This week was the first Shepparton CRT Support Network Collegial meeting and I'd like to share something that came out of it on this chilly Saturday afternoon.
http://www.worldometers.info/
This site has a list of world statistics updated in real time. It's very interesting to just have a quick look at for sure.
Michael uses the worldometers stats as a resource for filler/fast finisher activity. He goes to the site and puts a set of stats up on the IWB and then asks questions about the statistics. He gave us the example where he used the Oil statistics to engage the students and then pose a question to the class:
"What is oil used to make".
Of course there's pertol and oil for your car, grease and other lubricants, tar for roads and so on but there's also solvents, plastics and even food colourings and flavourings.
http://www.ranken-energy.com/Products%20from%20Petroleum.htm
Chemicals for medicine, plastic for heart valves, lubricants for industrial machinery, glues, CDs and DVDs, dish washing liquid, floor wax... The list goes on. what is our world going to be like if we don't have these things or have to find other ways to make them?
A great discussion or exploration based activity to help students understand exactly how reliant we
are on petroleum as a society.
That's only one way to use the worldometers and only one of the possible questions you could ask. A fantastic resource and way to use it. Thanks for sharing Michael!
Regards,
Mel.
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
New Blog in the Side Bar: Teach Different!
About Tim's Blog:
When I'm in Facebook groups and someone asks for feedback on their new blog I like to have a quick look and offer some. Blogging is not only a great way to reflect on our own practice, at the same time it's putting our thoughts out there for others to reflect on as well so it's helping others while helping ourselves. Last night I ran across just such a comment and went through to Tim Bowman's new blog, "Teach Different".
Even though the blog is very new I just.... Connected with Tim's content. We had a short conversation and it turns out that it's part of a project he's embarked on after contacting John Hattie who, to Tim's amazement, supported his ideas and now Tim is writing a book too!
Tim seems wonderfully enthusiastic about not just his blog but exciting teaching strategies and sharing them with others (who wouldn't be after encouragement like that?).
So I'd like you all to meet Tim "TeacherTim" Bowman.
You can find the full blog post that goes with this one here (including his "Truth or Lie" PowerPoint):
http://teachdifferent.com.au/2015/05/5-ways-to-introduce-yourself-to-a-new-class/
"Forget being the Favourite (Be the Best)" is another great post. Short, to the point and oh so very true in my experience.
I've added this one to the side bar here but think it's also well worth adding this one to your bookmarks or your feed, it feels like this blog is going to be well worth keeping tabs on!
About Tim's Book....
Tim is using Kickstarter to fund his adventures into Authorland for his book "Forget Being the Favourite: 55 Ideas on Teaching Differently". If his blog is anything to go by then his book might be well worth supporting with the $5 that will get you a copy of the book. You can find out more about this here:
http://teachdifferent.com.au/2015/05/forget-being-the-favourite-55-ideas-on-teaching-differently/
Keep it up Tim! I look forward to being able to recommend your book to the teachers of the future.
My reflections on all of this....
Sometimes I run across comments about people worried about their teaching qualifications and how far they are going to carry them. They love teaching and would never give it up but they want to seek new experiences and new challenges in life. I like examples like Tim, or our own Ian Trevaskis, that I can point to and show that teaching qualifications and experience can carry you in all sorts of directions.
Tim and Ian chose to become authors in different ways. I love the social aspect of teaching so I stayed in front of people but moved sideways into Professional Development as have others. Some have gone on to become musicians, work in museums and many other places. I even met one who started travelling to local markets, making things with the craft skills she learned with her students for Mother's Day and Father's Day and so on.
Teaching can take us all sorts of wonderful places, the walls of a classroom are far from some imaginary line that marks the boundaries of our careers.
I like reminding people about things like that.
Regards,
Mel.
When I'm in Facebook groups and someone asks for feedback on their new blog I like to have a quick look and offer some. Blogging is not only a great way to reflect on our own practice, at the same time it's putting our thoughts out there for others to reflect on as well so it's helping others while helping ourselves. Last night I ran across just such a comment and went through to Tim Bowman's new blog, "Teach Different".
Even though the blog is very new I just.... Connected with Tim's content. We had a short conversation and it turns out that it's part of a project he's embarked on after contacting John Hattie who, to Tim's amazement, supported his ideas and now Tim is writing a book too!
Tim seems wonderfully enthusiastic about not just his blog but exciting teaching strategies and sharing them with others (who wouldn't be after encouragement like that?).
So I'd like you all to meet Tim "TeacherTim" Bowman.
You can find the full blog post that goes with this one here (including his "Truth or Lie" PowerPoint):
http://teachdifferent.com.au/2015/05/5-ways-to-introduce-yourself-to-a-new-class/
"Forget being the Favourite (Be the Best)" is another great post. Short, to the point and oh so very true in my experience.
I've added this one to the side bar here but think it's also well worth adding this one to your bookmarks or your feed, it feels like this blog is going to be well worth keeping tabs on!
About Tim's Book....
Tim is using Kickstarter to fund his adventures into Authorland for his book "Forget Being the Favourite: 55 Ideas on Teaching Differently". If his blog is anything to go by then his book might be well worth supporting with the $5 that will get you a copy of the book. You can find out more about this here:
http://teachdifferent.com.au/2015/05/forget-being-the-favourite-55-ideas-on-teaching-differently/
Keep it up Tim! I look forward to being able to recommend your book to the teachers of the future.
My reflections on all of this....
Sometimes I run across comments about people worried about their teaching qualifications and how far they are going to carry them. They love teaching and would never give it up but they want to seek new experiences and new challenges in life. I like examples like Tim, or our own Ian Trevaskis, that I can point to and show that teaching qualifications and experience can carry you in all sorts of directions.
Tim and Ian chose to become authors in different ways. I love the social aspect of teaching so I stayed in front of people but moved sideways into Professional Development as have others. Some have gone on to become musicians, work in museums and many other places. I even met one who started travelling to local markets, making things with the craft skills she learned with her students for Mother's Day and Father's Day and so on.
Teaching can take us all sorts of wonderful places, the walls of a classroom are far from some imaginary line that marks the boundaries of our careers.
I like reminding people about things like that.
Regards,
Mel.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
What's on the Feed: Readingteacher.com is now free!
From the feed:
ReadingTeacher.com
Regards,
Mel.
"I am delighted to let you know that ReadingTeacher is now a free program. You have immediate access to everything in the program without having to pay for a subscription.It's a US website but I've gotten lots of useful "CRT stuff" from it in the past.
We completed all the content for the program earlier this year. There are now 100 books to teach the phonemes and advance aspects of the alphabetic code, together with quizzes, printable books and many more resources.
As the program is now complete, we no longer have the expense of paying to develop new content. We therefore can afford to allow free access to everyone."
ReadingTeacher.com
Regards,
Mel.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
FREE 6 week Online Autism Course
Swinburne
University of Technology’s free autism MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) takes a practical approach
to the study of autism. The course is designed for parents and carers of
people with autism and those who work with people with autism.
It seeks to equip students with the skills and knowledge to solve practical issues in the lives of individuals who have autism. The course uses real scenarios, draws on students’ experiences and aims to foster a supportive network of parents and carers.
The course commences on Thursday 2 April 2015 and runs for seven weeks. Student contact hours are approximately two hours per week. Content will become available each week. There are no assessments or accreditations. On completion students will receive a certificate of participation.
As part of this MOOC Swinburne is conducting a research project exploring effective online teaching methods for assisting the autism support community. This will be done by monitoring students’ participation and engagement throughout the course.
It seeks to equip students with the skills and knowledge to solve practical issues in the lives of individuals who have autism. The course uses real scenarios, draws on students’ experiences and aims to foster a supportive network of parents and carers.
The course commences on Thursday 2 April 2015 and runs for seven weeks. Student contact hours are approximately two hours per week. Content will become available each week. There are no assessments or accreditations. On completion students will receive a certificate of participation.
As part of this MOOC Swinburne is conducting a research project exploring effective online teaching methods for assisting the autism support community. This will be done by monitoring students’ participation and engagement throughout the course.
Enrolments are open until Sunday 12 April. You can find more details on how to enrol here.
Regards,
Mel
Bookings Open - The Singing Classroom.
A Music and Cognitive Development PD with presenter Sue Arney.
Video - Wangaratta presentation 2013
As can be seen in the above video this is a hands-on, activity-based PD aimed at incorporating music into the mainstream classroom. Not only is it a valuable educational experience for teachers, it's a fun and entertaining day with your colleagues!
The Singing Classroom – Level 1
Note: As a self-funded PD, DEECD restrictions on attendance does not apply. NSW CRTs are more than welcome to attend (this PD is not BOSTES accredited as it is sourced through a Victorian provider).
Regards,
Mel.
The Singing Classroom – Level 1
- Introduction to the purpose of singing in the classroom
- Singing and brain development
- Links to literacy, numeracy and more
- The use of singing, body percussion and instruments to stimulate creativity
- Sample songs, rounds, group composition activities, writing a rap and more
- Supporting the development of self-confidence in teachers and students
Note: As a self-funded PD, DEECD restrictions on attendance does not apply. NSW CRTs are more than welcome to attend (this PD is not BOSTES accredited as it is sourced through a Victorian provider).
Regards,
Mel.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Happy Easter!
We would like to wish you and your families a very happy Easter. If you are on the road, please travel safely, enjoy time with family and friends and consume lots of chocolate and hot cross buns!
Regards,
Mel, Paul and family
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