Teachers' Corner

Unlike story starters, which aim to provide a specific opening line, writing prompts offer broader themes or concepts for children to explore. Effective writing prompts are open-ended questions or statements that help make up a toolkit designed to inspire creative, persuasive or narrative writing.

In the world of education, fostering creativity and imagination is just as important as teaching facts and figures. One of the most effective ways I have found to achieve this is through the use of playful story starters in the classroom. These tools not only stimulate children’s creativity but also enhance their writing skills, language and vocabulary, critical thinking and overall engagement.

The 100th day in school will arrive around now for most students. To celebrate this milestone, here are some great, easy to implement ideas with a mathematics spin from guest author, Roisin.

These activities and ideas can help turn your classroom into a dynamic space where learning feels like play, play feels like learning and where engagement, attainment, creativity and collaboration are boosted and celebrated! 

January can be a particularly challenging month due to shorter daylight hours and colder weather, which may impact energy levels and motivation. Thankfully, playful activities can help to stimulate energy and curiosity, countering those mid-winter doldrums and helping to kick start a new year.

Assessing and evaluating play can sometimes be challenging because it often involves unconventional learning experiences that are less structured than traditional methods. However, much like using a less traditional method of teaching, assessment methods can take many forms and include a variety of techniques.

Successfully integrating playful learning into teaching involves creating an environment where both teachers and children can engage with content in an interactive, enjoyable and hands-on way. Here are some of the approaches I have been exploring with my senior classes.

"Play should be in every classroom, for every child, every day." That’s the ideal and the theory in the new Primary Curriculum Framework but how do we make it a reality in every classroom – especially in upper primary?

The research into play and learning consistently highlights the profound role of play in fostering cognitive, social, emotional and physical development in young children. Assistant Principal and Play and Learning Specialist, Gillian Corbally, outlines what we know, and what she learned in her own older classes, about this powerful connection.

There is certainly an abundance of wonderful and compelling research that shows the potential of the powerful connection between play and learning but for me, the most actionable and useful findings came from getting hands on and exploring ideas with the children in my own class who were in the midst of it.

Teacher author Aoife, shares her reflections on how various forms of play are approached in her classroom, from teacher led, to self-directed play.

There has been plenty of chatter and change around play and its re-examined place in our classrooms recently. As teachers, we’re constantly evolving and adapting our classrooms and our delivery of teaching to improve practice but it can be difficult to keep up to date with changes while keeping an eye on everything else. Here is how Roisin has been coping.

With Halloween just around the corner, it is a great time of year to put a spooky slant on your P.E. lessons! Read on for some easily adaptable Halloween themed games to try over the next couple of weeks. By 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.   

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.

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.

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.