Thursday, 18 October 2012

jigsaw planet

Learning new things on Interwrite and more

I have been focussing on making more use of Interwrite.  I haven't mastered the filing of work but I'm working on it.

I have made a couple of pages on counting in fives that the children can add numbers to and re arrange.

I regularly use graphic organisers for writing planning.

Interwrite is a great resource!

In the holidays I played around with making jigsaws for my class to do online. Only problem is that they need JAVA to work, and some of my class don't have it at home.  However I got the idea off Twitter and the lady who tweeted the app then visited my blog to see how I was using a jigsaw as a teaching tool.  She blitzed me in her speed to complete the puzzle!! I have also watched some of my class attempting the puzzle  and some have no strategies to work it out.  Interesting...

Saturday, 6 October 2012

Cybersafety

 
It is good to remember the stage that many of the junior school children are at when putting them in front of the computer.  As teachers we are very responsible for ensuring their safety online when they are at school and I think we need to take this into account when we make policies around computer use.
I found this article from www.cybersmart.gov.au very insightful.
 Five- to seven-year-old children have a positive outlook and an accepting nature. They take pride in their new reading and counting skills and love to converse and share ideas. They are eager to behave well; they are trusting; and they don't question authority.
Children at this age may be very capable at using computers, i.e. following commands, using the mouse, and playing computer games. They are, however, highly dependent on adults or older children to help them find web sites, interpret online information or send e-mail. Characteristics of this age group:
  • will accept media content at face value
  • don't have the critical thinking skills to be online alone
  • may be frightened by media images, both real and fictional
  • may be frightened by realistic portrayals of violence, threats or dangers
  • are vulnerable to online marketers who encourage them to give out personal information through surveys, contests and registration forms
  • risk moving from appropriate to inappropriate sites through hyperlinks
  • may be exposed to search results that link to inappropriate web sites.’
  •   
And the following site has ideas for keeping children safe at different age levels
 
I like the idea of a story that children relate to on cybersafety.
has the Hector's World link on it and a cartoon developed in England called "Lee and Kim"
A good site to introduce the need to be safe.

Thursday, 4 October 2012

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

Like this!

Interesting interview. Ewan McIntosh is a speaker at ICOT2013. Hope to hear him there.

Ideas to try

Remember to check out go2web20 for apps

An ipad for everyone


 I like the idea that the children understand

  1. how fortunate they are
  2. that there is an expectation that they will work hard to make it worthwhile
I wonder why they started at 3rd grade?

Monday, 1 October 2012

ICT and written language

Thinking about ICT and Literacy.... Especially written language.  I want to be able to fast track some of my children to get them more confident with their writing.
Many issues are preventing them from writing -
  • difficulty thinking of an idea
  • unable to hold an idea in their head for long enough
  • difficulty with HRSW (don't know enough sounds)
  • need more basic word recognition
  • difficulty with fine motor skills - forming letters, staying on the line etc



I intend researching the difficulties and have found this website (American) that looks very interesting. It has Youtube video clips as well - Some holiday viewing and reading!

I have also downloaded Story bird for my class and had a go myself.  My story is still in the unpublished stage but I am amazed at the cool illustrations you can use 




AND the cool stories people have written. (Teachers and children).  I'm looking forward to this...