Fraction Man

Fraction Man recently rocked our classroom and was an awesome way to introduce fractions to the kids. They were put into small groups and each given a different sized and shaped piece of paper. Each kid was numbered and when their number was called, they were given instructions about how to fold their paper and what part of the body it was going to make. They absolutely loved this activity and although it was a slow process which required lots of listening and instruction-following, they created some great fraction men! Because each child was given a different piece of paper and were numbered off randomly, all of the fraction men look completely different! So proud of their efforts!

So much learning, so little time!

I've been peeking at a few of the awesome teacher blogs that I follow and am amazed at the ideas and organisation of everyone for the start of the school year (I have yet to find and follow an Australian teacher blog, so all the American blogs are getting ready for the start of the school year). I'm so inspired for the start of the new school year next year and all the cool things I'm going to create!
Meanwhile, school life goes on and we are a few weeks into our 3rd term. Since I last blogged (forever ago I know!), we have conducted some cool science experiments - like burning different types of materials, and the old favourite - exploding volcanoes! We have also started learning about famous Aussies and started with Captain Cook - although not Australian, if he hadn't have discovered us there would be no famous Australians! The kids have created some great artwork and have really enjoyed learning about his voyages. (see picture above!)
In the coming weeks, we have Science week, National Literacy and Numeracy week, an excursion to the Mint, our school sports carnival, and a visit by one of our states football teams! Phew! 
Photos and lots more blogging to come with all the details!

Mother's Day Madness

Happy belated Mother's Day to all those wonderful mum's out there for last Sunday!
We spent a wild two days in the classroom planning, making, destroying and making again, your beloved Mother's Day presents. It didn't help that we returned back to school from holidays with only 2 days to put something together, but I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the results.
In our two year 2 classes we decided on a simple oil pastel flower picture with a edicol dye wash over the top, framed in $2 frames. They were simple yet so effective and I've had glowing reports back from all the mum's this week.
The card was another story, but the kids absolutely loved it once they got the hang of the technique. We used tissue paper to make the petals and then pinched the small end to help make it stand up, giving it a 3D appearance. The kids were then paranoid about squashing their cards on the way home, they were so careful walking out the door at the end of the day, we had to laugh!

We had so many different ideas about what to do for Mother's day presents this year, most of them all wild and wonderful but time-consuming plans. Sometimes it's the simple things that have the most effect.

Pattern Block Geniuses!

Enough chatter, I decided it was about time I showed you all how clever my kids are! These photos are of some of the creations my kids made during the week using pattern blocks. They LOVE these things and as soon as I pull out my camera that want me to take picture after picture of their creations! Here are just a couple...

New Year, New Class!

Aaaaaaannnd we're back!
It's a new year and I have a whole new class of little learners. We've been through the classroom rules, the school rules and where to find the toilets. We talked about always doing our best work and how to be a good friend in the playground. We have covered our new scrapbooks, done some writing samples, and practiced being quiet while we work (still practicing this one).
I have a couple of boys who enjoy pushing the envelope, including one who during computer time, typed "I like sex on the radio"! (Part of the chorus of a recently released Good Charlotte song, for the uninformed). I tried very hard not to laugh while I had my 'growly' voice on for that one!
We had our first adventure of the year with the sighting of a snake outside our classroom last week. With the combination of a 35 degree Aussie summer day plus a swamp and bushland across the road from the school, it was always going to happen. We had a few false sightings last year, but this was the real deal. Luckily, it was one of my most level-headed kids who saw it first on his way to the toilet at recess and rather than trying to touch it or tackle it a la Steve Irwin like some of my other kids might have done, he came straight to me (yes apparently this is part of my job title now - snake problem-solver!). I called the office who came straight down armed with plastic salad tongs from the staff room -seriously!
Chinese whispers spread like bushfire around the school and kids came running to see the snake that had come out of the boys toilets. Fortunately the snake was smart enough to get out of the way and was hiding in the electrical cupboard. While I was doing some crowd control, the ladies from admin decided this was a little more serious than salad tongs so someone came back with the rubbish-stick-claw-thing.
The snake was found (baby dugite but definately on its way to teenage/early adult stage) and disposed of (I don't want to know where), and all the excitement was over. The whole thing took only about 10mins but it was enough to keep the conversations going in my class all day. The boy who saw it was treated like a hero! And I can now honestly say that this one sighting will guarantee that the kids' bags will be on the bench and zipped up for the rest of the year without me having to say a thing! No one wants to find a friend in their lunchbox at recess!
Apart from the heat (god bless the airconditioning I'm lucky enough to have), and nature sightings, it's been a great start to the year!
I'll keep you posted!