My Website For Your Parents

I've just added 'labels' (tags) to this website and I realise I haven't a post telling parents about the website I prepared just for parents in Sept/October last year. So, this is that post. And now I can label/tag it so that parents, if they click on the 'parents' label, will see it and find it easily.

The website that I have prepared for your parents is usefulsiteforparents.blogspot.ie

GREAT help with your project... AND with future homework!!

Good news for all you researchers! There's a superb encyclopedia which normally costs families hundreds of euros. But now the Irish government has done a deal with the publishers. And so all children in Ireland now have FREE access to the encylopedia, which is online. 

Simply go to

When We Do Our Projects... What Options Do We Have to Present It?

This is the list you came up with in class. It's great. When you are planning a project, think about how you will present it to others. Here are your ideas

Talbot's Got Talent... What The Class Would Like To See

So, here's a list you created in the class. I hope you will look at it and get ideas what skills you might begin to  learn and master. 

List of What More We Would Like To See in Talbot's Got Talent 

• Comedy and Jokes
• Serious Drama
• Magic Tricks
• Juggling
• Art

Sites About Animals for ICT Class and Home

Okay, guys, these are the sites I mentioned in class. 

Types of Animals That There Are

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/classification/kc_classification_appearance.htm

Threats to Animals' Lives
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/endangered_animals/whats_the_problem.htm

Research The Most Popular Animals Here http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/teacher_resources/best_place_species/alltime_top10/

And the very best website
www.kidsbiology.com (click on animals)

Off you go. Enjoy your research. I look forward to hearing what you discovered and learned. 

Best Sites to Learn About Geography — Maps, Nature, Environment, Animals...

Maps!

So, like we talked about in class, we've now had our parent-teacher meetings and we now have agreed-on individual plans for the next few months. I will give you the best resources I have to help you with your plans.

These sites below are for you all, but especially for those who plan to learn more about geography — maps, nature, animals, the environment...

I hope you have fun with them. Tell each other which you find best...

Interactive Maps (Ireland and the Whole World)

• Google Maps (Enjoy exploring traveling around the world with this); perhaps begin by typing in your own address and see what happens... where else do you want to travel? :) 
• An interactive map of Bawnogue thanks to the OSI (run by the Irish government)... can you find your home? can you describe your way to school? use this to explore Clondalkin or Ballyfermot or Lucan or Tallaght or the city centre or... it's up to you!
• And here's the interactive map of Ireland thanks to the OSI... go explore Ireland: have you ever been to Galway, to Belfast, to... (You can use the "Search" button to search by any address).

'All About Ireland' Maps

• Here's a map of the counties of Ireland (you can print this) to learn to help you with the games below...
• Two really fun games from the OSI to test how quickly you can find all the provinces and the counties of Ireland
• A fun quiz way to learn the Counties of Ireland
• Counties of Ireland on map (Drag and Drop)
• Mountains of Ireland on map(Drag and Drop)
• Rivers of Ireland on map (Drag and Drop)
• Cities and Towns of Ireland on a map (Drag and Drop)
• A Cool Photo of how Ireland looks from space: why do you think the east is smoother than the west?
• If you are doing a project on IRISH geography easily the best website is the OSI's: it has great information for you about Irish cities, towns, counties, mountains, rivers, and lakes.

'All About the World' Maps

• Here's a great map of the continents of the world (how many are there?)
• Here's a great map of the whole world (to help you with the games below!)
• Here's another great map of the whole world but this website has lots of extra things too, like all the flags of the world, timezones of the world, and so much more. Easily THE website to go to if you are doing a WORLD geography project.
• A fun quiz way to learn the 48 countries of Europe (the best score I've got so far is 130)
• A fun quiz way to learn the countries of Africa (got 83 for this, unimpressive)
• A fun quiz way to learn the 50 States of the USA (doh! I only got 86 for this... after having lived there for years!!)
• A fun quiz way to learn the countries of Asia 
• YOU Choose: A fun quiz way to learn ANYWHERE!

Other Map Skills

• Know the difference between W and NW, E and SE? 

Hope you like these. Soon I'll put up more geography websites here — about nature, animals, and the environment (the earth, space, pollution, and so much more). I love geography — one of my favourite subjects. Please email me any more great map sites you find!

The Best Websites For The Best Class

Yep, I believe we are becoming – one step at a time – the best class (not just in Talbot, but in Clondalkin, maybe even Dublin; who knows, maybe even Ireland!!). And so I feel it's my duty to root out the best websites for sixth-class children that there are (not just in Dublin, not just in Ireland, but in the world) and present them to you.

I'll keep adding to this list throughout the rest of they year. When we use one we like a lot in class when we're learning, then I'll add it here too.

For now, here's some websites where you're bound to find treasure. Make your choices...

Art

1. Enjoy looking at and marvelling at the work of great artists. Find your favourite few (click on the right). To enjoy each painting even more, ask yourself some questions, like "what colours does the artist use? what types of line are used? is there a story in the painting, if so what's going on, and what happened before and after the painting? how does the painting make you feel? And, what title would I have given it?"
2. Or maybe you'd prefer to watch some of 36 videos of great "modern art". Choose from the playlist on the right-hand side at the top. All geared towards kids your age. 
3. Or, for now you don't want to look at art, you want to make it! Fair enough, how about some practice drawing. Get a pencil and paper and off you go. Copy your favourite Uncle Fred.

You Any Good Making Things? Like Science? Like Engineering? 

1. Here's an addictive game where you have to construct different bridges. It's fun! But hard! First you have to design (the blue screen), then click on the top left button to test your design: As you know, I'm not much good at this type of thing so it took me 20 minutes to get past the first stage!! I'm still on the second, having a good laugh at my bridge as it collapses into the valley. Doh! 
2. For an amazing 14 more such games (when you find your favourite, maybe let others know about it), go to http://hoodamath.com/games/cargobridge2.php 

Are You One of Those Annoying Children With Questions?  

Then you'll love exploring the very very best Irish science website, primaryscience.ie. It's split up into loads of great sections, like:

1. where you can Ask Molly just about anything (like "how would you know if your goldfish is a boy or a girl?"!! or, "Could a bridge be built between Ireland and England?", or "Why does popcorn pop?" – cool questions!). 
2. Play some games (kids have too much fun these days!)
3. See if you know all about the most common shapes.
4. Become a space expert on the differences and similarities in the planets in our solar system.
5. Choose fun experiments to watch being done right in front of you.

Want to Do a Project?

There's so much great stuff to learn in this life!! But where to start? Kidport has a reference library that might just be the place to begin. 

Or, Maybe, Right Now, You'd Just Prefer To Sit Back and Read

It's for you that good people at your library have organised TumbleBooks for you. All you have to do is click, sit back, and enjoy. 

The Life of Jesus, Born 2,000 Years Ago into a Poor Family in a Sad Country Crushed by Romans

1. Jesus led a hard life and this site tells his story lego-style. I think you'll like it!
2. Jesus taught the people many things; again, this site tells the story lego-style!
3. Ready to pray? You ready to open the door of your heart to God and let him/her Love you? Okay: on this site... you decide who to pray for..., you say a prayer..., you feel God's peace. 

That's it for now. Hope you find lots you like! 

What You Need To Do To Stay Safe Online

"Top Tips" for Staying Safe Online
(from spunout.ie)

1. Don’t trust! Even if an online friend sounds more convincing than your own mother.
2. Be very wary of people who seem desperate to meet you or torture you for your phone number.
3. Use a nickname or just your first name when chatting online.
4. Never give out personal details online like your surname, phone number or where you live.
5. Don’t tell people where you go to school. If someone constantly asks for personal details, ignore them.
6. Don’t send photos of yourself, friends or family.
7. When someone asks where you’re from only tell...

Are You Being Cyber-Bullied? (Are you bullying someone?): Here's what to do...

First of all understand it's NOT your fault. It's the person who's bullying you who has a problem, not you; it's them who are unhappy about something at home or school. 

Second, realise you're not alone. Most people have been bullied at some stage of their lives. The good news is that it is like the measles: it does stop, it does go away. But it's horrible having the measles. So what is it and what can you do?

Free Visit to see Modern Art--in New York City

Recognise this from anywhere?! :) 

And now for something completely different... a visit to the MOMA in New York City. MOMA stands for Museum of Modern Art. It's a simple, but really good website, where YOU are the boss, choosing what to see and what to learn about. Enjoy!

6th Classers: You Can Do Anything You Want. Here's Videos of Jobs You Might Want in the Future...

Remember in September we looked at a long list of common and interesting jobs? And you chose one you might want at 20, another at 50, and another at 70. Well, it was really amazing to me to see how nearly all of you wanted different jobs at different ages. You realise you will probably have lots of jobs in your life: It's more interesting that way, and you get to use lots and lots of your skills.

Well, I just found a site, careersbox.co.uk, which might show you exactly what you'll be doing with some of your jobs. Loads of videos on the left hand side. Each video is about 3 or 4 minutes. In each video someone who works at the job tells us exactly what it's like. I think you'll find it an eye-opener! Maybe an older brother or sister might like it too. You might even see something ELSE that you want to do some day!

LISTEN to this!: Yes, Listen to Yourselves! Now we can LISTEN to MUSIC that WE Record

Yep, a friend told me of the SoundCloud website, so now we can post sound recordings of our singing and music and listen to it too.

The first two recordings for you to listen to are our Halloween Music Compositions. Our musical pieces, brilliantly and quickly composed by different groups in our sixth class. Having just a couple of 'instruments' each, each group of 2/3/4/5 showed great creativity and teamwork in composing different 'stories' told in music. Well done, everyone! This is just the beginning!

To listen, go to http://soundcloud.com/talbotmrstuart Enjoy!

WOW--Just found this Great Resource for Learning Irish Easily: Frása an Lae / Phrase of the Day: 1 - 200 (playlist)

Each video takes just a few seconds and you can pause it and practice it and read it and write it and... whatever works best for you. Give it a go and see what learning method works best for you. Enjoy!

Websites You'll Enjoy! (For Munster--Third Class 2011-2012)

Hi everyone! And a Happy New Year to you all. I hope you all had a peaceful, joyful Christmas.

There's six days to go before school begins again. Right now the weather is bad! But you have loads of things you could do. Here's some fun learning websites for you to choose from.

Lots and Lots of Great News this week...

Here's this week's news. Hope I'm not missing too much!

Firstly, thanks to those parents who've been able to come in this week to discuss their child's English and Maths results. You're making a hugely positive influence on your child's learning. As you all know, YOU are the most important teachers in your children's lives, and I know that this class is blessed with such supportive, caring, and encouraging parents.

Secondly, we were all delighted to hear that a school in Tallaght picked two of our class's

English and Maths Results

In a couple of weeks I'll be sending out the end-of-year reports to you. But I can tell you now if you want how your child did in detail in Maths and in English (Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension).

It's best if I discuss your child's results with

News for Parents, Links for Kids

I promised the class today to post these two links for them to use.

1. First, www.kinderart.com/textiles/fingerknitting.shtml is the video we watched again and again to learn how to finger-knit. It's a lot of fun. And it gives you a real sense of achievement. A lot of the class brought home some wool to use. Go for it!
2. www.mathletics.ie/ is the amazing maths site, where you can get loads of points and can compete against kids all round the world LIVE! In just two days our class got up to 6th place in the whole of Ireland!! Well done, everyone! (And a special well done to Lee, Jordan, Abbie L, and Megan, who this morning were 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th in the top students in all of Ireland!!)

What else? Well, in English today we compared two great songs, Danny Boy and Johnny Cash's I Hung My Head and the kids really were brilliant in picturing what was going on in both songs. They realised both were about death and about life after death. They loved both and sang both really well.

THE PLAY... We're getting better and better with our rehearsals for the play. I hope you're going to be able to come. We're singing and dancing to two songs--Disney's I Wanna Be Like You and Glee's 'Don't Stop Believing'. And the acting is more realistic every time we do it.

NEWS FLASH ABOUT THE PLAY... I've just heard from the head organiser Ms Wynn that our class is scheduled to go on stage on the THURSDAY night, 23rd June (subject to official confirmation). Letters will go out on Monday.

TALBOT'S TOP TYPER COMPETITION... I hope to find time to have a competition between the classes. The top two from each class will go up against each other. I believe our class will do great... they have been brilliant at improving their ten-finger typing at www.typingweb.com If they want to win, that's a good site to go practice--it's a skill that will help them all their lives.

BASKETBALL BLITZ on Wednesday. Sr Catherine is asking us all to collect what we can for the children she knows living in a really, really poor area of South Africa. It's most important to give from the heart--that's real giving and helps make us better people. It's a good opportunity for the class to not just think of others, but put their Christian belief into action. €2 per sponsor. The money will go to things like getting water, windows, and toilets into the school there. I've just googled and found http://www.salesiansisters.net/ss/index.cfm/latest-news/the-city-of-hope-luskak-zambia/ where you can read about the humbling experience of one Irish volunteer, Michelle Brennan, in 2009.

Enjoy the weekend!

June is Just a Bit Mad!

Time is running out. Soon the kids will be out and about enjoying their summer holidays.

Before that, here's a summary of what we hope to get done in the few days left to us...

All the Kids Have Strengths... These Ones Have Terrific Athletic Strength

In the Sports Day yesterday every kid was amazing. And well done to all the amazing parents and families who came and supported too; wasn't it a fun, relaxed day.

A special well done to the kids who raced so well that they won medals. They had to battle against all the kids in all the third classes. Here's the list of our class medal winners...

What A Sports Day!

Wow! Congratulations to everyone in the class... what a class... I've never known any class to be so together in cheering each other on. When the boys were running the girls were cheering ALL the boys, and when the girls were running the boys were cheering ALL the girls. Great class spirit.

Of course, there were winners, but in this there really were no losers. Because of the class spirit it was like that the kids who did win were winning for everyone.

I'll post the list of those who did get medals, hopefully in the next few days.

I'll also post a schedule for the month of June... it's busy! There's so much great stuff going to be going on that I hope we'll have time for some teaching and learning :)