Remember to check our our new FREE online phonics games! Coming up with free phonics play ideas is actually easier than it sounds! Since children who are learning phonics are usually in the 3-7 age range, it also makes total sense to make any phonics learning activities as fun and playful as possible. But how …
This is a blog post written by experienced teacher Lucy. Lucy is a content creator for Mrs Mactivity and has been working on our return to school assessments – helping teachers figure out where the gaps are in children’s learning from their previous year group after missing so much school during lockdown. When your new …
This is a blog post written by experienced EYFS leader Sophie Pickles. The term ‘provocation’ is being increasingly used in Early Settings and with home educators across the country. At Mrs Mactivity, we are passionate about learning through play and we have been exploring what a provocation is, where the phrase first began and why you should …
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In recent years, there has been a huge emphasis on using Natural Resources in the Early Years. The reasons for this are simple. Moving away from an emphasis and reliance on plastic materials is not only good for the environment, it’s also cheaper, produces less waste, and is very engaging and inspiring for children. Best …
Although the clue’s in the title here, far be it from me to tell anyone how to spend their summer! Having said that, when you’re exhausted at the end of the term, it can be difficult to think ahead and even think straight! So if you’re after some top tips for how to spend your …
I was sitting on a flight recently and had the chance to watch “The Greatest Showman” for the very first time. I find watching films quite difficult as I can’t seem to bear any suspense whatsoever, and this film was no exception, but I stuck with it as I knew it had a really powerful …
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Guided reading! Since I became a teacher back in 2005, it seems to have been the scourge of teachers everywhere. How should we teach it? What works best? Why does it take so LONG to plan? Does it even work? Should it replace reading 1:1? Should we teach guided reading in carousels, or as a …
It’s been a few years since I left the teaching world full time, but I’m lucky enough to do the odd day here and there still to keep my hand in, but one of the most important skills – time management – has never left me. I don’t think non teachers know exactly what it’s …
Welcome to teaching! It really is the best job there is. We’ve come up with our top tips to help your first year go smoothly. Remember we’re also here to help if you need us anytime, just send us an email over at [email protected] and we’ll do our best! Top Tips for NQTs Refer to …
Phonics games are fun! And here’s one that’s super easy to make both for teachers and parents at home with their own children. We’ve put together an Obb and Bob Phonics Sorting Game resource pack for you to try, either for preparation for the Phonics Screening Check or just for consolidation in your phonics sessions. …
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In recent weeks it’s been shown over and over again that there’s never been greater need for high quality Equality and Diversity Classroom Resources. It’s a huge responsibility and not one we take lightly, but we’ve been making huge efforts this week to produce as many resources we can that celebrate cultural diversity – and togetherness. Emotions …
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If you’re a teacher and back in school – you’ve got this! If you’re a teacher and you’re still teaching remotely – you’ve got this! If you’re a parent and you’re still home schooling – you’ve also got this! These past few months have been incredibly hard, yet liberating, eye opening, limiting, boring, interesting – …
VE Day is coming up and what with this lockdown, it’s a great excuse to break away from your normal routine and have a celebration – albeit only with the people who live in your house. We’ve lots of ideas for making it a super fun day for all ages, no matter what you’ve already …
There’s nothing worse than sitting in a staff meeting and hearing lots of different acronyms, not having a clue what they mean! Or being a parent and reading your child’s school report – and wondering what the heck things mean! We’re here to demystify common education acronyms so that you can feel empowered and informed …
One of the questions we get asked a lot at Mrs Mactivity is about our paper crafts – and this Easter, we are getting a lot of people asking the same thing – how to make Easter baskets out of paper. A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to run a workshop at the incredible Childcare …
These are unprecedented times and with school closures happening today in the UK, following school closures in Ireland and other countries, parents are naturally asking how they will ensure learning at home whilst schools are closed due to Covid-19. It’s very easy to become quickly overwhelmed as there is a lot of information flying about …
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Spoiler alert- this may affect your enjoyment of children’s books forever. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have read story books either as a parent and teacher until you pretty much know them off by heart. Year after year, children seem to really engage with and relate to the same well loved storybooks, and they …
Continue reading “The True Meaning of Popular Children’s Storybooks”
It’s here – SNOW! Your school or setting might be closed today, or maybe it’s open and you’re looking for snow ideas to do with the children. Or maybe you’re at home with your own children, and running out of ways to keep them entertained. So we’ve rounded up some quick and fun snow day …
