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AN iTCH TO SCRaTCH - CODING for Kids
2015
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Hello Everyone,
Time to take another look at CODING.
Kids love it and the learn lots. You will love it too. It is totally engaging and it hooks some tricky students into learning. Fabulous for problem solving and thinking.
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Thanks to all the recent supporters.
The 4 BIG IDEAS series on
Pythagoras, Fibonacci, Fractals and 4 Colour Theorem has been a huge
success with fabulous feedback.
It's not too late.....still FREE for Virtual Teacher Supporters
What will you get in the 'BIG IDEA' series, well you'll get Concept
Based Math Ideas that can be taught from Kindergarten to Stage 3+. And YES Kindergarten can get
involved in this too, and they will love it. All the the 'BIG IDEA' documents contain links, BLMs, Apps and of course great ideas.
So become a supporter now and receive all '4 BIG IDEA' pdfs FREE
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Spread the Word about VT, email this newsletter to someone you think might love it.
Welcome back to 2015
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If you fail, never give up because
F.A.I.L.
means
"First Attempt In Learning"
End is not end, in fact
E.N.D.
means
"Effort Never Dies"
If you get No as an answer, Remember
N.O.
means
"Next Opportunity"
Dr Abdul Kalam
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Goodbye, Math & History
Finland wants to abandon teaching subjects at school
Finland already has one of the best school education systems. The Finns are teaching phenomena such as the European Union, which encompasses learning languages, history, politics, and geography. No more of an hour of history followed by an hour of chemistry. The idea aims to eliminate one of the biggest gripes of students everywhere: “What is the point of learning this?” Now, each subject is anchored to the reason for learning it.
In Finland there is no NAPLAN
NAPLAN 2015 began on May 12 in schools around Australia. This will cost conservatively $100 million A test that makes many children anxious, supports poor quality teaching, and doesn't test some of the most important aspect of student development. If our aim is to get students excited about learning, to encourage them to persue their own interests and ideas, to love what they do. NAPLAN isn't it. The sooner we loose it the better.
Finland's Revolutionary Education System
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AN iTCH TO SCRaTCH
Computer Coding is included in syllabuses around the world for Stage 1 & 2. The National Curriculum in England for instance, states that Stage 1 pupils should be taught to:
- understand what algorithms are, how they are implemented as programs on digital devices, and that programs execute by following precise and unambiguous instructions
- create and debug simple programs
- use logical reasoning to predict the behaviour of simple programs
- use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content
- recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
- use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies
BECAUSE
A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use computational
thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.
Computing
has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and
provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of
computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles
of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put
this knowledge to use through programming...........
Scratch is a Fabulous Place to Start
Coding Games to play
THE SMOKEY CAR This is a great little game to play with 91 remixes. A great place to start having a remix yourself
COCONUT DRUMS Another great little beginners game.
Space/click: pound dat drum sanic fast !!!!1!!111!111one!1one. Smash everything into the drum EXCEPT for the bombs. (obviously) If you smash the bombs, you lose a life. Same goes if you DON'T smash a regular food item.
KNoCK KNoCK JoKES
Coding is the new literacy! With ScratchJr, young children (ages 5-7) can program their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively on the computer. Free app for iPad
fghhg. What it means to ME(the teacher)
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I do answer all emails so send them along with your questions ideas and great sites.
Hi Cathy,
How do I connect students iPad to the EWB - to share their pictures and movies.
There are number of options for connecting the iPad to the EWB
Apple TV – use a HDMI lead to connect to large screen TV or Whiteboard, then connect using
AirPlay on the iPad. Requires access to a wireless network
AirServer - install software that enables you to stream or mirror your iPad on to your Mac or PC
www.airserver.com AirServer Universal is now available for PC
Reflector Install software on your PC which allows the iPad to connect using AirPlay
www.airsquirrels.com/reflector/
Splashtop Classroom – app for connecting whiteboard and iPad www.splashtop.com/classroom
VGA Cable – VGA connector lead physically connects iPad to screen via projector or VGA port on
the Large Screen TV
I prefer Airserver(for cost, resolution, and ease of use) http://www.airserver.com you
can
download a FREE 7 day trial and test it out http://www.airserver.com/Download Works out
around $12.00 per machine with reductions for bulk
purchases.
This could be loaded onto one machine in each classroom https://www.airserver.com/Buy/Education
it's a splendid tool. Allows kids to connect as well.
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This Newsletter is not free, despite the misleading advertising above. The Fee is now due. Each week you must help one colleague on the Internet who has less knowledge than you.Help that person even if you have to visit their classroom or do a little research and get back to them. Trust me, this will help a lot of people get their computer classrooms running better. OK I'm trusting you!!!
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1. GOT SOMETHING TO SAY - Send in your Questions, Questions will be published with Answers, send in your Answers, if you have expertise to share.
2. NOMINATE A BRILLIANT SITE for review and inclusion in this newsletter.
3. NOMINATE A FANTASTIC SCHOOL WEBSITE site for review and inclusion in this newsletter.
4. MAKE CONTACT with other schools using fantastic programs.
5. WRITE and innovative article for this newsletter.
6. TELL 2 COLLEAGUES about this newsletter.
7. BECOME A VT SUPPORTER CLICK HERE $5 per year, and keep a good thing going. Your name + a hyperlink if you, like will appear on our supporters list.(unless anonymity is requested)
Announce your support for innovation and change in Education.
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The opinions expressed here are purely those of the editor, Cathy Brown. All other small print clauses apply. Such as: Use at your own risk. Nothing in life is guaranteed. If it doesn't work for you send an email or tweet me.
Editor: Cathy Brown cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
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For information about inservice and training contact me at
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