This lesson is to build field knowledge for a Guided Inquiry unit. Brief Youtube clips, supporting the Stage 3 science unit of “Made environments – Information”, will be discussed and consolidated after considering the students’ responses on a “Plus, minus, interesting” matrix, to encourage/develop note-taking skills.
Morse Code
Morse Code Alphabet – By G4JNN
W48 rotary phone overview and ring
Voice quality – iPhone 5 vs antique rotary phone
The making of information age: Enfield Telephone Exchange
This term, Stage 3 students will be completing a collaboratively-taught unit of work in science on Made environments – information, with particular emphasis on early and modern communication devices, types of codes, digital citizenship and eSafety. This week, the students completed a pre-test survey sheet from the SLIM toolkit (Guided Inquiry) to provide some baseline data, both qualitative and quantitative. We also revisited the Orbit interface of our OLIVER library system to familiarise the students with its capabilities.
We aim to communicate our cumulative findings as entries on a blog, which can be shared with each class and beyond the school.
Coincidentally, today is InternationalSafer Internet Day 2018. “Celebrated globally in 130 countries, Safer Internet Day is coordinated by the joint Insafe/INHOPE network, with the support of the European Commission, and national Safer Internet Centres across Europe.” This year’s SID theme is “Create, connect and share respect: A better internet starts with you”.
1.1 – Stone Age to Modern Age – evolution of communication
What is communication
16 famous logos with a hidden meaning (that we never even noticed)
Stage 2 students are investigating mountains during their Term 2 library lessons. These Youtube clips will hopefully provide some field knowledge for class discussions.
Where do mountains come from?
GCSE science revision – formation of sedimentary rock layers
Blue Mountains formation
Ring of Fire: earthquakes and volcanic eruptions around the Pacific explained – TomoNews
Stage 3 students are investigating natural disasters in science. In library lessons, we are particularly looking the properties of these disasters, and how they form.
How do tornadoes form? – James Spann [TED-Ed]
What are hurricanes, typhoons and tropical cyclones?
On this day 24th of December | Cyclone Tracy devastates Darwin [1974]
What is an earthquake? | The Dr Binocs Show | Educational Videos For Kids
On this day 28th of December | 1989 Newcastle earthquake
This term, Stage 2 students are investigating aspects of Built environments in their science lessons. In the library, we shall extending this work by exploring the interior designs of: railway carriages, aeroplanes, ferries and cars. Also, how do people move within the interior of a built environment? ie. stairs, escalators, lifts/elevators.
Of all the nights to have an extra staff meeting thrown into the mix! The staff at my school had to update our Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Care certification before the end of term and, of course, it fell on the same school night as the free teacher preview of “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination”.
The Lucasian gods must have been smiling upon me. It was explained that the order of the 24 of us doing the practical test on the CPR mannequins would be by lot. There were two examiners. What were my chances of getting away early enough to still attempt getting into the city in time? I was one of the last to select a number and it was… #2!
I was able to perform my test, then race for the train station. An express country train was due, so I ended up at the Powerhouse 30 minutes later, at only a few minutes past 6pm.
As I approached the museum, there was a wonderful photo opportunity: a pair of stormtroopers menacing people passing through the automatic doors. But the drinks were being served – and the (understandably) thirsty guards disappeared inside just as I raised my iPhone. Oh well.
The exhibition is excellent. Not only is it a great display of impressive props, costumes, robots and vehicles from the extensive “Star Wars” universe, but parallels have been drawn to modern-day science fact and speculative science theory-soon-to-be-fact-one-day. Advances in bionic limbs, robotics, hover vehicles, faster-than-light colony vessels, etc, were all represented, with many clever hands-on activities.
I had to admire the layout this time. The exhibit is on two levels – and its circuitous path took attendees through the “Star Wars” souvenir shop twice!
