Manage December excitement with Christmas Countdown activities
Teacher author Aoife Doyle has shared an alternative way of engaging children in the festive period using envelopes with activities as an advent countdown.
Christmas is coming!
Check out some seasonal theme ideas!
Christmas can often become a time of endless treats and gifts. Incorporating some of these activities suggested by teacher author, Aoife, will help to teach children about those in need, especially those struggling in the festive season.
Here’s a few ideas I have used for P.E. Each has a little Christmas spin. These will hopefully make your lessons a little more focussed and retain attention and engagement levels... and perhaps help the children to burn off some of that excited energy!
Need a bunch of lesson ideas for December? Here are some Gaeilge, Maths, English and Science topic ideas enhanced with a Christmas twist from teacher author, Aoife Doyle.
Teacher author, Roisín O Rourke, has used the story of The Nutcracker as a lovely stimulus for these Christmas Art and Shapes & Geometry activity ideas.
Teacher author, Roisín O Rourke, has shared some ideas for some 'Christmas Magic'. Here are some you might want to try with younger children.
Teacher author Aoife Doyle has shared an alternative way of engaging children in the festive period using envelopes with activities as an advent countdown.
What's The Math-er Podcasts
Expert interviews packed with ideas, advice and insights to help you make the most of the new Mathematics Curriculum
Get inside the new Mathematics curriculum with What's The Math-er. This second episode of series two is packed with inspiration. Lisa Walsh interviews Deputy Principal and teacher, Orla Byrne, who has been working with PDST and Oide for the past seven years.
The first episode of a new season of content packed podcasts to help teachers explore and integrate the new Mathematics Curriculum. Lisa Walsh interviews maths researcher and curriculum coordinator, Dr Thérèse Dooley.
First episode of an in-depth podcast series to help you make the most of the new Mathematics Curriculum. Episode 1 features an interview with mathematics author and teacher, Patrick Neary.
Lisa Walsh interviews mathematics education expert, Dr Aisling Leavy. This broad ranging, two part interview covers STEM, using data and many other topics.
Inquiry based learning is a powerful way of learning that lends itself to many topics but it also has it's challenges. Lisa Walsh unpicks approaches with teacher, author & lecturer, Sarah Byrne
Lisa Walsh interviews Dr. Siún Nic Mhuirí in this episode. They cover Maths talk, the Maths4All project, Shape Space and Measures in the new curriculum, assessment and ideas for outdoor learning.
Teaching principal, Edward Fitzgerald, talks to Lisa Walsh in a topic packed podcast that dives deep into multigrade classroom teaching, differentiation opportunities through problem solving and supporting gifted students.
A focus on wellbeing
Wellbeing is a hot topic at the moment and is set to remain that way as it is incorporated into the new Primary Curriculum Framework from Junior Infants all the way to Sixth Class and beyond. Guest Teacher Author, Roisín O Rourke, shares some of the ways she has integrated the theme into her class.
While we are naturally focussed on the well-being of our students. it is good to remember that the best way to be able to do that is to make sure we take care of ourselves too. Teacher author Aoife shares some of her TLC tips for teachers.
Children thrive when happy. Maintaining a calm and relaxing environment builds a positive and productive learning atmosphere. Guest teacher author, Roisin, has shared some of he tips on managing wellbeing in the classroom.
Special Education Teaching
Our guest SENCO principal shares their ideas for effective SET
Starting a role in SET may seem overwhelming, but with the right information and a collaborative approach, you can create a positive and impactful learning environment for those in your care.
Timetabling in special education requires thoughtful planning and continuous collaboration with class teachers. The goal is to integrate support seamlessly into the overall educational experience, ensuring children receive a well-rounded and inclusive education.
To effectively support children with special educational needs, SET teachers must understand the various levels of support available and how to implement them.
As a busy teacher, the prospect of diving into lengthy professional reports can feel overwhelming, however, these documents are packed with actionable insights.
After gathering all necessary information from previous teachers, arranging support time, reading relevant reports, and assessing last year's targets, it's time to prepare the new support plan for the coming year. This crucial step involves a structured approach to ensure each student's needs are met effectively.
Creating a Classroom Support Plan (CSP) is a collaborative effort between the Special Education Teacher (SET) and the classroom teachers to ensure that each pupil's unique needs are met. Here we outline the steps involved in developing an effective CSP, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and detailed planning.
Building on the foundation of a Classroom Support Plan, the next steps in providing comprehensive support to pupils with special educational needs involve creating a School Support Plan (SSP) or a School Support Plus (SSP+) Plan.
Ready to take the lead?
Teachers' Corner's school based leader authors and the Women in Learning and Leadership (WILL) network, share advice for those thinking of taking the next step in their career
Aoife has been a classroom teacher for over 20 years but has recently taken the leap into leadership. She now considers herself an NQDP (Newly Qualified Deputy Principal). Here is her story.
WILL (Women In Learning & Leadership) is a fast growing network for aspiring and inspiring female teacher leaders in education to support, share and learn from each other. Over 2,000 members have joined this new and dynamic community in Irish education.
Even the strongest and most capable people can face crippling self-doubt. By thinking differently and challenging negative patterns of thinking, this can be overcome and valuable professional insights gained.
Taking a step toward leadership may feel like beginning a journey alone but there are others on the same path or those who will help. Rachel O’ Connor & Dr. Kathyrn Corbett – co-founders of WILL Network, share their perspectives on the power of networking.
Does the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of learning in Ireland intrigue you? WILL Network founders, Dr. Kathryn Corbett and Rachel O' Connor, offer a roadmap for those aspiring to take the next step in their education journey.
Thinking about taking a leap into education leadership? WILL network founders, Dr Kathryn Corbett & Rachel O' Connor, highlight those leadership skills we use as teachers every day.
Discover more on Teachers' Corner
Random picks. Use the menu and Search for more!
All schools engaged with the new Maths Curriculum via Oide training in the 2023-2024 school year. It's now time to start putting the theory and ideas into practice for guest teacher author, Aoife.
Teacher author, Aoife, explains how she has used Discovery Tables in her classroom to approach some of the key ideas laid out in the new Primary Language Framework.
This is great activity to spread over the months of a school year. Guest teacher author, Aoife, shares her approach to this effective and engaging way to develop home and school links.
Children absolutely love the adventure aspect of this task and it is a cheap and fun alternative to an expensive school tour.
The mini dry wipe board with its intrinsic impermanence, can balance out a reliance on worksheets and submitting ideas for marking in maths, instead allowing children to explore 'what could it be?' and 'what if?' ideas with less risk, boosting their confidence.
A shared log of what has been learned helps children connect ideas and lessons across time and fosters a collaborative environment to help children construct more meaningful knowledge. Guest author, Roisín, reflects on a 'reflection tool' she has been exploring in her class.
As teachers, it is important to know if the tools and approaches we use are having the effect we want. The humble dry wipe board can provide a simple and convenient tool to quickly get into the minds of children and for the whole class to provide and share their input and feedback. So what impact can they have?
Dry wipe boards are versatile tools that can greatly enhance learning in the classroom. Their interactive and erasable nature makes them ideal for a variety of activities. Here are a bunch of practical ideas to use dry wipe boards to boost student engagement and participation.
We live in a diverse but globally connected community. Guest teacher author, Roisín O Rourke shares how her school has navigated bringing the rich and fascinating wider world into their classrooms.
The new curriculum promises to provide time for more playful and holistic approaches to learning. The outdoor environment, whether just around the school grounds, or further afield, can provide a fantastic resource to explore this opportunity.
When the Summer holidays are looming, that can only mean one thing - Sports Day! Guest author Aoife Doyle, shares some ideas for making the most of the day!
Guest author, Aoife Doyle, has compiled a list of activities that she uses to conclude a year of learning with her pupils. They can all be adapted up or down, depending on the age group of the pupils that you teach.
