Holiday Time

Three weeks break coming up!!  Yippee!!

Have a wonderful, relaxing time - take it easy, rejuvenate and make the most of it, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.  

Also, make some time to READ - it's great for the blood pressure according to research.  

Carry on being your awesome selves!

Fundraising for Maths & Science Camps

https://www.schoolsplus.org.au/stem-adventures/

Please visit the website above to give a tax deductable donation and support local students who are keen to stretch their mental skills and understanding in challenging ways.

Since 2016, Tennant Creek High School has been providing opportunities every year for teams to engage and compete in the Science and Engineering Challenge as well as the Maths Enrichment Camp.

These two events offer students alternative non-sporting opportunities to extend themselves and explore the areas of Maths and Science in fun and competitive environments. 

The students carry out fundraising each year to help support travel costs and competition fees.  Those who have attended these events have shown an increased interest in Maths and Science as well as improvement in their attitudes to learning.  

The camp theme is FUN, THINKING & FRIENDSHIP. 

STEAM - powering today's classroom

Below are a few links to articles about schools and STEAM in classrooms and the benefits or otherwise to our students.  I found the one about Math and STEM being a social justice issue fascinating, especially given my inherent dislike of maths and numbers.
  
Take a look when you have a moment and see what you think.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/oct17/vol75/num02/The_STEAM-Powered_Classroom.aspx

https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/01/how-steam-education-benefits-students-at-a-young-age/

https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/06/why-math-and-stem-education-is-a-social-justice-issue/

Tennant Creek Show

https://www.tennantcreekshow.com.au/

Link to the Tennant Creek Show website above.  

The Tennant Creek Show will be on 12th July.  There are a few more updates to come including the Show program and more sponsors added, but it should give you an idea.  There may be lots of things your students could enter in.

Being the 40^th Show – it will be party time as well!!  Cake, Balloons and raffles for gifts. 

There are also some competitions running for people to have fun with ...

* Build A Scarecrow sponsored by the TC Girl Guides
* Cows for Schools sponsored by the NT Cattlemans Association
* Photography Competition - Photo from any previous Show over the last 40 years sponsored by the Barkly Multicultural Association
* Decorate a Party cake to celebrate 40 years sponsored by Barkly Plumbing Services

Check out the Show Program booklet for more information.  You can do this on the website but there are also printed copies available in various businesses.

Remember - it is just a Great Day Out!  See you there.

Maths and Sports

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/53767/getting-physical-how-the-flagway-game-sparks-learning-and-love-of-math

Check out the above link  - it's another small gem from the MindShift website about a program called FlagWay which is changing students attitudes to Maths.  It's sort of like a combination of Maths problems and Parkour.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour

I am no fan of Maths, as I'm sure some of you know - but I can see this being fun for the kids.

Mindshift Links

It's been a little while since I've posted on here - and that has been for a variety of reasons.... staff feeling I'm wasting my time/heart surgery slowing things down/changes in how things operate each day.  

But then, every so often I come across small, little gems (in my mind anyway) that I want to share with everyone and here I am!

Today it is a couple of articles I found on the MindShift website.  If you get a few moments, take a look and see what you think.  This site has a link on the side if you want to see what else is there.

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/49092/digital-text-is-changing-how-kids-read-just-not-in-the-way-that-you-think

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/53681/how-movement-and-exercise-help-kids-learn

Have an awesome day!

How to restore Civil Society

Take a quick look at the link below - it is certainly food for thought.  Libraries are about SO much more than just a collection of books and magazines.  Today they are truly more about people and communities.  
Of course, they always have been, but in today's 'disconnected' world, they have the capacity to bring people and communities together - and in many ways, they offer a quiet haven in place of the hustle and bustle of today's uncaring world.  
And while 'disconnected' may seem like the wrong term - I do truly mean it.  Everyone is so 'connected' that they have no idea how to connect - with family, friends, people and community. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/08/opinion/sunday/civil-society-library.html

Week 10 - and 2 weeks break coming up.  Enjoy!

Carry on being awesome!  

In defence of Libraries

Take a moment and check out the link below.  

It's not just that I am biased (I am, of course) - but because it's true ...

https://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2018/sep/06/neil-gaiman-and-chris-riddell-on-why-we-need-libraries-an-essay-in-pictures

Have an awesome weekend!

Real or Fake news? Play the game!

Check out the link below to test the online game 'Factitious' - about being able to judge news articles for authenticity. I found this one on the Australian Teacher Librarian Network.
You read the news articles and then make a judgement call as to whether it is real or fake news.  I managed to score 87% in the 4 rounds.  

https://www.freetech4teachers.com/2018/08/factitious-game-testing-your-ability-to.html

Hint:  check the sources page BEFORE making your decision - that can help a lot.

National Science Week 2018

https://www.scienceweek.net.au/

 Next week 11^th-19^th August is National Science Week 2018.

The school theme is: ‘Game Changers & Changemakers”

And it is also the:

·        International Year of the Reef    (Coral reefs and the scientists who study them)

·        200^th Anniversary of Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’

·        40^th Anniversary of the first IVF Baby

Plus you have the opportunity to become a Virtual Reef Diver.  You are invited to become a citizen scientist and help to analyse thousands of underwater images of the Great Barrier Reef

Check out the link above and see what else is happening.  

Update on Project Loon

I have posted about this fascinating project before, and have added an update - so this is now the latest update on an amazing project designed to help connect everyone throughout the world. 

It is a project that been in progress since 2011 - and provided connectivity to schools and small isolated communities all over the world.  It has also been on hand to help with communication after natural disasters as well.  

Check it out:- 

https://loon.co/journey/

It isn't just about having the imagination to dream of it - but having the determination to see the project through and make it work. 

History and Lies

Check out this link from the Mindshift blog about history, lies and how history could be possibly be used as a weapon.  Thought provoking or what?

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/51857/lies-my-teacher-told-me-and-how-american-history-can-be-used-as-a-weapon

Australian Reading Hour

http://www.readinghour.org.au/

Check out the link above.  

On Thursday 14th September there is the Reading Hour - which is simple to take part in. Just drop what you are doing and READ for an hour.  This is open for everyone, adults and kids alike.  

Reading is truly important for both adults and children, leading to long-lasting identity formation and helping to set up success for the future.   Research also shows that reading reduces stress 68% more than by listening to music, going for a walk or enjoying a quiet cup of tea.

I wonder if it works just as well if you are being read to??