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!