6 Proven ways to approach new curriculum programming for education

by Katrina | Apr 24, 2024 | Leadership, Pedagogy

6 Proven ways to approach new curriculum programming for education

When a new curriculum comes in, teachers can feel overwhelmed trying to work out how to approach new curriculum programming for education. If a new curriculum is to be implemented at the beginning of the school year, then the previous year is then spent programming the syllabus into a teaching program. But where do you start? What method do you use to program?

Depending on your school context, programming may be something that is done individually, or as part of a team.

In this blog post, we will explore different ways to approach new curriculum programming for education and explore the pros and cons of each.

new curriculum programming for education

approaches to new curriculum programming in education

New curriculum programming – key definitions

Programming languages in the educational sector can be confusing. Here is an overview of some key terms and definitions in relation to new curriculum programming:

Curriculum: The overall plan or framework designed to guide what students are expected to learn within an educational institution or program. It includes the content, learning objectives, some instructional methods (such as experiments), and assessments requirements.

Syllabus: a syllabus refers to a document or set of documents that outline the content, learning outcomes, assessment methods, and other relevant information for a particular subject or course of study. Syllabuses are developed by educational authorities such as NESA or ACARA, and they provide guidance for teachers, students, and parents on what is to be taught and learned within a specific subject area.

Program: Programming is the process of selecting and sequencing learning experiences which enable students to engage with syllabus outcomes and develop subject specific skills and knowledge. The process of programming is typically shared and offers an opportunity for collaboration, professional reflection and evaluation.

Unit: A self-contained segment of instruction within a larger program, typically focused on a specific topic or theme. A unit is designed to provide in-depth exploration and understanding of a particular subject area or concept. It often consists of multiple lessons or activities organized around a central idea, learning objectives, and assessment criteria. Units help structure the delivery of instruction and facilitate coherent learning experiences for students.

Scope & sequence: How the units are organised in a program along with where they align with assessments. These also take into account the number of weeks / holidays etc.

Learning Sequence: The ordered arrangement of instructional activities or experiences designed to facilitate learning and skill development over time. A learning sequence outlines the progression of concepts, skills, or tasks that students engage with to achieve specific learning objectives. It may include a variety of instructional methods, such as lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, and assessments, arranged in a logical and sequential manner to support student learning and comprehension.

Lesson Plan: A detailed outline or guide for a single instructional session or class period. A lesson plan typically includes specific learning objectives, instructional strategies, resources, assessment methods, and timing for each component of the lesson. It serves as a roadmap for teachers to effectively deliver instruction, manage classroom activities, and assess student understanding. Lesson plans can vary in format and detail but generally provide a structured framework for teaching and learning.

new curriculum programming for education

What should new curriculum programming include?

It is important to know where you are headed when starting down the road of new curriculum programming.

By the end, you should have a set of programs which:

- are designed towards a particular grade level
- reflect the needs, interests and abilities of students
- are based on syllabus outcomes and include a variety of teaching, learning and embedded assessment activities, strategies and resources to address the learning needs of all students
- include instructional materials and resources
- are flexible and dynamic documents that change in response to student learning needs, school context, teacher evaluation and feedback
- include adjustments for students with disability
- reflect school and sector priorities, values and initiatives
- are a record of how syllabus requirements are met.

Things to consider when programming for new curriculum

Systemic requirements of school – is there a program template you need to use?
Have you got the most up to date syllabus?
Timing – weeks in the term – how many lessons do you actually have once excursions, camps etc are taken out?
Context – spirituality or religious values to include?
Focus on what the students are doing.
Activities are the last thing that should be sort when programming.

Things not to do when programming

Don’t over program – it isn’t meant to be an instructional document. Yes link to resources, but don’t mistake it for a lesson sequence or write paragraphs of what the teacher should be doing. Keep it simple programs or it will be too hard for teachers to follow.
Don’t include resources you don’t have easy access to.
Don’t reinvent the wheel – do use exemplars and use networks and collaborative programming opportunities

new curriculum programming for education

6 Approaches to new curriculum programming

There are multiple ways to go about programming. This may be up to you, but at this stage, more likely it will either be decided by your school or faculty leader as to which approach they want to take.

If you are a faculty leader, make sure you have a clear direction that you want your faculty to take. You will need to assess your faculty members’ programming skills and experience, and how you are going to support them in this task and teach them the new skills they may need.

So let’s explore some different strategies we can use for new curriculum programming…

1. Content Programming

This strategy focuses on organizing and delivering educational content in a structured manner.

Content programming involves basically following the curriculum as a program, where content is grouped by substance

For example, in grade 7 science, all biology would be taught together, chemistry, earth science etc.

For example, in grade 9 maths, all trigonometry would be taught together, algebra together etc.

Content Programming Pros:

This is the most straight way forward of programming and often the syllabus has done most the work in terms of organization for you.
Provides a structured approach to teaching and learning.
Ensures coverage of essential content and topics.
Facilitates clear progression and understanding for students.

Content Programming Cons:

May lead to a rigid curriculum that lacks flexibility.
Might prioritize content delivery over deeper understanding or application.
Can be challenging to update or adapt as educational needs evolve.

new curriculum programming for education

2. Thematic Programming

Thematic programming involves organizing educational content around central themes or topics.

For example, in grade 7 science, the theme might be ‘WaterWorld’. This theme incorporates elements of earth science and chemistry and physics.

This particular unit included the water cycle, states of matter, and separation of mixtures within the ‘WaterWorld’ context.

In maths, there could be a program with the theme of ‘roller coasters’ where a variety of topics in maths are combined in the theme e.g. angles, trigonometry, algebra, etc. This could be taken further and include scientific concepts of speed and gravity etc.

Thematic Programming Pros:

Thematic programming helps students to connect related concepts and see the bigger picture within a particular domain.
Encourages interdisciplinary thinking and problem-solving.
Enhances student engagement by relating content to real-world contexts and practical applications

Thematic Programming Cons:

Can be left with weird left over bits and pieces that are hard to fit into a theme nicely.
Can be difficult for students to understand the different parts of the learning – for example, in science they may not understand physics, chemistry and biology for choices in stage 6.
Might overlook depth in individual topics in favor of breadth across themes.

3. Gamification and Game-Based Learning

This involves incorporating game elements, such as points, badges, and leaderboards, into educational activities to motivate and engage students. Game-based learning uses actual games or simulations as learning tools to teach concepts, promote problem-solving, and enhance retention.

Gamification Pros:

This is a great way to Increase Engagement: Gamification makes learning more enjoyable and interactive, which can lead to higher levels of engagement among students.
Game elements such as points, badges, and rewards can motivate students to actively participate in learning activities and strive for mastery.
Gamification allows for personalized learning experiences, where students can progress at their own pace and receive immediate feedback.
Games often require problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, which can be beneficial for cognitive development.
Multiplayer or collaborative games promote social interaction and teamwork among students, fostering communication and collaboration skills.

Gamification Cons:

In some cases, students may become overly focused on earning rewards rather than engaging with the learning material for its intrinsic value.
Poorly designed gamification elements or overly complex game mechanics may distract students from the learning objectives.
Gamification may not be suitable for all subjects or learning goals, and its effectiveness can vary depending on student preferences and age groups.
Designing and implementing game design learning experiences can be time-consuming when new curriculum programming.
Maintaining student interest and motivation over the long term may be challenging, especially if the novelty of gamification wears off.
Not greatly suited to students who struggle to keep up.

new curriculum programming for education

4. PBL Programming (Project-Based Learning)

PBL new curriculum programming involves learning through hands-on projects that simulate real-world challenges.

In new curriculum programming, PBL involves structuring courses around project-based assignments. For example, instead of just learning syntax and concepts, students might work on projects like building a website, developing a mobile app, or analyzing datasets. PBL programming encourages active learning, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity. It helps students apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, preparing them for real-world situations.

PBL Pros:

Engages students in active, hands-on learning experiences.
Develops critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and collaboration skills.
Provides opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world problems

PBL Cons:

Requires significant time and effort for planning and implementation.
May be challenging to assess and evaluate student learning effectively.
Could encounter resistance from students or educators unfamiliar with the PBL approach.

new curriculum programming for education

5. Flipped Learning Classroom

In a flipped classroom model, traditional lecture-based instruction is replaced with interactive, self-paced learning activities outside of class, such as watching videos or reading materials. Class time is then used for collaborative discussions, problem-solving, and hands-on activities. This works particularly well for high school students studying advanced topics such as organic chemistry, where students need more input from the teacher during the application of the learning.

Flipped Learning Pros:

Flipped learning encourages active participation and engagement, as students take responsibility for their own learning outside of class.
Students have the flexibility to access learning materials at their own pace and convenience, allowing for personalized learning experiences.
In-class time can be used more effectively for collaborative projects, discussions, and hands-on experience, rather than passive lecture-based instruction.
Teachers can provide targeted support and feedback to students during face-to-face interactions, addressing their specific learning needs and challenges. This is particularly helpful when attempting problem solving activities.
Research suggests that flipped learning can lead to better retention of course material, as students have more opportunities to review and reinforce concepts.

Flipped Learning Cons:

Flipped learning relies heavily on technology and internet access, which may pose challenges for students with limited resources or connectivity.
Some students may struggle with self-directed learning and require additional guidance and support to navigate the flipped learning environment effectively.
Flipping a classroom requires significant upfront preparation, including creating or curating learning materials, designing activities, and communicating expectations to students.
Assessing student learning in a flipped classroom setting can be more complex, as traditional assessment methods may not fully capture the depth of student understanding.
Flipped learning represents a departure from traditional teaching methods, and some students or educators may be resistant to this shift in instructional approach.

new curriculum programming for education

6. Backwards by Design

Backwards by Design, or Backward Design, is an instructional design approach where educators start with the end goals in mind and then work backward to design the curriculum and assessments. It is an approach to planning that helps us meet standards while pursuing goals related to understanding.

Step 1: The first step is to identify the big ideas / enduring understanding
Step 2: The next step is to determine what does success look like? What are essential questions students should be able to answer? what are the foundational skills needed to succeed?
Step 3: How will you assess success? How will you assess student progress to the Learning intention?
Step 4: How will you plan learning to lead to success? (programming)

In new curriculum programming for education, educators using backward design would first identify the big idea / enduring understanding for the topic. They would then identify desired learning outcomes and skills that students should acquire by the end of the course. Then, they would design assessments and projects that allow students to demonstrate those skills. Finally, they would plan the instructional activities and content to support students in achieving those outcomes. This approach ensures that the curriculum is aligned with the desired learning goals and focuses on meaningful learning experiences.

new curriculum programming for education

Conclusion

New curriculum programming can be a daunting task. It is important to decide on an approach to use so you have a clear direction.

Which approach to new curriculum programming will you take?

new curriculum programming for education

New Curriculum Programming References:

Bergmann, J., & Sams, A. (2014). Flipped Learning : Gateway to Student Engagement. International Society For Tech In Ed.
Katrina A Harte. (2016). Creating interactive, collaborative teaching programs with Google Apps. The Australian Educational Leader, 38(1), 53–58.
Kim, S., Song, K., Lockee, B. B., & Burton, J. K. (2018). Gamification in learning and education : enjoy learning like gaming. Springer.
Sharp, H., Hudson, S., Weatherby-fell, N., Charteris, J., Brown, B., Lodge, J., McKay-Brown., Sempowicz, T., Buchanan, R., Imig, S. Hudson, P., Vergano, M., & Walsh, M. (2021). Introduction to education. Oxford.
Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design (2nd ed.). Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Katrina is a multi-award winning educator from Sydney, Australia who specialises in creating resources that support teachers and engage students.

See the quality and browse her best selling resources below on either The Animated Teacher website or on Teachers Pay Teachers:

Shop on website

Shop on TPT

How to start an inspiring teacher blog in 2024

by Katrina | Apr 16, 2024 | Blogging

How to start an inspiring teacher blog in 2024

Are you a passionate educator eager to share your insights and inspirations with fellow teachers and students worldwide? Starting a teacher blog can be an excellent platform to amplify your voice, share your experiences, and inspire others in the teaching community.

I started my teacher blog back in 2021 because I wanted to have a wider reach for the teachers I could help and support. I am very passionate about supporting new teachers in their teacher journey, and creating resources that save teachers time and effort so they can find a manageable work/life balance.

After starting the blog I’ve found it to be immensely helpful for my own professional development. It helps me to be reflective and thoughtful about my practice and I feel driven to try new things. If you are an experienced teacher, or even a new teacher who wants to document their journey in teaching, then creating a teacher blog may be for you!

Disclaimer: This blog post, ’how to start an inspiring teacher blog in 2024’, may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something from these links I may get a small commission to help support this blog (with no extra cost to you). Read full disclaimer here.

Education blogs are a great way to impart knowledge and expertise while forming a sense of community and helping a fellow educator.

No matter how many years of experience you have, hearing your experiences and learnings from being a classroom teacher or leader could benefit many. Writing a teacher blog is not just for english teachers who like writing. It is for anyone who is passionate about teaching and likes to be reflective in their practice.

Misconceptions about starting an educational blog

Before I get into how to start a teacher blog, I want to cover a few misconceptions that I had when I first started. Hopefully you find these encouraging as you start your teacher blogging journey.

1. You have to be savvy with the use of technology: While some technical knowledge can be helpful, you don’t need to be a coding guru to start a teacher blog. With user-friendly platforms like WordPress, Blogger, or Squarespace, you can create a professional-looking blog without any coding skills. These platforms offer templates and intuitive interfaces that make the process straightforward for beginners.

2. It’s Too Late to Start a Blog: With millions of blogs already online, some people believe that it’s too late to start a new one. However, the internet is vast, and there is always room for new voices and perspectives. Plus, niche blogging allows you to target specific audiences and carve out your own space in the blogging world. As long as you have unique insights, valuable content, and a genuine passion for your topic, there’s still plenty of opportunity to succeed with your own teacher blog.

3. You Need to Be an Expert: While expertise certainly helps, you don’t need to be an expert in your niche to start a blog. Many successful bloggers are self-taught enthusiasts who document their learning journey and share their experiences with their audience. As long as you’re passionate about your topic and willing to put in the effort to learn and grow, you can create valuable content that resonates with your readers.

4. You Need to Post Every Day: Consistency is essential for growing your blog, but you don’t necessarily need to post every day. Quality content is more important than quantity. It’s better to focus on creating well-researched, engaging posts that provide value to your audience rather than churning out content daily. Find a posting schedule that works for you and stick to it consistently.

5. You should wait for the right time: Let’s be real – as a teacher, there will never be a ‘perfect time’ to start a teacher blog. You can always fill your time with more lesson planning, grading and creating of activities. If you want to start a blog then you’re in the right place – just start! You only need to commit to the level you want to commit. That might be writing one post a month. It could be one a week. You do what works for you!

How to start a teacher blog in 10 steps

If you want to start an educational blog but you don’t know where to start, these 10 steps will talk you through the process of how to get started.

1. Define Your Niche: Before diving in, pinpoint your niche within the teaching realm. Are you passionate about STEM education, early childhood development, special education, or perhaps innovative teaching methods? Identifying your niche will help you tailor your content and attract a specific audience. Below are 30 niches for teacher educators to start a teacher blog in:

Early Childhood Education: Focus on teaching strategies, activities, and resources tailored to young children.
STEM Education: Explore innovative approaches to teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Special Education: Provide resources, tips, and strategies for teaching students with special needs.
Classroom Management: Share techniques and best practices for maintaining a positive and productive classroom environment.
Literacy Instruction: Offer insights into effective methods for teaching reading, writing, and literacy skills.
Educational Technology: Discuss the integration of technology tools and resources into the classroom.
Project-Based Learning: Explore project-based learning approaches and share project ideas and resources.
Differentiated Instruction: Provide strategies for catering to diverse learning needs within the classroom.
Inclusive Education: Advocate for inclusive practices and share resources for creating inclusive classrooms.
Teacher Well-being: Focus on teacher self-care, mental health, and well-being strategies.
Parent-Teacher Collaboration: Offer tips and resources for fostering positive relationships between teachers and parents.
Gifted Education: Provide resources and strategies for meeting the needs of gifted and talented students.
English Language Learners (ELL): Share tips and strategies for supporting students who are learning English as a second language.
Global Education: Explore global perspectives in education and share resources for fostering global competence.
Arts Education: Focus on integrating visual arts, music, theater, and dance into the curriculum.
Outdoor Education: Advocate for outdoor learning experiences and share ideas for incorporating nature into teaching.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Provide resources and activities for promoting social and emotional skills development.
Assessment and Evaluation: Discuss best practices for assessment, grading, and evaluation in education.
Teacher Professional Development: Offer resources and tips for ongoing teacher growth and development.
Culturally Responsive Teaching: Explore strategies for integrating students’ cultural backgrounds into teaching practices.
Mindfulness in Education: Advocate for mindfulness practices in schools and share strategies for incorporating mindfulness into the classroom.
21st Century Skills: Focus on teaching skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
Outdoor and Environmental Education: Share ideas for incorporating outdoor and environmental education into the curriculum.
Virtual and Remote Teaching: Provide tips and strategies for teaching in virtual or remote learning environments.
Educational Leadership: Offer insights into educational leadership practices, school administration, and professional growth.
Character Education: Focus on teaching character traits such as responsibility, respect, and empathy.
Health and Physical Education: Provide resources and activities for promoting health and physical fitness in schools.
Multicultural Education: Explore strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion in the classroom.
School Leaders: Discuss approaches to leading in school environments.
Educational Book Reviews: Write book reviews of educational books to help fellow educators decide which ones are worth reading for their own professional development.

2. Craft Your Unique Voice: What sets your blog apart from the rest? Define your unique voice and style. Whether it’s your humor, personal anecdotes, or deep insights, infuse your personality into your writing to captivate your readers.

3. Choose a Platform: Decide on a blogging platform that suits your needs and technical abilities. Popular options include WordPress, Blogger, or Squarespace. Consider factors like customization options, ease of use, and cost before making your choice. As part of this, you may also like to secure your unique domain name that will be part of your brand.

4. Create Compelling Content: Content is king! Brainstorm teacher blog post ideas that resonate with your target audience. Share lesson plans, teaching strategies, classroom management tips, personal reflections, or educational resources. Aim to provide value and inspiration with each post.

5. Establish a Consistent Schedule: Consistency is key to building a loyal readership. Determine a posting schedule that works for you, whether it’s once a week or bi-monthly, and stick to it. Consistent updates keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.

6. Optimize for SEO: Increase your blog’s visibility by optimizing it for search engines. Research relevant keywords related to education and incorporate them naturally into your blog posts, titles, and meta descriptions. This helps improve your chances of ranking higher in search engine results pages.

I wish I started with this instead of waiting until I was more established.

RankIQ is an absolute gamechanger for bloggers in terms of optimizing SEO and finding keywords which your blog will actually rank for. It has made such a difference for my organic blog traffic and I wish I got onto it sooner!

7. Engage with Your Audience: Foster a sense of community by actively engaging with your audience. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and encourage discussions. Building relationships with your readers not only boosts loyalty but also provides valuable insights into their needs and preferences.

8. Utilize Visuals: Capture your readers’ attention with visually appealing content. Incorporate images, infographics, videos, and charts to complement your written posts. Visuals not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your teacher blog but also aid in conveying complex ideas more effectively.

9. Promote Your Teacher Blog: Spread the word about your teacher blog through various channels. Share your posts on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook group, and LinkedIn. Collaborate with other educators, guest blog on relevant sites, and participate in online communities to increase your blog’s reach. Connect with other teacher bloggers and participate in networks.

10. Track Your Progress: Monitor your teacher blog performance and track key metrics such as website traffic, engagement, and subscriber growth. Analyze what’s working well and what can be improved upon. Use analytics tools like Google Analytics to gain valuable insights and refine your blogging strategy accordingly.

Conclusion

Great teachers have so much wisdom and expertise to share with their fellow educators. Teaching blogs are a great way to impart that knowledge and support other teachers in their teaching journey.

So are you going to start your own teacher blog?

Katrina is a multi-award winning educator from Sydney, Australia who specialises in creating resources that support teachers and engage students.

See the quality and browse her best selling resources below on either The Animated Teacher website or on Teachers Pay Teachers:

Shop on website

Shop on TPT

150 Inspirational words of encouragement for teachers

by Katrina | Apr 9, 2024 | Leadership, Teacher gift guides

150 Inspirational words of encouragement for teachers

Teaching is a hard profession, and it’s pretty clear that teachers aren’t in the profession for the money. But something that can really fill a teacher’s cup is a few words of encouragement for teachers.

Whether it be from fellow teachers, executive members, parents, students or community members, words of encouragement for teachers hold a lot of weight and can make all the difference for a teacher who is weighed down in the thick of it.

This blog post will outline 150 words of encouragement for teachers including inspirational quotes for teachers, phrases of thankfulness, and words of encouragement for teachers.

words of encouragement for teachers

Teaching is not just a profession; a teacher’s job is a calling that requires passion, dedication, and resilience. As educators, you play a crucial role in shaping the future generation. There are days when the challenges seem insurmountable, but remember, your impact goes beyond textbooks and classrooms.

It has been said many times before, but it needs to be acknowledged always – that teachers wear so many hats every day other than just the label ‘teacher’. They are role models, experts, mentors, counsellors, nurses, providers, carers, innovators, safety officers, disaster mitigators, coaches… the list could go on.

But even the most brilliant teachers need reassurance and words of encouragement for teachers to remind them that what they are doing makes a lasting impact in young minds. In the good times, but even more so in the tough times.

words of encouragement for teachers

150 Inspirational words of encouragement for teachers

Here are 150 inspirational words of encouragement for teachers to uplift and empower you on your teaching journey:

1. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

2. Embrace each day with enthusiasm; you’re planting seeds for a brighter future.

3. “The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” – Mark Van Doren

4. Your dedication shapes minds, molds character, and inspires greatness.

5. “A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” – Brad Henry

6. Your influence goes beyond grades; you’re shaping lifelong learners.

7. “Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.” – Unknown

8. In the classroom, you are not just imparting knowledge; you are fostering dreams.

9. “The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.” – Alexandra K. Trenfor

10. Your impact is immeasurable, leaving a lasting impression on hearts and minds.

11. “Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.” – Bob Talbert

12. Each lesson is a chance to make a difference; embrace the opportunity.

13. “The influence of a good teacher can never be erased.” – Unknown

14. Strive for progress, not perfection; your efforts make a significant impact.

15. “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” – William Arthur Ward

16. Your passion for education creates ripples that extend far beyond the classroom.

17. “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” – Confucius

18. Celebrate small victories, for they pave the way to greater achievements.

19. “I am not a teacher, but an awakener.” – Robert Frost

20. “Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.” – Unknown

21. Cherish the moments of connection; they are the building blocks of a thriving learning environment.

22. “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” – Henry Adams

23. Stay resilient; your impact may not be immediate, but it is profound.

24. “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats

25. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation.

26. “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King

27. Your dedication today paves the way for a brighter and more enlightened society tomorrow.

28. “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey

29. Your passion for learning is contagious; it ignites a thirst for knowledge in your students.

30. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

31. Remember, you’re not just teaching subjects; you’re nurturing future leaders.

32. “A teacher’s purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image.” – Unknown

33. Stay curious; your enthusiasm for learning is a beacon for your students.

34. “To teach is to learn twice.” – Joseph Joubert

35. Your classroom is a canvas, and you are the artist shaping the future.

36. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

37. Find joy in the journey; your passion is contagious.

38. “Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.” – Colleen Wilcox

39. Your impact goes beyond textbooks; you’re nurturing lifelong learners.

40. “Teachers can change lives with just the right mix of chalk and challenges.” – Joyce Meyer

41. Celebrate the uniqueness of each student; you’re molding diverse thinkers.

42. “Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.” – Bob Talbert

43. Your influence transcends the boundaries of the classroom.

44. “The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.” – Alexandra K. Trenfor

45. Continue inspiring; your students are the architects of tomorrow.

46. “The influence of a good teacher can never be erased.” – Unknown

47. Cultivate a love for learning; it’s a gift that keeps on giving.

48. “I am not a teacher, but an awakener.” – Robert Frost

49. Your dedication transforms classrooms into incubators of knowledge.

50. “Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.” – Unknown

Use these inspirational teacher quotes on the inside of a card, on a poster, framed or engraved on a necklace or pen as words of encouragement for teachers.

Quotes from famous educators, philosophers and visionaries make for great words of encouragement for teachers.

words of encouragement for teachers

51. Cherish the magic moments that make teaching worthwhile.

52. “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” – Henry Adams

53. Embrace the power of encouragement; it’s a force multiplier.

54. “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats

55. Every challenge is an opportunity for growth; keep pushing boundaries.

56. “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King

57. Your commitment shapes the leaders of tomorrow.

58. “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey

59. Stay passionate; your enthusiasm fuels the love for learning.

60. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

61. Your classroom is a sanctuary for growth and discovery.

62. “A teacher’s purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image.” – Unknown

63. Embrace change; it’s the only constant in education.

64. “To teach is to learn twice.” – Joseph Joubert

65. Your impact transcends grades; you’re shaping character.

66. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

67. Find joy in the small victories; they build the foundation of success.

68. “Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.” – Colleen Wilcox

69. Keep inspiring; your influence extends beyond the classroom.

70. “Teachers can change lives with just the right mix of chalk and challenges.” – Joyce Meyer

71. Embrace diversity; it’s the fabric of a rich learning environment.

72. “Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.” – Bob Talbert

73. Your impact is the ripple that transforms the educational landscape.

74. “The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.” – Alexandra K. Trenfor

75. Continue kindling the flame of curiosity; it sparks innovation.

76. “The influence of a good teacher can never be erased.” – Unknown

77. Celebrate resilience; it’s the bedrock of successful teaching.

78. “I am not a teacher, but an awakener.” – Robert Frost

79. Your commitment fosters an environment of continuous learning.

80. “Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.” – Unknown

81. Recognize the unique potential in each student; it’s your superpower.

82. “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” – Henry Adams

83. Be the lighthouse guiding students through the storms of challenges.

84. “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats

85. Your enthusiasm is the compass guiding students towards a brighter future.

86. “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King

87. Stay committed to the pursuit of knowledge; it’s a lifelong journey.

88. “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey

89. Your passion is the spark that lights the path to success.

90. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

91. Nurture creativity; it’s the heartbeat of a vibrant classroom.

92. “A teacher’s purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image.” – Unknown

93. Embrace the power of collaboration; it fosters a community of learners.

94. “To teach is to learn twice.” – Joseph Joubert

95. Your dedication shapes the foundation of a thriving society.

96. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

97. Instill a love for learning; it’s a gift that lasts a lifetime.

98. “Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.” – Colleen Wilcox

99. Your influence echoes in the corridors of knowledge.

100. “Teachers can change lives with just the right mix of chalk and challenges.” – Joyce Meyer

words of encouragement for teachers

Words of encouragement for teachers are more than just that. They acknowledge the effort and sacrifice many teachers make in order to fulfil the needs of their students.

words of encouragement for teachers

101. Embrace the uniqueness of each student; it’s the key to unlocking potential.

102. “Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.” – Bob Talbert

103. Cultivate a culture of curiosity; it’s the heartbeat of a thriving classroom.

104. “The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.” – Alexandra K. Trenfor

105. Continue inspiring; you’re molding future leaders.

106. “The influence of a good teacher can never be erased.” – Unknown

107. Your impact is the legacy that transcends generations.

108. “I am not a teacher, but an awakener.” – Robert Frost

109. Celebrate the moments of breakthrough; they’re the stepping stones to success.

110. “Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.” – Unknown

111. Your classroom is a canvas, and you are the artist shaping tomorrow’s leaders.

112. “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” – Henry Adams

113. Your commitment is the bridge between dreams and reality.

114. “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats

115. Stay resilient; your passion is a beacon for students navigating challenges.

116. “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King

117. Your enthusiasm creates a ripple effect of positivity.

118. “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey

119. Keep kindling the flame of curiosity; it sparks innovation.

120. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

121. Celebrate the diversity of thought within your classroom.

122. “A teacher’s purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image.” – Unknown

123. “Survival of humanity depends on educating the hearts of children.” – Dalai Lama

124. “To teach is to learn twice.” – Joseph Joubert

125. Your impact goes beyond grades; you’re shaping character.

126. “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

127. Find joy in the small victories; they build the foundation of success.

128. “Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.” – Colleen Wilcox

129. Keep inspiring; your influence extends beyond the classroom.

130. “Teachers can change lives with just the right mix of chalk and challenges.” – Joyce Meyer

131. Embrace diversity; it’s the fabric of a rich learning environment.

132. “Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.” – Bob Talbert

133. Your impact is the ripple that transforms the educational landscape.

134. “The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.” – Alexandra K. Trenfor

135. Continue kindling the flame of curiosity; it sparks innovation.

136. “The influence of a good teacher can never be erased.” – Unknown

137. Celebrate resilience; it’s the bedrock of successful teaching.

138. “I am not a teacher, but an awakener.” – Robert Frost

139. Your commitment fosters an environment of continuous learning.

140. “Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.” – Unknown

141. Recognize the unique potential in each student; it’s your superpower.

142. “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” – Henry Adams

143. Be the lighthouse guiding students through the storms of challenges.

144. “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats

145. Your enthusiasm is the compass guiding students towards a brighter future.

146. “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King

147. Stay committed to the pursuit of knowledge; it’s a lifelong journey.

148. “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey

149. Your passion is the spark that lights the path to success.

150. “It’s the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge” – Albert Einstein

words of encouragement for teachers

Teachers, your dedication and hard work is the cornerstone of a brighter future. As you navigate the challenges and celebrate the victories, remember the profound impact you have on each student’s life.

Keep inspiring, keep innovating, and keep shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Your role is not just in educating young people; it’s in awakening minds and nurturing the seeds of greatness. Thank you for being the unsung heroes in the journey of knowledge and enlightenment.

I hope these words of encouragement for teachers give you some inspiration to fill the cup of a teacher you work with, have, know or who has your own child.

words of encouragement for teachers

Conclusion

Are you a teacher? Do you know a teacher? Use these words of encouragement for teachers to fill a teacher’s cup.

You may not realise how much of an impact a few kind words can make to a tired, exhausted, deflated teacher.

What are your favorite words of encouragement for teachers?words of encouragement for teachers

Katrina is a multi-award winning educator from Sydney, Australia who specialises in creating resources that support teachers and engage students.

See the quality and browse her best selling resources below on either The Animated Teacher website or on Teachers Pay Teachers:

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30 dynamic escape room themes for the classroom

by Katrina | Mar 27, 2024 | Lesson Ideas

30 dynamic escape room themes for the classroom

Captivate students’ attention by designing your own escape room with these immersive escape room themes. Imagine stepping into a classroom where learning transcends the traditional boundaries of textbooks and lectures. Instead, students find themselves immersed in an interactive adventure, where problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork are the keys to success.

Escape rooms have gained popularity worldwide as thrilling, real-life puzzle-solving experiences. But what if we could harness the excitement and engagement of escape rooms for educational purposes? That’s precisely what educators around the globe are doing by incorporating escape room themes into their classrooms.

Picture this: students eagerly gather around, anticipation brimming as they prepare to embark on a journey of discovery and learning. With each challenge they face, they delve deeper into subject matter, applying knowledge in creative ways to unlock clues, decipher codes, and ultimately escape the room.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the captivating world of classroom escape room themes and how they can transform learning experiences for students of all ages. From history and literature to math and science, the possibilities are endless when it comes to designing immersive escape room adventures that ignite curiosity and inspire a love for learning.

So sit back and relax while I give you 30 escape room themes to help you engage students in your next escape room challenge.

What is an escape room?

An escape room is a series of puzzles that students need to solve in order to ‘escape’ where the answer to one task is the secret code that ‘unlocks’ the next clue. The tasks usually consist of different types of escape games such as critical thinking puzzles, ciphers, math problems, codes, and riddles.

In a classroom setting, these puzzles are related to content that has been taught and is a fun way to review key infomation and understanding in a new context.

An escape room can be done as a physical classroom activity with locks and keys etc, or as a virtual escape room or digital escape room.

If you’d like to check out my best selling digital escape rooms that utilize google forms and are zero prep, click here.

Why use escape rooms as a class activity?

Escape rooms are an excellent way to promote student engagement in learning as they foster critical thinking skills and problem solving, promote collaboration and team building. It is a great opportunity to have students develop communication skills and problem-solving skills alongside reviewing subject content matter.

These are an awesome tool to use at the end of a topic, as a creative activity on the last day of school, or as a reward for students (because they absolutely LOVE them!)

An escape room activity can be suitable for any grade level as the puzzles and content can be tailored to what will suit them. I love using them with my middle school students and high school students as a change of pace in the classroom.

30 escape room themes for the classroom

Selecting a theme to run your escape room challenge in is a great way to take it to the next level and help students immerse themselves in the experience.

If you are wanting to set up some DIY escape rooms for your students, these escape room ideas will help to bring your escape room games to life!

1. Zombie Apocalypse: The government let an experimental virus loose which has caused a zombie apocalypse.

You need to solve all the clues in order to determine the antidote and put an end to the zombie virus.

2. Masquerade: A murder has been committed at a masquerade ball. Solve the clues to unmask the murderer.

3. Murder mystery: A murder has taken place while you were in class… collect the clues to identify the murderer.

4. Houdini’s secret room: You went snooping around the famous magicians house. But now you can’t find your way out through all the secret doors and locks! Solve the puzzles to escape before he catches you.

5. Stuck in a video game: You’ve been sucked into a video game! You must pass each level as a character in the game in order to return to normal life.

6. Prison escape: You’ve been wrongfully accused and locked up in a prison… for life.

7. Evil surgeon: An evil surgeon has you captive and is wanting to cut you open and collect your heart for his gruesome collection.

8. Ninja attack: You have been captured by a group of ninjas who wants to take over the school. There is no way you can fight your way out of this – they are way too skilled.

But you may have a chance to outsmart them… Solve the puzzles to outsmart the ninjas and escape!

9. Alien abduction: You have been captured by aliens! You must prove yourself as an intelligent species in order to escape. Solve each puzzle and riddle in order to prove your worth.

10. Stuck in History: You’ve been stuck in the year ______. You must pass each test about the history of this time period to return to present day.

11. Wizards: The wizarding and magic world is a great space for escape room themes. Whether it be related to spells, dark magic, potions, magic castles, or more, you could easily use this as an escape room.

12. Pirate Attack: A band of pirates has jumped board your ship! The pirates are in search of hidden treasure and they think you can help them.

You must solve each challenge in order to locate the treasure and escape the pirates.

13. Mad Scientist: A mad scientist has trapped you in his lab. You need to prove your worth as a scientist. Solve all the clues in order to beat the mad scientist and escape!

14. Missing person:

15. Bank Heist: In bank heist escape room themes you could set the scene with the students as the robbers who get stuck in a vault and have to escape, or as the bank trying to stop the robbers.

16. Zoo escape: This is one of my favorite escape room themes! You are on work experience at the zoo… but you accidentally left the gates unlocked and many of the animals have escaped.

The zookeeper is not happy. You must solve a clue at each of the zoo enclosures to lure the animals back inside.

17. Military-themed escape room: The army or navy make great escape room themes for the classroom.

18. Army Bootcamp

19. Buried treasure: Utilize treasure maps and treasure chests to make this escape room theme come alive.

20. Circus: A creepy clown has run havoc on the circus by damaging all of the rides.

You must solve the clues to fix the rides and make sure no-one gets hurt!

21. Haunted house

22. Runaway Train

23. Witch’s Spell

24. Potions: You’ve stumbled into a witches potion lab!

She won’t let you leave until you prove yourself worthy of creating very precise potions.

Special occasion escape room themes for the classroom

Holidays and special occaisions are perfect to grab hold of for escape room themes for the classroom. By incorporating these as escape room themes, students can engage with the holiday while still being engaged in the learning.

25. Leprechaun Heist St Patrick’s Day theme: A cheeky leprechaun has hidden a pot of gold at the end of A rainbow! You must solve each challenge in order to locate the rainbow and the pot of gold.

26. Thanksgiving disaster: oh no! Someone has taken your turkey hostage and locked it in the oven! You need to solve the clues to work out the code for the lock and save your turkey before it is ruined!

27. Evil Elf Christmas theme: An evil elf has stolen all the toys in santa’s workshop.

You must solve the clues and help the other elves find the presents and save christmas!

28. Santa’s workshop theme: You are applying for a job in santas workshop.

You must complete a series of tasks to prove yourself as a good problem solver and creative thinker to get the job.

29. Valentines Cupid theme: Oh no! Cupid accidentally lost his magic bow and arrow in a poker game with his other magical friends.

Solve the clues and get the bow and arrow back before valentine’s day is ruined!

30. Halloween themed – although almost all of the examples above could be used for Halloween escape room themes!

Conclusion:

Which of the escape room themes for the classroom do you want to try?

Got any other ideas for escape room themes for the classroom? Drop them in the comments below!

About the Author

Katrina Harte is a multi-award winning educator from Sydney, Australia who specialises in creating resources that support teachers and engage students.

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42 fun Easter science activities for middle school

by Katrina | Mar 20, 2024 | Science

42 fun Easter science activities for middle school

Easter is the perfect time to include some fun science experiments and stem activities in class. This easter season, spark your students curiosity and optimize learning by incorporating some of these fun easter science activities. Having fun with some easter themed experiments and easter activities is a great way to engage young scientists in the classroom.

This awesome list of easter science activities covers a wide range of scientific concepts so you can find the right fit for your class. Find activities and easter experiments for chemical reactions, density, engineering, forces, microscopes, chromatography and more.

fun easter science activities

easter science activities

42 easter science activities and easter STEM challenges for middle school

Don’t stress about what to do for easter – check out these amazing easter science activities:

Digital escape room: Always my favorite type of resource for fun easter science activities as they are zero prep! Get an Easter Escape Room to review scientific measurement here or visit on my TPT store.
Crosswords: Just print and go. This scientific method crossword reviews key terms and understanding with some cute Easter clip art to bring it in theme.
Egg Drop Experiment: Design and build a contraption to protect an egg from cracking when dropped from a height. This is a fun easter STEM challenge to run with your class and doesn’t require a lot of preparation. Just provide a whole heap of scrap materials, string and sticky tape and let the students design the rest!
Egg Geodes: Create crystal-filled eggs using alum powder and food coloring.
Egg-cellent Osmosis: Investigate how different concentrations of saltwater affect the osmosis of an egg.
Easter Egg Rockets: Build rockets using plastic Easter eggs and investigate how varying amounts of fuel (baking soda and vinegar) affect their launch height.
Easter Egg Volcanoes: Create miniature volcanoes inside plastic Easter eggs using baking soda and vinegar.
Easter Egg Density Tower: Layer liquids of different densities (e.g., corn syrup, water, vegetable oil) inside a transparent container. To place an easter twist on this classic science experiment, add different types of easter eggs (or easter decorations) in the tower to compare their density with the different liquids.
Eggshell Strength Test: Compare the strength of different types of eggshells (chicken, duck, quail) by applying increasing weights until they crack.
Egg in a Bottle: Demonstrate the principles of air pressure by placing a peeled hard-boiled eggs on the mouth of a bottle and observing it being sucked in.
Egg Yolk Art: Use droplets of food coloring to create intricate designs in egg yolks.
Egg Incubation: Create a makeshift incubator and monitor the development of a fertilized chicken egg.
Egg Float Test: Explore egg freshness by determining whether an egg sinks or floats in water.
Eggshell Dissolving Experiment ‘fizzy eggs’: Investigate the effects of different liquids (vinegar, soda, juice) on eggshell dissolution.
Egg Carton Catapults: Construct mini catapults using egg cartons and rubber bands to launch small candies or marshmallows.
Egg Spinner: Build a device to spin an egg and observe how centrifugal force affects its stability.
Easter Egg Chromatography: Separate the colors in dyed Easter egg shells using chromatography paper and water.
Easter Egg Batteries: Create batteries using copper and zinc electrodes inserted into Easter eggs filled with saltwater or vinegar.
Egg Parachutes: Explore air resistance and design and test parachutes made from various materials to safely drop an egg from a height.
Egg Insulation Experiment: Test different materials (cotton balls, foam, bubble wrap) to see which provides the best insulation for keeping an egg warm.

easter science activities

21. Eggshell Microstructure Observation: Use a microscope to examine the microscopic structure of eggshells.

22. Eggshell Fertilizer: Crush eggshells and investigate their effectiveness as a fertilizer for plants.

23. Egg Rolling: Study the physics of rolling by racing eggs down inclined surfaces of different materials.

24. Egg Dyeing with Natural Ingredients: Explore the chemistry of natural dyes by using ingredients like onion skins, turmeric, or beet juice to dye eggs.

25. Egg Experiment pH: Test the pH of different substances using crushed eggshells as an indicator.

26. Easter Egg Static Electricity: Rub plastic Easter eggs with different materials and observe how they attract or repel each other due to static electricity.

27. Eggshell Mosaics: Create intricate mosaic patterns using crushed dyed eggshells.

28. Egg Color Mixing: Explore color mixing by dipping eggs into primary-colored dyes and observing the resulting secondary colors.

29. Easter Egg Cartesian Diver: Create Cartesian divers using plastic Easter eggs and investigate the effects of adding weights or changing buoyancy.

30. Eggshell Flame Test: Heat crushed eggshells over a flame and observe the colors produced to identify different elements present.

31. Egg Bouncy Ball: Investigate the properties of polymers by making bouncy balls from egg whites and borax solution.

32. Eggshell Artillery: Build catapults or trebuchets to launch eggs and explore projectile motion.

33. Easter Egg Electromagnets: Wrap wire around plastic Easter eggs and connect them to a battery to create electromagnets.

34. Eggshell Carbonate Test: Test for the presence of carbonate ions in eggshells by reacting them with acid and observing the release of carbon dioxide.

35. Eggshell Soundproofing: Test the effectiveness of eggshells as a soundproofing material by measuring the transmission of sound through eggshell barriers.

36. Eggshell Filtration: Investigate the use of eggshells as a natural filtration material by testing their ability to remove impurities from water.

37. Eggshell Weathering: Expose eggshells to simulated weathering conditions (sunlight, water, wind) and observe changes over time.

38. Eggshell UV Protection: Test the ability of eggshells to block ultraviolet (UV) radiation by exposing them to UV light and comparing to untreated shells.

39. Easter Egg Fermentation: Investigate the process of fermentation by fermenting eggs in different liquids (e.g., vinegar, brine) and observing gas production.

40. Eggshell Biodegradability: Compare the biodegradability of eggshells in different environments (compost, soil, water) over time.

41. Easter egg crystals: Grow crystals on eggshells using a supersaturated solution of salt, sugar or copper sulfate and observe crystal formation patterns.

42. Easter egg hunt: create an easter egg hunt with scientific clues to help students find the eggs or easter candy around the lab or school.

easter science activities

Conclusion

As we approach the Easter season, let’s embrace the opportunity to bring joy, creativity, and relevance into our classrooms. By incorporating Easter science activities, we’re not only enriching our students’ educational experiences but also fostering a love for learning that extends far beyond the confines of the classroom. Happy Easter and happy learning!

Be sure to share this list of easter science experiments with your teaching friends!

easter science activities

About the Author

Katrina Harte is a multi-award winning educator from Sydney, Australia who specialises in creating resources that support teachers and engage students.

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Station activities for middle school

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