Resources for Teaching
A Song-a-Day Muscial Genres Calendar 2022-23
What’s this all about then?
At its simplest level the purpose of this calendar is to offer a wide-ranging selection of music: different styles, genres, origins, artists, historical periods and so on.
As part of an interesting and robust music curriculum, children need to hear and experience music and musical styles and artists that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to hear. The idea was to create a calendar of a song a day.
190 school days… 190 songs.
These songs could be used in whatever way the user thinks best – on entry to the classroom in the morning, as assembly music, as a calming session after breaktimes of lunchtimes, or as an introduction to a music lesson.
As many genres of music as possible were listed and pared it down to 39, a tough job, so yes – your favourite genre might be missing – sorry. Next, the songs! Not an easy task, not a bit! The intention was to ensure that there are 190 different artists/musicians/bands, so as not to repeat any.
At its simplest level the purpose of this calendar is to offer a wide-ranging selection of music: different styles, genres, origins, artists, historical periods and so on.
As part of an interesting and robust music curriculum, children need to hear and experience music and musical styles and artists that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to hear. The idea was to create a calendar of a song a day.
190 school days… 190 songs.
These songs could be used in whatever way the user thinks best – on entry to the classroom in the morning, as assembly music, as a calming session after breaktimes of lunchtimes, or as an introduction to a music lesson.
As many genres of music as possible were listed and pared it down to 39, a tough job, so yes – your favourite genre might be missing – sorry. Next, the songs! Not an easy task, not a bit! The intention was to ensure that there are 190 different artists/musicians/bands, so as not to repeat any.

2022-23 A Song-a-Day School Calendar | |
File Size: | 1563 kb |
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A Song-a-Day Muscial Genres Calendar 2022-23 - Playlist
A MASSIVE thanks to @MrRoddyGraham on Twitter for creating this Spotify Playlist in minutes!
Certainly a job I wanted to avoid! **He does note that some of the songs are versions listed as having 'EXPLICIT' language - so use it carefully! |
Children's Books featuring BAME Leads:
I have been thinking about the range and variety of stories and cultures that we present to children in my school and as such I began to put together a collection of stories and non-fiction which presents children with BAME characters in the lead roles. Having done that, here is an updated list of 144 books for all ages EYFS to Y6+.
It is in no way a complete list, nor is it intended as such. I have not consciously missed out or omitted any, but if you think there is something missing please let me know and I am more than happy to update the list.
I hope it is something that can prove useful.
Big thanks to @MissNewton91 for her list of books!!
It is in no way a complete list, nor is it intended as such. I have not consciously missed out or omitted any, but if you think there is something missing please let me know and I am more than happy to update the list.
I hope it is something that can prove useful.
Big thanks to @MissNewton91 for her list of books!!

144 Books & Stories Featuring BAME Lead Characters v.6 | |
File Size: | 1736 kb |
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A Month of Outdoor Learning Ideas:
As the UK begins to reduce 'Lockdown', we are approaching the first round of wider opening of schools.
This isn't the time or place for my personal views on that issue, but I do know that with the complex protocols for Social Distancing, school in June 2020 will not be school as the children knew it in March. Outdoor Learning will be a tool that we will unquestionably need to employ.
With that in mind, I have put together a set of Outdoor Learning activities, which could be applied during June and July - up to the end of term.
They are basic, simple and adaptable for different year groups and for different access arrangements for space and resources.
(I did steal the concept from a post I saw from @eenalol - so thank you Steph for the inspiration!)
Where reference is made to a 'Treasure Hunt' - you can find some examples below...
This isn't the time or place for my personal views on that issue, but I do know that with the complex protocols for Social Distancing, school in June 2020 will not be school as the children knew it in March. Outdoor Learning will be a tool that we will unquestionably need to employ.
With that in mind, I have put together a set of Outdoor Learning activities, which could be applied during June and July - up to the end of term.
They are basic, simple and adaptable for different year groups and for different access arrangements for space and resources.
(I did steal the concept from a post I saw from @eenalol - so thank you Steph for the inspiration!)
Where reference is made to a 'Treasure Hunt' - you can find some examples below...
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Outdoor Learning Treasure/Scavenger Hunts:
What’s the BIG Idea?
The BIG idea, is really a rather small one.
I have used ‘Scavenger Hunts’ successfully for a number of years, with children of different ages as a starting point for Outdoor Learning.
None of the clues in any of the hunts has a right answer, other than it is an object, view, thing (animal, vegetable or mineral) that fits the criteria of the question.
They are designed to make children think creatively and explain and justify their thoughts. After collecting, I will sit them together the discuss certain objects and find out why they chose it and whether or not everyone agrees. I always give bonus points for a good imagination!
Once the child/children have a selection of items they can then be used inside or outside for other learning activities.
Maths: Counting, Fractions, Measurement, Calculation, Patterns...
English: Description, Vocabulary, Explanation, Story Settings, Poetry…
Science: Sorting and Classifying, Comparing, Adaptations
Are just a very small number of examples.
Many of the hunts are interchangeable and although they are written with specific environments in mind, there is no reason why they cannot be chopped and changed, adapted for different ages and key stages.
Hopefully this collection of Outdoor Learning Treasure/Scavenger Hunts is useful starting point and helps you find some ways to get children investigating the Outdoors.
The BIG idea, is really a rather small one.
I have used ‘Scavenger Hunts’ successfully for a number of years, with children of different ages as a starting point for Outdoor Learning.
None of the clues in any of the hunts has a right answer, other than it is an object, view, thing (animal, vegetable or mineral) that fits the criteria of the question.
They are designed to make children think creatively and explain and justify their thoughts. After collecting, I will sit them together the discuss certain objects and find out why they chose it and whether or not everyone agrees. I always give bonus points for a good imagination!
Once the child/children have a selection of items they can then be used inside or outside for other learning activities.
Maths: Counting, Fractions, Measurement, Calculation, Patterns...
English: Description, Vocabulary, Explanation, Story Settings, Poetry…
Science: Sorting and Classifying, Comparing, Adaptations
Are just a very small number of examples.
Many of the hunts are interchangeable and although they are written with specific environments in mind, there is no reason why they cannot be chopped and changed, adapted for different ages and key stages.
Hopefully this collection of Outdoor Learning Treasure/Scavenger Hunts is useful starting point and helps you find some ways to get children investigating the Outdoors.
Outdoor Learning Treasure/Scavenger Hunts:
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More Outdoor Learning Treasure Hunts will follow...
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Cloud Finder/Identification Tool:
A simple cut and stick template to help you identify and describe different types of cloud.
Clear images and simple descriptions, accessible to most age-groups, for an interesting scientific and geographical activity.
Instructions, so much as are required, below...
Clear images and simple descriptions, accessible to most age-groups, for an interesting scientific and geographical activity.
Instructions, so much as are required, below...
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Outdoor Learning Audit Tool:

After sending out some quotes from Ofsted reports in February Newsletter, Head teacher Hayley Adams created a quick Outdoor Learning Audit/Questionnaire.
As she is my own HT, I have adapted the document further and made it available here..
It is in no way designed as a "OfSted are looking for..." document, but all the questions are based directly from Ofsted report quotes where Outdoor Learning and provision was mentioned specifically in the final report.
For all the Ofsted quotes used take a look at my Newsletter for Feb. '16.
I would value any thoughts and feedback...
As she is my own HT, I have adapted the document further and made it available here..
It is in no way designed as a "OfSted are looking for..." document, but all the questions are based directly from Ofsted report quotes where Outdoor Learning and provision was mentioned specifically in the final report.
For all the Ofsted quotes used take a look at my Newsletter for Feb. '16.
I would value any thoughts and feedback...

WatsEducation - Outdoor Learning Audit Tool (May '16) | |
File Size: | 156 kb |
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