June 2010 - Posts
Next week families will have chance to apply for Assistive Technology packages. Please can you raise awareness with parents and carers. The packages are for children with profound Special Educational Needs (SEN) and/or physical impairments. The application process is similar to the Home Access package that is coming to an end.
A tailored ‘Home Access application form for Special Educational Needs’ will be available for applicants from next Monday. The process for applying for a bespoke Assistive Technology package has not changed and mandatory documentation remains the same: Statement of SEN, Disability Living Allowance or a signature from the SENCO/senior teacher/LA rep. However, Child Benefit Award letters are not required now to be included as a piece of evidence.
Packages are limited and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. Eligible families are strongly encouraged to apply immediately. More information can be found on the Home Access website www.homeaccess.org.uk
Government cuts in budgets, worried about your school's carbon footprint and high energy bills. Does this sound familiar? Why not apply for your free energy meter at www.energydisplaymeter.co.uk and help the school save money. It can also be used to help raise awareness of energy use with the children and comes with a set of lesson plans and resources.
The Learning Grids website has a lovely Clicker5 grid for writing a Match Report. It says it's for 9+ aged children. I wondered if it might be useful a little younger?!
You'll need to register for free to see this resource.
[direct link]
Alternatively look for other World Cup resources at Learninggrids.com .
Have fun,
James :)
An introduction to spreadsheets
An interactive resource based on a simple school shop accounts that introduces the basic concepts of a spreadsheet including simple formulae. The resource demonstrates through animation the main parts of the spreadsheet and five basic types of formula including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and the average formula..
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/vtc-home/vtc-ks2-home/vtc-ks2-ict
KS2 – GIS Activities
Access from: KS2 Geography Skills and investigations GIS Activities
This resource includes 3 GIS activities for use in the primary classroom. Pupils are required to determine the best location for a castle and a recycling plant and then justify their choices. The third activity requires them to guide Red Riding Hood through the forest in the shortest possible time.
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/gis-activities-primary
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/gis-ks2
SHERSTON ONLINE CHANNELS www.sherston.com ‘take a tour’
If any school would like 200 curriculum matched, engaging, differentiated, narrated activities with no teacher preparation required FREE for the rest of the academic year – please contact Matt M.Williams@blieducation.com
NO OBLIGATION OR SALE EXPECTATION An offer will be made which can be taken advantage of or not – no worries
The current online resources are continuing to be developed.
FULL ACCESS FREE all videos, activities, clip art, printed work sheets
If you / your schools would like the Sherston Channels FREE until the end of the academic year please email Matt ASAP.
Kent ICT Disclaimer
It is not our intention to tell schools what to buy and we acknowledge there are many other equally good products available. Schools should conduct their own evaluation of hardware / software prior to making decisions about purchasing
Have you ever wondered how puffins are adapted to living at sea? Do you want to know when the Burhou pufflings are likely to fledge?
Why not ask an expert online on Thursday 24 June 2010?
Our puffin expert Jen Stockdale will be answering your questions between 2 -4pm.
Jen Stockdale has worked in bird research and conservation for the past four years both in the UK and abroad. She is currently working as the ecologist for the Alderney Wildlife Trust, and is in charge of the different seabird monitoring that takes place as part of the Ramsar site, including the puffins on Burhou.
To take part please send us your question before midday on Wednesday the 23 June 2010.
Either:
Post your question on the Ask an Expert Forum thread. Click here to go to the forum page. Click the Ask and expert topic and fill in the boxes and post your question.
or email your question directly to ecologist@alderneywildlife.org
Replies will be posted on the 24 June between 2-4pm on the Ask an Expert Forum Page
For more information about this event please contact:
Nicola Davison - Alderney PuffinCam SEGFL Manager
nicoladavison@hotmail.com
Rebecca Avery (Kent's E-safety Officer) has asked for your help in identifying some of trends of young people today using the Internet. The research is being carried out by Lancaster University and the National Education Network. If you would like to help please visit her blog http://clusterweb.org.uk/CS/community/esafety for more information or complete the online survey at www.lancs.ac.uk/fass/projects/nen
The hope is that the results from these surveys will help us develop strategies and educational programs for the future. Thank you for your help
"Purple Mash is 2Simple’s brand new
ONLINE space where children and teachers can enjoy their creative experiences anywhere and at any time. With so many creative tools and curriculum focussed activities, we hope Purple Mash will inspire teaching and learning in your school every day." 2Simple
Being online means that pupils can access the tools and templates at home as well as at school.
http://www.purplemash.com/
Mash Value Pack for
FS, KS1 + KS2
2Paint Projects, 2Design & Make, Simple City, 2Publish Projects, 2Go, 2Publish, Maths Games, 2Sequence, 2Investigate Projects, 2Count, 2Animate lite, Logo, 2Type, 2Publish Extra, a 2Simple online save area for each user, and much more!
Special Summer offer
£500 annual licence for Mash Value Pack plus a plus a FREE CD site licence of your choice.
or 2Paint Projects: £100 per year or 2Design & Make: £100 per year
Please contact Katherine for more details or visit http://www.2simple.com/purplemash/
Katherine@2simple.com
Kent ICT Disclaimer
It is not our intention to tell schools what to buy and we acknowledge there are many other equally good products available. Schools should conduct their own evaluation of hardware / software prior to making decisions about purchasing.
Tuesday 22nd - Wednesday 23rd June 2010
“An exciting opportunity for pupil’s from around the world to share news about the birds they have seen in and around their school grounds!”
What is the 24 hour blog all about?
The event is an opportunity for pupils to use ICT to collect and share information about birds that live and visit their country with other schools in The Bird Watch project. During the “Day” all pupils will have the opportunity to use ICT to:
Post details about the birds they have seen on the project blog
Publish weather data (temperature / rainfall data for that day) on the project blog
Add photographs of the birds they have seen to The National Education Network Photograph gallery
Use Google Maps to view settlements around the World
Web conference with schools around the world (FlashMeeting) and talk about the birds they have seen
How can my school take part?
Click on the link below for further details and to download a copy of the "Flying around the World Booking Form." Remember if you are planning to take part booking forms must be completed and returned by Friday 18th June 2010.
Click here for more information about The Kent Bird Watch 2010 Flying around the World Day
Phil Bracegirdle - ASK ICT Hands on Support Consultant philip.bracegirdle@kent.gov.uk
Despite the announcement that Becta will be closing down later this year, the proposed changes to be made to the Self Review Framework will go ahead as planned later this month.
The Becta Self Review Framework will be reduced to 6 areas and all ICT Mark thresholds will now be at Level 2. The changes have been necessary to make the framework more streamlined and to take into account the recent developments in ICT (such as Learning Platfrorms, Home Access and Parental Engagement initiatives)
What will this mean for Schools?
All data schools have submitted will automatically be transferred. This means that on the 17th June the online tool will be unavailable, while the transfer takes place. All schools who are currently using the framework will be notified by email about the changes. All queries regarding the changes should be directed to Becta customer services 0800 877 8777. The revised framework will then be available to use from the 18th June 2010.
The ICT Mark
Schools intending to apply for the ICT Mark or to be re-assessed before October 31 2010 can ask to continue using the existing framework. However these should contact NAACE for further information. ICTMark@naace.co.uk. All schools applying for the ICT Mark after October 31st 2010 will be expected to use the new framework.
Fifteen Kent primary schools are presently taking part in The Kent Bird Watch 2010 Data handling project. An opportunity for pupils to use a range of mathematical and thinking skills to collect data to answer questions about the birds that visit our school grounds in the summer months.
To find out how Key Stage 1 and 2 pupil's are using ICT in and outside the classroom to develop their mathematical skills click on the link below to read the short project report
Link to The Kent Bird Watch 2010 Data Handling report
For more information about the project contact:
Philip.bracegirdle@kent.gov.uk
Are you looking for some World Cup 2010 resources? If so then the TES Connect website may be what you are looking for. http://www.tes.co.uk/resources It has pooled together some useful cross curricular sites you may wish to use with your class. Visit the site and search for World Cup 2010. You will need to register to be able to download the resources.