Bye Bye Summer Break ...

Wow ... today is the last day of summer holidays, I can't believe how fast the last 5 weeks have gone!!  We have had a lovely relaxing summer break, spending time with my three girls and doing lots of projects around our house ... including finally finishing painting our kitchen!! YAY!

Oh and we also have two new feathered members of our family...

meet Miss Flossie and Miss Pearl:)

But ... tomorrow we start our new school year here in Australia and I have a contract for Term 1 (11 weeks) at the same school I was at last year, and in the same classroom :)

I am not sure what I will do at the end of Term 1 but I am keeping my eyes wide open for opportunities.  One thing I may have more time for, is creating more of my own resources!  This term in HSIE we are teaching all about groups that individuals can belong to.  We are using the NSW Board of Studies HSIE unit 'Identifying Us' as our reference.  I could not find many resources at all online for this topic, so I created a packet of worksheets that can be used with any lessons / unit on the topic of 'groups we belong to' and it is now listed in my TpT Store.  Here is a sneak peek:)

I used the 'Kidlettes' line art from the fabulous Nikki at Melonheadz Illustrating and one of my favourite free fonts 'Spot Monster' by lovely Melanie at Graphics From the Pond.  All the worksheets are in black and white (including the clip art) which makes it easier to photocopy and of course cheaper to print!  I hope you find this packet useful if you ever have to teach this topic!

I want to thank anyone who purchased my Sound Rocks worksheet packet!  I have been so amazed and thankful for the fabulous response that the packet has had.  I am so happy to hear from the feedback you have left, that you have found the worksheets fun and easy to use with your kiddies!! 

Wishing all my Aussie teaching friends a wonderful first day of the school year for tomorrow and for those affected by the Queensland floods, take care, stay safe and know that you are in my thoughts!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Tina x

Sound Rocks

It seems that the science topic of SOUND is a popular theme for term 4 here in Australia!  I know quite a few of my teaching friends at different places around the country are all programming to teach this topic next term.

An incredible SOUND resource is the Primary Connections - Sounds Sensational unit of work!  Unfortunately I can't remember who I loaned my copy to and it is currently unavailable as it is being updated to comply with our new National Curriculum.  BUT if you don't have a copy ... then keep an eye out for it's re-release as it really is a FANTASTIC resource (AS ARE ALL OF THE PRIMARY CONNECTIONS UNITS).  OH... and if the person I loaned my copy to is reading this, can I PLEASE have it back???  Thanks!!!

I have been busy programming my SOUND unit and have created a whole packet of worksheets and printables to go along with my unit.   Suitable for Kindergarten to Yr 2.

The worksheets / printables have a rock star theme (thought my kiddies would like that) as I am also integrating my Creative Arts MUSIC and Visual Arts with my science lessons.  I have used the AMAZING digital graphics by Nikki at MELONHEADZ ILLUSTRATING.

Included in the packet is:
- Contents Sheet
- Student Journal Cover Printable
- KWL Chart Printable
- Sound Word Bank Recording Sheet
- Sound and My Senses Worksheet
- Sounds From Around Our School Recording Sheet
- Sounds I Like / Don't Like Worksheet
- My Favourite Sound Worksheet (both US and Australian spellings)
- Pitch and Volume Worksheet
- How Does Sound Travel Worksheet
- Sound Vibrations - guided investigation recording sheet
- I Am A Sound Scientist Worksheet
- My Sound Art Recording Sheet.

Although this is not a series of lesson plans or a unit of work, it is designed to be used with your own science lessons on the topic of Sound.  However, you could use the worksheets as a guide for a sequence of lessons on the topic.  You can find my SOUND ROCKS worksheet packet HERE.

Term 4 should be a LOT of fun!  This is my last term with my first ever class!!  I feel so LUCKY to have had my contract extended each term and am SUPER EXCITED that I will be staying with my kiddos to see out the full teaching year.

Thanks for stopping by

Tina

SOUND ART - a digital artwork lesson freebie

I am really on a roll these holidays...creating lots of resources that I will be using with my class next term.  For science we are studying sound and I wanted to create a fun visual art lesson that I could integrate with my science unit.

I wanted it to be something that was engaging and meaningful for my kiddos, as well as something that used technology....combining as many curriculum outcomes into one lesson as I can ;)

I have created this lesson where my students will say their name into a microphone and their voice / name spectogram will be recorded on a smartboard / laptop / classroom computer using the free downloadable AUDACITY program.

My voice / name spectogram after I took a screenshot from the Audacity program screen and then cropped it in MS Paint.

They will then use MS Paint to crop their voice / name spectogram and then use the free online photo editing program BE FUNKY, to create a pop art version of their spectogram.

The spectogram once it has been given the Pop Art makeover in the photo editing program BE FUNKY!

I will then get them to use the text function in BE FUNKY to add their name to the centre of their artwork.  I think mine turned out really cute and I think my kiddies will really enjoy creating a unique personalised digital artwork.

You can download my lesson outline in my new Teachers Pay Teachers store for FREE until Tuesday 2nd October at 9.00am Australian time.

Hope you can find it useful in your classroom:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Tina