Last Day of term

Well, it is here at last - last day of term for 2014.  We seem to have been waiting for this all year, or so some of the students have told me anyway.  They looked a little taken aback when I pointed out that the staff had been waiting as well.

My main news for this post is that the digital system for the DVDs is almost ready to go so when you all start back, you will be able to access what you need directly through the computer.  I have had a few people test it for me and it all seems to be running smoothly, so Kate can take you through it next year. I think you will find it really easy to use.

I seem to have been trying to get a post up for most of this last month - and now that we are at this point, I am just going to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year break and hope you spend it relaxing and enjoying family and friends, and that you all return refreshed and ready for 2015. Don't forget to include some reading in your plans.

Have an awesome holiday.  All the best to you all and whatever you do, have fun!

Picture Book Month

We have received some new books in the Library recently that people may be interested in.  One of them is 'Resist' by Sarah Crossan, which is the conclusion to the story started in 'Breathe'.  These are based on a future and dsytopian world, where all the trees have died out - or been chopped down - and what little oxygen is available is inside a dome, where you follow the rules or are put outside the dome to take your chance. 

There are also a couple of new Choose Your Own adventures: 'The Jungle of Doom' and the 'Desert of Dread' along with 'Vampire Hunter', so you have a choice of adventure or horror in this area.  As well, we have a couple of Interactive stories, which are basically the same style of book, but are about real life happenings.  We have one about the making of Facebook and another about Hurricane Katrina.

There are also some Shakespeare plays,  but in Graphic Novel format which is a different way of reading these classics. 

I would also like to share with you all that November is Picture Book Month. Personally speaking, I am a HUGE fan of Picture Books and there are many reasons to read them or to use them in your classes.  If a picture is worth a thousand words, what does that say about the power of a picture book?  And the world needs picture books. There’s nothing like turning the pages of a beautiful  picture book. They are not all Fiction either and are often a great way to share with kids - and their parents - little known facts.  (See the post a couple of weeks ago about the 'Lone Pine' picture book)
 
Please check out the link below.
http://picturebookmonth.com/

Project Loon - Balloon Powered Internet

I came across this one today and thought I would share it with you.  Check out the weblink below and see what you think.

http://www.google.com/loon/

I thought this was interesting considering my last post could be called anti-technology, if people wanted to read it that way.

If I was going to categorise this as a genre - I would think that it would have to be Steam Punk.

Is Technology all it is promoted to be?

There have been a number of articles on the Teacher Librarians list-serv just recently about technology and it's effects on students learning abilities.  Some of the research that is coming in regarding on-line distraction is quite interesting.  Not just in regards to students but for adults as well. 

Below are some of the one I have read just recently.  Speaking for myself, I am aware of how easy it is to be distracted on-line from what you should be doing or to slip into 'multi-tasking', which on-line really means 'surfing the web'. If as adults, we have this problem, how much harder would it be for the students?

Have a look at the articles below.

From a passionate teacher of technology and media, a look from the other side:

http://www2.curriculum.edu.au/scis/connections/issue_91/articles/a_world_of_online_distraction.html

 

It is also interesting to read Clay Shirky's article on why he banned technology from his lectures:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/09/25/why-a-leading-professor-of-new-media-just-banned-technology-use-in-class/

 and finally:

Intriguing read on The Waldorf schools in the USA who mindfully do not use technology in their education. Waldorf schools are 'different' but the people who make all these gadgets and technology for us, carefully choose NOT to have their children learning with technology. Their theory is that given just how easy it is to pick up the technology skills, like using toothpaste, that literacy and numeracy should come first - and maybe they should know, given that they make the stuff:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valley-technology-can-wait.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

Interesting reading, given that many schools in Australia have, or are beginning a 'Bring your own Technology' policy.

New Books in the Library

We have some new books available for loan in the Library.  There is a range of different titles that, hopefully, will appeal to a variety of people. Most of them are fiction books with a few non-fiction in the mix. Below is a brief review of a few of the books on display.

Computer Coding for kids:  Computer coding is firmly back on the agenda as a key skill for children to start learning. Computer Coding for Kids is a unique step-by-step guide, perfect for kids interested in computer programming and how computers work. 

Lone Pine:  A story not well known about the Lone Pine Battle at Gallipoli during World War One, is told through the tale of the pine tree which stands in the gardens at the War Memorial in Canberra. This is a Picture book and is based on a true story.

Animal heroes:    Animal Heroes is a collection of 21 short stories in which Anthony Hill remembers just a few of the many gallant dogs, horses, pigeons, donkeys, pets and mascots who have served with Australia's armed services from the First World War to the present day.

There are also a couple of 'Choose your Own' stories in both adventure and horror genres along with science fiction and sports titles as well. 

All worth a look, so come on in and see what we have to offer.

Websites of interest

I came across these websites on the Teacher Librarian's Listserv and thought that they may be of some use to class room teachers. They have been highly recommended by a number of teachers and library staff around the country, so are worth a look at least.

http://appsineducation.blogspot.com.au/ which is a site that looks at the apps on offer and posts a review about them. It says ‘One of the hardest things with using the iPad in the classroom is finding the time to go through all of the apps in the iTunes Store listed under the education banner. We have started to list some of the apps we've found under each of the Key Learning Areas.”

http://learningwithipads.blogspot.com.au/  - a blog by a Catholic school in Sydney about their experiences and ideas in using iPads with their students.

Well, last day of term is here and a weeks break is waiting for us all - but then Term 4 is looming on the horizon. 
So enjoy your week, relax, revive and of course, spend some time getting that life/work balance right and READING.

Who reads this Blog?

Just out of interest, I went through some of the statistics that are kept on the Blog to get an idea of usage.
I wasn't really suprised to find out that it doesn't get a lot of interest here, but what did intrigue me was when I realised that it does get well read by a number of overseas countries.

Apparently, for this week anyway, it has been used fairly well by China, France and Romania, with a smaller amount of usage by United States, Hong Kong and America. 

At least it is being used, I guess.

 

National Flag Day

National Flag Day
3rd September 2014
Australian National Flag Day commemorates the day in 1901 when the Australian flag was flown for the first time and celebrates the birth of our flag and its power as a symbol of unity, independence and optimism.
1901 was the year of Australian Federation, and the design of the Australian flag was picked from more than 32,800 entries.
For more information visit www.australianflag.org.au
 And just in case anyone is interested – tomorrow is National Chocolate Day

Year 10 Poetry

Mr Calyun's class have been writing poetry on issues that concern them.  Poem in your Pocket is a part of National Literacy and Numeracy Week, so below is a poem from one of the year 10 student's, who has given permission for us to publish his work on the blog.  Thank you Craig.

GRIEF

I see a person grieving
for some they have lost
Memories are forever
But, dying is the cost. 

Some people pass away
For they have grown so old
Their bodies once so warm
Have now turned to cold.

We should never sit in sorrow
But celebrate their life
Do not cry forever
But think and keep a smile.

 

 

Links for NLNW Activities

Just as a quick follow up to my post about National Literacy and Numeracy Week, please find a couple of links below with online games and activities that you may be able to use in your class.

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/students/events/pages/litnumweekchildren.aspx

http://missreynolds1234.blogspot.com.au/

Hope this helps in some way.

Global Read Aloud Day

While looking for other information for a student, I stumbled across this little gem.  Global Read Aloud Day - can it get any better?

Yes, it can - it is not just about picking up any random book and reading out loud - but it is about making connections, sharing ideas - not just with our school but across the globe in nearly 30 different countries, while enjoying the written word together. Along with the gift of our time as well.
(And I think we could include coffee and chocolate in here as well.)

Check out the link below for more information.  This event runs from Oct 6th through to November 14th, so plenty of time to get organised if anyone is interested. Have a look at the FAQ page for ideas.

http://www.globalreadaloud.com/

National Literacy & Numeracy Week

The week 25^th to 31^st August is National Literacy and Numeracy Week.
This year’s literacy activities include A Poem in Your Pocket and Read for Australia. The numeracy activity is called Reach for the Stars.

Read for Australia will provide all schools with the chance to participate in a simultaneous reading of the book Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabey at 2 pm Friday 29 August.

The numeracy activity Reach for the Stars has the theme drinking water. Students will identify, count and measure the sources of water in their community.

Have a look at the websites below for more information and newsletters.

http://www.literacyandnumeracy.gov.au/
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/events/pages/litnumweek.aspx

And, although they have nothing to do with reading - at first glance anyway - two other days that are coming up soon are National Chocolate Day on the 4th September and International Coffee Day on the 29th September.  A nice hot chocolate or cup of coffee with a good book, really, who can ask for more?  Maybe we need some ideas for promoting the Library while celebrating these special days?  Can't be too hard, can it?

Train yourself to be Happy - really.

The latest offerings from the e_list.  Can you really train yourself to be happier?  Check out number 4 and find out.  The link for this site is at the bottom if you want to see what else they have on offer.  As I understand it, all of the sites they promote are free to use. 

6 apps that train your brain

1:     Elevate sends you games designed to improve your most needed cognitive skills

2:    Lumosity increases memory, attention, flexibility and speed with a daily training program

3:    Neuroscientists designed the games on CogniFit to improve memory and concentration

4:    Train yourself to be happier with Happify

5:    Eidetic helps you memorise things

6:    Fit Brains has over 360 unique training games and puzzles

http://the-e-list.tumblr.com/