Check out these articles when you get a moment - it is interesting to note in the first one concerning reading, that the data shows that American students are having as many problems with reading as ours are, along with the same concerns being made by their teachers. I guess the highlight from that is: We are NOT alone and it ISN'T just us! Poor comfort maybe, but possibly a comfort anyway!
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/54452/why-deeply-diving-into-content-could-be-the-key-to-reading-comprehension
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/54514/how-tech-tools-can-reduce-anxiety-and-strengthen-relationships-with-students
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/54389/3-ways-to-shape-math-into-a-positive-experience
Enjoy your weekend - 7 weeks to go to the end of Term! (If anyone is counting)
Thursday 24 October 2019
8 Opal Science – Visiting Seismologists
8 Opal Science – Visiting Seismologists (that’s Earthquake
scientists)
Three scientists visited the 8 Opal
Science class on Thursday 17 as part of our Term 3 study of Earthquakes and
Volcanoes. Dr Michelle Salmon from the Australian National University, Joel
Tatpudi and Rajesh Erigela who are based at the Warramunga Seismic Array
situated in the Barkly region. They set up an active seismograph
machine in the classroom on the floor and had an old one that the students
could look at and touch.
With questions from students, she
also talked about the scientific data that came from the 1988 earthquake that
rocked Tennant Creek as well as the recent one this year. The students found it
all fascinating. They asked many questions and were impressed with the answers.
Dr Salmon showed the class the
seismic wave charts from both earthquakes as well, and the students could see
the patterns that were registered. She explained and showed us examples of P,
S, Love and Raleigh waves, and how they move through the earth. At
this point the class were asked to stand, and on the count of three, we were
all asked to jump. We set off the seismograph, and could see on the screen how
the machine showed our impact, our own mini quake. We did this a couple times
more to see if we could beat our previous one.
Dr Salmon explained about the array
and what it was designed to do. We saw a photo of one of the shafts that the
equipment is placed in.
Dr Salmon explained about where
earthquakes occur and tectonic plates. She showed us where they
occur, and the frequency that they occur. The pattern of the quakes shows where
the boundaries of the plates are, and students were able to explain the
different types when quizzed.
Dr Salmon also explained how the
Richter scale works and how the magnitudes of the earthquakes is measured.
With questions from students, she
also talked about the scientific data that came from the 1988 earthquake that
rocked Tennant Creek as well as the recent one this year. The students found it
all fascinating. They asked many questions and were impressed with the answers.
Dr Salmon showed the class the
seismic wave charts from both earthquakes as well, and the students could see
the patterns that were registered. She explained and showed us examples of P,
S, Love and Raleigh waves, and how they move through the earth. At
this point the class were asked to stand, and on the count of three, we were
all asked to jump. We set off the seismograph, and could see on the screen how
the machine showed our impact, our own mini quake. We did this a couple times
more to see if we could beat our previous one.
Finally we talked about movies and
how they aren’t always scientifically accurate, but some do have good science
information in them. We also talked about types of buildings that are safer to
build, and structural tricks to keep buildings safer as well as safety
procedures should we find ourselves in a severe earthquake.
Dr Salmon showed us what happened in
some famous earthquakes from around the world and even some in Australia and
New Zealand.
Guest Blogger: KSQ
Friday 18 October 2019
Digital Survival Kit Idea
This is a re-post of one I put up about 3 or so years ago. It's a suggestion for a Digital Survival Kit, designed by a teacher in the US for his class .. mainly to reinforce some of what he teaches. Sometimes visual props can make a point better than all the words can.
Any other suggestions to add?
Padlock: to remind you to have strong passwords
Toothbrush: Would you share your toothbrush? No? Don't share your passwords either.
Permanent Marker: EVERYTHING you put on the Internet is there forever
Toothpaste: You can't get toothpaste back into the tube - nor can you ever take your posts off the Web.
Magnifying Glass: What shows up when people search you on Google? Is that what you want people to know about you? Will it get you a job later?
Fake Tattoo: 'Digital Tattoo' instead of 'Digital Footprint'. Footprints can be washed away - a tattoo is much harder to get rid of.
Sheet of paper: Screw it up, stomp on it - now smooth it out and try to make it as new as it was.That's what happens with cyber bullying - the marks are always there.
Strainer: Know how to 'strain the real' from the Internet. In other words, know how to spot fake stuff and don't get caught out by hoaxes.
Any other suggestions to add?
Padlock: to remind you to have strong passwords
Toothbrush: Would you share your toothbrush? No? Don't share your passwords either.
Permanent Marker: EVERYTHING you put on the Internet is there forever
Toothpaste: You can't get toothpaste back into the tube - nor can you ever take your posts off the Web.
Magnifying Glass: What shows up when people search you on Google? Is that what you want people to know about you? Will it get you a job later?
Fake Tattoo: 'Digital Tattoo' instead of 'Digital Footprint'. Footprints can be washed away - a tattoo is much harder to get rid of.
Sheet of paper: Screw it up, stomp on it - now smooth it out and try to make it as new as it was.That's what happens with cyber bullying - the marks are always there.
Strainer: Know how to 'strain the real' from the Internet. In other words, know how to spot fake stuff and don't get caught out by hoaxes.
Thursday 17 October 2019
Genre's and Weblinks
The latest genre display is up - and it is DIARY this time. There's a range of titles from historical to humour, and hopefully will appeal to a range of tastes.
Below are also some links taken from the 'Conversation' blog, about educational thoughts and ideas. I have just grabbed a few that could be topical, so maybe log on and have a look for yourselves.
https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-is-it-ok-to-listen-to-music-while-studying-125222
https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-how-was-maths-discovered-who-made-up-the-numbers-and-rules-121509
https://theconversation.com/keep-your-job-options-open-and-dont-ditch-science-when-choosing-next-years-school-subjects-123012
https://theconversation.com/explainer-whats-the-difference-between-stem-and-steam-95713
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