Handy Weblinks for Teachers & Students

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/QR-codes-teaching-andrew-miller

https://besthistorysites.net/ancient-biblical-history/general-resources/

https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home

https://www.abc.net.au/education/#!/home

Above are a few weblinks that may be helpful for either teachers or students.  Two are history based and the other is our ABC education page - which covers a large range of materials.  Check them out if you have a free moment or two.  There is also a link with 12 Ideas for teaching with QR Codes.  

QR codes again

Well, it has been a while since I extolled the amazing uses of QR Codes - but I came across this site the other day (as you do!) which allows you to input a series of questions and the system will generate QR Codes that can be used in a type of scavenger style hunt.

I have made one up to try out for Girl Guides - so we'll see how that goes.  It can literally be used for anything as far as I can see - any subject, any style of questions or quizzes.  Even for reflection questions in class. 

I am a huge fan of QR Codes, as you will see if you go back through some of my posts.  I have used them for Library Orientation activities, in teaching classification in Science to year 7s and often used them in Wide games and activities in Guides.  

I have also put together a review quiz on Multiplication tables for Ms. Squires, used them in a Library Display for Picture Book Month and in a class about advertising methods. 

Anyway, enough of my soapbox!  

Check out this website and let me know what you think.  (Oh, and the QR Code I have added has a message in it!  😀) 

 https://www.classtools.net/QR/

Picture Book Month Display

November is my favourite Library month of the year!!  It's Picture Book Month!  For me, picture books are just magical.  So many stories, with all the beautiful illustrations that make the whole thing come to life - and all the layers within the stories and pictures.  Picture Books are never truly just for kids - they are SO much more than that. 

There is a display up in the Library with book covers from some of our staff and students favourite Picture Books  - and I have made and  attached a QR Code to all the ones I could -which should take you to a YouTube clip of the story being read. 

 Give it a try - it's a good way to get into the magic of QR  Codes - another one of my passions!  They can be used for SO much amazing stuff. 

Never underestimate the power of Picture Books - they are personal as well as universal. And they are very, very important - no matter how grown up you may think you are. You should never get so old that you don't read Picture books - that would just be too sad!

Have a wonderful weekend and take time to read!  And .. if anyone was counting, which I'm sure you're not .. 4 weeks to the end of term!

Life is only travelled once - today's moment becomes tomorrow's memory.

Enjoy every moment! 

And again, QR Codes

Just thought I would share with you all the web site I use to produce the QR Codes I use here at school.  It is almost totally idiot-proof - and that is coming from me who nearly always manages to run foul of technology.

http://www.qrstuff.com/

Log on, have a play and see what you can create.

Serendipity and QR Codes

Serendipity.. 'the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way'.... and when you add my fascination with QR Codes to the mix... well, let's just say I had a good day.

While chasing something else, I came across a site with Reflection Questions built into QR Codes, and then turned into cubes that can be rolled and scanned, then answered.  I am guessing it would engage the students, as it certainly kept me entertained for a while, once I had printed and made up the cubes.  Check out the link....
 http://elenikyritsis.com/2014/03/28/qr-codes-in-the-classroom/

While I was browsing the fun stuff, I came across a couple of ideas for using an app called QR Voice. I haven't checked it out yet, but it appears that you can record messages, change them to a QR Code and have the students scan them and hear the message.  Hmm - must explore this further....
 http://librariansquest.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/mind-your-ps-and-qrs2.html

Anyway, aside from all of that, just a reminder that today is National Flag Day and Monday is World Literacy Day.

 Thank you for your patience with my soapbox ramblings - now carry on being AWESOME!! 

Interesting Web Links

Below are a few weblinks that may (or may not) be of some use or interest to you.  It could be worth having a quick browse if you get a few minutes to see if they generate any new ideas.

http://www.edutopia.org/article/digital-citizenship-resources

http://www.schrockguide.net/qr-codes-in-the-classroom.html

http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/QRcodesineducation.aspx

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/10/5-excellent-videos-to-teach-your.html

http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/home

Have a great weekend.

QR Codes with year 7s.

As some of you know, I have a fascination for QR codes, and using them for learning activities with students.  I think they could be used for most classes...well, I am still trying to apply them to Maths, but I am working on that one.

The last couple of weeks I have had 2 of the year 7 classes come in for a Library Orientation lesson, using QR codes to learn about each area of the Library and it seemed to go well.  At the end of the lesson, in most cases, they could show me all the various areas, and talk about the Library rules and why we have them. 
(I got a lovely thank you card from Mr. Lutwyche's class, which was awesome. Never had that before.) 

Congratulations to Flynn on winning the Swimming Carnival.  Well done!

Currently we have a display up in the Library with a Twitter theme - lots of birds and very short book reviews.  All the books to match are on the display shelf and ready for loan so come borrow a few, or more.  If anyone would like to get their class involved with writing short book reviews to be added to the display, that would be great. 

Also, if anyone would like to have class work displayed here in the Library, please come and see me - I would love it.  (Displays are not my forte, I must admit)

Science, QR Codes and Chess.

I have had Mrs. Anderson's 7O class in today for a QR Code Hunt around the Library.  She was working on Classification so it seemed an interesting way to both demonstrate classification and have a small Library orientation at the same time.

The class started in the Lab with a QR code directing them to the Library, which brought them to a QR Code on my office window, so that I knew they were there and could assist with the rest of the hunt.
They then checked out the Dewey Decimal charts and moved round a range of areas, taking photos to prove they had been able to follow the instructions.

The students had a ball and got right into QR Codes.  I believe that this could be used with almost any class, whether for revision or just as a novel way of teaching something.  It could even be used as a craft activity - maybe printed t-shirts or keytags?  Thank you, Mrs Anderson, for letting me show your class another fun side to learning.

Another activity that has become popular again is Chess and we have a few students taking the opportunity during recess and lunch to challenge each other. Plenty more chess sets available, so certainly room for more games to be happening.

In fact, we also have Monopoly, Battleships, Uno and various other games to use during break times, so it is not just chess. Maybe we should set up a regular board game session every week?

* EDIT:  Whoops, sorry it was actually a Yr 7 class.  My apologies to everyone.  Sorry Mrs Anderson. I have fixed it now.

Weblinks

Just a few weblinks that may be of interest to staff.  There is probably (definitely) a bias on the subject of QR Codes, but that is mainly because I find them a really good hook to get kids involved. It has worked really well here in the Library and also in scavenger hunts for Guides. (A useful way of using those phones they are always attached to)

http://www.crickweb.co.uk/links-literacy.html   
(Activities and games with a literacy theme)

http://www.edudemic.com/7-fun-ways-to-use-qr-codes-in-education/  
(Pretty much as the title says)

http://www.fractuslearning.com/2012/02/20/qr-codes-in-education/  
(Ideas for using QR codes in classrooms)

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/213921051020118190/
(A Pinterest board with lots of QR Code ideas for use in an educational setting)

https://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/apps-and-mobile-learning/qr-codes-what-are-they-and-how-can-i-use-them-in-my-classroom/
(General article about the use of QR codes in teaching and learning)

Speechless and QR Codes

Library Lessons for the Year 7s have started and will be running for the next few weeks.  This week was all about where to find things in our Library - and a QR code Hunt using the ipads.  The class really seemed to get into the idea of a 'treasure' hunt using iPads and scaning the bright yellow and black little squares that had been stuck up all around the area. 
This idea is one that would work for most subjects, I think and is very easy to put together with all the free on-line sites for generating QR codes - and can be anything from text to URLs.


New title in the Library this week:

‘Speechless’    -    Genre:  Issues

"Saying she’s sorry isn’t enough.  Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can’t keep a secret – until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast – and nearly got someone killed.
Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence – to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting everyone else.  And if she thinks that keeping secrets is hard, she has no idea how hard not speaking up when she is ignored, ridiculed or even attacked is going to be.
However, there is strength in silence and new friends coming her way. A boy she may even fall for.  If only her new friends can forgive what she has done........if only she can forgive herself."

 Well worth a read - after all communication is a huge part of our lives and talking involves at least a good half of it.

 

The School Swimming Carnival is on tomorrow, so good luck to all. 
GO STUART!!

Have a wonderful weekend - week 6 next week so almost halfway through the term.

 

 

Library Classes and QR Codes

Well, we are into week 3 of our Library classes and we have had a few successes.

The QR Code Hunt in week 2 was very popular - I'm not sure whether it was the iPads or the QR code hunt itself, but the students got right into it.

We had 22 QR codes pinned up around the Library and they used the iPads to read the codes and then answered the questions that came up on the screen.  It was a fun way of them getting to know the layout of the Library and some of the different resources available here.

With all the free QR code generators out there it is so easy to make up your own QR codes with whatever you want the students to learn or revise - and they love it.  The senior students in the Library watched it all happen and are now asking questions about QR codes and checking out the magazines and book trailers using the codes. 

Just to give you a idea of what I am talking about, read the QR code here and send us a comment with the answer to the question.  You can download a free QR code reader onto your iPhone or smart phone - quite handy as most magazines, books etc all provide loads of information via QR codes.

This week has been about research skills and using Boolean operators to refine your search.  I think the highlight there was sticking words to the window - way out of my reach as they are at least as tall than me, and can jump higher -  but hey, whatever works for them.  Obviously they learnt something as well because no-one had a problem with the worksheet.  (And I found a Year 9 student to get all the words off the window for me!)

We have just finished processing a pile of new fiction books which are now on display and ready for borrowing.  So come and take a look.  If there is something particular that you would like, come and talk to us and we will do our best to get hold of it for you.

Have an awesome week.

United Nations & Library Lessons

Lots of work has been happening in the Library recently - especially with the end of Semester 1 on the horizon.  Even though 4 weeks break is coming up fast, there is lots still to do and some very busy little bee's working hard.

 After a visit from the UN Youth delegation, the Year 10s have been learning about the United Nations as well as Human Rights issues and have begun to put together a display in the Library. Their task is to have an in depth look at human rights ledgers.

Coming up next semester is a display on the 2012 Olympics, and we are also in the throes of creating a brand new and improved Year seven library lesson program. QR codes, Wordles, the Dewey rap song and playing around with Prezi. Carrie and I are both very excited about things that are coming up in the next couple of months.

We will do our very best to keep this blog updated with the things that are going on. Next week will be a post about stocktake, and a report on how many people we have had to hound to get items back. It would be good to make it a complete return of items with nothing outstanding. We are happy to tag anything and re-issue it next term.  You just have to ask!

Have a great weekend - and week 10 next week.  Bring it on!