Spelling tests, pests, giant rocks and tiny comedians disguised as students… shall we begin?
|
| If your students groan at a spelling list, roll their eyes at dictation or dramatically whisper, “Do we HAVE to?” … this week may provide some perspective. Also in today’s newsletter: giant stone money, invasive species, and the accidentally brutal honesty of children. |
|
|
|
|
|
If the mere mention of a spelling test causes dramatic sighing and suspicious toilet breaks in your classroom… this one’s for you.
|
| The annual Scripps National Spelling Bee wrapped up in the US this week, with 14-year-old Shrey Parikh spelling a mind-bending 32 obscure words in 90 seconds to claim the title after days of competition. We’re talking words so tricky they sound like someone accidentally leaned on a keyboard. You’ll only need 30 seconds of this video to get the idea… |
|
|
| 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee Winning Moment |
|
|
| Maybe use it as a reminder to tell students that “actually, today’s spelling test isn’t so bad.” |
| Or… if you’ve got a kiddo in your class who secretly loves words, this might just spark something. Because right here in Australia, the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee runs every year, giving students the chance to put their spelling superpowers to the test. |
| Spell it out to your class, throw down a lunchtime challenge, or simply bask in the joy of realising no one is asking them to spell bromocriptine before recess. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who Knew Biosecurity Could Be Fun? No, Really.
|
| Saturday, June 6, is World Pest Day, and before you scroll past thinking Christie has finally lost it… hear me out. |
| Australia’s biosecurity folk have quietly created some genuinely fun, kid-friendly resources about invasive species and pests, featuring everything from cane toads and fire ants to the tiny-but-mighty villain of the bee world: the varroa mite. |
| There are videos, classroom-ready explainers and memorable messages involving a character named Jeff. Let’s just say… don’t be a Jeff. (You’ll need to watch the video.) |
|
|
| Biosecurity when you travel |
|
|
| Beyond the fun, it’s actually a brilliant classroom conversation starter about why some plants and animals belong in one place… and cause chaos in another. |
| A few easy discussion starters for primary kids: |
 What happens when an animal or plant arrives somewhere it doesn’t naturally belong?
 Why might some species spread super quickly while others don’t?
 Should humans always try to fix invasive species problems, even if the animals are cute? (Looking at you, rabbits.)
 Have you ever seen a pest or invasive species near where you live?
 If you could invent a new rule to stop pests from spreading around the country, what would it be? |
| And if you want to keep the curiosity rolling, our Squiz Kids Shortcut to Invasive Species explores the weird, wild and sometimes downright baffling world of animals and plants that ended up in places they weren’t meant to be. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fun Finish: Kids Say the Darndest (and Slightly Savage) Things…
|
| Years ago, a student looked me up and down and told me quite sincerely how brave I was for wearing a sleeveless top when I had “such big arms”. Not stylish. Not lovely top, Miss. Brave. |
| I suspect you won’t need me to explain this one. A collection of accidentally hilarious, wildly honest and occasionally soul-destroying things kids have said to teachers has been doing the rounds online this week. |
| My favourite, the student who was caught out of class and replied: “I’m sorry, the person you are calling is not responding.” |
| I mean… fair. |
| This story from the Adelaide Advertiser has some more, but it ispaywall-protected, so if you don’t have or want a subscription, we’ve got you with this quick video: |
|
|
| And if you have some of your own, we’d love to hear them. Send them in… a Monday morning giggle is always appreciated! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What’s on this week?
|
| Here’s what’s happening around the country and the world: |
Monday, June 1 – National Meat Pie Day
– World Milk Day
– Go Barefoot Day
Tuesday, June 2 – Friendly football match – Matildas v Argentina in Canberra
– Rotisserie Chicken Day
Wednesday, June 3 – Mabo Day
– World Bicycle Day
Thursday, June 4 – National Cheese Day
– Global Running Day
Friday, June 5 – World Environment Day – Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.
Saturday, June 6 – World Pest Day
Sunday, June 7 – World Food Safety Day |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Know a teacher who’d love this? Pass it on.
|
|
|
| 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 |
Boulders, Banks and Bitcoin
If you could invent your own money, what would people use and why?
Would you rather be paid in goats, giant stones or chocolate beans? What problems might that create?
Is digital money “real” if you can’t hold it?
If everyone agreed a giant rock had value… would it become money?
