Writing Topics

New Experiences
Learning to ride a bike
Flying
Making friends
Moving house

Favourite Things
Being in a sports team
Eating out
Favourite games
Foods I like
Friends
Hobbies
Holidays
My cubby
My family
My favourite toy
My pet
Parties
Staying overnight

Games and pastimes
Board games
Building a go-kart
Dressing Up
Swimming
The cooking experiment

Special Days
Christmas Day
First day of school
School holidays
Dress up day

People in my life
Aunts
Siblings
Best friends
Favourite singers
Grandparents
People I like

Special Places
My Bedroom
My trip overseas
My Favourite country
Staying at a motel/hotel
The most unusual place I've ever been
The museum
My treehouse

Good Times
After school
Going fishing
Going on a plane
Horse riding
In my spare time
My biggest success so far

Spelling Yr 4 2010

Unit 1

spade, blade, trade, lane, mane, cane, crane, ape, cape, tape, shape, scape, grape, escape, daze, blaze, gaze, maze, graze, crate, plate, skate, state, grate, slave, grave, shave, behave

Challenge Words:

barricade, decade, lemonade, debate, insane, humane, hurricane, elevate, inflation, vibrate, operate, amazed

Unit 2

dare, care, hare, mare, fare, ware, pare, rare, bare, spare, blare, scare, stare, glare, share, square, aware, beware

Challenge Words:

compare, declare, prepare, nightmare, welfare

Unit 3

time, mime, lime, crime, slime, grime, chime, prime, overtime, pantomime

Challenge Words:

sublime, limelight

Unit 4

role, dole, home, dome, zone, alone, cone, tone, cope, lope, mope, scope

Challenge Words:

rissole, gnome, chrome, aerodrome, telephone, microphone, microscope, stethoscope, telescope, periscope, kaleidoscope

Unit 5

sheep, green, speed, creek, creep, sleep, greet, bleed, sweet, breed, knee, queen, fleet, steep, agree, greed, sweep, street, teeth, speech, screech

Challenge Words:

agreed, decree, asleep, esteem, tweed, freedom, screen

Unit 6

stout, cloud, blouse, drought, trout, proud, trousers, plough, spout, shroud, thousand, scout, shout, flour, crouch, sprout

Challenge Words:

pronoun, scoundrel, flounder, pronounce


Unit 7

bow, crow, show, tow, blow, know, row, glow, stow, sow, flow, throw, mow, slow, bowl, low, grow, below, own, snow

Challenge Words:

tomorrow

Unit 8

roast, toast, coast, boast, float, throat, coach, grown, croak, cloak, cocoa, approach

Challenge Words:

gloat, loathe, shoal, encroach, cockroach

Unit 9

air, fair, hair, pair, lair, chair, stairs, fairy, repair, upstairs

Challenge Words

affair, flair, prairie

Unit 10

real, deal, seal, steal, meal, heal, squeal, beam, seam, cream, steam, peak, leak, bleak, freak, streak, neat, beat, heat, feat, bleat, treat, lean, lead, leaf, leap, peach, bleach, least, yeast, leash

Challenge Words:

conceal, appeal, league, reveal, ideal

Unit 11

head, dead, lead, read, tread, bread, ahead, spread, thread, ready, stead, already, instead, homestead, meadow

Challenge Words:

measure, pleasure, treasure, steadfast, breadth, dreadful

Unit 12

boil, soil, toil, oil, foil, coil, spoil, toilet, join, coin, point, choice, voice, rejoice, noise, poison, moist, hoist, avoid

Challenge Words:

appoint, quoit, void, recoil, poise, joist, ointment, invoice

Unit 13

tie, die, lie, pie, magpie, fried, flies, pied, science, society

Challenge Words:

anxiety, piety, piebald

Unit 14

dew, blew, grew, nephew, few, brew, knew, jewel, new, chew, stew, ewe, crew, screw, drew, threw, flew

Challenge Words:

pew, shrewd, renew, skewer, mildew, jewelry, newspaper

Unit 15

Reading List - for children of all ages

Including me.

Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery
Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
The Father Christmas Letters - J.R.R. Tolkien
The Tale of Peter Rabbit - Beatrix Potter
The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Graham
The House at Pooh Corner - A.A. Milne
Ballet Shoes - Noel Streatfeild
Just William - Richmal Compton
Dr Dolittle - Hugh Lofting
My Family and Other Animals - Gerald Durrel
P.L. Travers
Round The Twist - Paul Jennings
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy - Lynley Dodd
Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak
Dr Seuss
Madeline - Ludwig Bemelmans

Terminology - for the differentiated classroom

Curriculum telescoping - is a form of acceleration as students complete several years of the school curriculum in less time than their peers. Note that material is not 'skipped', rather, students move through the program more rapidly by increasing the pace of instruction.

Enrichment - the student's learning pace is faster than that of their cohort. The student's learning is broadened by enrichment activities that are related to the content area.

Extension - leads to deepening of knowledge and a greater understanding. Students are given additional tasks, projects, and research questions and have a variety of ways to present their work such as by publishing it to the Internet and by teaching it to others. Extension activities are more challenging, abstract, have advanced content and are appropriate in difficulty.

There are five levels of giftedness: mild, moderate, high, exceptional and profound.

Differentiation - is where students learn differently and have different needs. It's where there is a commitment to plan for students' differences. It celebrates diversity. Its goal is to maximise student growth and to promote individual student success. It builds academic self esteem.

When planning a teaching unit:

- pre-assess to identify current levels of knowledge and understanding
- base a unit on a concept rather than a topic
- be prepared to modify the content, process and product
- layer tasks to contain at least three levels of teaching and learning experiences-
use higher order questioning strategies
- use creative/divergent thinking strategies
- ensure students have a choice of activities
- students may negotiate aspects of the curriculum
- layered assessments are planned to assess students of different skills and abilities
- students know and accept that other students may be engaged in different tasks within the classroom.
- student work samples are used to evaluate differentiation
- parents are informed of student progress using learning gain measures not just with test scores.

In the differentiated classroom

You will find:

- layered tasks
- creative thinking
- higher order thinking
- differentiated assessment
- at least three levels of appropriate activities
- planned layering
- the needs of all students are met
- acceleration, extension and enrichment

What are the needs of gifted children?

- The mythical "norm" fits very few students.
- There are both emotional and educational needs.
- Gifted children have learning needs that require a special educational program.
- Gifted children need a responsive school environment.
- Gifted learners need careful nurturing, by home, the community and by schools.
- A general education program does not respond adequately to their specialised needs because of the emphasis on teaching basic skills.

Notes on identifying and teaching the gifted and talented child

- gifts will not be translated into talent (high performance) without a facilitative environment.
- with curriculum compacting, a student's program is compacted by removing any content/processes where mastery is demonstrated.
- curriculum differentiation is where we modify the curriculum; adjust the content, processes and the learning environment; and include enrichment and extension activities.

Signs of a gifted student include:

- an increased power of concentration, a long attention span
- an unusually well developed memory
- a large vocabulary
- the student is an independent learner
- is widely informed about many topics
- the student shows good judgement and logical thinking
- the student produces original/unusual products

Providing for the talented learner

* encourage a scientific hobby such as bird watching or gardening - this leads to such learning experiences as scientific classification and increased research skills
* investigate scientific toys - put together a chemistry set, design and construct with technic toys
*provide basic tools - binoculars, camera, magnifying glass
* an ongoing scrabble game
* a puzzle under construction
* a new challenge/problem solving puzzle published in the class daily doings website
* metaphors and abstract nouns - instead of just similes
* metaphysical poetry, such as The Thought Fox by Ted Hughes
* an exhibition space for student's products
* means of publication for the student to self-publish a novel/poetry anthology

Typing Teacher

Try this typing tutor! This is the program in use for 2010 when students have access to the Computer Lab for a double seesion each week, and on a regular basis in the classroom.

SOSE: Transport through the ages

The question on everybody's lips is this:
In Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park" what is the difference between a chaise and a barouche?

Let's look at the types of transport from the year 1AD.

* From 1 to 500
* From 500 to 1000
* From 1000 to 1500
* From 1500 to
* From 1800 to 1850
* From 1850 to 1900
* From 1900 to 1920
* From 1920 to 1950
* From 1950 to 1975
* From 1975 to 2000
* from 2000

Writing Topics - Grade 9-12

My craziest experience in a restaurant or shopping mall
The hardest thing I’ve ever done
My first encounter with a bully
Let’s hear it for my favorite senior citizen.
The toys I’ll never give up
A friend who moved away
I couldn’t believe that my mother volunteered me for that job.
Putting my foot in my mouth
What if school sports were dropped?
Who knows me best?
What do I worry about?
My muscles were so sore after . . .
What do we Australians do well?
“Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.”

An unforgettable dream
My worst vacation
Coping with brothers and sisters
A typical evening at home
Morning madness
A meaningful gift I’ve given or received
We all make mistakes.
Why do I deserve the job?
My brother (or sister) made me so mad!
Hanging out
Something this school really needs is . . .
I take some things too seriously.
What do I do to break routine?

Writing Topics - Grade 6-8

Here’s what a new student needs to know about my school.
Why weekends should be longer
A narrow escape from trouble
What I’ve broken or lost that belongs to someone else
My first friend
A visit to a relative’s house
My chores
A dedicated teacher or coach
When I was lost
My idea of a fun weekend
A school field trip
I’ve done something no one else has done.

I’m principal for the day. Here’s my schedule of events.
A typical lunch hour
If only I would have listened!
How could TV be better?
My favorite neighbor
My bedroom from top to bottom
A memorable bus ride
My best class ever
My first concert
Finally, a good assembly
If I could be someone else, I would be . . .
The most fun I’ve had recently

Writing Topics - Grade 4-5

Staying at a friend’s house
A special secret place
When I was upside down
What if we suddenly had to move?
My most embarrassing moment
Talk about being scared!
Do I want to be famous?
Creepy, crawly things
What if I were the teacher?
I’ll never eat another . . .
My biggest surprise
This school really needs . . .
The first day of school is the worst/best.

A pet sitter needs special instructions to care for my pet.
A song that means a lot to me
My best day
A day in the life of my pet
I don't understand why . . .
Dirt bikes and in-line skates
A visit to a friend’s school
What is important to me?
A terrible storm
Me and the outdoors
My first school memories

Writing Topics - Grade 3-4

New Experiences
Learning to ride a bike
Flying
Making Friends
Moving House

Favourite Things
Being in a sports team
Eating out
Favourite games
Food I like
Friends
Hobbies
Holidays
My cubby
My family
My favourite toy
My pet
Parties
Staying Overnight

Games and Pastimes
Board games
Building a go-kart
Dressing up
Swimming
The cooking experience

Special Days
Christmas Day
First day of school
School Holidays
Dress up day

People in my life
Aunts
Brothers and Sisters
Favourite singers
My best friend
Grandparents
People I Like

Special Places
My bedroom
My trip overseas
My favourite country
Staying a a mote
The most unusual place i have ever been
The museum
My tree house

Good Times
After school
Going fishing
Going on a plane
Horse riding
In my spare time
My biggest success so far

Language - Poetry

Poems are images in your mind. They let you go beyond the surface and discover your deepest feelings. Here is our class poetry anthology which is incorporated into our reading program and into our weekly homework program.

Learning Outcomes

· Understand and write in different forms of poetry.
· Experiment with words, phrases, ideas and feelings.
· Use different styles of poetry to express themselves.
· Communicate effectively through writing.
· Speak and read poetry with confidence.

Learning Tasks

· Read and analyse poetry.
· Write in poetry form.
· Keep a poetry anthology.
· Listen and participate in reading.

Assessment Tasks

· Book work.
· Class participation.
· Poetry anthology.

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 8

1. What techniques are used to show that something important is happening when Gerry and the convict catch Old Plop the turtle?

2. What language are Gerry and his teacher speaking in the bird market?

3. Where did Spiro get the goldfish for Gerry?

4. What does Gerry put into the bath?

5. What is hiding under the table at the dinner party?

6. How does the filmmaker turn the party into chaos?

7. Why is Spiro so sad in the scene on the pier?

8. When the boat sails away is the camera shot from overhead or eye level?

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 7

1. What animal is seen escaping in the underwater shot? Draw it.

2. What does Gerry do with the snakes that we would never do?

3. In the book, “My Family and Other Animals”, Gerry speaks in Greek to the islanders. Why do they speak in English (with a Greek accent) in the series?

4. What happens when the Magenpies start talking?

5. What advice does Theo give Mrs. Durrell at the end of this episode?

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 6

1. Draw what Gerry finds in his room in the new villa.

2. What type of animals does Gerry’s new teacher have?

3. What sound is heard to tell Gerry’s new teacher that he has to go and see his mother?

4. Where does Gerry think his teacher is going?

5. In what way is the mother’s room different from the room they study in?

6. What is very unusual about the mother?

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 5

1. Name three things Gerry sees with his viewing box from his boat?

2. What reaction does Gerry get when he shows Spiro the toads?

3. What type of animal is Cecily?

4. What is hanging on the wall in the kitchen?

5. What effects does the filmmaker use to let you know a battle is taking place in Gerry’s room at night?

6. What camera angle is used to show what animal ate the gecko?

7. When Margo takes the boat across to the island, what music is used to show her mood?

8. Draw five animals that live in Gerry’s room.

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 4

1. When they show the fireflies, describe the camera shot – low, high, eye level or overhead shot.

2. What is causing the smell in Gerry’s room?

3. When Gerry splashes water on Margo and Peter while they are kissing, where is the camera?

4. What does Gerry call his new puppies?

5. When the boat is launched, what happens to make Margo upset?

6. Draw Ulysses.

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 3

1. In the beginning of episode 3, the Durrell family is in a building with Margo kissing the feet of a mummified saint. How can you tell the scene takes place in a church?

2. When the turtle is seen burying its eggs, is it a close up or a long shot?

3. The Durrell family’s clothes are plain in comparison to those worn by the artists. Why?

4. What lighting is used to show that it is nighttime?

5. Draw the funny thing that makes all of Larry’s guests leave the house.

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 2

1. In episode 2, when they show the rat flea under the microscope, is it a close up shot or a long shot?

2. What effects are used to show romance between Margo and her Turkish boyfriend?

3. Why isn’t it frightening when Mrs. Durrell holds up the knife to Leslie and Larry in the kitchen?

4. What sound effect does Spiro use to get Gerry’s attention when he picks him up from his lesson?

5. What does Gerry wear to his lessons with Theo?

6. What lighting do they use in the cinema when Margo is on her date?

7. Is the movie they are watching in colour or black and white?

8. What is Margo holding in her arms after the movie?

9. How do they show there is no electricity inside the Durrell’s house?

10. List three animal sounds that you hear during this episode.

11. What colour are the eggs of the oil beetle?

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 1

1. Is this a film, a cartoon or a series?

2. This series can be described as:
- cartoon
- documentary
- true story
- fairy tale.

3. Where is this series set:
- L.A. California
- London, England
- Corfu, Greece
- Sydney, Australia.

4. In the first episode when they show the Rose Beetle Man pulling beetles off his hat, is it done with a close up shot or a long shot?

5. In the scene in the market, what is hanging in front of Spiro’s Mother’s face?

6. What technique is used to show it is time for a commercial?

7. When Achilles the tortoise is eating the strawberry is it a close up or a long shot?

8. When they are looking up at Quasimodo the pigeon flying for the first time, what type of camera shot is it:
- high angle
- low angle
- eye level
- overhead shot.

9. Who is the producer?

10. Who is the director?

11. What date was the series made?

The Borrowers by Mary Norton

1. Is it:

- a film
- a series
- a documentary

2. What are borrowers?

3. What do the borrowers use to furnish their house?

4. Who are the Harpsichords and the Clocks?

5. What happens if a borrower is seen by humans?

6. Why are humans scared of borrowers?

7. When Pod is in the dollhouse and he sees the human boy at the window, is it a close up shot or a long distance shot?

8. Why does Pod have to teach Arriety to borrow?

9. How does a borrower get through a closed door?

10. What does Arriety do when she sees a boy?

11. “Human being are for borrowers like bread is for ……………………………”

12. What do borrowers use for carpet?

13. Design a borrowers tool.

The Fish Philosophy

The Fish Philosophy is a set of simple, interconnected principles that everyone can tailor to their own life and work – old wisdom for a new day. When you choose to incorporate these principles:

– Play, Be There, Choose Your Attitude and Make Someone’s Day – you’ll see a positive change in the relationships you create at work and at home. The underlying view of the Fish Philosophy is that meaningful learning occurs, when the learner is directly linked to and involved with, the content being presented.

PLAY Everyone can benefit from a little lightening up during the day. People who find ways to incorporate play into their daily lives approach their work, responsibilities and challenges with energy and enthusiasm. Some of the best innovations come from playing with ideas. Playfulness allows us to tap into our inner being - the child inside all of us. It is that person who won’t hesitate to ask “why” or “how come”. It is the person who looks at the world creatively and openly and who never hesitates to see the humour in it all.

BE THERE To “Be There” for another person has a powerful effect as it is about giving others our undivided attention. Listening is a big part of being there but it’s more than that. Too often we listen like we are in a debate, our minds focused on gathering information for our own brilliant comeback, rather than being emotionally as well as physically present. It is difficult to hear what another person is saying if our minds are stuck on what we want to hear. Being truly present means suspending judgement while you’re listening and realising that this takes awareness, commitment and practise.

CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE Many of us believe our attitudes are caused directly by outside influences like unpleasant experiences or negative people. While these things may act as triggers for our feelings, we can choose to either be subservient to these events, few of which we can control, or we can take charge of our own responses. Choosing your attitude is about being aware of what your attitude is and that it may affect others. Once we choose to accept that we are the only ones deciding our attitude at a particular time and place, we decide whether to keep it or shape it into something more satisfying.

MAKE SOMEONE’S DAY To make someone’s day means taking a genuine interest in the unique gifts of others. Spontaneous or planned, when we brighten someone’s day we receive an internal gift that makes our life more meaningful. Making someone’s day may mean taking someone out to dinner or telling a friend, from your heart, how much you appreciate them. It moves past being civil or pleasant to take an extra step we didn’t have to take and that makes all the difference.

· development of the “whole student” as an engaged learner
· rewarding relationships
· positive classroom management
· personal responsibility and internal motivation for staff and students
· a safe and playful learning community
· respect for diversity
· conflict-resolution skills



1. "Play: We put more energy into what we enjoy, and finding ways to "play" can lead to greater productivity and creativity. Play is NOT about acting irresponsibly. In the livable workplace, it is about finding ways to have more fun accomplishing serious goals.
We can easily see that a light-hearted sense of "play" can be a major component of achieving consistent "efficient action."

2. "Be There: The glue in our humanity is in being fully present for one another. Being there also is a great way to practice wholeheartedness and fight burnout, for it is those halfhearted tasks you perform while juggling other things that wear you out."
"Put your whole mind into present action," Mr. Wattles says. And when one of the fish market guys stops goofing and turns to help a customer, that customer becomes the only other person in the place. Don't you wish EVERYONE you deal with in the course of a normal day had that kind of focus? (Don't they wish YOU did, too?)

3. "Choose Your Attitude: When you look for the worst you will find it everywhere. When you look for the best you will find opportunities you never imagined possible. You have the power to choose your attitude. If you find yourself with an attitude you don't want, you can choose another."
Mr. Wattles says, "You must learn to see the underlying truth in all things," and we know that our prevailing attitudes make this either possible or impossible. If your attitude is negative, you're expressing faith that what you do NOT want is on its way to you. But as Mr. Christensen notes, if the attitude you have at the moment isn't serving you — or anyone else — you can always choose again!

4. "Make Their Day: When you 'make someone’s day' (or even moment) through a small kindness or unforgettable engagement, you can turn even routine encounters into special memories. Few things are as rewarding and infectious as lifting another person's spirits, and the act of serving others quickly returns a feeling of satisfaction."

Reading

While Reading Think About These Questions

Who is in the story? (Main character/s and minor character/s)
What is the main character like?
Physical features
How does the character act?
What kinds of things does s/he say?
What do other characters say and feel about him/her?
Where does the story take place (setting)?
What are the major events in the book?
Is there a conflict (problem)?
If so, how is it solved?
What is the most exciting part of the book?
How does the story end?
From what point of view is this story / book written?
What is your opinion of this book? Why?
Explain your likes and dislikes about the story.
Tell who you would recommend this book to and why.

Extension - Countries

- Write the names of 10 countries and their capitals.
- Would you like to live in another country? Why? Why not? If you answered yes...which?
- What do you call the people from... China, Holland, Iran, Mexico and Switzerland?
- Collect information about a country you are interested in and blog about it.

Extension - Games

- Try and remember the names of 6 toys and/or games. Write them down.
- Explain the rules of a game you like.
- Some people think computer games are bad for you. Do you agree? Why? Why not?
- How many 4-letter words can you make by combining the ones in HANDKERCHIEF'? You may use a maximum of two H´s and two E´s in any one word, but no extra letters.

Extension - Menus

- What did you have for dinner yesterday?
- Find out about the traditional Australian breakfast. Would you enjoy it? Why? Why not?
- Write 3 menus appropriate for young people.
- Research 8 different countries and their typical dishes. Blog your findings.

Extension - Flowers

- What´s your favourite flower? Draw it and explain why you like it so much.
- Write the names of 6 different flowers.
- Do you prefer natural or artificial flowers? Why?
- Design a small garden. Include flowers, plants and trees. What would you put and where?

Extension - Money

- Make a list of 10 countries and their currencies.
- You are going to a friend´s birthday party. You have got 5000 pesetas to buy a present for him/her. What are the best things you can find for that amount?
- How would you use a million dollars?
- Think of ways how the rich countries can help the poor ones.

Extension - Books

- Which is the best book you have ever read? What was it about?
- Do some research and tell me the names of 10 British and American writers.
- Who wrote the following books? Alice in Wonderland, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Frankenstein, Peter Pan, Call of the Wild.
- Read the following and continue the story.
Li Chuan was an 8-year-old Chinese girl. She lived with her parents and her brother Tse (6). They were very poor. One day...

Extension - Jobs

- How many different jobs can you remember in 1 minute? Write them down!
- What job would you like to do in the future? Why?
- Which is the best job in the world, according to you?
- Tell me about a business you would like to own. What would it be like? Refer to the premises, the staff , the furniture and/or the machinery you would need etc.

Extension - Shopping

- Make a list of the different kinds of shops you can remember.
- Explain what a Department Store is, name 6 different departments and explain what they sell at each of them.
- Think of 5 things you have bought lately and tell me how much they cost.
- Why do you think so many people enjoy looking at shop windows?

Extension - Cities

- Draw a map of the UK and find 10 important cities.
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city?
- Write about a city you know well.
- Do some research on one of the following cities: Hong Kong, New Delhi, San Francisco or Sydney. Summarize your findings.

Extension - Housing

- Make a list of 8 different places where people can live.
- Name the different rooms in your house/flat.
- Describe your bedroom , your living-room and your kitchen.
- Draw the house of your dreams and write a paragraph about it.

Extension - English Lessons

- Would you like to be a teacher? Why? Why not?
- Mention the qualities of the perfect teacher.
- Suggest a few ways to improve our English lessons.
- You are the English teacher today! Devise an exam for your classmates. Include the main points studied in class, do not make it too easy or to difficult and make sure you know the answers to your questions.

Extension - Transport

- How many means of transport can you name? Write a list.
- What are the different parts of a car called?
- Write about the advantages and disadvantages of public transport.
- Plan a three-day trip by car to some places you like. Show your
itinerary on a map. Indicate the distances in kilometres. Refer to
the different sights you will see and the activities you will do.

Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns are ideas, feelings or qualities such as love, hate, kindness, fear, anger, imagination, courage, intelligence, loneliness, happiness, sadness, bravery, cowardice, embarrassment, joy, beauty, ugliness, confidence, luck, misfortune, mischief, bitterness, justice, injustice, grief, boredom, cheerfulness.

More abstract nouns:

beauty
deceit
dedication
curiosity
trust
relaxation

Abstract nouns cannot be seen or touched in the same way as concrete nouns such as chair, table, dog, Lancaster, or Thomas.

An abstract noun refers to states, events, concepts, feelings, qualities, etc., that you can't touch.
eg: freedom; happiness; idea; music are all abstract nouns that you can't touch.

Here is an example:

When Pyewacket was confronted with a closed cupboard door, her curiosity got the best of her and she just had to find a way to open it!

Curiosity, one of the nouns in this sentence, is an example of an abstract noun. You cannot see curiosity itself. Curiosity has no color, size, shape, sound, odor, flavor, or texture; it has no quality that you can see, hear, smell, taste, or touch. Any noun that escapes your five senses is an abstract noun. So, you can't hear it, feel it, touch it, taste it or smell it.

Narrative Writing Skills

To write a narrative, it is important to include the following:

- descriptive sentences with high level adjectives.
- speech marks, commas, expclamation marks, question marks, a hypen, a dash.
- plurals, compound words, common and proper nouns, abstract nouns.
- paragraphs
- intersting vocabulary words e.g. use vast for big, miniscule for little,
- a beginning, which sets the scene
- a complication
- a resolution or conclusion

Beginning/Orientation: This sets the scene, creating a visual picture of the setting, atmosphere and time of the story. Characters are introduced and clues are set in place for the coming complication.

Problem/Complication: This is where a problem or complication occurs that affects the setting, time or characters.

Problem seems to be resolved/Minor Resolution: Everything seems to be resolved.
New Problem/Complication: The problem or complication is now often worse than before.

Problem is solved/Ending/Resolution: The problem is solved and the story ends.
Moral/Coda/Evaluative ending: There may be a moral or message at the end of the story.

First, identify the experience that you want to write about and think about why the experience is significant.

Use vivid details and descriptions to actually recreate the experience for your readers. Try to remember that the information you present is the only information your readers have about the experiences. Keep in mind that all of the small and seemingly unimportant details known to you are not necessarily known to your readers.

Begin your narrative with a paragraph that introduces the experience and tells why it is important. This guarantees that readers will understand the significance of the experience as they read the story.


Potential prompts for your narrative essay:
If you're having trouble choosing an experience to write about, take a quick glance through these prompts. They might help you remember or identify a particularly interesting or significant experience to focus on.

A childhood event. Think of an experience when you learned something for the first time, or when you realized how important someone was for you.

Achieving a goal. Think about a particularly meaningful achievement in your life. This could be something as seemingly minor as achieving a good grade on a difficult assignment, or this could be something with more long-lasting effects, like getting the job you desired or getting into the best school to which you applied.

A failure. Think about a time when you did not perform as well as you had wanted. Focusing on an experience like this can result in rewarding reflections about the positive emerging from the negative.

A good or bad deed. Think about a time when you did or did not stand up for yourself or someone else in the face of adversity or challenge.

A change in your life. Think about a time when something significant changed in your life. This could be anything from a move across town to a major change in a relationship to the birth or death of a loved one.

A realization. Think about a time when you experienced a realization. This could be anything from understanding a complicated math equation to gaining a deeper understanding of a philosophical issue or life situation.

Viewing - Camera Angles

Aim: To provide a variety of activities to explain camera angles.

(Crossing into Media Studies and Oral language)

Before attempting this, it may be necessary (helpful) to relate this to Media Studies.

1. Take some “interesting’ pictures from a magazine.
Talk about/discuss - foreground
- middle ground
- background.

2. Look at advertisements, for example, children’s clothes. There is probably no background, or the background has been blotted/cut out. There is usually only a foreground taking up the whole picture.

3. Look at another picture. Is it a long distance shot? Is the horizon seen?
Find a long distance picture from a magazine.

4. Discuss the meaning of “close ups’ in pictures. Can you find any “close ups” in pictures? “Close ups” would probably be of one body part, for example, face or eyes, rather that the whole body as in point 2. There is probably no middle background.

5. “Focus” could also be discussed, that is: the point at which the subject is well defined and clear.

6. “Focal length” – discuss the distance between the camera and the subject.

7. “Frame” – discuss the limits as seen through the camera lens. In animation, films are made frame by frame, one picture at a time. If possible, children can look through a camera lens to see a frame.

8. Camera angle – can the children tell where the photographer was standing?
Discuss – - in front ... at eye level
- from overhead... as from a ‘plane or helicopter
- low angle... along the floor
- high angle... looking up high from down low.

9. Go back to all previous pictures and discuss camera angle.

10. Children find an interesting picture from a magazine. Using oral
language, children give a “picture talk” telling why they found it interesting and including: - foreground
- middle ground
- background
- long or short focal length
- camera angle.
Other areas like colour, interest, experience and involvement can be discussed.
Before applying this knowledge to a Viewing session, use some selected photographs of family, friends and holiday snaps of scenery.
Talk about - foreground
- middle ground
- background.

Optional extras.

Talk about/discuss:
 What is the picture trying to say?
 Who, what, why and where?
 Is it a celebration? Why/why not?
 Do the people in the photo know they are being photographed?
 What happened just before/just after the photo?
 Are the people in the photo dressed up?
 What is the location of the photo?

Categorise:
 holiday
 festival/celebration
 portrait
 party
 scenery

** Can children tell where the photographer was standing?
** What is the camera angle?

After working through these topics/areas/activities, children should have a better understanding of camera angles.

Viewing - Round The Twist - The Cabbage Patch Fib

Believing that babies actually grow in the cabbage patch, Bronson actually finds one there.

1. Who wrote the Round the Twist series?

2. In the scene where Bronson is fishing with Nell in front of the jetty, does the camera zoom in or zoom out?

3. Where do the Twists keep their goldfish?

4. When Bronson is outside at night in the cabbage patch looking for babies, how does the director show that it is night?

5. What special effect does the director use for the baby?

6. What is written on the newspaper headline?

i. Blue boy alive and well
ii. Aliens invade a lighthouse
iii. Green baby found in cabbage patch

7. What effect does the director use to change scenes after the teacher tells Bronson to change the baby’s nappy?

Viewing - Round The Twist - The Cabbage Patch Fib - teacher edition

Believing that babies actually grow in the cabbage patch, Bronson actually finds one there.

1. Who wrote the Round the Twist series? Paul Jennings

2. In the scene where Bronson is fishing with Nell in front of the jetty, does the camera zoom in or zoom out? Zoom in.

3. Where do the Twists keep their goldfish? In tanks in the wall.

4. When Bronson is outside at night in the cabbage patch looking for babies, how does the director show that it is night?
Blue filters/lighting and turns down the lighting like on Kahootz.

5. What special effect does the director use for the baby?
The baby is green.

6. What is written on the newspaper headline?

i. Blue boy alive and well
ii. Aliens invade a lighthouse
iii. Green baby found in cabbage patch 

7. What effect does the director use to change scenes after the teacher tells Bronson to change the baby’s nappy? The new scene is rotated in.

Viewing - Round The Twist - Skeleton in the Dunny

When the Twists move from the city to live in an old lighthouse they discover that the outside dunny is haunted. One night they decide to have a showdown with a very flushed ghost.

1. Who stars as Linda?

2. Is Round the Twist:
a. a film
b. a cartoon
c. a series
d. a documentary

3. What is written on the sign at the edge of the cliff?
a. Long Beach
b. Suicide Leap
c. No standing

4. How long ago did the Twist’s mother die?

5. When Peter and Linda go up the stairs to an inside room what techniques are used/what effects to show that no one has been in for years?

6. When they are having dinner on the first night they have moved into the lighthouse, what two forms of lighting do they use?

7. What do they use to light their way to the outside toilet?

8. What is the sound that scares Linda when she is in the toilet?

9. How many screams do you hear in this episode?

10. What does the ghost look like?

11. What effects are used to show there is a storm?

Viewing - Round The Twist - Skeleton in the Dunny - teacher edition

When the Twists move from the city to live in an old lighthouse they discover that the outside dunny is haunted. One night they decide to have a showdown with a very flushed ghost.


1. Who stars as Linda? Tamsin West

2. Is Round the Twist:
a. a film
b. a cartoon
c. a series 
d. a documentary

3. What is written on the sign at the edge of the cliff?
a. Long Beach
b. Suicide Leap 
c. No standing

4. How long ago did the Twist’s mother die? Four years.

5. When Peter and Linda go up the stairs to an inside room what techniques are used/what effects to show that no one has been in for years?

rat, cobwebs on the clock, dust

6. When they are having dinner on the first night they have moved into the lighthouse, what two forms of lighting do they use? electric and candle

7. What do they use to light their way to the outside toilet? Flashlight

8. What is the sound that scares Linda when she is in the toilet? Screeching/violin sound

9. How many screams do you hear in this episode? Two

10. What does the ghost look like? He is yellow.

11. What effects are used to show there is a storm? Lightning

Viewing - Round The Twist - Birdsdo - teacher edition

Nell is committed to hospital for believing in dragons, so Linda, Pete and Bronson set off to prove her sanity. Rogue seagulls imprison Linda and Pete in a shack covered in birds’ droppings.

1.Watch for the special effect at the beginning of this episode with the faces.

2. At the beginning of this episode you see the word Birdsdo written in the sky. When it changes to the next scene, which one is true?
a. it fades to the next scene
b. music separates the scenes
c. the scene goes black then the next scene starts

3. What mysterious sound is heard occasionally in the background? Music.

4. When the two characters are talking on the phone about sending Nell to hospital, how do they show both characters talking? They split the screen.


5. How does the director show that Nell is in the hospital? Hospital bed, curtains around the bed, nurse.

6. What costumes and props are used to show that there are Arabs in this episode? Long white robes, a cloth over their heads, Arab flags on the car.

7. How much money did Tony Twist get for his statue? $500

8. What special effect could they use for the bird poo? Shaving cream, paint.

Viewing - Round The Twist - Birdsdo

Nell is committed to hospital for believing in dragons, so Linda, Pete and Bronson set off to prove her sanity. Rogue seagulls imprison Linda and Pete in a shack covered in birds’ droppings.

1.Watch for the special effect at the beginning of this episode with the faces.

2. At the beginning of this episode you see the word Birdsdo written in the sky. When it changes to the next scene, which one is true?
a. it fades to the next scene
b. music separates the scenes
c. the scene goes black then the next scene starts

3. What mysterious sound is heard occasionally in the background?

4. When the two characters are talking on the phone about sending Nell to hospital, how do they show both characters talking?

5. How does the director show that Nell is in the hospital?

6. What costumes and props are used to show that there are Arabs in this episode?
7. How much money did Tony Twist get for his statue?

8. What special effect could they use for the bird poo?

Viewing - Round The Twist - A Good Tip For Ghosts

Birdsdo

Nell is committed to hospital for believing in dragons, so Linda, Pete and Bronson set off to prove her sanity. Rogue seagulls imprison Linda and Pete in a shack covered in birds’ droppings.

1.Watch for the special effect at the beginning of this episode with the faces.

2. At the beginning of this episode you see the word Birdsdo written in the sky. When it changes to the next scene, which one is true?
a. it fades to the next scene
b. music separates the scenes
c. the scene goes black then the next scene starts

3. What mysterious sound is heard occasionally in the background?

4. When the two characters are talking on the phone about sending Nell to hospital, how do they show both characters talking?

5. How does the director show that Nell is in the hospital?

6. What costumes and props are used to show that there are Arabs in this episode?
7. How much money did Tony Twist get for his statue?

8. What special effect could they use for the bird poo?

Viewing - Round The Twist - A Good Tip For Ghosts - teacher edition

A Good Tip For Ghosts

To pass a nerve test, Pete must collect a rotting skull from the pond at the tip in the middle of the night.


1.In the first scene where the Twists are driving in their truck, what are they doing that is illegal? No seatbelts.

2. How much does it cost to dump a load of rubbish at the tip? $5

3. Why does Mr Twist, who is a sculptor, go to scavenge at the tip? To get all his materials/supplies.

4. As the Twists drive away from the tip, what rises up from an old tub? A ghost.

5. When Tony Twist is talking to Bronson’s teacher, is it a close up or a long shot? A close up.

6. In the scene where the English teacher is talking to Pete, what can you see on the wall behind them that shows you that this is being filmed? Shadows from the lights.

7. What sound effects do the children hear as they are walking to the tip at night? Footsteps and breaking twigs.

8. What colour lighting or light filters are used to show that it is set at night? Blue lighting/filters.

9. What is special about Pete and Linda? They are not just brother and sister, they are…..? Twins.

10. What sound and visual effects do we hear and see when the ghost appears? Music and smoke.

Viewing - Round the Twist

Have you ever,
Ever felt like this?
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?

Have you ever, ever felt like this,
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?
If all the king’s horses and all the king’s men,
Couldn’t put me back together again.
I’d say – rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.
Hey! Have you ever, ever felt like this,
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?
Have you ever, ever felt like this,
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.
I can hear myself say, this is not my day,
I’m saying what the hey,
You won’t believe me anyway,
I can hear myself say, this is not my day,
I’m saying what the hey,
You won’t believe me anyway.
Have you ever, ever felt like this,
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?
Have you ever, ever felt like this,
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?
Around the twist!

Challenge: The Egg and I

The Egg and I!

• Blew out the egg
• Made a bed from plastic container
• Took egg for a walk
• Took egg to maths
• Took egg out to recess
• Brought egg to the classroom
• Bathed egg and dried it
• Gave the egg exercise
• Drove the egg around the classroom.
• Took egg to lunch
• Brought the egg back in
• Gave the egg swimming lessons
• Took it to sport
• Took it to ballet lessons
• Wrote haiku and descriptive writing
• Wrote science procedures with diagrams
• Discussed the Fish Philosophy
• Worked cooperatively in groups
• Blogged about it

Challenge: Photography Competition

- run fortnightly competitions

1. A Place to Dream

2. Heaven is a Place on Earth

3. Fun in the Sun

4. Digital Scrapbook use 6 listed elements

Challenge: Franklin Dam

Investigate, map and prepare a response to this topic.

Challenge: Home Sweet Home

Where is it?

In the mountains?

On the beach?

Near a rainforest?

In the snow?

Underground?

By the river?
On a island

Underwater?

In the jungle?

What's in it?

Robots?

Solar Power?

Secret Places?

Gardens?

Swimming pool?

Lots of rooms?

Staircase?

Courtyard?

Verandah?

Telescope?

Solarium?

Spa?

Sauna?

Sliding Doors?

Playground?

What's it made of?

Bicks?
Fibro?
Steel?
Concrete?
Bark?
Aluminium?

Timber?

Challenge: Invent a new sport

I am now going to get you to invent a new sport.

Consider the equipment you are going to use:

- machines

- balls

- nets

- goals

- bats

Challenge - Emily Bronte

Investigate the poetry, life and times of Emily Bronte.

Professional Pathways

Graphic Design

Using backgrounds, kits, alphabets, and elements to enhance presentation and to give a 3D effect.

• confer with colleagues
• work as a team on projects
• inservice from Internet tutorials and from peers
• across sector meetings and discussions
• children complete an individual project
• use Internet resources

Timetable for Semester 1 - 2008

Double click on it to make it larger.

Challenge - Ancient Architecture

- Roman
- Greek
- Egyptian
- China, specifically the Great Wall.

LINKS:

Slinky Dragon
KFC Rocks
Fluffy Rules
Movies Are Fun
Puppy Power Rules
Soccer and Dogs

Challenge - Endangered

- panda
- tigers in Sumatra
- Amazon rainforest

Investigate reasons why. Predict.

Challenge: Extinction

- Tasmanian Tiger
-Dodo
-Dinosaurs

Investigate reasons why, theories behind.

SOSE: Medieval Myth and Legend

Focus areas:
- castles
- knights
- dragons

Topics:
- weaponry
- Children's book - illuminated script, illustrations
- research Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
- Design, draw, construct a castle

- Medieval Art by Slinky

-Design a Coat of Arms by Movies

- Medieval Food by Fluffy

Mapping

Term 1 - Australian states and territories.

Extra activities:

1. Our school
2. Where we live
3. Australia
4. The world
5. Our solar system

Materials and resources:

- blank page book