Reform Symposium 3 is shaping up!!

Get out your slippers and your nibblies- get into a comfy chair.....

I am ready for all the action. Are you? 

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn from so many while costing you so little!! 

Read #RSCON3 ANNOUNCEMENT

 #biggest yet, global online conference for everyone concerned with education.

Sydney time zone schedule 

Select a different timezone

All you twitter folk -you can follow Reform Symposium3 @  #RSCON3 

"With more than 65 presentations and 12 keynote speakers it is sure to be an incredible event! Organised by educators for educators,it is FREE but will offer more valuable and inspiring PD than money can buy!" RSCON3 Organisers

Visit the RSCON3 PRESENTERS map to see where presenters at RSCON3 will be presenting from.

Visit the Reform Symposium e-Conference Headquarters! for all the relevant info. 

Check out past conferences:  RSCON1 July 2010RSCON1

                             RSCON2 Reform Symposium Global e-Conference  January 8, 2011

It is inevitable that students will learn . . . what is not so certain, is that they will do it within what we currently call “school.”  http://reformsymposium.com/rethinkingschool/

Board of Studies helps keep teachers up to speed.

Tuesday, 14 June 2011 Board of Studies NEWS

Primary and secondary teachers have your say on draft syllabuses for 

K-10 Mathematics, Science and History.

The Board has released the draft syllabuses, along with details about how to register for face-to-face meetings and how to give your views through an online survey.

The draft syllabuses contain the Australian curriculum content that was agreed by education ministers in 2010. They have also been designed to retain the degree of detail and features that NSW teachers are familiar with.

The draft K-10 English syllabus is currently being finalised and will be released on 18 July, 2011. 

K–10 English, mathematics, science and history

K–10 draft syllabuses and content guides

The Board of Studies is developing new K–10 syllabuses for English, mathematics, science and history. Consultation will begin in Term 2, 2011.

Consultation on all four draft syllabuses will take place in Terms 2 and 3 in a number of metropolitan and regional centres. K–10 consultation meetings Terms 2 and 3, 2011

Schools are reminded that in NSW they are required to deliver courses of study that comply with the requirements of NSW Board syllabuses. Teachers should continue to use the current NSW syllabuses.

Read , provide feedback or complete the survey by visiting:  New draft K-10 syllabuses - have your say

What about checking out what went before?- visit the Archive - Australian Curriculum 2011

Find out the NSW responses to ACARA draft shape papers for Languages and the Arts. 

Background to the Australian Curriculum in NSW In December 2010, Federal, State and Territory Ministers endorsed the K-10 Australian curriculum content for English, Mathematics, Science and History.

The Board of Studies site states: "If you know someone who might be interested in more information, suggest they subscribe to the Board Bulletin by going to the BOS NSW news section of the Board’s website and entering their email."

Have you checked out the New English work samples on ARC?
New A-E graded student work samples and activities in English have been posted on the Board’s Assessment Resource Centre (ARC) website.

• Audio files for spoken student work samples have been added for Stage 1 English Oral Reading activity and graded work samples have been added for the Stage 1 activity, Writing a Factual Description.
• The are new work samples for the Stage 2 English Reading Aloud activity.
• Stage 4 and Stage 5 graded English work samples have been provided for activities in which students present a point of view or produce a persuasive text.

National Geographic Young Explorer

If you are looking for some simple science readers online you will really enjoy these free resources from National Geographic Young Explorers

What a terrific resource National Geographic has provided. You can listen, read or listen and read to these early years, science based readers.

Looking for interested educators to join "Mr Jim"

Come along and join the fun

EARLY LITERACY EXTRAVOGANZA

WITH “MR JIM”

Coffs Harbour14 – 19 June 2001

Presented by Coffs Harbour City Library.

Dr James Thomas has over 20 years’ experience teaching and working to promote early literacy awareness with adults and their little ones. He specializes in developing activities that encourage language and early literacy skills in under two’s. Coffs Harbour City Library is pleased to facilitate the following workshops & information sessions being conducted by “Mr Jim”. Parents, Carers, Community Workers, Child\care workers and Educators are most welcome to attend.




· SESSIONS FOR LITTLE ONES & THEIR PARENTS / CARERS


Young & the RestlessFor Children 12 -24months and parent / carer.
Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 10.00 – 10.30 Coffs Harbour City Library
Language based program for Adult caregivers and 12 – 24mnth old child. Adults will learn how to engage with their child in early literacy activities that foster development and understanding of concepts, language, movement, exercise, signing and interactive social play. (30 minutes parent/carer& child session) Refreshments to follow


Itsy-Bitsy Babies (for mothers and others)For babies 0 – 12mth and their parent / carer.
Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 11.00 – 11.30 Coffs Harbour City Library
Unique language play program for adult caregivers and their newborns to 12 months The 30 minute activities demonstrate age-appropriate finger plays, songs, signing, body movements, and books for babies. (30 minutes parent/carer& child session) Refreshments to follow


Man in the Moon (for male carers) For babies 0 – 12mth and their parent / carer.
Saturday 18 June 2011 10.00 – 10.30 Coffs Harbour City Library
Unique language play program for adult caregivers and their newborns to 12 months The 30 minute activities demonstrate age-appropriate finger plays, songs, signing, body movements, and books for babies. (30 minutes parent/carer& child session) Refreshments to follow


· HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS – Suitable for parents, caregivers and child care workers


Language Play for Infants – WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS Suitable for parents, caregivers and child care workers
Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 12.30pm – 2.30pm – Cavanbah Centre, Room A & B
Activities and ideas for captivating and communicating with one year olds. This is a fast paced program of body movement, songs, yoga, and signing, demonstrated can be adapted to any home, library or childcare environment. Participants will learn ways of organizing a setting that will be interesting & engaging for little ones. Refreshments included.


Ready to Read early literacy workshop.WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS Suitable for parents, caregivers and child care workers.
Tuesday 14 June 2011 – 5.30 – 7.30pm– Cavanbah Centre, Room A & B (Also on Saturday)
Saturday 18 June 2011 – 11.00 – 1.00 – Coffs Harbour City Library
Early Literacy, what children need to know about reading and writing before they actually learn to read and write is crucial to success. Participants will learn about the six early reading skills, how they relate to brain development, and how to integrate them into daily routines.


· INFORMATION SESSION FOR ADULTS – Suitable for parents and educators.


Boys, Books and Reading:The REAL ChallengeSuitable for parents and educators.
Thursday 16 June –5.30 – 6.30 Cavanbah Centre, Rooms A & B
An informative one-hour presentation about ways to engage boys with reading including lots of recommended titles. Discussion will include the various genres that hold the greatest appeal, and identify appropriate programming ideas for boys.Refreshments to follow.




BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL for all sessions.
Reserve your place early to avoid disappointment.
All sessions are FREE.
Please contact Judy Atkinson for additional information.
Phn: 66484900
Email coffs.library@chcc.nsw.gov.au


Mr Jim’s Web info
itsybitsybabies.pbworks.com;
rtor.pbworks.com
2s3s4s.pbworks.com
boysbooksreading.pbworks.com
toddlericon.pbworks.com

Document Cameras -so much to see!

Visualisers/Document cameras have been around for a while....

One of the first Visualizers (aka Videolupe) 1974

Wikipedia : "Document cameras, also known as image presenters, visual presenters, digital visualizers,  digital overheads, and docucams, are real-time image capture devices for displaying an object to a large audience."

Once you start using a Document Camera you'll

Socialtext Signals - here comes the NSWDEC!!

Watch the demo video @ 

See Socialtext Signals in Action

Enterprise microblogging makes it easy for you to share information and participate in conversations with your colleagues. Microblogging is an open, or transparent form of communicating, meaning everyone can benefit from and contribute to the discussion. Some common uses of microblogging include:

• Status Updates: Keep everyone informed about what projects are being worked on
• Questions and Answers: Leverage the knowledge of everyone to get rapid responses
• Information Sharing: Broadcast links to important news, websites, or other sources of valuable information

Social Networking For The Enterprise

Each person has a profile page which displays: contact information; their skills, interests, and other attributes; a list of their social network friends and followers; the workspaces they belong to; and a list of their most recent activities.