Teach Primary Issue 18.4

www.teachwire.ne t | 23 T eachers are entrusted with a unique opportunity to cultivate joy in learning, and to make it a delightful journey for our pupils. The question is, how to do it effectively? As an educator, I’ve learned that the most impactful lessons, routines, and plans emerge from a partnership between teachers and carers. When we work hand-in-hand with parents or carers, and when family members supplement learning with additional resources at home, we create a holistic support system that helps the child reach their full potential. It fosters a lasting love for learning and helps develop them into well-rounded individuals, who are ready to navigate the world with confidence. If we are to bring more joy into the classroom, we must also rethink our approach to lesson planning and curriculum development. When we start to infuse our curriculums with interactive activities, hands-on projects, and real-world connections – that is when we start to see the difference a joy-driven approach can make. This belief, coupled with the importance of parent-child involvement, led me to create Brings Joy Learning ( bringsjoylearning.com ) , an interdisciplinary unit-style supplemental curriculum that seeks to revolutionise how children are introduced to the concept of learning. Another important aspect to making learning a joyful experience is to model joy in learning ourselves. When pupils see teachers who are passionate and excited about the subjects they teach, it becomes contagious, encouraging children to approach learning with a similar mindset. For example, I often take my college students on hiking excursions to explore the mountains, where we connect the theoretical concepts from our textbooks to tangible, real-world experiences. It’s something I’m truly passionate about and also enjoy doing in my free time with my family. Joy in the classroom holds transformative power, for both pupils and teachers. It fosters a sense of belonging, encourages exploration, and supports holistic development. When children experience joy in learning, they become more motivated, attentive, and engaged, leading to deeper understanding and retention of the material. This engagement supports a positive classroom environment where pupils feel safe to express themselves, ask questions, and take intellectual risks. Moreover, it cultivates resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges, which are some essential skills for lifelong learning. Now, I couldn’t write about ‘bringing joy’ to learning experiences without mentioning a shift in focus from grades to the process of learning and personal growth. As convenient as it may sound, this approach is necessary if we want to cultivate independent thinkers and resilient individuals. This shift also allows pupils to explore their passions without having to constantly worry about failure. That being said, shifting away from focusing on grades doesn’t mean we stop tracking pupils’ progress. There are many effective alternatives for monitoring development, such as using portfolios, self-assessments, and project-based assessments, that allow for real-world application. By adopting these methods, we can offer meaningful feedback and support pupils’ journey toward personal and academic success. Embracing joyful learning experiences is not just about creating a fun classroom environment; it’s a way of empowering pupils to become confident explorers of knowledge. It’s something we, as educators, can achieve by prioritising the process of learning, personal growth, and holistic development. Together, let’s change the way children perceive learning, and pave the way for a new era of inspired and passionate learners! From, Farida w .teachwire.net | 17 A letter to... There are so many ways we can bring joy into the classroom, says Farida Baxamusa Each issueweaskacontributor to penanote theywould love to send Fellow educators Farida Baxamusa is founder and CEO of Brings Joy Learning, teacher/professor, curriculum writer, entrepreneur, hiker, and a homeschooling mom of three. VO I C E S “Embracing joyful learning experiences is not just about creating a fun classroom environment” @bringsjoy_learning faridabaxamusa bringsjoylearning.com