Rainbow Skies for Teachers

Looking for simple ways to get your students moving while reinforcing important math concepts?
In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we're taking maths learning outdoors with one of our favourite classroom resources: UNO cards!
After the incredible response to our outdoor learning episode, we wanted to share practical ways to combine movement, fresh air, and meaningful math practice. Inspired by a conference presentation we recently delivered, this episode is packed with easy-to-implement games that require minimal preparation and can be adapted across a range of year levels.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why movement and outdoor learning can improve engagement and participation
How to use UNO cards to create meaningful maths games
Simple ways to adapt classroom activities for outdoor spaces
Lots of game ideas covering: Addition, subtraction, odd and even numbers, comparing numbers using greater than, less than and equal to symbols, rounding numbers, multiplication fluency and prime and composite numbers
Brain break ideas that reinforce maths concepts while keeping students active
Outdoor learning doesn't need to be complicated.
Sometimes the most effective lessons come from taking a familiar classroom activity and giving it a fresh twist outside. By combining movement, collaboration, and hands-on learning, students can build confidence while developing important mathematical understanding.
The best part? Most of these activities require little more than a deck of UNO cards, some chalk, and a willingness to get outside.
There are rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh
Resources mentioned in this episode: 
FREE UNO games to try 
UNO Brain Break cards + presentation
Check out our other UNO card resources here. 
Listen to Episode 88: Outdoor Classrooms

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Student wellbeing isn’t an “extra”… it is the foundation for everything else in education!
In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we sit down with Ashley McGrath from OurFutures Institute to explore why wellbeing needs to move from the sidelines to the centre of every school conversation.
Ashley shares practical insights into how student and teacher wellbeing directly impact learning, engagement, behaviour, and academic success. Together, we unpack what schools are getting right, where many are struggling, and how educators can create proactive wellbeing cultures that genuinely support students for the long term.
In this episode, we chat about:
Why student wellbeing is the foundation for all learning
The connection between teacher wellbeing and classroom success
Early signs that students may be struggling emotionally
Creating psychologically safe classrooms where students feel seen and heard
Why reactive wellbeing approaches often miss the mark
The importance of preventative mental health education
Supporting students without teachers needing to “become counsellors”
How peer influence impacts student decision-making
Evidence-based wellbeing programs and what schools should look for
Why long-term wellbeing strategies matter more than one-off initiatives
With experience supporting nearly 1,500 schools across Australia, Ashley brings evidence-based strategies, realistic advice, and an encouraging reminder that wellbeing work doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
There are rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 
Connect with Ashley via email: ashley@rethinkcolelctive.com.au or LinkedIn
www.rethinkcollective.com.au
https://ourfuturesinstitute.org.au

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About Today’s Guest
Ashley McGrath is a founder, author, and systems strategist who works across philanthropy, business, government, and community. He's the author of Rethink - Thriving Young Futures Begin with Systems Change, and the founder of The Rethink Collective, which helps organisations align strategy and collaboration around real social impact.
He co-founded Good in the Hood, a community initiative tackling loneliness in Sydney's Inner West, and Our Futures Institute, which partners with the University of Sydney to bring evidence-based wellbeing programs into schools. He also serves on the board of StreetWork.
Ashley's work is never abstract, it's grounded in a genuine belief that we can build something better, and a practical commitment to doing exactly that.
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Do your students freeze when faced with multiplication facts? Or perhaps they're relying solely on memorisation without really understanding what multiplication means?
In this episode of Rainbow Skies for Teachers, we're diving into one of the most important building blocks of math: multiplication fluency. We unpack what fluency actually looks like in the classroom, why so many students struggle with multiplication, and how we can support them through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
Rather than focusing on speed and rote learning alone, we're exploring how students can develop deep understanding, flexible thinking, and confidence with multiplication facts. From practical classroom strategies to game-based learning ideas, this episode is packed with simple ways to make multiplication practice meaningful and enjoyable.

In this episode, we discuss:
What multiplication fluency really means (and why it's much more than memorising times tables)
Common reasons students struggle with multiplication
How mathematical language supports deeper understanding
Hands-on activities that help students visualise multiplication concepts
Why games are one of the most effective tools for building fluency
Simple ways to incorporate short, consistent fluency practice into your daily routine
Brain break activities that reinforce multiplication while boosting engagement
How to build confidence by focusing on understanding before speed
Multiplication fluency isn't built through pressure, timed tests, or endless worksheets. It develops when students have opportunities to explore patterns, use a variety of strategies, and engage in regular practice that feels achievable and fun.
When we prioritise understanding first, confidence naturally follows.
There are rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in this episode: 
Free Flip it Multiplication Game
Our fave Multiplication games blog post

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The wait is over… UNO Version 4 is officially HERE!
Today we are taking you behind the scenes of our brand-new UNO Version 4 math activity packs and sharing all the fun, engaging, and hands-on learning opportunities included in these brand new resources.
From our brand-new pre-primary pack for 3–4-year-olds to upper primary activities exploring Fibonacci sequences, elapsed time, multiplication, probability, and more, these packs are packed with meaningful math learning your students will LOVE.
We chat about some of our favourite activities across each grade band, the creative process behind designing Version 4, and why this collection may just be our most exciting release yet.
Plus, we share how teachers around the world are already using our UNO packs in their classrooms — and even translating them into different languages!
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Our brand-new pre-primary UNO pack
Our favourite activities from Kindergarten through Grade 6
How our UNO resources support differentiation
Measurement activities using UNO cards
Elapsed time, probability, multiplication, Roman numerals, Money and positional language activities
How teachers are using these resources around the world
If you are looking for low-prep, highly engaging math activities that support differentiation, independent learning and last you the entire year, this episode is for you.
There are rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh
Resources mentioned in this episode: 
UNO freebie to try before you buy
Preschool / Pre K UNO resource
Kindergarten UNO Version 4
Grade 1-2 UNO Version 4
Grade 3-4 UNO Version 4
Grade 5-6 UNO Version 4
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Ever wondered why some teaching strategies just seem to click… while others fall flat?
In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa Riegel, who brings a fresh and fascinating perspective on how the brain really learns, and how we can use that knowledge to become more intentional, effective, and empowered educators.
This conversation is packed with those “aha” moments that help you connect what you’re already doing in the classroom with the science behind it. From understanding how repetition, emotion, and experience shape learning, to exploring what truly drives student engagement, Lisa helps us see teaching through a whole new lens.
We also dive into the importance of creating safe, connected classroom environments where students are ready to learn, and why a stressed brain simply can’t engage. Lisa shares practical, easy-to-implement strategies that support both student learning and teacher wellbeing, helping you work smarter, not harder.
This is one of those episodes that will deepen your understanding, spark your curiosity, and leave you feeling inspired to reflect on your own practice.
Key Takeaways
The brain learns best through repetition, emotion, and meaningful experiences
Engagement goes beyond being “on-task” it’s about connection, purpose, and understanding
Intrinsic motivation is key to long-term learning and student ownership
Creating a sense of safety and belonging is essential for effective learning
Practical, brain-aligned strategies can support focus, regulation, and productivity in the classroom
Lisa’s 8C framework offers a powerful approach to building thriving, human-centred learning environments
When we understand how the brain works, we can make small, intentional changes that have a big impact
If this episode sparked your curiosity, we’d love to hear from you! Send us a DM, share your biggest takeaway, or let us know what questions you still have about our big beautiful brains - we’re all learning and growing together.
You can also connect with Lisa using the links in the show notes to learn more about her work and how she supports educators and leaders around the world.
Rainbows ahead,
Alisha and Ashleigh
Resources mentioned in this episode: 
Learn more about Lisa here
Connect with Lisa via email here: lisariegel@epinstitute.net 
Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn
Lisa’s books: Neurowell and Aspirations to Operations
60 Brain Break Ideas you can use in class today!

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About Today’s Guest
Lisa Riegel started her career in education, driven by one goal: to help people reach their potential. Over time, she realized that fulfillment, whether in a classroom, company, or community, comes from understanding how the brain drives behavior and how systems shape success.
That discovery became the foundation for her life’s work. As an educator, researcher, and author, she has spent two decades helping schools, leaders, parents, and organizations align brain science with human systems - creating cultures where people feel connected, capable, and in control of their growth.
Dr. Riegel earned dual bachelor's degrees in English and Secondary Education from Kent State University. She holds a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Otterbein University and a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Leadership from The Ohio State University. Her work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals and she has authored five books, including her two latest books, NeuroWell, and Aspirations to Operations, focused on brain science and how we can leverage it to help people become happier, healthier, and more successful. 
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