Teaching Ideas Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Modern Teaching Blog NZ

Peg name activity featuring pegs with letters on clipped to card with name spelt out

10 Name Activities For Early Learners

Heidi Overbye

Most young children are very interested in their name and it is incredibly personal to them. Often, a child’s name is the first word they learn how to read and write, which leads to further interest in reading and writing activities. When a child starts kindergarten or in the lead up to school, this is

Staying Active at Home_ girl and boy crossing midline on floor

Keep Children Active While At Home

Robyn Papworth

To help children to achieve their 180 minutes of physical activity per day (as recommended by the Department of Health), spread out their active play and gross motor activities across small time increments throughout the day. In this blog, written by Robyn Papworth, an accredited Exercise Physiologist, Masters qualified Development Educator and mother of three

LEGO Education Spike Prime dancing robot with laptop in background

LEGO Education® SPIKE™ Prime Activities

Eleni Kyritsis

LEGO® bricks have been a staple resource in schools around the world since they were first manufactured in 1949. In recent years, the LEGO® Education team has continued to develop and support STEM learning experiences for our students by creating a range of products that incorporate technologies, robotics and computer programming. The LEGO product range

Creating Real World Solutions With The Micro:bit

Eleni Kyritsis

The BBC Micro:bit is a favourite Digital Technologies tool of mine that allows our students to design solutions to problems, create games, make music and respond to the surrounding environment. The small handheld micro-controller can be coded by students using Block Code, Python, Javascript or Scratch 3.0, making it a versatile tool that can be

Coloured Loose Parts On Desk Buttons Beads Counters And Matchsticks

Loose Parts In The Learning Environment

Penny Groen

What are loose parts? Loose parts are basically any loose, tactile materials and found objects that children can move about during play and exploration. They’re versatile, open-ended and can be added to any learning environment for children to adapt and to turn into anything their imagination allows.

Iron Beads Bucket Heart Activity Beads placed In Heart Tray

Celebrating Christmas In The Classroom Part Two

Heidi Overbye

It’s almost everybody’s favourite time of the year again… Christmas is coming! As a teacher, I love this time of year – assessment is complete, report cards are handed in, it is time to celebrate a year of achievements!

Stem Activity Material - STEM Spelt Out On Grass

Early STEM Activities: Part Two

Heidi Overbye

In Part One of Early STEM Activities , I discussed what STEM is, why STEM is important, listed my favourite STEM materials and shared some of my favourite STEM activities. In Part Two of this Early STEM Activities blog, I am excited to share plenty more STEM ideas.

Early Stem Activities Forest Landscape With Billygoat Bridge

Early STEM Activities: Part One

Heidi Overbye

STEM! It’s a word we have all been hearing a lot about lately! At the beginning of this year, I started teaching at a new school and quickly learnt that STEM was a focus for teaching and learning. To be honest, I felt quite nervous because I did not know much about STEM when I

Natural Resources World With Figurines Pine Cones And Furniture

How To Incorporate Natural Resources Into The Classroom – Part Two

Heidi Overbye

There are so many ways nature can be brought into the classroom as part of children’s learning, and I shared lots of ideas in Part One of How to incorporate Natural Resources Into The Classroom Many of you really enjoyed the simple and effective ways I have managed to bring bits of nature into my

Alphabet Wooden Discs Zoom With Teachables Markers And Leaf Border On Grass

How To Incorporate Natural Resources Into The Classroom

Heidi Overbye

For children to gain an appreciation of the natural world, they must engage with nature regularly. Spending time in the outdoors has so many benefits for children and they should be given the opportunity for outdoor learning everyday. Engaging with nature doesn’t always have to be strictly reserved for when children are outside.