The school-holiday finish line is in sight, and this will be our last Teacher Newsletter for the next two weeks, but we won’t be putting our feet up completely…
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| We’ll still be publishing plenty to keep young brains busy, including our daily brain teasers, some bumper Kids vs Adults S’Quizzes and regular updates on all the important developments of Fat Bear Week. And if that’s still not enough, our enormous back catalogue of Shortcuts, Squiz the World adventures, Science Shorts, Spotlights and more is always ready for a holiday road trip or rainy afternoon. |
| Before the bell rings, we’re marking the International Day of Democracy with some excellent ready-to-use civics resources, packing our bags for Panama and looking ahead to two very different pop culture events. Then, for our Fun Finish, a Yorkshire teacher’s reading lesson takes a wonderfully unexpected turn… |
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Do you have an Aussie of the Month in your Classroom?
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Tuesday marks the International Day of Democracy.
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| While primary students may be years away from the polling booth, they’re certainly not too young to take part in their communities, speak up about the things that matter to them and listen respectfully to other points of view. |
| The Museum of Australian Democracy has a terrific bank of civic participation resources, with classroom activities covering democracy, leadership, student voice, the media and the many ways young people can make change. |
| Another excellent program I’ve only just discovered (how did I not know about this??) is Aussie of the Month. It’s free for Australian primary schools and celebrates students who demonstrate active citizenship and values such as respect, inclusion, mateship and a fair go. Schools receive a kit containing certificates, badges and stationery gifts to recognise one student each month. |
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| For something ready to press play on, our four-part Sensational World of Civics series takes students from Federation and elections to Parliament and the ways kids can get involved, with a worksheet and transcript for every episode. |
| We’re also planning to bring back our PM for a Day competition next year. We loved hearing children’s ideas for making Australia a better place, so keep an ear out and we’ll let you know when it’s time for your students to have their say. |
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Pack your bags… we’re off to Panama
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| This week, Squiz the World is heading to the small Central American country that connects some very big things: two continents, two oceans and, thanks to its world-famous canal, ships travelling from one side of the planet to the other. |
| Along the way, we’ll discover how the Panama Canal’s giant locks work like a watery staircase, why the country’s golden frog waves, and why the famous Panama hat isn’t actually from Panama at all. |
| It’s a ready-to-play trip around the world… no passports, permission slips or airport queues required. |
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Two very different pop culture countdowns…
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| First, a television experiment that has been running for more than six decades is coming to an end. In 1964, the landmark British documentary Seven Up! introduced viewers to 14 seven-year-olds from different backgrounds. The filmmakers returned every seven years to see where life had taken them—and now, aged 70, the remaining participants are back for one final chapter. |
| 70 Up begins on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK on September 15. There’s no Australian release date yet, but earlier instalments are available through SBS On Demand if you’d like to begin the world’s most ambitious television catch-up. Read more about 70 Up. |
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| At the other end of the pop-culture spectrum, the countdown is on to Fat Bear Week. From September 22–29, the magnificently well-fed brown bears of Alaska’s Katmai National Park will go belly-to-belly in an online knockout competition. The public (including you and your class) can vote using before-and-after photos to decide which bear has done the most impressive job of piling on the kilos before winter hibernation. You’ll be able to meet the contenders and vote here. |
| Yes, it falls during the school holidays, but we take our bear-based responsibilities very seriously. Follow Squiz Kids on social media for regular updates, worthy contenders and plenty of gloriously rotund bear content. |
| For now, though, you’ll have to be content with watching the bears catching salmon and fattening up at Katmai’s famous Brooks Falls. |
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| LIVE Brooks Falls – Katmai National Park, Alaska 2026 | explore.org |
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Fun Finish: When reading aloud goes off script
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| A reading lesson took a hilarious detour when Yorkshire-born primary teacher Nathan Hill’s Aussie students became fascinated by his accent. Soon, they were requesting phrases including “Steve Irwin”, “Kentucky Fried Chicken” and “eggs and bacon”, and everyone, including Mr Hill, was in hysterics. |
| The adorable exchange has since gone viral. Sometimes the most memorable lessons aren’t in the planner. |
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Know a teacher who’d love this? Pass it on.
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| We love hearing from you! Reply to this email with any feedback, suggestions, or funny teaching stories, or hit us up at [email protected]. |
Now get out there, and have a most excellent day!
Over and out. |
| – Christie Kijurina, Squiz Kids Educator |
