For Teachers: Lesson Planning

Every year I try and supervise at least one practicum student - it's always an interesting exchange of ideas and a way of challenging and developing my approach to teaching.

Sometimes it's good to get back to basics and I find this presentation very helpful when talking about why we plan lessons and how to approach a lesson plan.

Lesson planning is taught differently at every university but at the end of the day we all share a common goal - how to deliver a successful lesson!

Line Symmetry

This week we are reviewing line symmetry. Another name for this is reflection symmetry, one half of the image is the reflection of the other half.

The 'Line of Symmetry' is the imaginary line where you could fold the image and have both halves match exactly.
An excellent range of resources, including interactive lessons, are here.
BBC Bitesize have an excellent online lesson.

A line symmetry game is here.
Complete the reflections game is here.

Are you a symmetry artist? Try out this game!
Create your own symmetry pattern!

A step by step kaleidoscope game is a great way to start.
Create your own kaleidoscope - an excellent example of creating symmetry!
A less complicated kaleidoscope is available here.

Interactive Clock Resource

 

Not every student has the luxury of having an analog wrist watch to call their own, so here is a great resource for students learning how to tell the time using an analog clock. The clock shows the current time using both analog and digital clocks, but  also has buttons to create your own times.

Click here to use this amazing interactive clock.

Also another great resource I found for learning about analog time was this game that involves the student reading a problem and choosing the correct analog clock which corresponds to the problem.

Click here to play a time game.

Hope you enjoy these resources as much as my class did.
- Alessandra Garcia

For Teachers: Teaching Vocabulary

In a previous life I qualified as a Cambridge CELTA Teacher. Recently I welcomed a new-arrival ESL Student to my class and it inspired me to think once more about effective teaching of vocabulary.

This presentation below is excellent; infact I recommend it to all Teachers!



Using appropriate questioning techniques can certainly help a teacher to gain confidence and cater to the needs of all their students.

Maths: Addition and Subtraction with Trading

One of my main responsibilities in teaching Year 3 Maths is to introduce 'Addition and Subtraction with Trading.'

it's hard to find games that involve trading, but I have managed to find this excellent interactive that allows you to approach these number problems online.

The NSW Department of Education and communities has an information sheet on how to trade.

The Junction Primary School (Newcastle, NSW) has an amazing list of online resources, comes highly recommended!

Maths Builder is fantastic as it encourages students to use working out paper and then answer the questions in the computer.

Stage 2 Safety Education

Today we have had a lesson on Safety Education.

We have focused on:
- Pedestrian Safety
- Passenger Safety
- Safety on Wheels

A range of safety resources can be found at the NSW Curriculum Support Website.

Bike and Helmet Safety can be discussed using the NSW RTA Brochure.

The iride, iread, ithink resource has some Stage 2 bike riding safety activities available.

A Bus Safety resource can be found on the TaLE wesite.

A great retro bike safety clip:

Science: Gravity

This week in Science we are exploring gravity - such an exciting concept!

Here are some clips about gravity:


Teachers in zero gravity with ping pong balls!



Zero gravity classroom (where can I sign up?) !