want to leave for your children? In today's episode Edwina explores how quality outlives quantity and curates the ultimate list of gifts for the lifelong learner,...

Ten High Impact Teaching Strategies proved to be the most popular episode since beginning Blooming Curious in late November 2024. In this episode Edwina looks at the 6 most popular episodes in the past year. What was more surprising than what was popular, was what was not popular. 🔗 Links: Episode 1 Welcome to Blooming Curious Episode 36 The Most Effective Teaching Strategy for Student Learning E...

When it comes to teaching children how to read, there is only one proven method, and that's through explicit direct instruction. In this episode Edwina unpacks the basic fundamentals of explicit instruction when it comes to the teaching of phonics and phonemic awareness. If we want to give children the gift of knowledge and imagination, we must give them the gift of reading. But for too long, too...

What are the predicted trends in Education for 2025 and beyond? Scouring the internet I found many, so in this episode I curate the top 5 that I think will probably stick and some of the negative impacts that these trends will have on our children. 🔗 Links: Download Inquiry-based learning 101 Research article 🆓 Download the FREE e-guide How to Nurture Natural Curiosity HERE ✍️ Sign up to Get Cur...

Hands-on learning makes learning and understanding concrete for children. This is never more true than when it comes to learning about history. In this episode I talk to the founder of Play in the Past, Nicola Hoad, who brings hands-on incursions to children in schools where they can experience history in their hands. Play in the Past brings historical artefacts into schools for children to experi...

How do we keep children engaged until year end and still teach them something useful AND tick off some of our learning outcomes? Term 4 is the ideal term to hook students into learning with hands-on textile crafts. It's also a great time to have a go at some new teaching strategies that you may have been putting off. Now is the time to have a go and enjoy the process alongside your students. In th...

Key insights into classroom engagement by a recent study conducted by Lego Education followup. In this episode I explore the strategies that will motivate students to take ownership for their own learning, which of course has the ripple effect of better overall engagement not just for our students but for ourselves too. Have you noticed that students have become passive recipients of knowledge? Th...

How do we better engage our students? What leads to better engagement in classrooms? In today's episode Edwina unpacks the 4 key findings that Lego Education found in their study of over 6000 administrators, teachers, parents and students into classroom engagement. Student engagement has far reaching effects beyond the classroom, including teacher retention. This report from Lego Education brings...

At the free event The Inquiry Educator's Summit Kath Murdoch spoke about the qualities of inquiry educators. How educators shouldn't just accept things as they are but be open to question, change, and make adjustments to better meet the learning needs of our students. In this episode I unpack my own take aways from the episode, the most profound being, "Don't be seduced into the shallow waters." T...

At the 2024 Inquiry Educators Summit Trevor MacKenzie, teacher, Education Consultant, speaker and author focused on how we as educators plan for curiosity. How we get children to ask questions and how we use our students' questions as formative evidence to plan the next steps in our students' learning. It all starts with knowing our curriculum and then using our provocations to ignite curiosity an...

If you've ever had an opinion or just wondered about inquiry based learning then this is the episode for you. In this episode, Edwina debunks the comments and misconceptions made by educators about inquiry-based learning on line. Edwina cuts through all the misconceptions and offers practical, honest and straight forward facts around inquiry based learning. If you found this episode interesting or...

Victoria Crossan is a wealth of practical knowledge when it comes to using inquiry as a teaching strategy to nurture children's curiosity. In this episode we unpack how inquiry benefits children's learning, the difference between an invitation and a provocation and how to use what you have to set up provocations. Victoria walks us through how to use provocations to spark children's interests and g...

What does it take to encourage curiosity and how do we keep those young minds curious? This is what we unpack in this episode just in time for back to school! Classrooms and lesson plans are being prepared in anticipation for that first day and all the days that follow. Of course, ensuring that the learning space is welcoming and sparks curiosity and interest is at the forefront of every teacher's...

Why are educators spending a fortune of their own hard earned cash to decorate rooms? Is this really necessary and what are the alternatives? Reflecting on a minimalist approach inspired by Marie Kondo, Edwina emphasizes the importance of reducing overstimulation and focusing on objects that spark curiosity. The episode also touches on the benefits of using natural and second-hand items for creati...

If you're getting ready to go back to school then this episode is your ultimate back to school guide. Today we unpack all the big picture stuff that teachers need to keep in mind when planning and organising for the start of the new school year. Everything from getting organised and why being organised is important, to the best colours for creating a calm learning environment, setting up provocati...

Inquiry based learning, is a methodology, a pedagogy, a strategy, it's not a seperate subject. It's a methodology that is a part of the very fabric of an inquiry educator. Inquiry-based learning encourages thinking, questioning and discovery. It's a strategy that engages all children, because it arms children with the skills they need to uncover questions, work independently, and apply their learn...

In this episode I unpack how to easily and effectively integrate science with English Language Arts and other subjects, thereby making learning not only authentic and relatable for students but a whole lot more fun for educators too. I break down all the important parts we need to consider when planning an integrated curriculum and give examples of how well planned and spontaneous learning experie...

Schools are in crisis. Researchers say that children are not performing as well as they should be, and are falling behind. But who is to blame? The curriculum or the teachers, or something else? Are our teaching strategies ineffective? In this episode we look at what research based evidence says are the most effective teaching strategies for student learning. We dig into High Impact Teaching Strat...