Friday 11 October 2013

Local history

I found this book at the new library in kwinana. It was a gold coin donation. I think it will be an interesting resource for when I teach in my local schools.

Sunday 6 October 2013

School Holiday Fun

October school holidays are here, YAY.

I took the kids up to Perth on the train to meet a friend for lunch and we were an hour early, so we took the chance to explore the Perth Library. Well Perth was buzzing with lots of free activities for the kids so we participated in a few of these. This was part of the Awesome Festival the City of Perth was hosting. The kids wrote postcards as part of the Hope Street project which the older two really enjoyed. Then they completed a dream bottle. All the kids loved this activity, especially the youngest, he was so proud of the bottle he made.

I had never heard of the Hope Street project, and yes it sounds a little creepy but I am really interested to find out if the kids get a reply or not. Ella wrote to Hope Street in Toronto, and Logan wrote to Hope Street in Christchurch. The concept I think is lovely and really shows how small the internet has made our world.

The kids had to write their dream on the label and then two steps that would help their dream come true. They then had to speak their dream into the bottle, close it, decorate it, and then put it on display with all the other kids dreams. Ella's dream was is to be a netball champion. to achieve her dream she needs to follow two steps, to never give up, and to practice.

They received a certificate at the end of it and then we caught the train back home. It was a great day out and easy on the purse. Will definitely be going back later in the holidays to complete a few other free activities they have on offer.

These photos show the kids making their dream bottles, Logan speaking his dream into his dream bottle (to be a rock star), and drawing houses for the postcards.

History on TV

Just watching a show on ABC called "Yagan". Fascinating stuff. It has been done so well and shows the history and importance of Yagan and the events leading up to Yagan's head being returned to his homeland. I love how they have used historically correct details with modern influences. Yagan's friend has tribal tattoos and cargo shorts. But these details detract nothing from the important message the program is presenting.

It is a shame this is a little too in depth for Primary school because I would love to share this with a class and discuss it with the students. At least I will now be able to tell a more accurate history about Yagan if a student asks me in the future.

(There is also a show on next week called "Buckskin" and it looks good too. I have to say that Screen Australia are producing some really good stuff at the moment. Its so good to see great modern programs about Australian History.)