Display - Sadako and the Paper Cranes

Another fantastic display in the library is one about Sadako and the Paper Cranes.

 Science 4 & 5 classes have been learning about atoms this term, which has included learning about the Atomic Bomb. They also learnt about Sadako, a young Japanese girl, who suffered radiation poisoning at the age of 2,  when the atomic bomb was dropped at Hiroshima during World War 2.   It is because of this, she developed Leukaemia at the age of 12. 

Inspired by the Senbazaru legend, which says that if you can fold 1,000 paper cranes in a year, you may get the blessings of one special wish –  Sadako began folding paper cranes.  She completed 644, but sadly, was too ill to finish, and died that year.  Her family and her classmates completed the Senbazaru in her honour.  She is remembered today as a worldwide symbol of the innocent children impacted by war, and there is a Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima, which is often draped with garlands of paper cranes, particularly on 6th August, which is Hiroshima day.

The class has also put out paper and instructions for people to have a go at making their own cranes.  

If you leave them with us, we can add them to the display.

Interesting Fact:  Origami cranes are often strung together as a garland of 1,000, which is called a Senbazaru.  (‘Sen’ means ‘thousand’ in Japanese)  The crane is seen as a lucky creature in Japanese beliefs and is thought to live for 1,000 years – which is the reason for folding the amount that you do.

Year 10-12 HASS Ancient Civilisations Display

Ancient Civilisations Display

Check out the great display put up by the Year 10-12 History class on their learning about Ancient Civilisations. The artefacts have all been made by the class as well.

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!