Teaching Ideas Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Modern Teaching Blog NZ

Loose Parts: An Invitation To Play

Mel Ishkhanian

‘Open-ended’, ‘sustainable’, ‘creativity’ and ‘infinite possibilities’ are just some of the words that come to mind when we think about loose parts in play. Loose parts are becoming increasingly popular in early childhood settings and it’s not surprising to consider why. Here at Explore & Develop Narraweena, we have looked to the principles of Reggio

Sphero Shape Activity birds eye view featuring Sphero Bolt & SPRK robotics and 2 students on carpet.

Sphero Bolt And SPRK+ In The Classroom

Eleni Kyritsis

The way we engage our students and support their learning continues to evolve as we move further into the 21st century. There are now many technological tools, resources and applications that can enhance our students’ learning when used to redefine their learning experiences. The Sphero robot is one such tool that has positively enhanced students’

Christmas Craft Images on String Line & Pegs with Christmas themed background

Spark The Christmas Imagination

Olivia Siddaway

Christmas is such a delightful time of the year. The anticipation of this joyous occasion brings such an amazing atmosphere to the art room as the impending holidays approach. Students of all ages embrace the opportunity to create festive-themed pieces that are treasured on trees and shelves in their family homes. With such a wide

Mirrors And Reflections In The Learning Environment

Penny Groen

We see reflected and mirrored images wherever we go. From our own reflections looking back at us in the bathroom mirror or a shop window to the reflections of nature on a still lake or in our car’s rear-view or side mirrors – we are surrounded by reflections! Mirrors and reflections can bring curiosity, fascination

Maths resources displayed on desk, birds eye view

Catching Up On Maths

Dr Paul Swan

Playing Catch-up Teachers and parents have done an incredible job working together to minimise the disruption to children’s schooling this year. Clearly though, the unique circumstances of this year will have us all playing catch-up for some time. For teachers, this means that getting the most value out of your class time and resources has

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.