“Curiosity is the engine of learning”
‘School is strange… they remove the curiosity engine and wonder why the car isn’t moving.’
10.03.2026 08:36
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“Curiosity is the engine of learning”
‘School is strange… they remove the curiosity engine and wonder why the car isn’t moving.’
I’m back! I hope you and yours are well, Monte.
I slipped back into the classroom this week after 4 years. I was worried if I would still have the skills, patience, and where withal to be the teacher these kids need.
But it was so enjoyable, like I never left. As much as kids have changed, kids haven’t changed.
Happy teacher this week.
youtu.be/DlIoGnkv03k?...
Bleak, but no lies detected. Pushing back against the standardisation of education.
@covingtonedu.bsky.social @pammoran1.bsky.social @mcnuttedu.bsky.social @irasocol.bsky.social
Excellent piece from Geoff Masters on the growing push toward standardisation and scripted curriculum across Aus, UK & the US.
It appears tighter prescription isn't the answer. The strongest systems invest in deep prof expertise and trusting Ts to exercise judgement in practice. Worth a read.
Here is the Open Letter signed by education leaders from across Australia that the News Corp Australia rejected. Stop ranking Australian schools using NAPLAN scores because NAPLAN was not designed to measure the quality of schools.
Unfolding with I notice, I wonder, It reminds me of.
I use the "I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of" prompt everywhere. Why is it so powerful? How and why does it transform the way you see and think? I was invited to join the Here We Are project to reflect on being present in this wild and…
A rainy day in Belair National Park. A photo featuring Abe.
This was my last week at Nature Play SA after four great years.
I’m taking an extended summer holiday break before heading back to the classroom in 2026. Absolutely loved my time at NPSA, we did meaningful work & the role came along at a great time post-Covid, but I’m ready to get back to teaching.
Time spent playing outdoors has declined 50% in a generation.
That’s half the joy, half the adventures, half the memories.
Play isn't just fun, it is essential for healthy child development 💚
Illustration of a person's hands holding an oak leaf and drawing the leaf in a nature journal. They've also described the leaf: "round, wave-like edges, stem widens." On the opposite page is a sketch of a different leaf, with descriptions: "jagged edges, transmits nutrients?"
Nature journaling, the research suggests, can deliver excellent benefits across grade levels.
Not only can it teach critical thinking skills, but it improves focus and connects students to the outdoors. 🌳
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This past week was really challenging at times in the classroom—but at the same time, I kept reminding myself to not give into that challenge with my own actions.
Something that helped? Having some "uplift moves" in the tool belt as a teacher.
Here are four of my favorites:
Asking questions is brave—especially for kids in a world of AI, bias, and peer pressure. In this post, I share 7 play-based ways to help students practice curiosity, take risks, and feel safe wondering, experimenting, and learning together.
Adelaide hit by two fast-moving tornadoes this morning. Didn’t have that on my Friday bingo card…
Somehow, I’ve managed to work four weeks in the past two weeks.
I think that might be a new record.
Stickman book and clay character.
A clay koala.
Student lighting a fire with flint and steel.
“I’m Stickman, I’m Stickman, I’m Stickman, that’s me…”
Lots of fun working with clay and fire.
A student makes a clay character Stickman from the popular children’s book.
Anyone recognise this guy?
Love working with Ss from SA’s new Technical College which helps year 10-12 Ss to fast-track qualifications into early years education.
These Ss have a noticeably different relationship with nature compared to past generations. Trying to bridge that nature connection.
SA public education is undergoing a transformational systems change led by CEO, Prof. Martin Westwell.
Good for anyone looking for a good news story, about how a shared focus on knowledge, dispositions and capabilities can create meaningful learning.
www.thelearningfuture.com/the-learning...
Ahh, knowledge rich. Bc nothing grows a love of learning like being told exactly what, when, and how to think.
Algal bloom foam washes ashore
A dead shark
Dead fish on a beach
A dead stingray
South Australia has seen some 120,000 sea creatures die and wash up on local beaches in the past few months due to an Algal Bloom. The algae involved, which is naturally occurring, may have been caused by a marine heatwave.
Unfortunately, nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom.
Today, a great many children don’t make it past their mailbox without adult supervision…
Has your team had a loss in July?
A graphic showing the Bluejays haven’t lost in July.
10.
Graphic of shrinking opportunities for children to roam within their community.
Have you seen this graphic before, Nick?
I am very proud to finally get this up and out into the world.
Smiles and Frowns @montesyrie.bsky.social
An educator uses flint and steel to try and light a small fire.
Ran a PD today around educators having permission to play, and we made 5-minute-fires.
Everyone spent 10mins trying different techniques to spark their fires, no luck.
I was invited to have a go 💥 first time up, I throw a spark like a boss.
Boom. Fire. Applause.
That will never happen again 😂
Today’s Odd One Out brought to you by my kids’ curiosity.
Just your standard Sunday morning breakfast at our house discussing exoskeletons and arthropods 😂
Learn to Nature Journal!
Nature journaling offers numerous benefits, including enhanced observational skills, improved mental and emotional well-being, and a deeper connection to the natural world. It can also boost cognitive functions like critical thinking and creativity. Additionally, nature…
