Dali Lama Visit

to coincide with the Dali Lama visit, I am offering custom Om Mani Padme Hum tees at Ozebaby. You will need to get in quick to get one before the visit. I might still offer them after the visit, the Dali Lama will no doubt have a stimulating effect on people.
I need to make one for myself too.
I suggest fleece jumpers or bonds tee. Contact me via Ozebaby to discuss garment choices, colours and sizes.
Here is the result (this is an old version on a singlet, t-shirts and jumpers will give a better result).

ink blot test

Woohoo

The lesson went really well. Most of the students had prior knowledge and grasped the content well. Triangles and angles tomorrow.
As for dyeing and painting etc, I am on leave for a bit while I make stuff for me, Z and friends babies being born or birthdays, so many Geminis (rolls eyes, sorry Geminis out there).
Back soon.

Quadritaterals - 1st maths lesson plan

Well not technically my 1st maths lesson plan, but my 1st one to be tested on a group of unsuspecting students LOL.

Orientation: (2 mins)
Whole class:
· Teacher (T) has six quadrilaterals drawn on blackboard
· T asks Students (S) if they know:
o what this group of shapes are called and why?

Enhancing: (8 mins)
Whole class:
· T facilitates class discussion to provide:
o name of each shape
o characteristics of each including angles, length of sides ¶llel lines
o T notes prior knowledge
· As S describe characteristics T writes key ideas of board, and marks equal length sides, right angles and parallel lines with conventions
· S are asked if they know what these lines mean
· T asks could these lines be applied to this shape?
· T continues horizontal lines so they meet to show why they are not parallel
T asks are these marking right – if no, why not? On what shape would this be right?

Synthesising: (15 mins)
Individual (5 mins):
· complete p.112 Signpost Maths Book
· mark in equal sides, right angles and parallel lines

Groups (10 mins)
· S work in groups according to seating arrangement
· complete odd one out activity drawn on board - odd one out of group. Figure 1 is the odd one out as all the rest have...
· Learning Assistance Students:
o represent each shape on geoboard with rubber bands
o S will need to name each shape to T
· ESL Students:
o Rainforest Maths – Level E (green) – 2D shapes – sides, angles and line symmetry - (www.rainforestmaths.com)
o T to check the score of students

Evaluation: (5 mins)
Whole class:
· Class provides answers for odd one out activity
· Who had at least one of the answers for the odd one out activity?
· If there is time – mark p. 112 Signpost maths

tessellations, adverbs, triangles and fitness

I am one week down in my education field experience, with only three weeks left in this block. Observation is over and the following week is time to teach.
I have the loveliest year 5 class, no behavioural problems in the class, and such great diversity for a students teacher with three learning support students, four ESL students, two with very limited English, an even mix of boys and girls, and peoples of all ethnicities.

I have a unit planned to review quadrilaterals (four sided polygons), we will explore triangle types and their angles, flip slide and turn and finish that section on line and shape with tessellations. The tessellation lesson will be the best in my opinion, because although it has the line and shape maths outcomes, I have combined art and made visual arts the focus. Students will design their own mosaic patterns using coloured triangles of paper. These are some samples to get them started. A few of the students in the class are really into mosaic, so I can't wait to see what they come up with.

(Taken from www.tessellations.org)

For the accelerated students in the class (the clever kids), they can have a go at designing their own tessellating shape. Doesn't matter at the end of the lesson if it doesn't work completely, but in attempting it, they will be reaching outcomes above the other average learners in the class. I hope it challenges them enough to keep them busy. And who better than the Master of Tessellation himself, M.C. Escher, to provide examples for students to think about tessellating shapes other than polygons.
Here are some great Escher tessellations, and you can see more here.

This one is my favourite but isn't a traditional mathematical tessellation because of the gaps, but shows students a visual and conceptual arts application of tessellation.

another Meez

I made another one to include Z. I also found the tattoos and jewelery so feel less naked.

meez

Love this great new animated avatar tool called Meez.
You can change the way your meez looks, moves, act, background, clothes, attitude... everything. Here is my first meez moondancing in the forest - reminds we of my winding down early morning dancing from my doofing days (doofing is an Australian term for bush based raves;))

pride, and teaching

I haven't had the time I wanted to finish the peacock tee called Pride. I'm hoping my headache will disappear so I can finish it today or tomorrow.

I am now busy with field experience in the final stages of my Graduate Diploma of Education. have a lovely year 5 class which is diverse. I love that the class has two ESL students and many I different cultures. I really get to try out a lot of the theory I have been researching about culture and cultural racism. The supervising teacher has 38 years of teaching experience, but some of her attitude is slightly outdated. I am great at being diplomatic (when I want LOL), and think that I can fill the gaps in the class with providing more authentic tasks to the ESL students and more attention and time.
I'm looking forward to our first excursion to the Qld Art Gallery! Will be fun because I love art and I get to share it will impressionable youngsters. The other teachers aren't so enthusiastic about art, so I'm hoping my love for it can inspire the ones whose art intelligence isn't being nurtured. The APT will still be there too, so much fun.

labour of love

seems like this shirt has taken forever. I started it back during the GDUNH but I could see how much work it would be, and have left it until now. I want to auction it this weekend so I spent a few hours (yes, hours) adding feather detail today. Looks amazing though! Due to the amount of time it has taken, it will not be as affordable for all as my other stuff :(
Here are some work in progress pics of adding feather detail. Just needs a few finishing touches now, and the shirt will be ready for auction at Ozebaby.