Triangular Numbers

A triangular number is the total number is the total number of dots in an equilateral triangle evenly filled with dots. The first several triangular numbers arrays are shown below:

Square Numbers

When a number has been multiplied by itself, we say that the answer is a square number.

2012: A move to Stage 2

It is with excitement (and a little regret) that I move on to Stage 2 (Year 3) for 2012. So for now, this blog will be taking a break.

I have started a NSW Stage 2 Resources, you may like to visit it here.

I have very much enjoyed working on this blog and hope it has assisted you in some small way.

Happy Holidays and all the best for 2012 and beyond!

Penguins

Here we are at the end of our unit! My students are currently making some Paper Mache Penguins, our room doesn't have an electronic whiteboard for the moment so we are back to printing out resources... feels a bit like the 1990s!

So here is a printable - a collection of Adelie Penguins so students may paint the markings onto their sculptures correctly.

Penguins

Finding Antarctica: Mapping the Last Continent

The State Library of NSW currently has an exhibition and an excellent collection of online resources focusing on the mapping of Antarctica.
In 2011 Australia celebrates 100 years of Australian expeditions to the Antarctic. The Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE), which departed from Hobart in December 1911 and was led by Sir Douglas Mawson, was the first Australian-led Antarctic expedition.

In celebration of this centenary, this exhibition will focus on the mapping of Antarctica from the 15th to the 21st century, from crude woodcut maps to the latest satellite imagery. The exhibition will tell the story of the gradual discovery, exploration and charting of this significant land mass.

The exhibition focuses on:
- Early trade and exploration
- Dutch supremacy
- French interests
- James Cook and closer inspection

The exhibition will showcase the magnificent collection of rare maps and charts held by the State Library, accompanied by rare published accounts and original sketches from Antarctica exploration by Cook, d'Urville, the United State Exploring Expeditions and the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

The Library has an amazing collection of material on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition due to a number of significant acquisitions over the past 100 years. A substantial collection of the official papers of the Expedition team were also deposited with the State Government of New South Wales, in exchange for the State undertaking to publish the remaining records of the expedition team.The records were subsequently transferred to the State Library. A selection of this material will be in display as part of the exhibition.

There is a number of interesting presentations and talks (one on Mawson's forgotten men!), I might just have to attend!

Mawson's Hut & Travel Oz

Here are some great resources from the Australian TV travel show, Travel Oz. Each clip runs from 5-10min and is certainly appropriate for Stage 3 students. Enjoy!

Mawson's Hut


West of Mawson's Hut


The Restoration of Mawson's Hut


Hunting Antarctic Orcas


Emperor Penguins


Mertz Glacier


Macquarie Island




Humpback Whale Migration

Bullying In Schools

Our school is currently reviewing its Anti-Bullying Policy.

Here are some resources I have been accessing while I have been reflecting upon survey data and Government recommendations for reviewing our policy:

Four Corners - The Bullies' Playground
This website also includes a link to an excellent resources page that lists current media reports relating to bullying along with background reading and services available to support.

Seaforth Public School is mentioned in the program as having developed an innovative Anti-Bullying policy, it can be found here.

The Cooling Conflicts program involves using drama techniques to examine identifiable of conflict and to offer participating students to deal with conflicty. It involves conflict management rather than conflict resolution. It is particularly effective in dealing with cross-cultural conflict.

Brainstorm Productions conduct dramatic presentations that address different types of bullying. Ideal as a launch or follow up to the introduction of school based strategies to reduce bullying.

Cybernetrix internet safety education resource, produced by the Australian government. Aimed at year 7 onwards, but as we know, issues around child internet usage and approaches are constantly changing and some of these activities may be applicable to Stage 3.

Bullying no way!
The NSW Boys and Girls Education Strategy.Friendly Schools evidence-based school resources and professional development.

Mind Matters dealing with bullying and harassment - a whole school approach. The booklet can be downloaded here.

Bullying and victimisation in schools: a restorative justice approach

Food Webs

This week our class is being introduced to food webs, shortly we will be looking at food webs specifically in relation to Antarctica (our current unit of work).

Bill Nye - The Science Guy has a good introduction to foodwebs here (sorry, it wont let me embed) I'd definitely watch this first, it's lots of fun and very well made - first part runs for 8 minutes.
The second part has a good explanation of food webs and pyramids at about 7:50.
In part three there is a good summary that begins at around 2:20.

What is a food web

The Gould League has a simple online Antarctica food web activity here and another one here.

Some other cool food web games can be found here - this one is a little more difficult!

A food-web game not requiring a computer can be found here.

A fun music video about the food web - I dare you to try and sing along!


The Lyrics may look a little mis-spelled here but if you hit the 'view in full screen' button it all comes up perfectly:
Food Web - Lyrics

And a very funny clip about how we are all connected:


For Teachers: Here's a lesson plan about Antarctic Food Webs. There also appears to be alot of science-related Antarctica content on this website!

Poetry: The Ballad

Ballad - For Students

Undoubtedly the most famous Australian ballad it 'The Man from Snowy River' by Banjo Paterson.


From: http://www.underdown.org/poetry-formats.htm
The ballad stanza is also one of the most popular forms of poetry for children. A ballad stanza is a group of four lines. That group is called a stanza. The ballad stanza has a rhyme at the end of line number two and line number four.

The Bee Poem
A poem is a busy bee
Buzzing in your head.
His hive is full of hidden thoughts
Waiting to be said.

His honey comes from your ideas
That he makes into rhyme.
He flies around looking for
What goes on in your mind.

When it's time to let him out
To make some poetry,
He gathers up your secret thoughts
And then he sets them free.

Some good examples of ballads can be located here, and a creative 'how to' can be found here.

An example of a 7 Year old Poet Olivia Binfield reciting her poem is here.

Transport in China

This week's class reading focuses on transport in China. This clip compliments the content of our reading. Very clearly presented and relevant!