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Getting ready for 2021: Work Load

12/29/2020

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When you decided to become a teacher, it definitely wasn't for the money or the work load. Planning, teaching, assessing, meetings; repeat. The work load of a teacher is something that can make or break you as a person. I know too many teachers that are significantly over worked - four meetings a week; over assessing of students; reporting every term - why why why?
This is something that has been spoken about widely from teachers across New Zealand and how they feel with their work load. There are some things that can't be helped e.g. reporting, assessing, planning. Those are all part of the job and need to completed. But there are some ways you can help create a more positive work load for you in your first job, or in your current position. 
Rest is okay, so before you even continue reading, taking time for yourself is a MUST! Every day take time for yourself so that you can continue to be positive about your job and your career. 
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Creating and sorting your life or work load into four sections will help you achieve and attain a healthy work load. 
  1. Urgent & Important = things that are both urgent and important in your job or daily work expectation. 
  2. Not Urgent & Important = things that aren't urgent but are definitely important to your job and daily work expectation. 
  3. Urgent & Not Important = things that are urgent but are not important to your current daily work expectation
  4. Not Urgent & Not Important = things that are not urgent and not important to your current daily work expectation

Taking time to prioritise, plan, and sort out what you currently need to complete each day will help to achieve a healthy work load, healthy mindset and also take some stress away from your life. 
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Two big things I learnt early on was when to say no and when to ask for help. As an active relaxer, it can be tricky for me to actually say NO. I can say no, but then do it later when I have some time. But something I am working on is saying no, and actually not doing it. There are some things that actually don't need to be done and those are the things that can wait until later. If you use that time to spend on yourself or with your family instead - what a great positive impact that will have!
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Something I love using and will continue to use in 2021 is Google Keep. A digital note taker app on my phone and laptop where I can write down things I need to do, things I am working on and things I should continue to work on when forward planning. This is free to use and automatically syncs between devices making it handy for those quick reminders and updating that needs to happen. 
Work load is vital maintaining a happy and healthy mindset with teaching. Your school might have some practices, expectations or routines in place to support this; and if at any time you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed or upset; reach out and talk to someone. There are many avenues of support with NZEI being one of them. 
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Getting ready for 2021: classroom space

12/28/2020

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You've got the job! Your dream job. Now you are thinking about what your classroom will look like! How is it shaped? It is big? What furniture is in there? What spaces will you create? The list goes on! 
And of course you will be wanting to make it special!!!! There are so many things you can do in your classroom to really make it your own - and there is so much inspiration out there online whether it is Instagram, Google, Pinterest or your next door neighbours classroom. 
There is no right or wrong answer for creating a classroom space. There is so much you can do to make it your own and to create the right space for your students. A space that can be worked on, moulded and added to over the year with artwork, learning and more! Of course you want all the cool things to begin with; but start with the shell. 

My top 3 tips for setting up your classroom space:
  1. Space! Creating designated spaces and areas for students to work and have set spaces for things. For example a quiet space, reading nook, writing space and more. I use furniture to create spaces and divide the classroom up so students can navigate around the learning and activities or provocations. 
2. Storage - there are lots of different types of storage that I use and are vital in your classroom! Different sized boxes, trolleys, caddies and more. I love my local $2 shop for lots of cheap containers and use Spotlight for a range of trolleys and sturdy containers. You don't HAVE to have these - it really is about what you have in your space and what works for you. 

3. Visual organisation or picture reminders - if you teach junior students then this will save you! Students can visually see the picture prompts to remind themselves of where things go, how things should be and where they belong. Make up some quick picture prompts with photos, or even better - take some of your students returning or having things in the right place. That will add meaning and value to what you are doing. 
A common question I get asked is how much money do I spend in my classroom? Now please believe me when I say this. THERE IS NO EXPECTATION TO SPEND MONEY in your classroom. None whats over. I CHOOSE to spend my own money on things for my classroom for students to use, play with and explore with in class. Spending huge amounts of money in your classroom does not need to happen if you don't have the money to spend so keep that in mind. 
One perk of buying things from your own pocket and not using a classroom account or fund is that they are yours to keep. Meaning when you leave your job or classroom, you can take them with you. 
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Your classroom space can be anything you want it to be! If you are unsure, walk around your school and check out the classrooms already there to start off. Google, pinterest or stalk on Instagram for more inspiration but just bare in mind, your first classroom DOES NOT need to be like what you see. Find what works for you, your look, your students and what you want to achieve. 
If you have any questions about your classroom space, contact your mentor teacher or principal for your school. If you have any questions about anything from my classroom please email me info@mrspriestleyict.com. 
Want to see inside my class? Check out this video of inside my room in 2020! My room changed a lot in the space of a year; but this can give you insight into how things work and the basics of a classroom set up. 
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Getting ready for 2021: Where to start? Planning!

12/28/2020

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Over these short holidays already, I have been messaged by teachers - especially first year teachers; who are stressing about beginning their journey in the classroom. A first teaching job can be very scary and daunting. And you might feel alone. BUT DON'T WORRY! Every teacher out there had those feelings starting out. 
This blog post is the first of a series called 'Getting ready for 2021' - targeting different areas of teaching to get you going before heading to the classroom! This blog post talks about planning. 
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Of course on your practicums and placements you would have been exposed and shown many different planning templates. Some you might have loved and some you might have hated. Over my nine year teaching career I have changed up my planning template every year for seven years of it! I couldn't find something that worked for me. I trialled so many different set ups; online, off line, in teacher planning books, on Google docs, on Google sheets. Finally last year in 2019 I made something I was happy with that I have continued to use this year and will continue in 2021. 
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Above you will see a snippet of what my planning looks like. Of course every single teacher works differently so you might see this and think WHAT?? I'll give you a quick run down of how I plan:
  • I plan online using Google Sheets for my long term and weekly plans. I create slideshows with information on Google slides if I need supporting evidence. 
  • I plan each night for the following week from Wednesday-Sunday. This is usually while I am watching TV because I am an active relaxer. Wednesday is usually making a copy of the same template; deleting off things I don't need; copying over things I might need; changing the date and filling in quick information. Thursday is usually where I fill in the activities or learning I know we will be doing e.g maths work/reading books/writing general plan/inquiry etc. I don't plan on a Friday or Saturday unless I am super bored and have nothing else going on but this is not usual. On a Sunday I bring home modelling books and fill them in for the week PLUS anything else I missed on my planning. My whole planning time including modelling books takes between two-four hours a week. 
  • In each holidays, I spend a good amount of time completing my long term plan for the term. This is so I am prepared, have a general idea of what I am covering and work with other teachers in my school to preplan things we might need. As I am in a small school, we don't have large long term plans as we cover things in our own way. In bigger schools, your long term plan might be given to you by your mentor or team leader/teacher; or you might work on this as a team. I would spend between eight-twelve hours in the holidays completing this with planning, resourcing, creating any resources I would need so I am set up for the term. 
  • For maths and reading, I group and plan based on ability. Yes there are pros and cons to this; but with my large mix of age groups and small school, this is what works for me and my classroom. For writing I group based on writing goals which are individually set based on students next learning steps. 
  • I complete a weekly playful learning plan too as play is such an important part in my classroom. I plan my provocations for the week (or fortnight) and what we will be focusing or covering for our goals and key competencies. These are also listed in my planning for anyone to be able to refer to. 
  • I plan with enough detail that another teacher or relieving teacher will be able to follow along and teach what I was planning to do.  
As I have said, your mentor teacher or school may provide you with a template or guide for planning. Each school has their own expectations when it comes to planning and I have been fortunate I ahve worked at schools have have given me autonomy to work how I would like. I provide evidence of my planning to my leaders and principal where necessary so it isn't just a free for all. Some principals believe in professional trust and it is obvious when walking into the classroom if you haven't planned. 
When planning, these are some things you might like to think about:
What is the learning you want students to achieve? How will they know they are successful?
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What are you looking for in the session with students? How does this link to the curriculum? How does this show progression in learning? Does this link to your long term planning? Is it clear enough?
Planning does not need to be complicated - the more straight forward and clear it is, the happier you will be and the less stressed you will be. Detail and clarity means smoother lessons and will ultimately make your life easier! 
There will be many more questions you will have so if there is something more you would like to know please contact me on info@mrspriestleyict.com or speak to your mentor teacher at your school!
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Need some resources? Check out my planning template resources available in my store. Or purchase the New Zealand PRT Teacher Book and receive the planning templates free!

Google Planning templates

NZ$8.00

Variation of Google Planning Templates

Use these Google planning templates to help get your planning going. There are a variation of Google docs and Google sheets planning templates for both short term and long term planning.


Included are:

-Inquiry LTP (Google Docs)

-LTP Template (Google Docs)

-Reading LTP Template (Google Docs)

-Maths LTP Template (Google Docs)

-Writing LTP Template (Google Docs)

-Term overview (Google docs)

-Weekly Planning template (Google docs)

-Google Sheets planning templates

This one includes:

-1 Term Overview

-2 Weekly Overview Templates

-3 Reading Templates

-2 Writing Templates

-2 Maths Templates

-Google Sheets Long term planning template


All of these are customisable. Simply make a copy for yourself and edit what you need. This resource is sent with a link to the Google Folder fill of all the templates.

Please do not share these templates with others. Direct them to this link to purchase these for themselves.

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Playful Learning Planning Template

NZ$0.00

Playful Learning Planning Template

This is a template of my Playful learning planning template that I have set up and used for my classroom and planning. This is made on Google Sheets and is a template that you can make a copy of.


Once downloaded, this pdf will have the link to the planning template. Click on the link to be prompted to the Google Sheets template to then make a copy of. This will then open in your Google Drive.

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New Zealand PCT Teacher Book

NZ$10.00

New Zealand PCT Teacher Book

This book is a great resource to have when beginning the first two years of teaching. Designed specifically for New Zealand PCT teachers, this has templates, resources and ideas to bring into your classroom!


This resource includes:


  • General classroom information and tips
  • New Zealand teaching information
  • Year and term overviews
  • Calendar overviews
  • Class information
  • Weekly planner
  • Goal templates
  • Reflection templates
  • Mentor meeting information
  • classroom set up
  • Note templates
  • How to teach... ideas
  • Where to start - ideas from my classroom


This book contains 114 pages that can be printed off and bound into a book. Templates, lesson plan templates and more; that can be printed in multiple copies before being bound.

This resource also includes a FREE copy of my Planning Templates; giving you some examples or ideas that you can use to begin planning in your classroom.


This book also comes in two different forms - black and white or colour

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Frequently asked questions from PRT's and beginning teachers:
  • How long should it take to plan? It shouldn't be taking all week to plan for the next week. Find a template and system that works for you and continue to fine tune it over the year. Use the support systems your school has to help you. I would say between two-five hours over the week for planning would be appropriate (complete planning finished in that time).
  • How often should I plan? I would plan to spend a few times on planning over the week. Whether it is after school, night or weekend sessions. Find what works for you. 
  • How much planning? Planning should be enough to give you a heads up and guidance for the week. It should have enough links, ideas and information for you or anyone else to pick up and use. It shouldn't be taking too much time to complete. 
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End of the year handover sheet

12/13/2020

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As I come to the end of the year, I am packing things away and getting things sorted for 2021. My school has a new teacher starting thanks to amazing funding from MOE, and we have an amazing BT who will work with the Year 3/4 students. 
A school I worked at in Auckland had an amazing handover each year when you pass students onto the next teacher. I'm not sure what your school uses, but they had brown folders for each students with the latest assessment information, writing book and any other information the new teacher might need. 
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Me being me, had to create my own handover sheet so that anyone taking over my students can get a quick insight into who they are and where they are working. I wanted to move away from the national standard type things and include curriculum coverage too. 
There is also a report received box so the new teacher can track where they are up to with their reports and a box for written notes about behaviour and play - I wanted playful learning in there as it has been a huge part of my practice this year. 
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I shared a picture on my insta stories this week and have already had lots of people ask for a copy of this! 
So here we go - simply download the pdf below to be able to use this in your classroom. I know some of you have already finished school for the year, but this could be of help for 2021!
end_of_yeat_student_handover.pdf
File Size: 14738 kb
File Type: pdf
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Christmas Play Dough

12/6/2020

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Getting everything ready for class this week I have created some scented play dough for a provocation! Play dough is really easy to make a home; with this recipe being a quick and timely one to use!

I have it set up as one of my prompts for the week with:
  • pipe cleaners
  • pom poms
  • christmas decorations
  • googley eyes
  • beads and more!

I also have this batch scented with cinnamon for that Christmas touch!
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Download this quick and easy freebie recipe from my website here if you are new to making play dough or a provocation for your classroom!
playdough.pdf
File Size: 21088 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Christmas Play Pack

12/4/2020

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I love ideas that can be used in the classroom that are fun, exciting, engaging and interesting to use in the classroom or at home. This Christmas play pack includes ideas, activities and games that are Christmas themed, to build skills around literacy, maths, oral language and fine motor skills. 

I used storage kits from Kmart to store my activities and have this available for students to complete during class time!

Some of the activities include:
Making sets and counting sets
Tracing the lines
Matching sounds to objects
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Check out the pictures below that show you an insight into the more of the play pack ideas! Or purchase it below - 20% off at the moment!

Christmas Play Pack

NZ$6.00

Christmas Play Pack

This play pack is great for provocations, prompts, invitations and more in your classroom or home life. It includes activities for literacy, maths, fine motor and more! Lots of great fun in a Christmas theme!


This resource includes:

  • Christmas activity pack cover sheet
  • Activity labels
  • build the word
  • line tracing and drawing
  • Christmas puzzles
  • Match the alphabet and objects
  • Eye Spy Christmas theme
  • Make a word
  • Make a Christmas tree
  • Count the set
  • Fine motor tweezing templates
  • Make the set


Print and laminate to ensure durability of use. I have mine in one of these kits from Kmart to keep each activity seperate but use them as you wish. It includes 94 pages in this resource.

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    • Home
    • SHOP
      • SHOP ALL RESOURCES >
        • SHOP NEW
        • SHOP NEW FREEBIES
        • SHOP ALL FREEBIES
        • TRENDING RESOURCES
        • SHOP RECENTLY UPDATED
      • Teacher Resources >
        • SHOP TRIBE MEMBERSHIP
        • SHOP PLANNING TEMPLATES
        • SHOP PHYSICAL RESOURCES
      • Classroom Decor >
        • Flower Power
        • Pink Sunrise
        • Blue Crush
        • Rainbow
        • Simple
      • Literacy >
        • Eye Spy
        • Daily 5
        • Handwriting
        • Phonics
        • Reading
        • Spelling
        • Structured Literacy
        • Writing
      • Maths >
        • All Maths Resources
        • Maths Packs: Stage 1-7 Resources
        • Number Knowledge
        • Strand Packs
      • ICT & Technology >
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        • Ebooks
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        • Playful Learning
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      • EARRINGS by Mrs P
    • PLANNING COURSE ACADEMY
      • Planning Course Academy
      • MODEL FOR ME
      • SHARE MY LEARNING
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