All the best for 2014

Wishing all the people that have read over my blog this year, 2013 all the best for the new year. May happiness come your way always and keep smiling! I'll be back on board ready to do some blogging early next year. 

What will 2014 bring in the classroom and the school in which I work? Let the new adventure begin! 

Science success

It's been a while since my last blog. My class have spent time completing science inquiries. They are now currently working on their integrated inquiry on Earths Place in Space. At the end of last term and success at PICSE students had the option of entering their inquiries into the Tasmanian Science Talent Search. This was open to Grade 5 and 6's. The results for this competition haven't been released but judges select the best inquires to be sent off to BHP science awards which is a national level science competition. 

I received news on the weekend that we had five enteries (8 students) from our school that had been selected to enter BHP and three of those students were from my class. I was extremely excited to inform my students and demonstrate that a good science topic and hard work will take you places. The boys were very proud when they found out the exciting news which was great to see. 

As I have mentioned in previous blogs I place a big emphasis on purpose in the classroom. Purpose =engagement! 

The boys topic was on finding the best egg replacement for the binding quality in muffins. This has a strong link to helping the community as there are a lot of people who have anaphylactic reactions to egg. I wish my grade 5 students all the best of luck and also the grade 6 students who I taught last year. Great to see so many students engaged in science. 

Success at PICSE science competition

The last six weeks Grade five and six at our school have dedicated their time to science. They have chosen their own inquiry to run. There were so many different inquiries happening in class which took a lot of organisation but it was well worth it. The students ran their investigations and then wrote a science report. After their report they displayed their information on a display board. We had an open day were parents came to visit the classroom and observe students work and also ask students questions. This was a good practice for students before the PICSE science competition judging. 

On judging day scientists from the community judged students on their science inquiries. Students had to speak to their inquiry which demonstrated a good understanding of their science knowledge they had gained. 

Their were five or six different schools and many entries. From Grade five we had two students win and another two win best environmental for 5/6. We  got 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Grade 6 and also multiple high school winners that were ex students and had been through our program which was great. 

The kids were so engaged throughout this experience and can't wait to do it all again next year. 

All students science reports can now be entered into a state science competition for further judging. 

I am extremely proud of the work my students have done and the sound science inquiry skills my students have gained in the last six weeks. 

Science Inquiry

Term 3 has begun and my students are into their PICSE science investigations. PICSE is a science competition where students run an inquiry of their own choice, write a science report and then head to the University to be judged by a variety of scientist. The kids at school love PICSE and can't wait to be a part of it when they reach Grade 5 and 6. In Grade 5 students complete their inquiry in pairs and then individual when in Grade 6. During their science inquiry my students are learning about dependent and independent variables and controls. They are using scientific language throughout their written report and are creating hypothesis and conclusions. Some of the topics my students have chosen are: absorbency of tissues and paper towels, best paint based on drying times, plant growth using grey water, the best egg replacements for binding properties, bread and vegetable mould, the amount of salt in different salt water locations from Tasmania and which chewing gum keeps its flavour for the longest. Student choice= student engagement which improves student outcomes. Looking forward to watching my students discuss their scientific findings with the judges.

Sensory processing disorder

I would like to blog about something close to my heart today. Sensory processing disorder. My daughter has it and we found out this year. So many aspects of her life are now in perspective and make sense to me as her parent. A little bit about her which will be completely different to other children with SPD as they are all unique. My daughter has cried every day of her life when we have brushed her hair or tried to put it up. She is always wanting to eat and has no feeling of fullness. She occasionally complains of a sore heart as she can feel it beating in her chest as she is more aware of it. If she hurts herself she is hard to settle as pain is multiplied by ten for someone with SPD. She wont wear many clothes as they itch her and put her in Sensory overload. She constantly is bottoms up, in other words she has her head on the ground and bottom and legs above her as this helps her to self regulate. She hates loud noises and will often run away from them or put her fingers in her ears. She has high anxiety about lots of things that wouldn't bother other kids. The list goes on but when she is in sensory overload she wants to eat because of the deep pressure associated with chewing. After seeing an OT she has a few strategies in place like chewing gum to help her calm. She also has a brushing routine for her body to help with sensory overload to touch. She has a weighted blanket for her bed and I have recently made her a weighted blanket for her to have at school. We have made lots of little adjustments that are helping. 

With my teaching hat on I find a lot of the signs are present in certain kids in the classroom which I haven't ever noticed or linked my knowledge with before. Through educating myself with this disorder I am able to see ways of supporting other students who might benefit from strategies. Please read up on this disorder if you are a teacher and educate yourself. Many autistic children suffer from SPD. I am currently making weighted blankets to sell. They cost $50 plus postage. My daughter has hers in class to help calm her when she in overload. If you are interested in ordering one please email me on tameika.munday@gmail.com

SPD is a neurological disorder and something that my daughter will always have but through treatment and understanding she will certainly improve. If you have any questions blog away and I will try my best to answer them.

Oceans alive work in progress

 

Ocean Alive unit is in action with high levels of engagement from all students. Students are learning about adaptations of ocean animals and are utilizing their learning strengths to choose a variety of activities to complete. Students are producing work with a high level of thinking and are organising their time efficiently to work through their independent learning contract. 

Science Integrated unit

I love to integrate units in my learning program. There is just not enough time to teach in isolation and also by integrating units, students have the opportunity to transfer knowledge across curriculum areas. The most recent unit I have designed and given to my Grade 5 students is called 'Ocean's Alive' and it is a science intgrated unit focusing on an understanding that living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment. The unit is handed to students as a learning contract where depending on the level of thinking involved in the activity more points are rewarded and depending on points students at the end of the unit are rewarded with an A-E. It follows the philisopical thinking of Ralph Pirozzo. The unit integrates Bloom’s Taxonomy and Multiple Intelligences. It provides for the thinking skills and learning styles of all my students. It is an engaging, exciting and challenging learning environment for all my students.The best thing is it helps improve independency and time management in my students. If you would like to check out the unit head over to Teachers Pay Teachers and preview it. I also have a picture of half of the unit provided in my blog. I hope it inspires some of you out there to get on board with the importance of catering for all students through student learning styles and Blooms Taxonomy. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Mundays-Memoirs