For someone in our class who is leaving...

I think someone in our class is leaving and she came to visit us today. I found this picture on Tumblr and I thought it was really cool and I'm letting the whole class take credit for it. Plus it suits the situation.

               
♥ Room 14

A Thought For This Week

"Too often, we look without really seeing."

What do you think this quote means - what does it mean to you?

Sir Edmund Hillary

This week is a special week in our history.  View the clips below and then participate in the discussion.  Add your thoughts and ask questions to get the discussion going.
What has made the week so special?  What made this event so special?

 

 

 

Here is another link you may be interested in - it's a school district article about students being able to climb Mount Everest virtually.  It does have an error in it though.  I wonder if you can spot it - remember what I was saying to you about being a critical thinker when you're reading information on the Internet??  Happy Analysing, using Prior Knowledge and Questioning!!!

 

http://www.districtadministration.com/article/students-climb-mount-everest-virtually

To This Day - By Jade

Remember this video from a few weeks ago?    Well I thought we could start a conversation on what our general feedback was to the video.


What did you think when you first saw it?                                    
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How can you change what happens to these kind of kids?            
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How did this affect you opinion (if it did)?                                    
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Does this relate to you?


If you can't remember it here is it now...

This post isn't much but means more to others that feel this way, so think about it, does this mean that we should let this happen? Why do you think people even do this?  Does it not make you cry every time, because if you don't then maybe you don't realize the pain...

And for those who feel this remember
IF YOU CAN'T FIND ANYTHING BEAUTIFUL ABOUT YOURSELF, GET A BETTER MIRROR, LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER, STARE A LITTLE LONGER! BECAUSE THERE IS SOMETHING INSIDE OF YOU THAT MADE YOU KEEP TRYING WHEN EVERYONE TOLD YOU TO QUIT!

Thought for the Week

I've had an idea about adding a 'Thought for the Week'. 

Seek Respect.  Not Attention.  It Lasts Longer.

I loved this quote - it came to us from Miss Allen in our office.

What does this quote mean to you?

Add your thoughts and ideas.

The Importance of Reading Non-Fiction Texts

This week we are continuing to focus on balancing out what we read so that we're reading as wide a range of texts as possible.  This includes non-fiction texts.

Comment on this post about why you think it is important to read non-fiction texts.  Give an example of what you are reading this week.

 

Picture from wallpapersworldbd.blogspot.com  

Remember Adora Svitak?

Last year we watched Adora speak at a TED Talk and were completely amazed with her passion and enthusiasm for learning and what 'adults can learn from kids.'  She inspired us in our speech writing and presentation as we tried to capture some of her passion to connect with our audience.

I though you might be interested in viewing the clip again and having a look at her website.  You may even like to email her and let her know how she has inspired you.  She certainly continues to inspire me!

How can we aspire to be like Adora and make a change in the world?

 

Adora's Website - http://www.adorasvitak.com/

Algebra Basics - Awesome Tips and Tricks!!

The Awesomeness of Algebra

We're well and truly into our learning about Algebra and how much fun you can have with numbers and number patterns!!!!  I think it's one of my most favourite areas of maths.

I've included some clips for you here so that you can have a little fun with it too.  Don't forget to share it with others and add your comments and thoughts.

REMEMBER THE FIBONACCI SEQUENCE????? (You might need to watch this a few times - she speaks really quickly!!!!)

What about this one??  I bet you didn't know it was in music too!!

And then there's this one!  It's everywhere!!  Even in art!

I can't wait to read what you think about these.  Look closely and observe - it's what scientists do.  Think like a scientist - and maybe an artist - and perhaps a musician - and don't forget the mathematicians!

What surprised you?  What fascinated you?  Did you view and respond to these with "WONDERMENT AND AWE" - a fantastic Habit of Mind.

Explaining Explanations

Do some thinking around explanations and, in your groups, start to brainstorm your ideas to answer these questions and show what our Prior Knowledge is.

What are explanations?

What is the root word - what does it mean?

Why do we use them?  What is their purpose?

Where do we find them?

Who writes them and why?  Why is there a need for them?

Are they fiction and non-fiction - how do you know?  What might they have in them that other text forms do not have?


Let's find out what we already know when writing an explanation.  Click on the link below and choose one SITUATION to write about.  Remember to EXPLAIN your thinking clearly.  The purpose of this is for us to find out how confident and skilled you already are at writing explanations to explain and share your thinking.

http://www.holmdel.k12.nj.us/schools/satz/eng_dept/Writing%20styles/Explanatory%20Writing/expl%20prompts.htm

                               

Ideas for Note-Taking Using Sketch-Notes Notetaking

Hi everyone!
Our focus for part of our writing this term is being able to record observations in a scientific way and write clear explanations.  This, of course, links in with everything else we are learning, especially in reading.

Check out these cool ideas for digital note-taking and see which ones you would like to try to use as a tool for your analysing, synthesising, evaluating, etc.

http://www.teachthought.com/technology/10-brilliant-examples-of-sketch-notes-notaking-for-the-21st-century/

Let me know what you think by adding comments.  Which one is a favourite already?

How Simple Ideas Lead to Scientific Discoveries

Here's a wee starter to work towards our inquiry this term.  This is your first 'official' look at what 'Flipping the Classroom' really means for us as teachers and learners.

You've had a taste for it through the change from a 'Homework' focus to a 'Prep for Learning' focus.

This is a very basic Flipped Lesson from TED Ed - a fantastic site you may want to explore more.  I've added the link to it on the side bar of our class blog.


http://ed.ted.com/on/DAcvezdB#watch

It's Nearly Term 2!!!!

Hi everyone!

I hope you've all had a good break and are ready for some challenging and action-packed learning this term.

We're going to begin with pulling apart all the data for our reading, writing and maths and setting goals for all of these.  You'll be adding the goals to your individual blogs and reflecting on progress on these too.  I'll add comments and questions as we go too.  :-)

The Inquiry / Concept for this Term is awesome - not going to tell you anymore at this stage but there will be hints during the week...  Of course all of this will tie in with all our other curriculum areas too.

Make sure you complete all Prep for Learning this week - you'll need to complete all the requirements for Mr Elmes' science early in the week so that you are prepared for your learning on Thursday.

All of you have updated accounts on Study Ladder now and this will be where a lot of your Prep for Learning will happen.  Remember, if there are computer issues at home that is no problem at all.  You will get extra time in class but there are also times before school and at interval / lunchtime when you may want to use the computers too.  (There's also the computer room at lunchtime).

Remember, the effort you put into your learning will really pay off.  No one can stop you from achieving your goals - only you can stop this.  Aim high, reach for the stars and I'm here to help you get there!!

See all of you fantastically stunning people on Monday!!