Rainbow Skies for Teachers

What does the Science of Reading actually look like in a real classroom?
In this powerful and practical episode, we’re joined by Jen Jones from Hello Literacy, who breaks down the research into clear, doable steps teachers can implement straight away.
If you’ve ever felt unsure about guided reading, running records, sight word lists, or online readers - this episode is your permission slip to rethink, refine, and reset.
What We Cover in This Episode:
Why grouping by skill (not reading level) changes everything
The simple assessment shift that gives you clearer data in minutes
How to use decodable texts without making literacy feel robotic
A smarter way to teach sight words that actually sticks
The permission teachers need when shifting to Science of Reading practices
Key Takeaways:
Teach the skill, not the level
Align your literacy block with decoding research
Progress over perfection when making changes
Use a phonics scope and sequence as your instructional roadmap
Create small group folders organised by phonics skill
This conversation is honest, empowering, and packed with actionable strategies. And perhaps most importantly? Jen reminds us that growth requires experimentation and imperfection is part of the process.
Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh
Resources mentioned in this episode: 
Check our Jen’s website: Hello Literacy
Hello Decodables website 
Jen’s Free Phonics Assessment and Quick Placement Assessment 
Connect with Jen Jones on Instagram
Purple Project Video mentioned
Book mentioned: The ABCs and All Their Trick By Margaret Bishop
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About Today’s Guest
Jen Jones is a veteran educator, literacy consultant, and the founder of Hello Literacy and Hello Decodables. With over 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher and literacy coach, Jen specializes in translating the Science of Reading research into practical, classroom-ready instruction. She is the author of a comprehensive phonics scope and sequence and has created a full library of decodable books and small-group lessons used in schools across the country. Jen is passionate about helping teachers move from confusion to clarity so students can become confident, skilled readers.

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Today, we’re diving into multiplication and how to help students build the fluency they need while still keeping math lessons engaging and enjoyable.
Teaching multiplication can sometimes feel like endless worksheets and rote memorisation! Today, we are moving away from teaching multip[lication like that and sharing simple ways to help students practise multiplication in ways that feel interactive, meaningful, and fun.
We’re sharing practical strategies that help students build confidence and develop a deeper understanding of multiplication, while also creating lessons they genuinely enjoy being part of. From games and hands-on activities to rich tasks and student voice, these ideas help move students from practising facts to becoming multiplication masters.
And the best part? Many of these ideas are easy to implement and can fit seamlessly into your existing maths block.
What We Cover in This Episode:
Simple multiplication games you can start using in your classroom tomorrow
Why hands-on learning helps students build stronger number understanding
How math groups can support differentiation when teaching multiplication
Using rich tasks to deepen multiplication thinking and strategy sharing
Ways to incorporate student voice to build confidence and engagement in maths
How Uno cards can become a quick and effective tool for multiplication practice
If you’re looking for ways to help your students build strong multiplication fluency while still enjoying the learning process, this episode is packed with ideas you can try straight away.
Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh
Resources Mentioned in this episode: 
Speedy Number booklets
Flip it Multiplication free game and full set
UNO ideas for Multiplication (blog post)
Multiplication Dots and Boxes
Multiplication Battleship
Multiplication Dice and Card Games
Multiplication Spinner Games
Multiplication ‘Guess Who’
Brain breaks

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Does grammar feel heavy in your classroom? Overwhelming? Like something you should be better at teaching?
You are not alone.
In this powerful and refreshing conversation, we’re joined by grammar expert Patty McGee, who helps us unpack why grammar often feels so hard, and why it’s not a teacher problem. It’s a system problem.
Patty shares practical, realistic strategies that make grammar feel lighter, more engaging, and far more effective. We explore how to move from rigid rule-teaching to creative, hands-on exploration that actually improves student writing.
Key Takeaways
You are not “bad at grammar.”
Grammar should be embedded in authentic reading and writing.
Sentence-level instruction creates powerful results.
Hands-on, collaborative exploration deepens understanding.
Confidence grows when we release perfection.
Patty shares practical, hands-on strategies that work in real classrooms, even with limited time and diverse learners. If grammar has ever felt like a box to tick or a weight on your shoulders, this episode will feel like a deep exhale.
Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh
Resources mentioned in this episode: 
Patty’s Website: www.pattymcgee.org
Check out Patty’s book, Not Your Granny’s Grammar: An Innovative Approach to Meaningful and Engaging Grammar Instruction, here
Connect with Patty on LinkedIn or Instagram.
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About Today’s Guest
Patty McGee is a nationally recognized literacy consultant, speaker, and educator with a passion for transforming classrooms into spaces where language and learning come alive. With decades of experience as a teacher, coach, and advocate for delightful literacy practices, Patty has worked alongside educators across the country, partnering to unlock the full potential of their students through innovative and practical teaching strategies. Not Your Granny’s Grammar is her third book. Connect with Patty at www.pattymcgee.org

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Have you ever wondered how you’re meant to fit meaningful movement into an already packed school day?In this energising conversation, we sit down with Kelly Bell to unpack PDHPE and how it looks on a daily basis at school. 
Kelly helps us rethink what quality physical education actually looks like, and why it matters so much for every child, not just the “sporty ones”. 
We also explore how classroom teachers can confidently integrate movement through simple brain breaks and intentional activity, even without specialist training.
In This Episode, We Chat About:
Why sport and physical education are often confused
What high-quality PE actually aims to develop
The mindset shift classroom teachers need around movement
How brain breaks can transform focus, regulation and learning
Simple ways to integrate movement into your classroom without adding to your workload
Why sport or PE isn’t a reward
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not sporty enough to teach this well,” this episode will shift your perspective in the best way.
Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh
Resources Mentioned in this episode: 
You can ask Kelly any questions at: [email protected] 
Find Kelly’s membership for Primary Teachers here
Connect with Kelly on Instagram

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About Today’s Guest
Kelly Bell understands the challenges of teaching PDHPE and CAFS because she has lived them. With over two decades in education, Kelly transformed from classroom teacher to becoming NSW's trusted voice in PDHPE, Community & Family Studies and Health and Movement Science. 
Since 2007, Kelly has empowered over 4,000 Primary, PDHPE and CAFS teachers and supported more than 8,000 students across NSW. Today, 
The Learning Network stands as NSW's premier resource hub for K-6 Primary PDHPE, 7-10 PDHPE, Health & Movement Science, Community & Family Studies and Dance education.
The Learning Network is dedicated to helping NSW teachers reclaim their work-life balance while maintaining teaching excellence. Our comprehensive suite of resources, memberships and professional learning workshops are designed to reclaim your afternoons, holidays and weekends. 
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In this episode, we’re sharing simple ways to make your math lessons more engaging and enjoyable, for both you and your students.
If math sometimes feels like a subject that’s hard to bring to life, you’re not alone. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming to create lessons your students genuinely love.
We’re talking about practical strategies that help build engagement, encourage mathematical thinking, and make learning feel more interactive in your classroom. From games and hands-on learning to student voice and rich tasks, these ideas are designed to help you work smarter, not harder.
And the best part? Many of these strategies require very little prep and can easily fit into your existing maths block.
What We Cover in This Episode:
Why making math lessons fun benefits both students and teachers
How to easily incorporate simple math games into your lessons
The power of hands-on materials for building understanding
How math groups can support differentiation in your classroom
Using rich tasks to promote deeper thinking and discussion
Ways to include student voice and encourage mathematical risk-taking
How Uno cards can become an instant engagement tool in your maths lessons
If you’ve been looking for ways to bring more energy, curiosity, and confidence into your math lessons, this episode is full of practical ideas you can start using straight away.
Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Freebie: 6 Ways to Create Maths Lessons Your Students Love
Free Uno Maths Game: Place Value and Volume Conversions
Free Multiplication Flip it games
Free Friends to 10 spinner game 
Free Friends to 20 spinner game
Math Chatterboxes for Grade 1-2 and Grades 3-4
UNO Math games for all ages (K-6)

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