06.01.09
Museum Box – WOW!
Love this site – it allows students to create a box with cubes in it that have images, text, files, sounds and videos in each side. The possibilities are endless. Definitely worth a look.
http://museumbox.e2bn.org/
I love PicLits
Found this site that is fantastic for creative writing, especially using analogies and similes.
Check it out and tell me what you think!
09.11.08
Surface Tension Experiment
I am no science whiz, to say the least! But today I jumped in with my class and we did an experiment using water and pepper to demonstrate the effect dishwashing liqued has on the surface tension of water. It was great! But what was even more dramatic was the same experiment using milk and food colouring. REALLY COOL!
Below is a clip of the water and pepper experiment recorded by a group who worked really well together – well done and thanks! : )
09.10.08
Not Just a Companion
I swallowed hard as we drove along the road leading to our destination, The Pet Resort. I had never left her before, especially not with a stranger. I worried she wouldn’t understand, would think I was abandoning her. Reason prevented me from turning back, camp was the following morning. As I opened the large, obtrusive gates I took in the baron dirt track and dry surrounds.
Milla sprang from the car as if on an adventure, not knowing what was to come. I slid open the office door and was studied by a young girl sitting behind a desk. Several adults sat to my left, chatting idly. A tall, somewhat scruffy man introduced himself and I quietly mumbled my name and explained that Milla was booked in til Thursday. I couldn’t say more, I was afraid of losing the last shred of control I had over my emotions. As I filled out the form thoughts of packing her into the car and driving off flooded my thoughts, but of course, as usual, I didn’t act on them.
We walked beside the man to a sizeable blue shed. As he opened the door I was confronted by a chorus of barking. He gruffly shouted at them to “Shut up!” Would he speak to Milla like that? Did he actually like dogs? He opened a gate to what seemed like a tiny cement jail cell. I slowly pulled Milla’s blanket and toys from a bag and laid them out for her, a piece of home. Would she know I was coming back in a few days? He stood behind me impatiently as I removed her harness and lovingly stroked her back. I didn’t want to leave her but he was waiting. I stepped back as he closed the gate, forcing her back in to the pen. My throat hurt as I soothed “Good girl. Good girl”
I walked to my car as silent tears slowly rolled down my cheeks. As I drove away I could hear her distinctive staffy cry. Suddenly I felt cruel and extremely lonely; I had abandoned my constant companion, my best friend.
09.07.08
Shel Silverstein
Grade 56K,
I have recently discovered Shel Silverstein’s poetry, it’s wonderful!
I’m looking forward to sharing his work with you in class.
To kick start our discussion on his work I’d like you to view this animation of ‘The Giving Tree’.
Once you have watched it a couple of times I would like you to leave a comment. Be thoughtful… What does it make you think about? How does it make you feel? Did you connect to it in any way? Are you left with any questions?
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08.13.08
The Red Tree
Author: Shaun Tan
SLIS: A young girl, who feels like she has nothing to look forward, to questions life but finds everything turns out okay.
Response: I think the author, Shaun Tan, wrote this book to tell us to live life to the full. I think he wants to make sure we don’t just sit back and watch everything pass us by, but participate fully in everything life has to offer; not to dwell on the negatives but look for the positives.
Tan got me interested on page one because I connected with the character straight away. He wrote, “Sometimes the day begins with nothing to look forward to” and I immediately thought ” I have days like that! Days when I don’t feel like getting out of bed and participating in like, but they usually turn out the way Tan encourages the reader to ‘ read between the lines’ (make inferences) by writing about something in very few words. For example, I think ” Darkness overcomes you” means negative feelings wash over you; and “The world is a deaf machine” is referring to how everybody can be so busy going about their lives that they don’t take the time to listen to what people are really saying or to notice what’s happening in the world.
This is a book a few words but ALOT to say; the illustrations are very powerful. On one page the girl is looking out a window that is locked with a padlock inscribed with the word ‘regret’; the text simply reads “Wonderful things are passing you by.” This is what made me think Tan wants us to really participate in life, to join in, not just let it pass us by-to have NO regrets.
The last page shows a beautiful, glowing red tree. I think this symbolises the girls life beginning to blossom because she has begun to notice and participate, to not dwell on the negatives.
‘LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL!’
06.18.08
Breathing for Tomorrow
The thunder rolled across the sky, taunting me with the promise of rain. I said a silent prayer as I wandered across the yard. Grass, dead from drought, crunched under foot, immature plants drooped, and the hedge yellowed under the constant strain.
Looking up, I studied the clouds; large, grey beasts, teasing those below. Disappointment creased my forehead as I noticed the blue sky creeping in to surround them. In my heart I knew it would blow past…another garden would be blessed today.
Breathing in the humid air I headed back across the yard, with its bare grass, now turned to weeds, and scorching paths. I breathed in the dream of rain, with its dusty scent and promise of better times ahead.
Maybe tomorrow, there’s always tomorrow.
05.09.08
Ready?
Here I am, ready to explore the wonderful world of blogs. I’m usually one of those people who jumps right in and tries to do everything NOW (and tries not to regret anything!). I’m impatient, I know! So this time I’ve decided to start small by creating this – my personal blog. Next, one for each of my students, after that, who knows?
