Dream, Dream, Dream

I love having children keep a dream diary as part of their homework for a couple of weeks. They can then try their hands at a bit of dream interpretation or psychology :)

Greenhouse Effect V Ozone Depletion

Climate change is a concept in the news a lot these days and in my classes over time I have heard the children confuse the concepts of Greenhouse Effect and Ozone Depletion.

This research activity that will set the class straight and get them moving towards reducing the environmental footprint of your whole school.

cheers

Adrian

Hey Mum... What is Mesothelioma?

The names of diseases are all through our language and all over the media. I find with children they often use these terms in their 'playground language' and carry many misconceptions about the illness or condition with them to adulthood.

I've done this medical research activity many times over the years and I find it great for getting the students researching but also talking over the issues with those around them.

My hope with this activity is that we can move people from the cold statistics of hospital waiting lists to empathy with the sufferers.

cheers

Adrian

Nanotechnology! Quantum Theory! Biotechnology! Stem Cell Research!

Our world is filled with an amazing amount of new fields of Science. There is interesting research being done all over the world and breakthroughs seem almost commonplace.

Over my years of teaching I've noticed that Science and Technology is a rapidly changing,dynamic field yet most of our Science syllabuses are unable to inspire a sense of awe & wonder let alone have our students desire to pursue a career in Science.

Go get your kids exploring nanotechnology, biotechnology, cosmology or any other field that intrigues them with this science research task.

cheers

Adrian

Homework with a Difference

Try setting Lego Junkbot for homework and see what happens. My experience shows that girls and their dads have a great time. Mums are a little unsure and the boys in the class just don't tell anyone it is homework ;)

NB I've then heard stories of parents sitting up to all hours trying to solve the problems.

Have the students outline the hardest level to solve and perhaps why they think you set the homework for them :)

Or if you think this gaming stuff is a load of rubbish maybe you should read a little Prensky :)

cheers

Adrian

Bras, Zippers and Automobiles

I love to bring it to the attention of my students that there are many inventions in the world that we simply take for granted. Some of these inventions changed the world big time and some have just changed the way we do things.

Check out the expanded lesson ideas @ adrianbruce.com

NB It is an urban myth that the bra was invented by Samuel Titsling :)

Astronomy 4 Kids and Parents

Since I don't have access to the night sky in my classroom :) One of my favourite homework tasks is to get the kids talking about astronomy. About 3 times a year I send home the month's Sky Map. The children learn so much and it is nice to get a little awe and wonder into the curriculum. The activity always creates heaps of discussion.

Soon you'll be able to print out December's chart for either the Northern Hemisphere of the Southern Hemisphere (That discussion in itself is often a good starter hehehehe).

Check out how I use the Sky Maps and where to get them here

Little Hint - Work out why East and West are on the wrong sides & explain it. This will save you a fair bit of time later on :)

cheers

Adrian