Is organising reading groups at the start of the school year stressing you out? We get it. This episode is all about making your back-to-school prep for Reading Group setup smooth, efficient, and effective.

We share practical shortcuts, time-saving tips, and proven strategies to help you set up reading groups that work for you and your students. From gathering the right materials to ensuring groups are manageable and purposeful, this episode will help you feel confident and prepared. Whether you’re a new teacher or just looking for a refresh, you’ll walk away with ideas you can implement tomorrow.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The importance of keeping your Reading Group setup simple at the start of the year
• Practical tips for organising groups without the overwhelm
• How to identify your students’ reading needs
• Ideas for using independent activities and rotations effectively
• Strategies to save time and reduce decision fatigue as you kick off the term

We know that reading groups can feel like a big task, but with the right tools and mindset, you’ll be ready to create a routine that runs seamlessly and supports your students’ growth.

If you found this episode helpful, please take a moment to follow and review our podcast so you never miss a fresh dose of inspiration.

For even more reading group setup inspiration, professional development, and teaching tools, visit our website at www.rainbowskycreations.com.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in today’s episode

Book Creator App

Freebie: 8 ways to efficiently run reading groups

Check out our mini course: Transform your Reading Groups

“I loved the simple steps that felt achievable right from the start. I'm seeing massive growth in my students' reading now I'm better organised!” Claire about Transform your Reading Groups.

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Are you looking for ways to bring more creativity and joy into your teaching? In this episode, we sit down with Rianna, the educator behind the popular Instagram account, @creationsineducation. Rianna shares her unique approach to blending curriculum goals with fun, hands-on activities that ignite excitement in her students and foster a love for learning.

Rianna kicks off the conversation by sharing her approach to balancing the demands of the curriculum with her desire to make lessons fun and engaging. She encourages teachers to think outside the box—bringing lessons outside, incorporating collaborative projects, and using interactive activities to keep students motivated and on track.

When it comes to keeping students engaged, Rianna’s secret lies in tapping into their interests and showing her own enthusiasm. She believes that when a teacher enjoys the lesson, it’s contagious, and students are far more likely to be excited about learning.

In addition to her teaching work, Rianna is a published author of two books, Tale of the Trolls and Return of the Trolls, which focus on environmental awareness and the impact of our actions. She discusses her motivation behind writing these books and how she incorporates their themes into her classroom to inspire environmental consciousness among her students.

Main Talking Points:

• Balancing curriculum with creativity
• Keeping students engaged by connecting to their interests
• Classroom management as a casual teacher
• Becoming a published author with a focus on environmental themes
• Investing in versatile teaching resources for sustainable teaching

Tune in to discover her tips on teaching creatively, engaging students, and sustainable teaching practices.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review - we will be forever grateful.

Rainbows ahead,

Alisha and Ashleigh

Resources mentioned in today’s episode

Rianna’s books: ‘The Tale of the Trolls' and 'The Return of the Rubbish Trolls’

Join the waitlist for our exciting new membership HERE.

Find our UNO resources HERE.

Connect with Rianna @creationsineducation

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In this episode we’re keeping it real and sharing 5 things we would not be doing if we were teaching in the classroom this year. With years of experience in teaching and supporting educators, we’re reflecting on what really matters, what teachers can let go of, and how to approach the school year with more purpose and less stress.

We talk about setting boundaries, prioritising student learning, simplifying homework, and the importance of preparation and transparency. If you’re ready to rethink some habits, focus on what makes a real impact, and reclaim some of your time, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why setting boundaries (like not answering every email or phone call) is essential for teacher wellbeing
• The importance of prioritising student learning over unnecessary tasks
• How to reframe your approach to homework and why it might not belong in the primary classroom
• The power of slowing down and letting go of “the small stuff” to lower stress for both you and your students
• How to improve parent communication with transparency, preparation, and a proactive approach

We also discuss the value of communal classroom activities, fostering connections, and why a slight adaptation in silent reading time could be a game-changer for both students and teachers.

We would love to know what you think about these ideas? Are you willing to skip out on some of them too? Do you disagree with anything we have said?

Rainbows ahead,

Ashleigh and Alisha

Resources mentioned in this episode

Episode 44 with Amy Green - A conversation about Teacher Wellbeing

Freebie: Advice from Teachers for Teachers

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