BOUNCE BACK!

Wodonga Primary School has these 'BOUNCE BACK' posters on each of their classroom walls. I thought it might be helpful in your teaching - especially yard duty.

Bad times don't last. Things always get better. Stay optimistic.

Other people can help if you talk to them. Get a reality check.

Unhelpful thinking makes you feel more upset.

Nobody is perfect - not you and not others.

Concentrate on the positives (no matter how small) and use laughter.

Everybody experiences sadness, hurt, failure, rejection and setbacks sometimes, They are a normal part of life. Try not to personalise them.

Blame fairly - how much of what happened was because of you, how much was because of others and how much was because of bad luck or circumstances.

Accept the things you can't change but try to change what you can first.

Catastrophising exaggerates your worries. Don't believe the worst possible picture.

Keep things in perspective. It's only one part of your life.

SPECIAL CRT 'MATHS CIRCLES' PD session!

'Maths Circles' is the lastest in schools at the moment with the visiting Kaplan's. I have caught up with them today and they are more than happy to talk to CRTs about what they are doing with ALL the other teachers in the area.

Place ~ Huon Middles Years Secondary College LIBRARY
Time ~ 5-6pm (after the Cluster Meeting)
Date ~ Tuesday 28th July 2009

Please RSVP to Mel if you are looking at attending.
beautifulwhiteangel@hotmail.com

Update

Hello all and welcome back to what looks to be a busy Term 3.

I have tried to update the Calandar and PD opportunities as well as add any PD reading that might be of interest.

If you have any information that would benefit all Casual Relief Teachers in the area please email me with the information (I do miss things sometimes!)

I hope to catch up with everyone at some stage throughout the term. And remember to take care of yourselves.

Happy teaching,
Mel

GRUG

I walked past the bookshop at Wodonga Plaza yesterday and to my amazement, GRUG was on display. I grew up reading Grug, and loved him. I had to go in and buy one for my son (who is 6 and starting to read).

Of course he loved the book I picked - Grug in the playground - and when asked which book he would like to buy/read next, he told me with a huge smile his face, "All of them mum!"

Grug (1962-1975) is a fictional character appearing in a series of Australian children's books by the author Ted Prior. They were published between 1979 snd 1992 by Hodder Headline Australia.

Sadly Grug was out-of-print for many years - but not forgotten! In March it was announced that Grug was returning - in time for his 30th birthday…
The first collection of titles are out in June - with more to come in July. The new productions are faithful to the old ones - Simon & Schuster have done a great job and haven’t changed the format significantly.

Grug series

Big W Has these books on sale for $3.50 each. Thanks Leanne for this information.

Anaphylaxis Training

If you are not able to make it to the Baranduda Anaphylaxis Training Session on Tuesday 21st July then Wodonga TaFE might be your next best bet. Wodonga TaFE offer this course on two days. Details are below.

Anaphylaxis management - 21659VIC
What you learn
This three-hour course in the first aid management of anaphylaxis establishes the essential skills and underpinning knowledge you need to assist a person who is having a severe allergic reaction and anaphylaxis, until medical assistance is available.
How to apply
Apply direct to Wodonga TAFE.
Part-time:
1pm-4pm or 5pm-8pm, 2 September or 9 November 2009 (1 session). Building B, Room B009 (downstairs).
Costs $70

Thanks Ruth for this information.

Nikola Tesla

I often find information in the strangest places. Google is a great place to start and I am not talking about searching for information. The Google picture to the left is a fine example. The Google team choose things (Christmas, Easter, famous people, special events) and change the word 'Google' to represent what they have chosen. Today's (Friday 10th July 09 - in America it's still Thursday 9th July 2009) the team has chosen Nikola Tesla, a famous inventor in the field of electrical power. He was born at midnight on the 9th of July 1856 and died 7th January 1943.

Tesla said about his work, "Before I put a sketch on paper, the whole idea is worked out mentally. In my mind I change the construction, make improvements, and even operate the device. Without ever having drawn a sketch I can give the measurements of all parts to workmen, and when completed all these parts will fit, just as certainly as though I had made the actual drawings. It is immaterial to me whether I run my machine in my mind or test it in my shop. The inventions I have conceived in this way have always worked. In thirty years there has not been a single exception. My first electric motor, the vacuum wireless light, my turbine engine and many other devices have all been developed in exactly this way.”

I wish my brain would work this way. keep your eyes open for other dates, people and events that Google think are worth knowing about.

A free children's story on water

Jack and Jill: A story about water.

I came across this site by mistake but thought it might be something that you could use in the classroom. It has lots of information and has been produced to teach children about the world of water around the world. Have a look and see what you think.

Chocolate can predict your age!

I recieved this in an email from a friend and thought it was very clever. Try it, it works!

1. First of all pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate (more than once but less than 10).

2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold).

3. Add 5.

4. Multiply it by 50 - I'll wait while you get a calculator.

5. If you have already had your birthday this year, add 1759. If you haven't, add 1758.

6. Now subtract the four-digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number.

The first digit of this was your original number (ie. how many times you want to have chocloate each week).

The next two numbers are your AGE!

This is the only year (2009) it will ever work, so spread it around while it lasts.