Science Wizardy, Teeth and Mess

Found this blog with some fun (and messy) science activities....


Also this tooth thing is a great idea!

Whose Classroom Is it?

Found this on a Monty Roberts forum and it again triggered my distaste for imperialism.

Each rule was written in a distinct tone, which to my ears sounded aggressive and confrontational. I couldn’t believe what I was reading; surely this was part of an early 20th century history of education project?

The Rules Read:

Quietly ENTER the classroom ONLY when your teacher tells you to.

Go to the desk given to you by your teacher: it is not your job to decide where to sit unless you teacher tells you so.

Take your coat off immediately and sit down when requested.

LISTEN properly and FOLLOW the INSTRUCTIONS your teacher gives you straight away.

At the end of the lesson PACK equipment AWAY and put your COAT on ONLY when the teacher tells you.

It goes on to discuss the author's views on these rules and the fact that they seem to be the antithesis of Monty's JOINUP concept.

How can we complain when today's youth don't show responsibility etc when we are so prescriptive, politically correct and  over scheduling. When do students have the time to develop those skills we berate them for not having...

School years are the time for mistakes/experiments - when the consequences are minimal and the environment is supervised and safe.

Let ākonga explore!
It is their classroom. They are the reason we are there!

Doodle

Have been introduced to Doodle as an online scheduling tool through my ICT inquiry meetings - V useful for arranging our meetings as this is the only time we see each other as we are scattered at schools far and wide.

It lets you put in a few time options then emails out to all the people then they check box answer their preferences and doodle lets you all know which time is the go!

Love it!

The meetings - now that they are finally going - are great for collaboration and networking.
I am REALLY disappointed that our group did not have this advantage for the whole year.

Google Image Power User

Become a Google Image Power User.....

Found this useful resource to add to our skills with google - and image finding in particular.

Lots of useful stuff in here!

ULearn 2013!

ULearn is this month!!

Looking forward to the speaker on Cyber Safety as I hear he is a great speaker.
Have also had a quick look into Jill Hammond - hopefully she has plenty of practical examples!


EDIT: Jill Hammond was excellent! Lots of practical stuff and she made me want to get my own business card!

Also have a post in the making linking Cyber safety and Banning cellphones....