Virtual Teacher

HEXAGONS IN SPACE

by CATHY BROWN No:250 01 02 2022
Hello Everyone,
WOW! WOW! WOW!

MY 250TH Newsletter, how
time flies.

St Valentine's Day is a holiday on February 14th celebrating love and friendship. There is a lot of fun to be had with it. I hope you have some of this
FUN, check out the details below.
I recently attended a seminar
on Gifted & High Potential Students and found the assessment and identification elements concerning.
What do you think?
I think labelling students as Gifted or High Potential is a dangerous idea.
Everyone is on a growth journey and we should celebrate the growth potential of all students.
Labelling kids as gifted makes it seem like they have a gift that they can't do much about(trying or not trying will make no difference). Letting them know they can learn anything if they try gives them agency.

Labelling students is out of synch with important knowledge of neuroplasticity, showing that everyone’s brains can grow and change.

In the Video "Rethinking Giftedness", which I recommend you watch, students share their experiences of learning without labels.

Above is based on the work of Jo Boaler of YOUCUBED
PS
The VT website is totally upgraded. Check it out. I would love some feedback. My 404 page is a bit of fun - let me know what you think.

Support VT it costs just $20.00 per year. This page is newly updated as well. Thanks in advance it helps a lot and covers the cost of hosting and distribution of the newsletter.

DO THIS Spread the Word about VT, email this newsletter to someone you think might love it, they can Subscribe for FREE. Just click on the SUBSCRIBE button on the front page.

And don't forget to send in your Impossible ideas.

HEXAGONS IN SPACE JWST

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE
Breathe a sigh of relief: JWST is fully deployed.
The telescope’s final mirror wing was locked into place on Jan. 8, marking the last major deployment following the observatory’s launch on Dec. 25. Technicians will align each of JWST’s 18 hexagonal mirrors. Watch the Videos Introduction to the JWST Mission Animation of deployment sequence of JWST.
Celebrate this historic event by
Making a Model of the JWST yourself.
Send me in some Photos of your creations and I will post them here. From Kindergarten up it is possible to make a model, starting with the Primary Mirror. Here’s a template of the
hexagon prinouts in colour and in black and white.
Enter the Art competition for JWST Watch the Video Unfold The Universe
Check out Nasa's YouTube Channel for the latest footage.
Grade Specific Info from NASA
including the Toolkit
The Space Place - Including FUN Facts about the JWST

😻 VALENTiNE

Valentine's Day is not just for LOVERS. There is a lot you can have fun with in your class as well. check out the VT web page on Valentine and FALL inlove with TEACHING again.
CELEBRATE by finding out what your students love, what they are passionate about, what their interests are.

GET THEM TALKING about their interests and passions with peers, parents and mentors.

ENCOURAGE students to ask questions and find answers about their passions.

EXPOSE them to amazing things, great ideas and passionate people.

INSPIRE them to write and read about their passions.

EMPOWER students to find and explore their passions.

MENTOR them in their discoveries. Their interests and passions may persist or change, this is quite OK. You will be giving a gift this Valentine's Day.

YOUR STUDENT WILL LOVE WHAT THEY DO
(Kids who love what they are a dream to teach and you will fall inlove with teaching all over again)

QR CODES TO GO

I'm starting the YEAR with QR Codes.
It's going to be an interesting time this year. So I am using QR codes everywhere. So I have a lesson ready in no time.
Here are a few of my favourites. Download them, use them on the EWB for kids to scan on their devices, stick them onto desks for fast finishers. They work a treat. Here are a few of my favourites:-
I have added some instructions on this pdf - so you can print these out and place them around the room or on tables.
ARE You Up For It?

VirtualTEACHER YOUTUBE

Check out some of the STEM Tutorial Playlist videos on the Virtual Teacher Youtube Channel. these have been AMAZING during LOCKDOWN. Work can be set with Casual staff using them and also done at home by thw whole family.
Lately we have been loving doing KAHOOTS! Setting the challanges so kiddos can work on them at home. And also using them as part of a zoom meeting. Start with the FREE version so you can get the feel of it. Here's my HOWTO Video on how to make a KAHOOT!. Simple easy and straight to the point. You will need to setup an account first.
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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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.
Editor: Cathy Brown cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
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