More Meccano

chris hope

This term we started making Meccano models in class. If you want to know the rationale behind the decision to do this then check out my previous post, Meccano. The students have worked hard to move their models along and have had to overcome a lot of problems. Following the instructions has proven to be a fantastically worthwhile task in itself. The students have had to overcome so many problems, frequently referring back to their instructions, finding where they went wrong and dismantling the model to correct it. The teamwork, problem solving skills and oral language that has come out of this programme has proven what a worthwhile activity it is. I recommend it to all teachers!

Can you tell what it is yet?

Can you tell what it is yet?

Budding Engineers

Budding Engineers

We’ve Seen The Light!

chris hope

We recently embarked on a little photographic task to learn what it takes to create a beautiful image with a camera. The students were given the theme of Light and had to come up with creative ideas. We discussed how it was important to focus closely on the image we were trying to capture so as to eliminate the things that didn’t need to be in the picture. The students then tried to plan their photograph before taking the cameras outside to create their works of art.

Light 1Light 2

Blogging Task #6

chris hope

This week I want you to write about a story from BTN. Think about the stories we saw and write about which one either concerned you most or just interested you. Children have great and valid opinions about the things happening in their world and sometimes need to take a stand and say what’s on their mind. After all, the opinions you have now may effect the type of world we choose to have in the future. When writing consider the points below:

  • Which story concerned or interested you?
  • Did you learn something you didn’t previously know?
  • Does the topic of the story play a part in your life?
  • How do you feel about the story?
  • Do you have any ideas on what should be done?
  • Is there anything YOU can or will do?

If you wish to do any further research on the story you may. Also, you have to re-read your work and you MUST EDIT your writing before you post.

Pre-Primary iPad Art

chris hope

Today the students from LA19 buddied up with the young pre-primary kids from EC2 to do some work with the iPads. We worked with the Brushes app to give the students experience with using the iPad and developing the types of skills and control needed to use them. The students from LA19 first created pictures of the names of the Pre-Primary students and uploaded them to Dropbox. They then connected the iPads to Dropbox, downloaded the pictures, opened them in Brushes and used the tools and layers to colour the names. The students from LA19 were absolutely fabulous and were so patient with their buddies, while the PP students couldn’t wait to tell their parents what they’d done after school.

Ella

Ella

Keeley

Keeley

Podcast Trial

chris hope

Today we had a go at creating a podcast using Garage Band on the iPad. As the title to this post suggests, it was just a trial, unrehearsed and limited to 60 seconds. It was created simply to see if it was possible, and to figure out what we had to do to successfully publish a podcast. Nevertheless, the girls had great fun (as you will hear) and it seems to have all worked well.

 

Mini Blogging Task – School Work Post

chris hope

During first term the students of LA19 listened to the audiobook version of Boom, by Mark Haddon. The listenings were broken up into manageable chunks of around 20 – 30 minutes, then the students had novel study type activities to complete on what they had just heard. Now we are in the process of writing letters to the author. My class last year did something similar with David Walliams, the author of Mr Stink, and we had a fabulous response from him. This year we are hoping for the same, though we won’t be disappointed if we don’t get a response as we still enjoyed the book and have learned so much from it.

However, I would like the students to post a copy of their letter on their blogs as we don’t have much school work posted as yet. Just remember our safety rules and change addresses to made up ones.

Charity Pay Day

chris hope

Following the fabulous efforts of the girls from LA19 (Georgia, Holly, Pharyn & Tiana) in raising money for Princess Margaret Hospital, the girls got the opportunity, thanks to several of the mums, to hand over their donation. Well done once again, girls for such a caring and generous achievement.

Meccano

chris hope

This week the students in LA19 began working on Meccano construction sets. The educational values in such activities are tremendous: students develop cooperation and problem solving skills, gain practical, hands on construction experience, read, interpret and follow instructions and develop and utilise their oral language skills. Also, as an obvious added bonus, they have a lot of fun!

Tea, Blake and Bianca

Tristan, Jackson and Callen