SPAGHETTI BRIDGE TESTING
Students have been investigating what makes a stable bridge. This involved the integration of a number of learning areas; Mathematics, English, Technology and Science. Students researched different bridge designs and identified advantages and disadvantages of each type. From their research they were required to construct a Spaghetti Bridge using only packet pasta and glue, over a specific span, that could sustain a load. There were many designs with varying degrees of success! Students were required to give their peers effective feedback on their designs and outcomes of the experiment. After the testing students reflected on their own experience and came up with ways that they could make their bridge more successful if they were to build it again.
Great fun was had by all with lots of learning happening. A big thank you needs to go to my husband, who added the weights (buckets of water) and a few times wore most of the water!
Prizes were on offer for the bridge that held the most weight, best design and best looking bridge. The winners were:
Most weight held ($20): Melissa Trinh with a total weight held of 26kg.
Best design ($20): Kim Ho. Kim's bridge consistently followed her design brief and reflected the brief she handed in.
Best looking ($10): Levi Di Toro. Levi's bridge was a masterpiece and would have taken a lot of time to build.
Special mention has to go to Ethan Trinh, whose bridge came in a close second, holding 24.7kgs. Pouya Soufi Nejad, whose bridge held 19.4kg and Teneille Jeffree whose bridge held 13.9kgs.
Great fun was had by all with lots of learning happening. A big thank you needs to go to my husband, who added the weights (buckets of water) and a few times wore most of the water!
Prizes were on offer for the bridge that held the most weight, best design and best looking bridge. The winners were:
Most weight held ($20): Melissa Trinh with a total weight held of 26kg.
Best design ($20): Kim Ho. Kim's bridge consistently followed her design brief and reflected the brief she handed in.
Best looking ($10): Levi Di Toro. Levi's bridge was a masterpiece and would have taken a lot of time to build.
Special mention has to go to Ethan Trinh, whose bridge came in a close second, holding 24.7kgs. Pouya Soufi Nejad, whose bridge held 19.4kg and Teneille Jeffree whose bridge held 13.9kgs.
say no to bullying
Bullying is something that most children will experience in their lifetime, either as the victim, a bystander or even the bully. Research has shown that it is particularly prevalent in high school. For these reasons, along with some isolated instances between students in the classroom, I decided I needed to address bullying with the class.
Over the last two days we have watched the documentary BULLY, produced by http://www.thebullyproject.com/. It follows real life kids and families and shows students the affect bullying has on the victim, bystanders, school, families and wider community. It is a very emotional documentary and I am so very proud of the mature way in which the students viewed the footage, and the discussions we had afterwards.
The students demonstrated empathy, and came up with some great ways in which they could spread the message across our school. Some ideas generated were to create posters, hold class seminars and address the school at assembly.
From these discussions students then worked on creating a positive affirmation each to display in the classroom. They were able to create some very individual sayings that we can all view whenever we might be feeling down. Some examples include:
You are awesome
Don't stress, do your best
There's a rainbow around every corner
Smile, it brightens the world
Shine bright like a diamond
Have faith in yourself
Something good will always come from something bad
We are looking forward to speaking with Mrs Fraser to see what we can do as a whole school to combat bullying and show all students that it is not acceptable.
Over the last two days we have watched the documentary BULLY, produced by http://www.thebullyproject.com/. It follows real life kids and families and shows students the affect bullying has on the victim, bystanders, school, families and wider community. It is a very emotional documentary and I am so very proud of the mature way in which the students viewed the footage, and the discussions we had afterwards.
The students demonstrated empathy, and came up with some great ways in which they could spread the message across our school. Some ideas generated were to create posters, hold class seminars and address the school at assembly.
From these discussions students then worked on creating a positive affirmation each to display in the classroom. They were able to create some very individual sayings that we can all view whenever we might be feeling down. Some examples include:
You are awesome
Don't stress, do your best
There's a rainbow around every corner
Smile, it brightens the world
Shine bright like a diamond
Have faith in yourself
Something good will always come from something bad
We are looking forward to speaking with Mrs Fraser to see what we can do as a whole school to combat bullying and show all students that it is not acceptable.
MLSHS Transition Talk
This talk is being held on Thursday 29 May from 12.10 - 1.10pm. This will be a good chance for students to ask any questions that they may have, and to find out more about what next year will be like for them.
An enrolment pack will be handed out on the day.
This talk is being held on Thursday 29 May from 12.10 - 1.10pm. This will be a good chance for students to ask any questions that they may have, and to find out more about what next year will be like for them.
An enrolment pack will be handed out on the day.
Co-Operative Learning Structures
I enjoy using a co-operative learning approach in my teaching and below is an example of a structure we used today in class. It is called the Fan N Pick.
We used the structure during spelling, each student rotated through the roles and I observed 100% engagement, which is great to see as a teacher.
I enjoy using a co-operative learning approach in my teaching and below is an example of a structure we used today in class. It is called the Fan N Pick.
We used the structure during spelling, each student rotated through the roles and I observed 100% engagement, which is great to see as a teacher.
Welcome to Term 2.
Wow - we are already a term down for the year. Term 2 is quite a busy one. Parent meetings are happening in Week 2 and students' will be sitting NAPLAN assessments in Week 3. We will be completing our T & E project (I am excited) in Week 6. The website will be used more in class as a resource for the students' learning. After NAPLAN, Room 11 and 10 will start the Maths Support Program and I will be introducing a special project called Genius Week (more info to come). I will be working with the Maths Olympiad group on their first Olympiad and reports go home at the end of the term...phew! I am tired just writing that all down. I am excited for the term ahead. As well as all the exciting learning happening in class I will be sitting exams for my first 2 units in my Maths degree (trying not to stress), and by the end of Week 8 my first semester will be finished. Here's hoping to finish with two High Distinctions!
Remember to please get in touch throughout the term if you have any questions or concerns.
Mrs Leggo
Wow - we are already a term down for the year. Term 2 is quite a busy one. Parent meetings are happening in Week 2 and students' will be sitting NAPLAN assessments in Week 3. We will be completing our T & E project (I am excited) in Week 6. The website will be used more in class as a resource for the students' learning. After NAPLAN, Room 11 and 10 will start the Maths Support Program and I will be introducing a special project called Genius Week (more info to come). I will be working with the Maths Olympiad group on their first Olympiad and reports go home at the end of the term...phew! I am tired just writing that all down. I am excited for the term ahead. As well as all the exciting learning happening in class I will be sitting exams for my first 2 units in my Maths degree (trying not to stress), and by the end of Week 8 my first semester will be finished. Here's hoping to finish with two High Distinctions!
Remember to please get in touch throughout the term if you have any questions or concerns.
Mrs Leggo