La Biche by Maurice Rollinat (1846-1903)

The Boy Who Sometimes Loved Hats

Creative Blogs for the Classroom

1. http://paperforest.blogspot.com/

I have followed this blog for a few years now and it still continues to amaze me. It can be used across all three stages just for the sheer diversity of things represented that have all been folded, cut or constructed out of paper. I have used it extensively with stage 2 and 3 during an investigation into the nature of paper as a material. Its visuals, links and downloadable templates are fascinating as it seems to manage to present basically anything  and everything known to mankind in a paper version. Kids love it!

2.http://theartblog.org/

There are dozens of art blogs out there but this one offers Stage 3 students a little more in the way of virtual exhibitions, debates about art theory and access to the world and concepts of contemporary art. It acts and looks like an online art magazine that provides students with images of how artists worldwide are grappling with the issues of life. One post I have used with a stage 3 class involved the work of artists who combine art and mathematics through graphing and statistics. From links to 'zines' or art galleries both major and regional, the 'artblog' is a true treasure of visual references and discussion no matter what the KLA. 

Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears

Above are two text innovations on Emily Gravett's book picture book "Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears'. The book is essentially about various phobias and their contexts. The text innovation calls for student s to use their knowledge of etymology of words to describe particular fears and in some cases a certain amount of creativity in linking invented phobias and words. Students are also asked to elaborate on the particulars of their invented or perhaps real phobia.

Copyright In The Classroom

Can I copy material from the internet for research?

 

Yes you can copy material from the internet for research purposes however you should first check the website for copyright statements. This is also only possible as long as it is for research or study and is within the guidelines of what constitutes fair use.

 

What constitutes research and fair use?

 

 ‘Fair’ use of text material published in electronic form states that only 10% of the number of words or one chapter may be printed or downloaded.

‘ Research or study’ refers to the ‘acquistion of knowledge, as by reading, investigation or reflection” (Macquarie Dictionary). This method of investigation should require a degree of skill and analysis to acquire. Copying for research cannot be used for  commercial purposes.

Can students ( university or school ) use music in videos that they make?

Primary and secondary students can make certain video and audio recordings of music through the joint licence agreement with AMCOS and ARIA (http://www.apra.com.au) . Students will be able to dub music however generally they will need permission to use music in videos. 

Top Three Ideas For New Generation Teachers

1. Visual representations of vocabulary words where students can use word processing, drawing and music to produce a single document (Barone & Wright, 2008, p295)

2. Book Blogs for class book clubs. Students review the class texts and respond to other students’ ideas and suggestions. (Barone & Wright, 2008, p297)

3. Student blogs of shared science experiments and ideas about environmental science. Schools and communities around the world can share ideas, response and solutions.

Pericles, K. (2008). Happily blogging @ Belmore South. SCAN, 27(2), 4-6 http://www.curriculumsupport.educati on.nsw.gov.au/schoollibraries/

Wordle’ Clouds

Wordle.net, a website listed in the Callow (2007) reading, is self-described as a “toy for creating word clouds’ (Wordle.net). I immediately entered a favourite poem to see what “cloud’ would appear, tweaked the fonts, layouts and colour schemes to be rewarded with an interesting poetic image which I imagine could be useful as a thematic stage 3 literacy backdrop. Words can be enlarged and emphasized through repeated typing. As a teacher Wordle can be safely used in the classroom as it is possible to configure an institution's "site-blocking" software to keep Wordle safe for classroom use. You can print your creations by taking a “screen shot’ and then use then on fabric, postcards, business cards, posters etc. It has multiple uses across all KLAs as students can create their own ‘word clouds’ based on subject vocabulary or texts.