Hello teachers!

Who gets government funding, why restrict social media, and what jobs will today’s kids grow up to do? Our young questioners keep NSW Premier Chris Minns on his toes this week. And just when he thinks he’s through the tricky stuff, there’s pineapple on pizza…

Before we hand over the microphone, there’s some big news from our Squiz family about a new way to support our work. We’ve also rounded up classroom resources for frog detectives, pollinator spotters and recycling champions, and found a Japanese tradition with a particularly sweet finish.

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Those questions, discoveries and “hang on… is that actually true?” moments are what we’re here for.

And we’re part of a bigger family. Squiz Media is home to Squiz Kids, Newshounds and our big sister, The Squiz, with news podcasts and newsletters for curious grown-ups, Squiz Shortcuts for the backstory to the headlines, and News Club for a deeper dive.

Last week, Squiz Media launched a contributions program to support that whole family, including our work for kids and teachers.

You might have spotted Publisher Kate Watson’s email with the backstory. Advertising and partnerships have helped us create freely available news and resources. Now, anyone who’d like to contribute can help us continue that work and reach more people.

Contributing is entirely optional. The free content you enjoy will stay free.

We know teachers already give plenty - too often from their own pockets - so there’s no expectation here. But if our work makes a difference in your classroom and you’re in a position to support it, we’d be very grateful.

NSW Premier Chris Minns joins us for a Squiz Kids Q+A this Tuesday morning. Think politics might be a snooze? Our listeners have other ideas.

Why reduce screen time in classrooms? Why support a social media ban for under-16s? And why aren’t regional communities getting their fair share? The Premier takes it all on.

There’s a thoughtful case for three-day weekends, too. We imagine a few teachers will be quietly cheering that one on.

And then there’s the question that could divide the classroom: what’s his position on pineapple on pizza?

Whatever state you teach in, there’s plenty here to get kids talking about who makes decisions, whose needs are heard, and why asking questions matters in a democracy. Our listeners show you don’t have to be old enough to vote to have something worth asking.

Listen with your class from Tuesday morning.

Fancy taking some learning outdoors? Three environmental weeks overlap this week, with opportunities for kids to help scientists, support wildlife or rethink what goes in the bin.

🐸 FrogID Week

During Australia’s biggest frog count, families and schools can use the free FrogID app to record frog calls. Those recordings help researchers understand where frogs live and how their populations are changing. Kids can join in with a teacher or parent… no frog-catching required.

For the classroom, there are free resources on frog habitats, adaptations and life cycles, plus activity sheets and guides to creating a frog-friendly habitat.

Explore the classroom resources · Join FrogID Week

🐝 Australian Pollinator Week

Bees get plenty of credit, but butterflies, beetles and other pollinators also help keep our plants reproducing and our ecosystems healthy. This week celebrates their work and this year’s theme is “Pollinator Education: Inspiring the next generation.”

Your class can contribute to the Australian Pollinator Count by watching flowers for just two minutes and recording the insect visitors. Start with the identification guide and quiz: participants need to score at least 80% before counting for their results to be used in the research. There are also free colouring sheets, bee crosswords and habitat-garden ideas.

Join the Pollinator Count · Find classroom activities

♻️ National Recycling Week

No bees or frogs nearby? There’s always the lunchbox. Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week encourages us to reduce waste, reuse what we can and recycle correctly. This year’s theme is “Join the Cycle” something every class can get involved in.

Try a waste-free lunch challenge, review your classroom recycling system or turn used materials into something useful. Planet Ark’s Schools Recycle Right resources include lesson plans, recycling games, craft ideas and activity sheets. The activity downloads are free, with a short registration form to access them.

Explore Schools Recycle Right · Browse activities and guides

Just when you thought the Halloween lolly negotiations were over, here’s another celebration your class might want in on.

This Sunday, 15 November, families in Japan celebrate Shichi-Go-San, meaning “seven-five-three”. It marks special milestones for children of those ages, who dress in traditional clothing or their best outfits and visit shrines with their families to give thanks for their growth and wish for a healthy future.

And then there are the lollies. Chitose ame, or “thousand-year candy”, are long red-and-white sweets symbolising the hope that children will enjoy long, healthy lives. Even the bags carry good wishes, with cranes and turtles representing longevity.

A beautiful tradition. Although we suspect some children will hear “lollies to celebrate growing” and immediately start preparing their case.

Take a peek at this sweet Japanese tradition.

Here’s what’s happening around the country and the world:

COP 31 Antalya, Türkiye  Nov 9- 20
Food Safety Week

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