More Edutopia Weblinks

See below for some more weblinks from Edutopia - that hopefully may be of some interest to you. These cover areas such as: Science, Math, reading and writing - and also STEM. Who knows, these may just give you some crazy ideas to run in the classroom that will TOTALLY get the students on board!! Miracles happen ... 

https://www.edutopia.org/article/fun-survivor-themed-classroom-activity-promotes-science-learning

https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-can-we-survive-mars

https://www.edutopia.org/article/quick-and-inexpensive-design-challenges

https://www.edutopia.org/article/connecting-math-and-science-reading-and-writing

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/why-origami-improves-students-skills-ainissa-ramirez

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/making-is-essential-to-learning-youki-terada

Edutopia & End of Term

I'm baack ... right when you thought that you may have seen the last of me.  It's all good though, as it's almost the end of term, so probably just this blog post before we get a short break.

There are a couple of links below that could be of some interest for you and your classes, or at least resources that you may be able to adapt for your use.  Maybe even 'stuff' that could generate an 'ah-ha' moment?  

I'm not a teacher, so most of my offerings are a guess - but fingers crossed there is something here that may be of some use for you all. 

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/school-libraries-makerspaces-coexist-josh-weisgrau

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/equity-vs-equality-shane-safir

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/how-design-right-sized-challenges-suzie-boss

https://www.edutopia.org/article/two-ways-bring-games-your-classroom

MindShift Weblinks - Teens and Technology

Below are a few weblinks taken from a blog site called MindShift, which deals with teaching and technology.  These were ones that caught my interest so I decided to share them with you.  I think that they are worth a read.

http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/03/23/six-powerful-motivations-driving-social-learning-by-teens/

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/02/08/how-has-google-affected-the-way-students-learn/

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/03/06/turned-off-how-teens-respond-to-a-no-tech-challenge/

Have a great weekend.

Australian Futures Project: My Big Idea

Through an email from another Librarian, I came across the 'My Big Idea' challenge - which is part of the Australian Futures project.  This is a nationwide ideas competition, which is focused on creating positive change for Australia - within our communities and with our hopes and ideals. 

Their hope is to foster a culture of ideas and action, build capability in the communities and to instil a sense of possibility for all Australians.

Is there something you - or your students - are passionate about?  And you think you know what it would take to make it awesome? 

Then check out the link below and get involved. 

https://australianfutures.org/my-big-idea/

Word Power!

Today's post is something a little different - a discussion has been happening in here about the way the English language changes and develops and how different words appear, or come to mean different things.  
I can recall my consternation a few years ago, when I gave my grandson a gift and got a big hug and the comment "Thanks grandma - that's totally sick!!"  Turned out he WAS happy about it - obviously I hadn't been keeping up with the current teen dialect!!  And I am pretty sure it has changed again already!

Anyway, I have a list of words that are still used in the English language, although some maybe not all that often plus a few newer ones.  

My challenge is - how many do you know the meaning of?  And no, do NOT reach for the keyboard to Google it!!  

I would hazard a guess it will depend on your age as to how many you have heard of or know the answer to.  Or even WHICH ones you know the answer to.  Let's see how you go! 
Futz -
Tmesis -
Petrichor -
Illywhacker -
Piscatorial -
Discombobulate -
Frankenfood - 
Verjuice -
Infowhelm -
Vidiot -
Gazillionised - 
Vexillogy -
Triskaidekaphobia - 

Have fun - maybe run it past the kids!  Their faces should be  interesting! Let me know if you would like me to post the answers next time.

Games Day in the Library

On Friday we ran with the theme of International Games Day in the Library, which is an activity promoted by ALIA. (Australian Library and Information Association)   Various board games were set out, especially the ever popular Connect 4, along with Pick Up Sticks and Chess.
  
There were also a variety of Minute to Win It Challenges happening during recess and lunch as well, which were very popular with the students.... or maybe it was the M&Ms contest and eating them that was the highlight?

 Kalheel currently holds most of the top scores, successfully defending his title against all comers.  He came back when the lunch bell rang to go back to class, concerned in case he had been toppled off his perch, and was very happy to be assured that he was still top dog.


A couple of the boys challenged Mr Marday to a game of chess - so he took them both on at the  same time.  Very impressive!
 
On asking the students for feedback, it seems they all had fun, and would like to see more of that type of thing happening in the Library -so something to plan for - although maybe not everyday as was requested.  And nobody appeared all that upset that the computers were off-limits for the day, so bonus!  

A very enjoyable day for all involved it seems.  My thanks to the teachers who came in and helped supervise, and challenged the kids to some of the activities.