Yr 2 success in Battle of the Artz CEO Sydney Diocese Film Competition
Congratulation to my Yr 2 class who have 2 movies in the TOP 8 finalists. The class produced 8 movies with every student involved in writing filming acting and music. One proud teacher, great support from parent community and colleagues
http://click-to-read-mo.re/p/9RMk/543295b2
Connecting students to authentic real world problems is motivating and builds community links
Year 2 are currently working with North Sydney Council, on a very real environmental project. Students will be reporting to council on a range of solutions to environmental issues. These photos show the students work last term with colleague Meghan and I facilitating some great brainstorming sessions with groups. The results will be interesting! The main rule in brainstorming is never say “it can’t be done”. Students will now develop their own science experiments to prove their theories and have started building designs using lego, and recycled materials.
Authentic Learning in action - Year 2 takes on the challenge to design and innovate sustainable environmental change - World Cafe workshops
Thanks to a grant from North Sydney Council, Year 2 continue their real life challenge - to make a difference to their local environment. In this classroom based workshop led by Greg and Yolande from the council, Students came up with some fantastic ideas to innovate change. Next teams will be created and design projects developed.
Authentic Learning in action - Year 2 takes on the challenge to design and innovate sustainable environmental change - Field Trip 2 - The Coal Loader, Waverton
Thanks to a grant from North Sydney Council, Year 2 continue their real life challenge - to make a difference to their local environment. In this second field trip, this time to the Coal Loader, students learnt about how the environment looked before white settlement in an excellent presentation by Karen from the Aboriginal Heritage Office. Karen then explained in detail the rock carving at the site. Students received a valuable and entertaining hands on science lesson about pollution from Sue called the “Story of a River”. She then took us on a walk to see the Mangroves in the area, and a walk through the Coal Loader. Parent helpers enjoyed the experience as well.
Authentic Learning in action - Year 2 takes on the challenge to design and innovate sustainable environmental change - Field Trip 1 - Smoothey Park, Wollstencraft (Water Catchments)
Thanks to a grant from North Sydney Council, Year 2 have begun a real life challenge - to make a difference to their local environment. In this first field trip to Smoothey Park, students receive a facilitated tour from the council’s environmental experts, Yolande and Rahmin. They walked along Berry Creek and talked about how it has changed over the years, from pre settlement to now. The impact of built environments and pollution was seen first hand. The great work of the council is seen through their transformation of this beautiful area. Who could have predicted an “on the spot” lesson from an environmental team half way down the creek as well. The whole tour was captured on video and QR codes were used later in class to revisit the excursion. The integrated unit was redesigned using the “Understanding By Design” framework which allowed me the flexibility to create the unit “Catching Water”. Immersing students in the environment was a valuable first step. Parent helpers were invaluable as usual on the trip and enjoyed the opportunity to explore their local neighbourhood as well.
