Did you know, there’s more computing power in your mobile phone than there was in the module that landed men on the Moon? Well, that’s what they say. The kids of today are living in an exponentially expanding digital world, and to help them build their skills we’ve been doing some very techy stuff (a techincal term). We’ve already looked at binary code and algorithms, creating our own Secret Values Code ID cards. Now we’re developing our coding skills with Code.org, an online platform that explores this fascinating processd. On top of this, the students are creating thsi own digital animations, a bit like Morph, Wallace and Grommit, and for those as old as me Jason and the Argonauts. Check out the images below, and remember to ask your child all about it.

As a kid I’d sit for hours letting my imagination run wild as I constructed all kinds of vehicles, bridges, cars and much, much more. Now, as part of our STEAM (integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math’s) activities, we’ve been using Meccano in the classroom, the toy I enjoyed all those years ago. Meccano has strong connections to the topic of robotics and digital technologies, which some students will be choosing to follow in high school; in fact Meccano is a fabulous tool with a huge educational value. Besides helping the students develop their problem solving skills and their construction skills, it is also great for their literacy development. The students are having to cooperate in pairs (boy and girl where possible) as they attempt to read, decipher and follow the fairly complex instructions. The instructions are all visual, the type that Ikea tend to use, but a lot more detailed and complex with steps having to be followed in clear stages. As well as requiring good reading skills, the students have to use clear, polite and constructive conversation skills to overcome any difficulties they encounter. The instructions are very similar to an algorithm and must be followed closely. When finished they should have a great model with working parts and can post about their experience on their blogs, as long as they stay on track and don’t come off the rails!

Write a book report on our recent novel study of Dragon Skin. You must include the following headings and write your responses in DETAIL and with accurate grammar and sentence structure.

1. Title of the book.
2. Author’s name.
3. Introduction.
4. Brief idea of what the book is about.
5. Character analysis.
6. Themes and messages.
7. Your conclusion and thoughts.

This task is all about our Dragonpunk projects. Follow the headings below to write a review of the process you went through with the design and making of your dragon. Use the headings below and include photos. Make sure you include all the information and take care with your writing.

1. Was my plan detailed and did it include labels and steampunk ideas?
2. Did you list your materials?
3. Did you collect all the materials?
4. Did you take care with the equipment and use the resources responsibly?
5. Did you complete your dragon? Does it match your plan or did you make changes?

I really wish I’d had this level of talent at such a young age. The artistic talent of some of the students in our class is exceptional and they love to show it off whenever they can – thankfully. The images below were created as part of an Art activity focussed on creating illustrations for a book that was to be published. The level of interpretation of the book, and the skill to carry out their visions is truly fantastic. Well done to our fabulous artists.

Anabiya

Indy

Aditya

Leela

This term we were engulfed in colourful clouds of hairspray and tutus as far as the eyes could see. Our faction carnival is always an exiting day, and the students go all out to demonstrate their loyalty to their colours (red, blue, yellow and green). It’s an iconic day for the whole school, although this year it fell on a Friday so this particular teacher, who doesn’t work on Fridays, missed out on all the fun. It’s always a great day, but the best part is seeing the community come together to celebrate something positive and joyful. Unfortunately, our perennial losing faction (green) still didn’t win, but the blues surprised everyone with their victorious campaign. A massive congratulations to the wonderful Mrs Clohessy whose dedication and hard work made it all come together.

As teachers, we love it when a plan comes together. This term, LA14 have embarked on a novel study based on the excellent book by Karen Foxlee called Dragon Skin. The novel is an extremely complex one, full of imagery, symbolism and mature, complex themes. It’s going to stretch all the students, giving them an opportunity to rise to the challenge, learn new things and show me what they can achieve. To compliment the novel study, we are designing, planning and creating model dragons. However, these aren’t just any old dragons, they’re Steampunk dragons, complete with Victorian cogs, chains and bits and bobs. Also (if all that wasn’t enough), our fabulous Art teacher, Mrs Harris, is teaching the students how to create dragon heads out of clay, complete with special, dragon eyes. All in all, we’re having a very dragonny term!

Shocking news broke this evening as it emerged the last chocolate biscuit had been taken from the fridge. This horrific event was met with stunned disbelief when popular local teacher, Mr Hope, decided to treat himself to a late night snack. “I don’t believe it, I’m stunned,” he was heard to say.

Mr Hope tried to get to the bottom of this shocking event but it just proved to be an impossible mystery to solve. He questioned his wife first but, despite her being a well known chocolate biscuit eater, she was adamant that she wasn’t the culprit. “I’m as stunned as you,” she declared, shaking her head as she returned to watching Coronation Street.

Mr Hope showed real tenacity and determination by refusing to give up the mystery and he confronted the last person in the house. “Choccy biccy?” questioned his three year old granddaughter in response to Mr Hope’s tough interrogation tactics. Despite his best efforts he could get no further with his investigation and his granddaughter walked back to her colouring book while licking her fingers.

This shocking, breaking news has shaken this normal family to its sheer foundations and this reporter fears they may never be the same again.

Lost a hairbrush? Someone drink the last cola? Something missing from your bedroom? Turn investigative reporter and write an exciting report about it.

It was wet, miserable, cold and grim, but more than anything else it was FANTASTIC! This week we had our Interschool Lightning Carnival (organised by our amazing Mrs Clohessy) where multiple local schools took part in soccer, rugby, AFL, netball and modcrosse. As usual, I was in charge of the girls’ soccer squad and the girls had to play 8 games in one day. Results-wise it was a bit of an up and down day; we won four games and lost four games, but it was made special by the behaviour and attitude of the girls themselves.  They ran and ran and ran, they listened to all the instructions, they worked hard together as a team, they endured substitutions with a smile and they looked after each other. The most impressive part, though, was they never stopped smiling. Some games were tough, the rains came and we got completely drenched, decisions went against them, but they just kept smiling. I was soaked through and cold, but warm inside from the sheer privilige of being with this wonderful, happy and never-give-up team. It was an truly inspiting day – worth getting wet for.

Take a word like door. Just an everyday kind of word, one we wouldn’t give a second thought to. However, that simple word could be the basis for a world of dreams and adventure, drama and romance, thrills and tragedy. In LA14 we’ve been working all year to develop engaging openings to our writing, particularly with regards to our narrative writing. For example, let’s get back to the word door: This was the moment her life could change forever, she just had to open the door. What door? Where is she? Is it a real or metaphorical door – we MUST read on! such is the power of being able to turn a bland, everyday word into an engaging story starter.

For this task you need to use the word door to create 3 different and engaging story starters. Try changing the genre of the story (thriller, horror, comedy, romance…) and give different feelings to your sentences.