Gel printing is a simple and brilliantly effective form of monoprinting with no press required. Despite her initial reservations, Vega Brennan tried it out and loved the flexibility it offered her students. Here, with the help of a couple of art teacher friends, she gives her opinions, instructions and practical tips on getting started. Read more

Mike Barrett creates stunning works of art using traditional methods teamed with digital techniques. Here he shares how, despite initial reservations, his passion for this type of media developed and also how he uses it to inspire creativity in people of all ages. The results are truly amazing! Read more

To be a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) is an exciting but daunting prospect in equal measure! As she comes to the end of her first year, Shannon Harris has taken the time to share a few thoughts about her experiences of teaching a year 1 class in a busy infant school. She also has some sage advice about the keeping that all-important work/life balance. Read more

The most significant classroom strategy is to reduce the potential for memory overload in what we ask of the children. One reason many children find the transition from play-based learning to more formal learning is that suddenly the memory load, for both curriculum information and classroom management, is significantly increased. Read more

Children’s physiotherapist and PosturePad creator, Lorna Taylor teamed up with the Nunney First School for some observation sessions. They involved every Reception child using a PosturePad (a multi-use wedge cushion). “We know that correct posture is important and were interested in something that might help our youngest learners become better achievers,” said head teacher Ms Howlett. Read on for the results. Read more

Many schools offer a dazzling variety of after school clubs - often run thanks to the goodwill of very busy teachers. Ideally, they should be interesting, fun and enjoyable for children and teachers alike. Of course not everyone is inspired by the same things! With this in mind we have gathered together no less than 38 suggestions for extra-curricular activities! Read on for some great and varied ideas... Read more

Papier mache is an inexpensive and hugely enjoyable way for children to be creative and make something to play with again and again. There are so many crafty possibilities for papier mache - these simple caves are a great idea and can be adapted for different small world scenarios to suit a variety of interests. Read more

The DFE defines dyscalculia as ‘A condition that affects the ability to acquire arithmetical skills. Dyscalculic learners may have difficulty understanding simple number concepts, lack an intuitive grasp of numbers, and have problems learning number facts and procedures. Even if they produce a correct answer or use a correct method, they may do so mechanically and without confidence.’ (DfES, 2001). Read more

Delve into these top hints and tips from teachers on their favourite methods to inspire creative writing in the classroom. Read more

How to Batik in 5 easy steps! Sometimes unfamiliar tools and techniques can seem daunting to teach primary school children. We aim to dispel these fears by giving you simple step by step instructions to inspire and get you creating simple Batik! Read more

Do you leave school at the end of the day in a hot, sweaty mess? Staying cool in a classroom in the summer months can be difficult, especially with temperatures soaring to 30 degrees or more. It can be so hard for anyone to concentrate in these circumstances and any sort of work can be a trial. Most of us can only dream of an air conditioned classroom so we have gathered together some top tips for keeping cool. Read more

ICT plays an integral part in all our lives. Today’s children are growing up surrounded by and becoming familiar with digital technology. Through play opportunities children can experience a range of resources that support their ICT knowledge and understanding as well as enhancing other key skills. A programmable toy has control technology but it may also support literacy and numeracy skills. The following ideas, written by Carol Allen and Claire Graham, provide insights and practical suggestions for practitioners. We have picked out 10 resources that will help you make the most of ICT learning opportunities in your setting. Read more

As Albert Einstein said, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge”. It is so easy to get lost in the pursuit of knowledge that we can sometimes forget the importance of creative expression and its ability to help form vital skills that will aid success later in life. Read more

Teaching can be a stressful occupation and it is so important to feel supported. Simply feeling appreciated by colleagues and school leaders can make a big difference to wellbeing and even the smallest gestures might help. We have gathered together a few suggestions as food for thought (some involving chocolate, but surprisingly, no reference to alcohol!) Let's look after each other and share the love and appreciation! Read more

There is no better way to set the foundations for early mathematical thinking than getting outdoors, getting messy, taking risks and having fun!  Today I want to share with you some of the ways I have implemented maths in my outdoor environment. Read more

When the 2014 National Curriculum was launched, much was made of the emphasis the document placed on accurate use of spelling, grammar and punctuation (outlined in not inconsiderable detail in Appendix 2). Despite this, perhaps the most significant change was the approach to writing composition. Unlike the Literacy Strategy that it replaced, the 2014 NC breaks the writing process down into a number of discrete steps. Read more