The Duyfken Voyage and The Royal Australian Mint (RAM)
Maybe considered an unusual combination, unlike you remember that the RAM has continuously minted coins to celebrate important parts of Australia’s history. To mark the 400th anniversary of the Duyfken’s voyage of discovery (1606), the RAM and The Netherlands have released a joint coin issue. The Dutch and Australians have strong links going back many years. Take a look online (Royal Australian Mint) at some of the resources that fit in well with classroom programs. Issue 2 of the magazine featured 40 Years of Decimal Currency.
National Science Week.
As part of National Science Week, the ABC is hosting an online memory test. As of 20 July, test your memory at www.national.memorytest.net.au Issue 3 has a feature spread on this week and highlights the resource book Our Dry Continent.
Net Alert
The Federal Government has released a new program to assist parents to add filtering software to home computers in order to block offensive websites/materials from their computers. While there are a number of software programs available, this government initiative is another boost to help protect our young students from having access to undesirable online materials. Enquiries to: enquiries@netalert.net.au or www.netalert.net.au
Happiness is the best medicine.
Did you know that Vanuatu is the happiest country on Earth? A recent Happy Planet Index study looked at people’s well being and their impact on the environment. The Index combined life satisfaction, life expectancy and environmental; footprint to gain these outcomes. Unfortunately Australia ranked as not such a happy placed and came in at 139th. Why might this be so? Italy (before winning the FIFA World Cup) ranked 66th, the USA at 150th, Japan at 95th. Zimbabwe came last with Swaziland. Good staffroom discussion? Useful classroom reference for middle and upper primary programs when studying other countries. The full report can be found at: Happy Planet Index
Happiness is the best medicine 2.
Laughter therapy is bursting out around the world – is this a sign of the times? Zen monks in the seventh century believed laughter was the path to inner peace. So go on, giggle, chortle, cackle, snigger, snicker, hoot and even laugh! Remember to use laughter in your classroom as often as you want, for it is an effective tool on a number of fronts. There is even a Humour Foundation, a charity, where there are currently 55 trained Clown Doctors administering mirth at hospitals around Australia. If you think you, as an adult, are missing something, consider attending a workshop with Patch Adams who is touring Australia in October. www.patchadams.com.au
Solar Station
While White Cliffs (NSW) is well known for some its underground attractions, it also hosted one of Australia’s first solar power station. Built in 1981 and closed down in 2005 it is now recognised as a museum attraction. The station consists of fourteen three-metre parabolic dishes, each covered by more than 2300 mirrors. The dishes each focussed the sun's rays on a collector. Converted water to steam which, in turn, generated electricity
Worth a look at: White Cliff Solar Station for more information when researching with your students different forms of creating energy. By the way, don’t forget the Issue 1 article on ‘Wind Energy’. Teachers' Toolkit Download Lesson Plans
Did you know that Victoria’s wind farms are saving more than 250,010 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year! Must a great indication as to how to reduce greenhouse gases when generating electricity.
Australian Television Turns 50. 1956-2006
Did you know that in 1956, a 53cm set cost about $15,000 in today’s money? Colour TV did not arrive until 1975? While students and maybe some teachers grapple with the latest technology, television in Australia back in 1956 was much different form of communication to what it is today – or was it? The Powerhouse Museum (www.powerhousemuseum.com) in Sydney and the Australian Centre for the Moving Images in Melbourne (The Australian Centre for the Moving Image) have some very interesting exhibitions worth a look, and incorporation into classroom programs encompassing a number of KLAs.
Cook’s Pacific Encounters at the National Museum of Australia (NMA)
If you anywhere near the NMA in Canberra call in and see some great, never seen in Australia before’ artefacts collected during the voyages of Captain James Cook. Certainly adds another aspect to teaching and learning about Captain Cook and his travels. If you can’t make it to Canberra, check out some of the details on the NMA website. www.nma.gov.au
Bullying In Schools
Recent media reports about bullying in schools (primary and secondary) is concerning. Many schools have bullying policies in place, others are building these, while some others are seeking advice and direction. An excellent resource (and in some cases maybe a starting point) is the excellent publication, Bullying Solutions edited by Helen McGrath and Toni Noble and published by Pearson Education. For details and summary features go Issue 3, page 11. Teachers' Toolkit Education Resource Links
Space Shuttle Discovery
While the latest NASA project is in action, don’t forget that on 21 July 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon. What were those famous words that were spoken? Students are always fascinated with space travel, so don’t forget to hook into this topic, especially while Discovery is aloft and the International Space Station orbits the earth. Visit www.nasa.com
Newsletter About Children’s Books & Writing
July 1 saw the launch of a new online professional monthly newsletter, Buzz Words, targeted at writers, illustrators, librarians, teachers and editors. Delivered on the first of every month, this informative newsletter will be packed with features and articles, including a monthly subscriber writing contest – with prizes. You will find information relevant to the children’s book industry; market opportunities, courses, competitions, conferences, along with interviews with authors, editors and literary agents, book reviews, advertisements and valuable industry news. Subscribe Now! As a special introductory offer, subscription is $33 (GST inc) pa for July 2006 only. Thereafter the cost will be $44 (GST inc) pa. New subscribers should send their contact details, including email address, accompanied with their cheque (payable to Di Bates) to PO Box 2116, Woonona East, NSW 2517. Include a SSAE if you want a receipt. Enquires canbe emailed to Di Bates at dibates@enterprisingwords.com
*You can read and download the July issue of Buzz Words at Teachers' Toolkit Education Resource Links
Lesson Plans to Spice Up Your Day
We Teachers’ Toolkit continues to build up some great lesson plans and resources to help classroom programs, take a look at the Read Write Think website. There are heaps of reading/literacy/English ideas, activities and lesson plans to view. Visit www.readwritethink.org
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