AnOpenBook is moving

Now that the NSW Department of Education and Training has set up blogging facilities for schools, this blog is moving to a new home

The blue whale

The students and I have been fascinated as we watch a blue whale move by.

Locating information – without Google

Is it possible?

Can we find information on the internet and NOT use Google?

First, let’s think about the kindof information we need using The Quality Information Checklist.

Then, let’s look at a couple of websites and locate the information we need.

KidCyber

StudySearch

Web 2.0 tools and information skills

This term Stage 3 are studying Antarctica.  For their work in the library, they are researching Antarctic wildlife.  Our focus is on using Web 2.0 tools to work through the Information Skills process.

DEFINING – what do I really want to find out?  We are using Bubbl.us to create a mindmap.

To keep this simple, we aren’t creating accounts, just making and printing or saving the mindmap. 

Bear and Chook

Term 4 has got off to a great start with students in Years 1 and 2 participating in an online book rap about Bear and Chook and Bear and Chook by the Sea.  Both books were written by Lisa Shanahan and illustrated by Emma Quay.  We’ve watched the author and illustrator read their second book to students at Caddies Creek Public School and look forward to taking part in this rap.

Flumping and scratching!

Ms Ratcliffe

Wordle

2009 Children’s Book Council of Australia short listed book titles (all categories except for Older Reader)

  http://www.wordle.net/

Solar System Fun!

Year 4 have been studying the planets of our solar system this term.  Even though Pluto has been demoted to a dwarf planet – we still study it for old times sake.

Now that we’ve got the Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) installed, we can have some fun.  Want to find out how old you are on another planet?  How long you’ll have to wait for your next birthday?  Or more interested in whether you’d be lighter or heavier on another planet?  Try out the linked websites and let me know.

Ms Ratcliffe

St Patrick’s Day

The new school year has started and we have settled into the new library timetable. This blog has been neglected. As we are waiting for the installation of an Interactive Whiteboard in the library I am not promoting OpenBook until its arrival.

In the meantime, enjoy St. Patrick’s Day!

Find out a bit about the saint here
http://www.stpatricksday.org.au/history-of-st-patrick/

Aboriginal studies Part III

Learn about the technology used by Aboriginals – listen to this Voki made by Rob Williams and Sam Doorbreaker (John Joe assisted with the research).

ABORIGINAL TECHNOLOGY

Get a Voki now!

Learn about BENNELONG

Get a Voki now!

Your local council library

Are you a member of your local council library?
Will you be visiting it during the holidays?
What do you do when you go there?
Do you recommend it?
What do you like/dislike about it?
How is it different to our school library?

Add a comment and share your thoughts.

Ms Ratcliffe