Kent Trust Web Blog

APP "Threads"

Keith Milchem — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:27:00 GMT

Attached is the document (word) which contains the separated threads of the 5 Assessment Focii for science....(read more)

Conference weblinks

kent-teachers — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:08:00 GMT

Here is a list of some of the many websites mention at the Kent ICT Conference. Please feel free to leave a comment with any I may have missed www.fightingmalaria.info - panoromas of Central hospital – district of Kangaba Can navigate yourself or waite for a running commentary. http://www.switcheroozoo.com/ Visit nine different habitats and make new animals in each. While you play, you can read facts about each of the animals in your current combination. Learn more about the animals by reading their...(read more)

Crazy Talk

kent-teachers — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:37:00 GMT

Take a digital image and make it talk? Easier than you might think. CrazyTalk 6 is an easy and powerful tool for generating talking characters from an image or photo and facial animation for video, websites and widget. Many schools are using to bring photos alive in projects across Kent. http://www.taglearning.com/productdetails/Crazy+Talk+6.html The software retails at £34 per licence, but if we can get enough interested Kent schools together and buy at least 300 licences (e.g. 20 schools buying...(read more)

Physics revision workshops

Keith Milchem — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:09:00 GMT

I have received early notification of some Physics workshops for next year. The information hints some more funding might be found to support schools with this. Please see attached zipped files for more details. As usual, click on the title and a new page opens. The zipped file is attached and visible on the new page....(read more)

New Beginners Guide To Videoconferencing

SteveJames — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:34:00 GMT

Dear all

The JANET Videotechnology Advisory Service (VTAS) has just published an updated version of the document "Introduction to Videoconferencing", written by our technical editor Paul Down. It provides a basic introduction to videoconferencing for potential users, particularly those working in schools.

It is available here:

www.ja.net/services/video/vtas/factsheetsuserguides

If you know of any new or potential users of videoconferencing, who are unsure of the technology, they may find this document helpful.

Mandy

Mandy Bristol

Network Services Coordinator

JANET(UK)

PS: I have added this document to the KLZ VC collaboration site.

Website of the Week: Classroom blogging

kent-teachers — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:48:00 GMT

This week we have decided to take a break from chosing just one website, to instead featuring a few classroom and teacher blogs popping up all over the web. Many schools are using blogs as an easy way to raise the profile of classroom learning and/or their schools. (Some schools have even created their school websites from blogs.) A Year 6 Classroom A school website created using a Wordpress blog Blogs not only provide a place for pupils and teachers to write, they also allow readers all round the...(read more)

Activinspire Explore and Create Day

kent-teachers — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:06:00 GMT

Date: Friday 10 July 2009 Time: 9:15 Coffee for a 9:30 start (Finish by 4pm) Venue: Hugh Christie Technology College, White Cottage Road, Tonbridge Kent TN10 4PU Trainer: Selda Ziya, Promethean Teaching & Learning Consultant (TLC) Lunch: Participants to bring their own packed lunch Cost : Free to Kent Schools This will be a hands‐on workshop where participants learn how to make the most out of their interactive whiteboard. Selda will be sharing her tips and tricks on creating stimulating flipcharts...(read more)

APP Tracker spreadsheet

Keith Milchem — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:14:00 GMT

Please find attached the APP tracker spreadsheet as discussed in various training sessions recently. This is one way to track your judgements. Please see the instructions which are included with the spreadsheet in the zipped file. These also include some "Health Warnings" about using the spreadsheet. You might like to read the recent article in "Education in Science " (the ASE journal) about APP and how the "Wiki science" team are apporaching the issue. I'm sure...(read more)

Premiership Words

kent-teachers — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:10:00 GMT

The Word Tree is one of my favourite Kent ICT games for FS/KS1 use on the IWB. We wanted to make a version more suitable for KS2. So there's a new game called Premiership Words . It allows to enter and store jazzy words for display on your IWB. The resource is football themed. You choose your two favourite Premiership teams. The words are then displayed on their t-shirts. When you want to enlarge a word you drag it to the bottom to either boy or girl to see a larger football player. (Sorry, there...(read more)

Armed Forces Day Resources

kent-teachers — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:02:00 GMT

Armed Forces day is taking place this week and on Saturday 27th June 2009. Its got lots of resources and an assembly pack. http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/Resources.aspx Andy Goodman HoS Provider Gravesham...(read more)

Child Safety Week on Teachers TV

kent-teachers — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:19:00 GMT

The schedule for Teachers TV this week is focussing on child safety and in particular there are two programmes on esafety. Both have been shown before and can be downloaded from the website. See http://www.teachers.tv/node/34948 Heidi...(read more)

Exploring advertisements (persuasive writing)

kent-teachers — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:16:00 GMT

Teachers looking at persuasive writing within a Literacy lesson might want to use an advert from http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/series/advertisingvideos Some are unsuitable for classroom use so please do check them in advance. My personal favourite is this one: www.guardian.co.uk/media/video/2009/jan/23/cadbury-eyebrow-ad Heidi...(read more)

Website of the week - Images for Learning

kent-teachers — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:15:00 GMT

Heritage Explorer - Images for Learning www.heritageexplorer.org.uk Heritage Explorer is an image-based resource for teaching history, citizenship and many more subjects. Teachers can access classroom-ready materials at the click of a button. Choose from over 360,000 pictures, including historic views of daily life, aerial photography, and modern shots of listed buildings. Images are accompanied by accessible information and a range of teaching ideas. A range of case studies and ' How to '...(read more)

New Demo Lessons using Myst IV

kent-teachers — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:29:00 GMT

A chance to see Tim Rylands using a journalistic approach to teach Year 8 and Year 10 students. Although this event is primarily aimed at secondary school teachers, it will also give Year 6 teachers / Literacy Coordniators more ideas and ways of using Myst IV with pupils. Friday 3rd July at Hillview School for Girls in Tonbridge The timetable for the demo day is as follows: 9.30 to 11.00: A mixed ability y8 lesson - plus informal question and answer session with Tim. 11.30 til 13.00: - A mixed ability...(read more)

ICT 2009 Exhibition and Conference

kent-teachers — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:46:00 GMT

The 20th annual ICT Exhibition and Conference will take place on 2 July 2009 at the Ashford International Hotel . Established in 1990, the annual Kent ICT exhibition and conference encourages and extends the effective use of ICT in education. The exhibition will show products and services from over 60 companies. Entry to the Exhibition is FREE - Follow this link to view the exhibitors (Word doc) No pre-booking is required – just turn up on the day! The exhibition opens at 9.00 am and closes at 5...(read more)

Childnet International Youth IGF Project

averyr01 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:41:00 GMT

Childnet International are currently running the Youth IGF Project to capture the voice of children and young people to take to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) a UN mandated meeting in the Autumn. The IGF is a four day international gathering that gives governments, the internet industry, organisations and individuals the space to debate what should happen to the Internet in the coming years thinking specifically about Access, Openness, Diversity and Security. Historically the IGF has had little...(read more)

The Children's Charities' Coalition for Internet Safety launch their Digital Manifesto

averyr01 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:04:00 GMT

The Children's Charities Coalition on Internet Safety ( CHIS ) has launched its "Digital Manifesto", which it is sending to all the political parties represented in the Westminster Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and the Assemblies in Northern Ireland and Wales. The manifesto asks the parties to commit themselves to supporting the policies and recommendations which the children's charities have made in the document and indicates that details of all responses received will be...(read more)

Kent Weather Watch Art Week - 6th to 10th July 2009

kent-teachers — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:59:00 GMT

“An opportunity for young artists everywhere!” Weather Watch Art Week is an opportunity for your pupils to publish their photographs of their 2and 3-D Art Work on the National Education Network Gallery and share their work with other schools in Kent and across the Globe! Pupil's of all ages can publish their weather art on the NEN Gallery Pupil’s work can include: Paintings, drawings, clay models, prints, hanging mobiles, collage, textiles and 3-D structures For more information about the event...(read more)

New GCSE Criteria - have your say

Keith Milchem — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:17:00 GMT

A public consultation on GCSE science criteria by the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) to gain views on proposed changes to the content and assessment of science GCSEs will begin on Friday 19th June. QCA has been working with its counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland to develop and update the criteria for biology, chemistry, physics and science GCSEs starting in September 2011. QCA has collaborated with teachers and representatives across the science community, including subject...(read more)

Have you used FlashMeeting Presenter?

kent-teachers — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:31:00 GMT

FlashMeeting Presenter enables users to display on the screen for all to see during a web conference digital images taken by pupils and teachers. Just click on the snaps tab near the top of the screen to view the images that were used during this FlashMeeting. What does Archaeology tell us about life in Roman Kent - A Flashmeeting with Marion Green (Canterbury Archaeological Trust Education Officer) Marion FlashMeeting with pupils from Adisham Primary School, Canterbury. Dig IT Pupils taking part...(read more)

Learning about life in Anglo-Saxon Kent

kent-teachers — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:52:00 GMT

Years 3, 4 and 5 pupils at Woodgrove primary school in Sittingbourne and The Haig School, Germany today used Flashmeeting to web conference and ask Andrew Richardson (Canterbury Archaeological Trust) questions about life in Anglo-Saxon Kent. To replay the session click on the link below. A FlashMeeting with Andrew Richardson Pupils at Woodgrove Primary FlashMeeting with The Haig School Germany The "Getting to Know You" project is a "trial" project involving three primary schools...(read more)

Inspiring You Tube Videos

kent-teachers — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:55:00 GMT

Kent teacher Mark Warner's collaborative 'Ideas to Inspire' website continues to grow with the help of teachers all round the world. The latest collaborative collection is over 35 inspirational Youtube videos ideal for using with your class. http://www.ideastoinspire.co.uk/youtube.htm How to download You Tube videos (pdf) Mandy:)...(read more)

EU Kids Online Final Report

averyr01 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:10:00 GMT

The EU Kids Online Final report (Sonia Livingstone and Leslie Haddon) has been released. The report offers a balanced picture of issues in e-safety and promoting online opportunity for young people across Europe. The EU Kids Online project (2006-2009) examines European research on cultural, contextual and risk issues in children's safe use of the internet and new media across 21 countries. It is funded by Safer Internet plus Programme ). You can find the final report here: http://www.lse.ac.uk...(read more)

Website of the Week: Learning Clip

kent-teachers — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:25:00 GMT

Learning Clip www.learningclip.co.uk Learning Clip is an online resource to support Y3-5 teachers implementing the renewed primary mathematics framework. The resources are structured to follow precisely the learning objectives of the renewed framework. For ease of navigation the resources are also listed by topic. The clips are being offered free of charge to all schools during the development phase. You need to register (free)to have full access to the resources....(read more)

Summer update

stonej01 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:15:00 GMT

Dear Colleagues

As usual lots going on so I hope I don't overwhelm you all.

We were visited by our new Managing Director for CFE, Rosalind Turner on 1 June 2009 in Cranbrook where she heard about the establishment of the Children’s Centre, the extended schools provision, parent fora and our Early Years Foundation Stage project Communicating Friendly Spaces.

The Cranbrook and Paddock Wood Local Children’s Services Partnership Plan is now complete and is published on Kent Trust Web together with a summary and a cross reference to national indicators and the Kent CYPP. Thank you to all of you who contributed so positively. Please take time to look at it at the following link http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/Clusters2/cl_cranbrookpw_LCYP_plans.cfm

You may also be interested in looking at the data relating to our Partnership at the following link.

http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/Children/kct_toolkit_index.cfm

We have 6 steering groups under each of the key themes moving the plan forward and if you have a particular interest then please contact me to join one of them. In addition we have separate project groups running such as SEAL, 2012 and CAF. As a cross cutting group we also share a Rural Alliance partnership with Ashford Rural to tackle the more strategic barriers within our area such as transport, access and facilities.

I am pleased to say that following our last headteacher meeting, Cranbrook School has agreed to host the joint INSET event on 22 February 2010. Even more pleasing is that our preferred keynote speaker, Guy Claxton, has been booked for the day. For those headteachers who were not able to attend the meeting, can you let me know at your earliest convenience if you want your school staff to participate. We have a planning meeting this evening and if you would like to part of future meetings let me know.

This is Drugs Awareness week and there was an event held in Cranbrook on 6^th June by our multi-agency partners to raise the issues of Drugs and Alcohol with young people and parents. The event was well received and one of the early indicators is that our young people are not sufficiently aware of the change in law regarding cannabis use. A second event will take place in Paddock Wood on 13^th June 2009 this weekend and a survey will be carried out to assess the situation there. Photos are available on the events part of our website.

The Early Years staff and multi-agency partners enjoyed a very engaging evening on 2 June with Penny Tassoni who talked about the importance of Positive Relationships for young children, promoting strong attachment and good speaking and listening skills. This tied in very well with our Communicating Friendly Spaces project across the EYFS. Thank you to Goudhurst School for letting us use their hall.

There is a lot of training on offer through the Partnership at the moment which makes it a very busy few months.

Please don’t forget that the CAF essential update training for headteachers and managers is taking place on 18 June in the morning at the Ramada Jarvis hotel to be followed by a briefing on the Your Choice funding suitable for headteachers and PSAs/FLOs in particular.

We embarked on our multi-agency training course in Solution Focused Training on Monday and I was very heartened by the number of staff and partner agencies who participated. The follow on session will take place at Salomons on 24 June in the morning followed by the final session that afternoon particularly for those who want to join the Families First team, our proposed early intervention and support service for families.

I met yesterday with a small group to plan a SEAL event which will take place from 12.30 – 4.00pm on 13 July 2009 at the Hop Farm. We decided the key words for this event were valuing, nurturing, celebrating and supporting – an opportunity to thank staff for their involvement in SEAL so far, sharing best practice with one another and setting up a support network to take it forward and ensure it is fully embedded in school practices. There will be a treat for all staff who attend so think about who would benefit from an afternoon of nurturing. Don’t all run at once….. the event will also be open to some of our partners to find out more about linking in with SEAL.

We have now had formal notification of our award from the Local Area Agreement monies. Cranbrook and Paddock Wood are due to receive £10000 for having made the biggest improvement with primary attendance out of all the Partnerships. CPW raised attendance from 94.7% in 06/07 to 95.1% in 07/08. Alas I can’t take any of the credit but well done to headteachers, EWOs and parents for improving attendance in our area and giving a boost to our funds this year.

I met with 17 of our voluntary sector partners yesterday in an 8 hour but extremely interesting marathon to see what each organisation felt they could offer to the delivery of our Local CYPP. It is fascinating to know what expertise is out there and we now need to streamline the way we work with our partners to ensure the best outcomes for children and young people. I will share my ideas more widely at the LCSP and steering groups. Congratulations goes to 121 Befriending who have just heard that they have received the Queens Award for their work and well deserved.

And finally a quick note to congratulate Benenden C of E Primary School on their 400^th Centenary celebrations. Their pageant will take place on the evening of 8^th July at 6pm and I’m sure the school and the children would welcome your attendance.

Some staffing news - we have 3 fairly new members of staff who have joined us.

Sarah Jackson joined us before Easter as the new partnership PSA based in Mascalls School and has been working on the SPARK transition project and some early years transition work.

Louise Rodrigues has joined as a Childcare Development Officer working with pre-schools at the Paddock Wood end of the Partnership and looking at after school club provision and development.

Alex Devlin joined us on 1 June as the new Specialist Teacher for Communication and Interaction replacing Sheryl Bunyard.

We will shortly be advertising for a CAF Coordinator and CAF Administrator across Tunbridge Wells and Cranbrook and Paddock Wood. Both posts will be 3 days per week to support the Common Assessment Framework operations for the Partnerships.

I look forward to seeing Headteachers again on 1 July 2009 at Mascalls School. 9-10.00am - separate secondary and primary meetings; 10-12.30pm joint meeting; 1.00pm-3.00pm training. And I look forward to seeing key partners at the Local Children Services Partnership Board on 9 July at The Swattenden Centre from 1.00pm – 4.00pm. We will not be providing lunch on this occasion.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any queries about the work we are engaged in or if you feel you would like to get involved in any aspect of our work. We are very inclusive in Cranbrook and Paddock Wood!

Regards

Julie

Download a TUK assembly today and help safeguard your pupils!

kent-teachers — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:20:00 GMT

To celebrate Safer Internet Day 09, CEOP’s Thinkuknow programme developed two interactive assemblies to protect, educate and empower children and young people from harm relating to online issues. Simply download the file to your desktop or burn to disc and play in Windows Media Player or Quicktime. Each assembly lasts approx 10 minutes and the target audiences for these are 8-10 year olds and 11-16 year olds. As part of the download you will receive a sheet on session aims, learning outcomes and...(read more)

Ofsted responses to Laming inquiry and Singleton report

averyr01 — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:40:00 GMT

On 12 March, Lord Laming published his report T he Protection of Children in England: A Progress Report . The Government accepted all of his recommendations and has now published an action plan, setting out its detailed response. Schools should be aware of Ofsted's response to both Lord Laming's inquiry and to Sir Roger Singleton's report Keeping Our Children Safe, a review of safeguarding arrangements in independent schools, non-maintained special schools and boarding schools in England...(read more)

The La Mantra Talking Pen

kent-teachers — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:17:00 GMT

What is the La Mantra Talking Pen? The Talking Pen is an mp3 player that can store and play audio files. It has a tip that can read tiny microdots impregnated into paper. Books and charts can be prepared that deliver audio content to the user via ‘hotspots’ on the printed surface. Frequently in schools these pens are used to support EAL pupils. Many members of the Kent MCAS Team (Minority Communities Achievement Team) now have and use these pens in schools to develop pupils speaking and reading skills...(read more)

Website of the Week: Welcome to the Web

kent-teachers — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:01:00 GMT

Welcome to the Web www.w2tw.co.uk " Welcome to the Web ", created by Kent teacher Mark Warner, is an highly praised interactive set of on-line resources which teach children (an adults) about different aspects of the Internet. The latest update includes speech. The resources are in split into seven sections: The Beginning - explains how to use the site. Getting Started Online - teaches children about the basic concepts involved in the Internet (World Wide Web, Hyperlinks, Back button etc...(read more)

Demo of new Interactive Whiteboard Software

kent-teachers — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 08:55:00 GMT

ActivInspire Twilight - a demonstration of the new software for all boards Did you know that any classroom can be an ActivClassroom - even if you don’t have an ActivBoard ? Even if you have a Smartboard ? Even if you don’t even have an interactive whiteboard at all? ActivInspire is the first cross-platform software for interactive whiteboards, developed by teachers for teachers. Come and find out about ActivInspire Paddock Wood Primary School Thursday 18 June 3:45 for a 4pm start (The session will...(read more)

Free STEM training and materials!

Keith Milchem — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:26:00 GMT

I have just received this from the National Skills Academy for Nuclear Energy. Their booking form with some further information is attached. Hi, Dates up to the end of 2009 are now available for the Energy Foresight programme. The Energy Foresight programme promotes Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) in schools by training teachers in the use of the supplied material and funds a relief teacher. The programme is fully funded and therefore does not impact on school funds. The material...(read more)

How To: Set Security on Your iPhone

plaj01 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:19:00 GMT

So you have your KLZ E-Mail working nicely on your iPhone but you need to secure your device, incase you lose it, it is stolen or even someone wants to take a look at your device when you have left it on the side...
By default we do not enforce any security policies on your devices as they belong to you, but we can set up policies centrally for your school if you wish.

To enforce an auto lock and PIN number on the iPhone follow these simple steps.

Press Settings and then General

Press Auto-Lock and change it from Never to about 2 or 3 minutes.

This means the device will lock automatically after 2 minutes, or whetever time you define, of inactivity.

Now back at the General screen press Passcode Lock and enter a 4 digit PIN

You'll be asked again to verify it.
Now here are the settings to tweak the passcode.

It may seem a little annoying to enter this PIN most times you want to use the iPhone but it is important for the security of your e-mail and data.
The PIN settings do not interfere with receiving calls.

How To: Get KLZ E-Mail on an iPhone 3G / iPod Touch

plaj01 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:29:00 GMT

How to get your KLZ E-Mail on an iPhone...

Press the mail icon and you will see the screen blelow, press Microsoft Exchange.

And on the next screen enter your details

The domain is KLZ
When you have entered all your information press next and the following screen will load

In the server field type in portal.klz.org.uk and press next.
If you entered all the information in correctly the next screen will ask you what information you wish to sync.

Once you have selected what you wish to sync press Done and your mail should start download.
The default mail which the iPhone syncs is 3 Days. This can be changed under Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Accounts

We recommend you set a auto-lock for security reasons. More details on this to follow.

Free BTEC Introduction training

Keith Milchem — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:02:00 GMT

I've just received this from Myra Gibbons of Edexcel. If you're thinking of introducing BTECs, this is an opportunity to find out more at a venue close to Kent. They write:- Dear Colleague I’m running a free training event in Gillingham in 3 weeks’ time that you might like to come to (details and booking form attached). In the morning I’m going to cover ‘New to BTEC’: · generic overview · delivery · assessment, and internal/external verification · where we’re currently up to in terms of the...(read more)

Weather around the World 24 hour blog

kent-teachers — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:48:00 GMT

27 schools from Kent and around the World took part in the "24 hour weather around the World Blog." Publishing comments and images of the weather on the project blog, NEN Gallery and Google Maps the activity highlights how new technologies and digital resources enable pupils to quickly and effectively share their learning with others. Pupils at Peponi House School, Kenya checking the midday temperature To view the pupils work and read a full report on this activity click here Based on this...(read more)

Watch the birdie!

kent-teachers — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:43:00 GMT

Adding a webcam to a birdbox is becoming increasingly popular in schools. Last Sunday the Kestrel chicks hatch at Povey Farm. Now is a great time to watch them being fed and growing. http://www.lea.derbyshire.sch.uk/birdcam/kestrelcam/index.html Very cute, have a look at the project gallery kestrel cam for some pics. Mandy:)...(read more)

Chemistry of Dentistry - a one day workshop at Greenwich

Keith Milchem — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:38:00 GMT

Just in, details of a 'Chemistry of Dentistry' day organised at the University of Greenwich on 23rd June. Chemistry of Dentistry, 23rd June 2009 This is the latest in a series of events to be held at the University of Greenwich as part of the national project "Chemistry for our future". This is an Aim Higher project aimed at Year 12 students, and encouraging them to consider studying at university. The day will cover a variety of aspects of the application of chemistry to dentistry...(read more)

Showcasing your Myst work with Tim Rylands

kent-teachers — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:35:00 GMT

Tim Rylands will be speaking at this years EIS conference on 2 July. Part of his session will be schools showcasing their Myst work. If your school is in interested in sending a member of staff (and maybe three pupils) to present their work, please contact Tim tim@timrylands.com 07798890475 before 5 June....(read more)

Safeguarding (e-safety) in the new school inspection framework

kent-teachers — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:45:00 GMT

In response to the Lord Laming report entitled The Protection of Children in England, the new inspection framework for September 2009 will have a stronger focus on safeguarding. This will include a grading from 1 (outstanding) to 4 (inadequate) for a school's arrangements. Any school which receives a grade 4 will also be likely to be awarded an inadequate grade for its overall performance....(read more)

New online resource area for parents

kent-teachers — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:12:00 GMT

Available on the Next Generation Learning website, these materials seek to engage parents in supporting their children at home http://www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/Online-resources-for-parents/...(read more)

Dig IT - Richborough Castle

kent-teachers — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:40:00 GMT

Thirty Kent primary schools are taking part in DIG IT 2009 project. Dig IT is a joint project involving the Advisory Service Kent and English Heritage (EH.) An opportunity for Key Stage 2 pupil’s to become history detectives and discover who has lived and settled in Kent over the past 2000 years. Pupil’s from seven Kent primary schools attended the Activity Day at Richborough Castle , Sandwich on Wednesday 20th May 2009. During the morning the pupils took part in a range of enquiry based activities...(read more)

Website of the Week: The Children's Museum

kent-teachers — Sat, 30 May 2009 07:54:00 GMT

The Children's Museum www.childrensmuseum.org The Children's Museum of Indianapolis has a website with some very fun games and activities. Play Games Our favourite is - Bones: An exhibit inside you. www.childrensmuseum.org/special_exhibits/bones/ There is also a good webquest on dinosaurs - Dinosphere www.childrensmuseum.org/dinosphere/webquests/gorgo/ There are other activities on dinosaurs too Click here Who's your Mummy? www.childrensmuseum.org/games/mummies/html/index.html Castle...(read more)

SATs 2009 Gap Analysis spreadsheet

Keith Milchem — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:27:00 GMT

Please find attacherd a zipped file with the threshold boundaries and an analysis tool that you might like toi use with any SATs that you used this year. I have previous years analysis tools if ever you need them. Keith Milchem (Click on title, look for attachment in new window which opens)...(read more)

Geography UK Photographs

kent-teachers — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:13:00 GMT

We have highlighted www.geograph.org.uk before but it is worth mentioning again. It has grown into a huge resource of pictures freely available under the Creative Commons Licence. (Many Flickr users have also chosen to offer their work under a Creative Commons license, and you can browse or search through photos under each type of license.)

"The Geograph British Isles project aims to collect a geographically representative photograph for every square kilometre of the British Isles."

The photographs on www.geograph.org.uk can be accessed by clicking an area on the UK map or by searching keywords such as name of place, rivers etc. (The red areas contain photographs.)

Schools are using the site in a variety of ways including using photographs of the local area, coastal areas and UK rivers. When showing photographs of the local area, pupils often can identify where the picture was taken and how near it is to their house.

We would be interested to know if you are using www.geograph.org.uk and your own ideas of using this fantastic resource. Please tell us by leaving a comment below.

Webcam Wall

kent-teachers — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:03:00 GMT

Tony Cassidy has created a fantastic powerpoint slide with multiple live streaming webcams. He has an example on his blog as well as instructions for making your own.

Image your students faces when they walk into the classroom to see this on the interactive whiteboard! Each picture is live. You can actually see people and traffic moving!

This resource has lots of uses including:

comparing weather around the world
life in other countries eg Egypt
day and night around the world

Visit Tony's blog to download the powerpoint and instructions. pilotgcseradicalgeography.co.uk

We would be interested to know what you thought of Tony's great idea, so please leave a comment below and tell us how you used or will use this resource.

Mandy:)

Online Literacy Tools

kent-teachers — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:46:00 GMT

We thought we would kick off Term 6 highlighting again the amazing online Literacy tools published by ReadWriteThink.org. The site offers a collection of tools under the Student Materials Index that support literacy learning. They have even included lesson plans!

Eye on Idioms is a fun way to introduce students to idioms. Students go through a series of exercises, in which they view the literal representations of an idiom and then examine the metaphorical meanings.

Letter Creator is a fun way to teach or reinforce letter writing. Students learn the parts of a letter and are led through the process or writing a friendly or business letter.

Other online tools are Circle Story Plot Diagram, Comic Creator, Comparison and Contrast Guide, Persuasion Map,Timeline, and Venn Diagram. The above list just names a few of the wide variety available. Go and visit the site to see the wide range of tools they have available: http://www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/index.asp

Have you found a useful website to support Literacy lessons?

Mandy:)

Parking a Car - Control / Simulation

kent-teachers — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:00:00 GMT

How good are you at parking a car?

http://www.107.peugeot.co.uk/peugeot.swf

Mandy:)

Motivate long projects 2009-10 - "The Risks of Life"

SteveJames — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:59:00 GMT

In the initial information we put on our website for our long project on "The Risks of Life" (full details at

http://motivate.maths.org/clusters/2009-10/cluster_homepage2009-10.shtml#risk)

we said that schools would need to hire or purchase a voting system for use during VCs.

We have now had a rethink, and instead of using one particular voting system, we are going to use a method of application sharing with Excel. If you have a voting system already, you will be able to use that for students to respond to questions in your classroom, then use the application sharing to communicate responses to us. If you don't, you can just use a show of hands or mini-whiteboards. This way, no one needs to get new equipment, but we can still have a rapid communication of responses between all the schools and us.

So what this means is that for this long project, the cost will be just the

£1395 for the year (if you book by 1 June, £1550 thereafter), and the only equipment you will need is a computer with internet connection in the classroom. We hope this will make this long project accessible to a wider range of schools.

We would also like to remind you about the other two long projects we are

offering: "Reality Maths" and "It's not that I'm smart ...". Full details are at http://motivate.maths.org/clusters/2009-10/cluster_homepage2009-10.shtml#top.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.

Regards

Jenny

Dr Jenny Gage

Coordinator, Motivate Project Centre for Mathematical Sciences

Millennium Mathematics Project Wilberforce Road

University of Cambridge Cambridge

44(0)1223 764278 CB3 0WA

Fax: 44(0)1223 765900

http://www.motivate.maths.org

Motivate conference: Energy

SteveJames — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:57:00 GMT

Our conference on Energy will address maths and science topics, and would be a great opportunity for cross-curricular work with geography as well:

VCs are on 4 June and 7 July, both starting at 13.15 and lasting for about

1 1/4 hours. This is aimed at 13-15 year-old students, and the cost is £180 for up to 40 students.

To see the range of issues we will consider, go to

http://motivate.maths.org/conferences/conference.php?conf_id=189

This is a topic of crucial concern to us all. If you would like to participate, sign up at http://motivate.maths.org/getinvolved/getinvolved.php.

Regards

Jenny

Dr Jenny Gage

Coordinator, Motivate Project Centre for Mathematical Sciences

Millennium Mathematics Project Wilberforce Road

University of Cambridge Cambridge

44(0)1223 764278 CB3 0WA

Fax: 44(0)1223 765900

http://www.motivate.maths.org

Story telling Key Stage 1 VC opportunity

SteveJames — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:56:00 GMT

Inviting all KS1 classes via JVCS – Parkhill Junior School – Redbridge offer you a Video Conference session with a twist! Stories with a Twist -This is a collaborative VC session aimed at supporting Speaking and Listening skills in Literacy at KS1. A group of year 6 children at Parkhill have written stories "with a twist". The VC session lasts for approximately 20 minutes. This will involve the children from Parkhill reading two stories and answering questions from their KS1 audience. This will be followed by the participating school performing 2 charades based on Nursery Rhymes or Stories for the Parkhill children to guess. Dates available:- 20 minute Wednesday morning sessions on: 20th May 2009. 10th June 2009, 17th June 2009, 24th June 2009. 1st July 2009, 8th July 2009. Parkhill Junior School will set up a joint Blog for both schools to publish the work and to add comments to. Click here to see an example:- http://www.scargillandparkhill.blogspot.com/ Joining Instructions: For more information please contact Alison Seagrave, ICT Curriculum Development Manager, Parkhill Junior School. Tel: 020 8550 5253. email: parkhill-jnr.redbridge@lgfl.net

Or go to http://www.janetcollaborate.ac.uk/login_form and request to join the opportunity.

Regards

Mina

Mina Patel
Curriculum Consultant
London Grid for Learning Trust
CI Tower, St Georges Square, New Malden, KT3 4HG
t: 020 8408 4455 m: 07875028131 f: 020 8408 6014