Teachers around Australia are already thinking about how they will organise their classrooms to maximise learning when the new school year begins at the end of January. They are as excited as the children with hopes and expectations of a successful and enjoyable school year.
To ensure a rewarding year, it is important to begin with a clear idea of what you want to achieve and the steps that will contribute to success. It is useful to keep in mind that one of the most significant contributors to children’s learning is the classroom environment, especially the relationship with the teacher. A supportive classroom environment that welcomes students and their families is essential so that children have a sense both of belonging and ownership.
Rita Pierson makes this quite clear in her TED Talk Every kid needs a champion.
Here at readilearn, our focus is on supporting teachers with lessons that are ready for them to teach rather than on worksheets for children to complete. We recognise the beneficial role of discussions that involve both teachers and students sharing ideas. We also assist teachers to establish a welcoming and supportive classroom environment.
Establish a welcoming environment

Continue reading: And so it begins — a New School Year – readilearn
Fabulous Ted Talk, Norah. Thanks for sharing.
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I’m pleased you enjoyed it, Luccia. It is one of my favourites.
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Powerful, and it really makes a very positive mind. Thank you, Norah! I apologize for the very late revisit, hope you had a nice beginning of the New Year, and sending you also blessings and best bishes for 2021! Michael
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Michael. It’s good to see you again. I wish you the best for 2021 also.
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Thank you very much, also for your kindness, Norah!
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And yours, Michael.
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Thank you, Norah! :-))
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A supportive environment is so crucial and best wishes as everyone in your area starts the new year 😉
📏📐✏️📝
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Thank you, Yvette.
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This is one of the best TED Talks. What a perfect post for teachers who are preparing for the new school year. It is a reminder of what is most important- the child.
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It is one of my favourite TED talks. And the child is definitely what is most important.
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Yes!!!
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The start of a new school year is so exciting. Great TedTalk to kick things off.
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Thanks, Jacqui. It’s so motivational. 🙂
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Your blog is interesting … Congratulations Norah
paintdigi.com
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Thank you.
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This is so heartwarming Norah, got me a bit choked up. Good luck to all our pupils and teachers in this coming year. May they all be so inspired. Thank you 🙂
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I hope it goes better than the last one, Susan. 🙂
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Powerful TedTalk! She is funny and serious. What a great educator.
It’s hard to realize that you are just beginning a new school year in late January. I forget that we are in different hemispheres and on different schedules.
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I’m pleased you enjoyed Rita’s talk, Patricia. I find it inspiring.
Our school year follows the calendar year. Our tax year doesn’t.
I think you might do things the other way, with tax at the end of the year. Is that right?
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This is a positive post, and my hope is that teachers and students alike find a way to make the most of this coming school year.
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Thank you. I hope so too.
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Hope is a real thing to hold on to.
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It sure is.
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🙂
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Oh, wow…what a brilliant TED talk…only yesterday did something happen here which that talk touched on…but totally true if a kid doesn’t like you they won’t learn 🙂
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I’m pleased you enjoyed the talk, Carol. It’s inspiring, isn’t it. Those words about liking a teacher are so true.
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Absolutely, Norah… Have a great weekend x
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Thanks, Carol. I hope you did too. 🙂
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Yes, thank you we did.. X
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This is one of my all-time favorite TedTalks. One of her more memorable lines is “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.”
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I think if every teacher put those words in a place where they could be seen every day, it would make a difference to children the world over.
It is one of my all-time favourites too, along with Ken Robinson’s. What a legacy they both left for educators. I wish they could have stayed longer though.
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