Article by Gerard Alford, director of itc publications and thinkdrive.
With 2022 rapidly drawing to a close, it’s now time to start thinking about ideas for 2023. Let’s explore some now!
Students love to participate in classroom decoration. Building on this, why not create a fish-themed classroom with aligned class activities. It will grow an appreciation for the majestic waterways, rich reefs and sea life that surrounds us.
You could also, on day one, set expectations by asking students: what sort of teacher would you like me to be this year? And then add the follow-up question: well, what type of student will you try to be?
Another great way to relate to students while also relaying important educational content is to focus lessons or classroom systems around the concept of sports and pastimes.
For example:
- What are the chances? Students rate the chances of an outcome occurring using the terms, Will happen, Might happen, Certain. E.g., Next year, no one in our class will play a sport with a ball.
- Systems of Communication – using umpire signals for a sport, what is the umpire communicating? E.g., Start of a game, high tackle, etc.
- Sporty names: Using sporting team names to introduce or revisit the sounds and names of letters.
Inspired to incorporate some or all of the activities and concepts above? May I suggest the itc 2023 Early Years teachers’ diary, the itc innovative teachers’ companion. This diary has the usual planning and recording materials; however, it also contains an array of specialist K-2 lesson ideas and professional readings – including a full breakdown of the ideas touched on above!
There are also professional readings on:
- Health and wellbeing tips
- Phonics and word knowledge
- Puppet play
- Cooperative learning
- And much more!
The activities have been assembled by a large team of writers, including Norah Colvin from readilearn, and the activities are referenced and aligned to the Australian curriculum and the Early Years Framework.
Continue reading: Activities and professional development in 2023 at your fingertips! – readilearn
Norah Colvin 
I like the hand signals idea. I developed all kinds of little phrases with my students, partly for communication and also for fun. For example, if I gave them directions to get specific materials from their desks for the next lesson, I’d call out a question after 30 seconds, “All set?”
The kids would answer, “You bet,” or “not yet.”
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That’s a great question and answer technique, Pete. It’s interesting to hear all the little ‘tricks’ that teachers develop over the years to help them with classroom management. Thanks for sharing this one of yours.
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Good suggestions, Norah. I like the idea “What type of teacher would you like me to be?”
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It’s an interesting question, isn’t it?
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