Tag Archives: Technology

A project with a school on the other side of the world!

The Imaginarium have been part of a very special mini-project…with a school all the way over in England!

One of our very own students, Cindy, is passionate about using technology to learn about other schools and students, and suggested this to Iffley Mead School. A teacher from that school got in touch with Miss S, and had a great idea to use photography and writing in a way that would allow students from The Imaginarium to connect with students from Iffley Mead School.

How? The task was  to take an iconic photograph of Belmore South PS.

So the Imaginarium students went for a walk (in small groups ) around the school today to look for aspects that make our school unique. Have a look at the photographs they took with the iPads, and read their explanations:

We believe this photo of our school mural represents the values of our school, because we work together as a team and as a school. It also represents co-operation. By Najib, Anthony, Lily, Daniel and Jessica.
We picked this mosaic on our school building because it is a sign of peace and it represents friendship. We are a very multicultural school, and peace is important because we need to be accepting of everyone’s cultures. By Dominic, Tony, Yuan Jun, Gordon, Ziping and Ian.
Our group took a photo of this mural near our playground because it shows that BSPS students play together. It shows that we are all different, but live in one world. We are considerate of other people’s feelings and that we do not insult others, but treat them kindly. By Rasha, Jacinda, Jackson, Ethan and Lance.
We believe this photo of a mosaic display really symbolises the multiculturalism and creativity of our school community, and that we celebrate harmony. By Dylan, Cindy, Jinni and Angela.

Quadblogging – have you heard of it?

Have you heard of Quadblogging?

The Imaginarium students are so excited to be part of Quadblogging. Their class will be in a team of four classes from different schools all around the world. Each week, one school will post entries on their class blog, and the other classes/schools in the team will comment. All four classes will rotate so everyone has an opportunity to be an author and the audience.

Here is what the Imaginarium students decided:

  • It is a really exciting opportunity to communicate with people all over the world
  • Students can learn about quality writing and contributing thoughtful comments
  • It brings a new audience to the blog
  • It makes the class blog meaningful and authentic

 

 

 

 

 

The students are very excited to start. Today in circle time they went on the laptops and practised commenting and replying on the blog.

 

Researching and writing in ESL groups

In ESL we have been learning how to write information reports to record facts. Last term, stage 1 were learning about underwater environments, so we all voted on our favourite animal to learn about – dolphins.

Over the past term, we have been building our vocabulary about underwater animals through stories, talking and listening games, flashcards, websites and documentaries (for kids!). It has been very exciting researching the bottlenose dolphin because we have been using computers, interactive whiteboards and the iPad 2 to find photos and information about these animals.

If you visit the ESL blog, you can see pictures of us researching using technology.

We brainstormed information we have learnt about bottlenose dolphin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jointly constructing the text

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beginning of our information report

2Warhol’s Term of Buddy’s, Sculptures and Technology

2Warhol have been practising our dance which is a Hip Hop battle. We’ve been learning new hip hop moves and getting the chance to do our own choreography. Last week was Education Week and we were lucky enough to perform in front of the whole school and lots of parents. We got a really good response from the audience who cheered and clapped really loud. Don’t worry if you missed out as we will be performing it again in week 10 so come along then!

Last term 2Warhol kids loved learning about Space and visiting the Powerhouse Museum. This term doing a unit called ‘Stage 2 Saves the World’ which is full of important stuff like sustainability, pollution and climate change. Below are some pictures of some of the ‘Space’ work we completed last term. Stay tuned for all the excellent things we will be doing in our world saving unit. Especially some photos of us on our next excursion (ssshhhhh, it is at a secret location).

In our Creative and Performing Arts sessions we have been learning about making shapes and lines with our bodies. We’ve been making ‘scupltures’ out of our arms and legs and coming up with some really great ideas. Miss Stavrou gives us a stimulus and we have to work out how to represent it with our bodies. Some of these were a knife and fork, a zig zag, a circle and lots of fun silly ones too. See if you can pick what we are trying to be.

We have been doing Information Technology in class each week and learning how to use Macbooks and PC laptops. We’ve been focusing on word processing skills, inserting tables and formatting and soon we’ll be learning how to insert our own blog posts onto the stage 2 blog site. These skills will help us in school and work for the rest of our lives.

2Warhol was really lucky to get a visit from 1Matisse in Book Week for a buddy reading experience. Both classes had heaps of fun completing activities together and the older Stage 2 kids really showed leadership skills and played excellent role models. Miss Stavrou felt proud of all of us and our behaviour with the younger students.


Meet the Premier of NSW . . .

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The Premier addressing the Reception at Parliament House on Wednesday evening.

Mrs Dyer, Principal and Mrs Pericles, Assistant Principal have both achieved NSW Premier’s Scholarships. Mrs Dyer in 2006 for Technology and Mrs Pericles in 2008 for English.

This year is the 10th Anniversary of the inauguration of the Premier’s Teaching Scholarships. Mrs Dyer and Mrs Pericles attended a reception at NSW Parliament House to celebrate this along with the other 278 recipients.

Other celebrated guests were Bob Carr the Premier who donated the initial money for these scholarships and leaders of industry who had donated money over the years including Frank Lowy of Westfield.

The Premier Kristina Keneally was a charming hostess and it is reported that Mrs Dyer and Mrs Pericles enjoyed a delightful evening.