Rainbow Skies for Teachers

One kind note can change someone's whole day. And when your students see that for themselves, kindness stops being a poster on the wall and starts being something they actually do. In this episode, we're sharing our favourite ways to bring World Kindness Day into your classroom. The ideas are simple and meaningful, and you can use them all year, not just for one day. We chat about where...

You know the student who stares at a blank page and tells you they’ve got no ideas? Matt Stanton reckons that’s almost never a creativity problem. It’s a confidence problem. Matt is a bestselling children’s author and illustrator, and in this chat he unpacks what actually gets kids writing. Time to think. Room to move. Permission to speak or draw the idea before writing a single word. If creative...

You know the moment… you ask 6 x 7 and half the class starts counting on their fingers while the other half either guesses or just looks at you with a blank stare. We've been there too, which is exactly why we spent months building something to fix it.  In this episode, we're unpacking our brand new Fact Fluency Pathway for multiplication and division. It's a simple 10 minute daily...

Most of us were taught that play is what kids get once the real work is done. Liz reckons that's backwards. Play can be the learning itself, and for kids aged 7 to 11 it's often the quickest way in. Liz is the founder of Playful Learning Games, and in this chat she walks us through games you can run tomorrow with a deck of cards, a handful of dice and a stack of post-it notes. No laminat...

In a world of screens and devices, handwriting can feel a bit old-school. But the research keeps landing on the same thing: when students physically write, they process, organise and remember more. In this episode we’re making the case for keeping the pencil in your math lessons, and showing you exactly how. We get into why writing by hand builds stronger brain connections (there’s a fascinating N...

Ask a room full of grade 3 and 4 teachers what their students are stuck on, and times tables come up every single time. It’s one of the most requested topics from our listener surveys, so we knew it was time to sit down and talk about it (again!). In this episode we’re sharing the simple, low-prep games we actually love for building multiplication fact fluency, the kind you can slot into ten minut...

What do our students really think about the way we teach? We spend so much time planning lessons, building relationships and trying to create classrooms where every child can thrive. But sometimes, the best thing we can do is simply ask a kid what they think. So, that’s exactly what we did! In this episode, we’re handing the mic to 11-year-old Monte to get his completely unfiltered take on what ma...

Ever handed out a “math game” that was really just a worksheet with a dice on top? You’re not alone, and this episode will change how you choose games from now on. This week Ashleigh sits down with James Russo, a maths education researcher from Monash who spends his days in real primary classrooms testing what actually works. James unpacks the difference between a genuine math game and a gamified...

A positive school culture doesn't happen by chance, it grows through the little moments we create every day. In this episode, Ashleigh and Alisha share a simple but powerful five-day staff morale challenge designed to bring more connection, kindness and joy into your school. Whether you're a classroom teacher, team leader or school administrator, these easy-to-implement ideas will help c...

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your students (and yourself) is press the reset button! In this episode, we share their favourite classroom and teacher reset strategies to help you bring calm, focus and fun back into the school day. Whether your class is feeling restless or you're running on empty, these simple ideas will help everyone recharge and return ready to learn. We'll e...

Teaching math isn't just about delivering great lessons. It's about juggling fast finishers, planning engaging activities, differentiating for every learner and somehow finding the time to prepare it all. If you've ever felt like you're reinventing the wheel every math lesson, this episode is for you! In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers , we're tackling nine of t...

Looking for fresh ways to spark mathematical thinking without spending hours preparing? This week we sit down with Jess from The Sydney Teacher to talk about five simple, engaging math warm-ups that you can take straight into your classroom tomorrow. These warmups are fun, flexible, require little to no preparation, and best of all, they're designed with a low floor, high ceiling approach. Th...

Sometimes your class doesn't need another lesson, they just need a reset… In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers , we're sharing 6 quick, engaging brain breaks that are perfect for those moments when your students need to move, laugh and refocus. The best part? They all use one simple classroom resource that you probably already have sitting in a drawer. These games are low-prep,...

What do your students remember most about their time in your classroom? It's probably not the math lesson or the spelling test. It's how you made them feel. This week, Ashleigh sits down with James to explore one of the most powerful aspects of teaching: building genuine relationships that help every student feel seen, valued and connected. From creative morning roll calls and fun call-a...

Book Week is one of the most exciting events on the school calendar, but let's be honest, it can also feel like one more thing to organise! In this episode, we share a collection of fun, low-prep, and creative Book Week ideas that will have your students excited about reading without adding unnecessary stress to your week. From engaging classroom challenges and hands-on crafts to whole-school...

Want to help your students become faster, more confident mathematicians? In this episode, we dive into one of the most powerful number skills you can teach in the early years: doubles and halving. These foundational strategies help students move beyond counting, build number fluency and free up valuable brainpower for more complex mathematical thinking. Best of all? Learning doesn't have to f...

Have you ever felt guilty for switching off after school hours? Like being a “good teacher” means always being available, always saying yes, and always putting yourself last? In this honest and empowering episode, we sit down with veteran educator and author Erin Sponaugle to unpack the reality of teacher burnout, boundary setting, and why protecting your wellbeing is essential, not selfish. Drawi...

Looking for simple ways to get your students moving while reinforcing important math concepts? In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we're taking maths learning outdoors with one of our favourite classroom resources: UNO cards! After the incredible response to our outdoor learning episode, we wanted to share practical ways to combine movement, fresh air, and meaningful math practice....

Student wellbeing isn’t an “extra”… it is the foundation for everything else in education! In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers , we sit down with Ashley McGrath from OurFutures Institute to explore why wellbeing needs to move from the sidelines to the centre of every school conversation. Ashley shares practical insights into how student and teacher wellbeing directly impact learning, eng...

Do your students freeze when faced with multiplication facts? Or perhaps they're relying solely on memorisation without really understanding what multiplication means? In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we're diving into one of the most important building blocks of math: multiplication fluency. We unpack what fluency actually looks like in the classroom, why so many students...

The wait is over… UNO Version 4 is officially HERE! Today we are taking you behind the scenes of our brand-new UNO Version 4 math activity packs and sharing all the fun, engaging, and hands-on learning opportunities included in these brand new resources. From our brand-new pre-primary pack for 3–4-year-olds to upper primary activities exploring Fibonacci sequences, elapsed time, multiplication, pr...

Ever wondered why some teaching strategies just seem to click… while others fall flat? In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa Riegel, who brings a fresh and fascinating perspective on how the brain really learns, and how we can use that knowledge to become more intentional, effective, and empowered educators. This conversation is packed with those “aha” moments that help you connect what you’re alr...

This is a very honest (and slightly spicy!) episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers ! We are sharing our biggest hot takes about teaching and education right now. From report cards and staff meetings to screen time, teaching slides, homework, and math textbooks, nothing is off limits! We’re diving into the practices we think need a rethink, the systems that may be adding unnecessary pressure to teac...

Burnout in teaching is real and if you’ve ever felt constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’re running on empty, this episode is for you. In this honest and eye-opening conversation, Ashleigh sits down with burnout coach Filly to unpack what burnout actually looks like in teachers, why it happens so often in our profession, and the practical ways you can start protecting your energy today....

Today, we are diving into how to teach kindness in the classroom all year round and why small, intentional moments can have a lasting impact on your students. Teaching kindness is something we all have ‘on the list’. So, we wanted to share practical strategies and activities that help students understand, practise, and model kindness in authentic ways. From creative tasks to whole-class activities...