National Science Week 2020 - advance notice...

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

Check out the link above for National Science week 2020.  
I'm getting in early, I know, but mainly because there are apparently grants available here in the Northern Territory to support activity that draws the community’s attention towards science, enabling people to participate in science whilst fostering partnerships between the community, research organisations and industry.

The school theme of National Science Week 2020 is ‘Deep Blue: innovations for the future of our oceans’.   With this in mind, it will embrace the innovative technologies, capabilities and skills needed to achieve economic, environmental and social sustainability of our oceans. It will feature insights and inquiries into workable solutions that generate healthy oceans, healthy economies and healthy communities.

There are grants available of up to $500 to support National Science Week activities in schools and help them to conduct a STEM related activity during that period.   May be worth a look ...

World Bee Day 2020

In honour of World Bee Day - check out the links below.

https://www.worldbeeday.org/en/

https://www.worldbeeday.org.au/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEzlsjAqADA

Why Libraries Matter - even today.

Check out the links below for people's thoughts on that most solid of institutions - the LIBRARY.  Get a grip on why libraries are still around even after 3,000 years, give or take a few .. and why they are still so important even in today's world (or maybe, especially in today's world?)

http://www.jackiefrench.com/why-libraries-matter

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/sep/24/palaces-for-the-people-at-the-library-everyone-is-welcome

https://www.readitforward.com/authors/13-reasons-why-libraries-are-important

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neil-gaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming

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

Edutopia Articles

Below are a few weblinks taken from the Edutopia site.  I have a selected a few which cover a variety of things (compost to equity and more).  I'm trying to cover most of the learning areas that I can think of.  This is once again an American site - but there may still be a few nuggets of ideas buried within it that could be of some help. 

Take a quick squiz if you get a few free moments.  Not being a teacher, I can only make a guess at what may be helpful.  Hopefully, I'm somewhere in the right ballpark?

https://www.edutopia.org/article/why-are-some-kids-thriving-during-remote-learning

https://www.edutopia.org/article/formative-assessment-distance-learning

https://www.edutopia.org/article/making-most-compost

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

Also, if there is something that has happened in your class that you would like me to put up on here, or a link or idea that you would like to share - please send it through to me. 

Weblinks on various topics

If you get a moment, maybe use it to check out the weblinks below.  They are all from the 'Getting Smart' website - American based but there may be something useful you could use.

https://www.gettingsmart.com/2020/04/out-with-the-test-in-with-pbl-how-project-based-learning-is-transforming-remote-learning

https://www.gettingsmart.com/2020/03/how-hands-on-robotics-brings-science-lessons-to-life/

https://www.gettingsmart.com/2020/02/getting-started-with-coding-18-tools-for-early-learners/

https://www.gettingsmart.com/2020/02/no-excuse-not-to-teach-climate-crisis-mitigation-and-adaptation/

History, Coronavirus and Us

https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-with-covid-19-tech-is-making-history-repeat-itself/

https://www.businessinsider.com/pandemics-that-changed-the-course-of-human-history-coronavirus-flu-aids-plague?r=AU&IR=T

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-01/coronavirus-regional-health-risk-factors/12088072

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_Australia

At this particular point in time, it appears that we are all part of an event that will quite likely change our lives and our society forever. 

Few things in our lives will rival this event. It’s going to leave a deep impression on a multitude of people, especially our kids. But, however we may panic or stress, we have to acknowledge something quite remarkable — we are, right now, part of a history-making moment.
  

The impacts on our culture are already happening, from the many cancelled events - entertainment, sports or even simply family activities. The issues with the world's economy and so much more.  All lessons to be learned that probably should have been learned long before.  A good look at us as a society - and it isn't always a pretty picture, is it?

But this is only the beginning. This is much too big an event not to fire the imagination or creativity of the human mind.  Like most other historic events, there will be a “before” and an “after” COVID-19. It’s hard to take it all in stride, but we should pay close attention to the “during” because we’re living in this moment, the now — the big and the small of it all.  

So maybe we should stay focused on what is actually happening? Pay attention because we’re all living in this moment. Be in the moment. We’ll be telling our kids and grandkids about this — and when we do, maybe it’ll be because they’ll be asking us, “Was it just like it was in that movie? Or in that book? Or in that song?”

And - we’ll know, because we were there!   

World Storytelling Day

Once upon a time, a long time ago (well, actually back in 1991 in Sweden), a Storytelling Day was held.  The idea behind this event caught on around the globe, and now we celebrate WORLD STORYTELLING DAY on an international level.

The aim of World Storytelling day is to celebrate the art of oral storytelling, with as many people as possible around the world telling and listening to stories in their own languages on the same day.  

People who are taking part can link up with others around the globe who are also contributing - making it a truly international festival that has the potential to create new friends and helps to promote positive understanding of cultures around the world.

So come on - sit down with your friends,family and loved ones - and join the United Nations of storytellers on this day of celebrating cultural folklore and the art of oral storytelling!  Why not spin a yarn, and pass your stories down to the next generation? 

This year World Storytelling Day starts on Friday 20th March and goes through to Friday 27th March - and the theme for 2020 is Voyages. 

Check out the link below for more information: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Storytelling_Day

World Read Aloud Day

World Read Aloud day is in place to motivate, children, teens and adults to celebrate the POWER OF WORDS.

This global literacy movement is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to ALL PEOPLE! And no-one has the power to take it away from you!

World Read Aloud day asks everyone to celebrate the day by grabbing a book, finding an audience, a buddy, or even your furry friend, and reading out loud. (To be honest, my furry friends prefer me to be reading a can of cat food - but they are good enough to sit still for a while and listen.)

Why is reading aloud important? A 2015 study found that children are exposed to a larger vocabulary from picture books read aloud, than from conversations with adults. This appears to be because we tend to speak with the same 5000 most popular words; while books - even picture books - are more likely to use words outside of that popular 5000. (This also demonstrates my point about how important picture books are, no matter your age) The other point that came through clearly in the study was that children who are read to, are far more likely to become lifelong readers.

Although World Read Aloud Day has previously been celebrated on March the 5th - this year it was moved to February 5th. However, don't let that stop you ... we can celebrate it on March 5th or any other day that appeals.

Resource websites that may be of use

Below are a few weblinks that cover a range of  subjects and ideas and may be of use somewhere along the line.  Check them out and see what you think. 

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/55327/how-hands-on-projects-can-deepen-math-learning-for-teens

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/55393/five-apps-students-can-use-to-make-podcasts

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/imaps/    (interactive History maps)

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

http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1538       

http://www.eslgamesplus.com/fun-games/     (Printable board games)         

RAKs bring smiles!

I think that maybe the highlight for this week was the small, yummy RAK gift in our pigeonholes when we all came into work Monday morning.  What a lovely thought - and thank you to whoever came up with the idea.

I have sent through an update of all staff to TV4ED (AKA Functional Solutions) so you should be getting a welcome email with information re logging on and using the system. They are also hoping to organise an all curriculum Webinar to help you to use it to your best advantage - so if you would be interested in doing this, please let me know.
However, I can still download requests and put it onto the system for you if this is easier.

Ms Squires is updating the Student reward system - with lots of ideas, comments and input from the students so we'll keep you updated with any changes to that.

So - carry on being AWESOME - and enjoy your weekend!!  Obviously with lots of reading involved. 

Mindshift Weblinks

Below are a few weblinks that may be of interest to you.  There is a huge range of articles on the MindShift site covering a multitude of subjects and/or ideas.  It is an American site, but there could be something to spark ideas for your class.

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/53553/five-best-practices-teachers-can-learn-from-dungeon-masters

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/54872/how-dyslexia-is-a-different-brain-not-a-disease

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/50874/what-happens-to-student-behavior-when-schools-prioritize-art

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/55169/what-happens-in-your-brain-when-you-make-art

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/54504/three-simple-tech-tools-to-make-math-thinking-visible

Enjoy!

International Day of Maths and other links

 First week done and dusted and we survived.  Just 10 more to go!  Enjoy your weekend and remember - READING lowers the blood pressure!  

Below are a few Weblinks for you to check out. 

https://www.bustle.com/p/7-reasons-libraries-are-essential-now-more-than-ever-43901

Just a quick promotion of Libraries and the benefits they offer.  It is talking mainly about Public Libraries, but a lot of the reasons are just as valid, if not more so, in a school library.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/safer-internet-day

This is celebrated in almost 150 countries around the world and encourages people to think about their safety and their presence online.

https://www.idm314.org/

March 14 is already celebrated in many countries as Pi Day because that date is written as 3/14 in some countries and the mathematical constant Pi is approximately 3.14.

The International Day of Mathematics (IDM) is a worldwide celebration. Each year on March 14 all countries will be invited to participate through activities for both students and the general public in schools, museums, libraries and other spaces.

Welcome to 2020

Well, here we go - the start of 2020 and a whole new year of opportunities for books, and reading.  How awesome is that?  In truth, it's a whole new decade!!

I thought I would start this post off with a quick reminder of some of the services we offer and maybe you could let your students know as well - or better yet, introduce them to this blog so they can find out for themselves.  Maybe you could get them to write a Twitter book review on a book they have enjoyed, or write a report about their class activities .... after all the written word ROCKS, however it is used..

Yes - we do loan books out. We LOVE to loan books out. Loaning books out is our whole rationale. (And not just books, either) Of course, we do want them to come home at some point and can get a little upset if they don't.

• Looking for a particular book? Come and talk to us. We can organise an Inter-library-Loan or help you find where to purchase it.  
• Resources: Books, Magazines, iPad sets, Digital Cameras, Video Recorders, Computer Mice sets, Boxes of Headphones, Data Projectors, Teacher Reference, Web Cams........
• IWB area, and a bank of computers and laptops that are available to be booked for classes. The laptop trolley in B3/B4 is only to be used in the Library area, however.
• Help with research, proofreading of assignments, suggestions for books to read - we are your people.
• Library Skills Activities/Boolean searching
• A place to display your amazing class work.
• Collation of websites for subjects/classes
• Anything else?  If there is something that you think we can help with, just come and have a chat.  We have learned to be fairly good at pulling rabbits out of hats and we also like a challenge, most times anyway.  There are some days .....

Students have a 3 week borrowing period while staff have a month. For most of the resources, we can adjust the loaning period for whatever is needed - at least till the end of term. However, this doesn't include the AV materials - that is a 1 week loan period only. Depending on what it is - Headphones, laptops, etc. are all due back at the end of the lesson. Students can borrow 2 items at a time and staff are pretty unlimited in borrowing.

One of my goals for this year is to attempt to make the library more relevant to the needs of the school. Hard call really, when I'm going up against the ingrained idea that Google can give you EVERYTHING!!  But I'm going to give it a shot anyway!  
So, now... some homework for you all.  Could you email or comment and give me some ideas on what you see as the purpose of the school library and my role in it?  I'd love to be able to make this a one-stop shop type of deal for everyone.

Below are a few quotes that I think sum up, to some degree anyway, my philosophy about libraries.  Enjoy!

"Google can bring you back 100,000 answers - a librarian can bring you back the RIGHT answer".   (Neil Gaiman)

"Libraries are full of ideas - which are perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of weapons".   (from the 'Throne of Glass')

and being a fan of Albert Einstein, how could I pass up this one?

"The only thing you absolutely HAVE to know, is the location of the Library"
(Albert Einstein)

Wishing you all a fantastic school year with lots of READING involved.  Now carry on being awesome.