Inspiring Kindergarten–Grade 1 teachers around the world
Real classroom ideas — without the overwhelm.
Balance phonics, writing, maths, and inquiry with practical, research-informed strategies that actually work in real classrooms.
Whether you teach
Kindergarten, Foundation, Prep, or Year 1,
you’re in the right place.
In the early years, it can feel like you’re constantly choosing between explicit teaching and inquiry-based learning. Build the phonics skills or follow the curiosity. Teach the lesson or let them explore.
The truth? You don’t have to choose.
Here you’ll find practical, classroom-tested ideas to build strong foundations in reading, writing, and maths —
while still creating a space full of curiosity, creativity, and connection.
Phonics & Reading
Create strong readers from the start
writing
Grow confident and skilled young writers
maths
Make maths click for every student
Inquiry Learning
Turn curiosity into meaningful learning
Classroom Organisation
Systems that save you time
Back to School
Start the year calm and ready
Teacher Tips
Real advice that actually works
freebies
Grab, print, and teach
Hi, I’m Tess!
I’m an Australian primary teacher, mum, coffee drinker, and the heart behind Big World Teaching – currently teaching at an international school in Vietnam.
I share practical, research-informed ideas for phonics, writing, maths, and inquiry – all designed for real classrooms, wherever you are in the world.
Tried, tested, and loved in real classrooms – these are the resources teachers keep coming back to.
Simple, practical ideas you can use right away – straight from my classroom to yours.
Join the
community
Get practical, classroom-tested ideas for phonics, writing, maths, and inquiry – plus free resources to support your teaching.
Join thousands of K–1 teachers feeling more confident every week.