2NR Portal 2009

We have had a fantastic year this year and I thought I would do something special for all of you. I have created a professionally published book called ‘2NR 2009′ and filled it with photos and text of activities we have done this year. The book size is 18cm x 18cm square. A copy of last years book is available in the classroom if you would like to see size and quality.

The first 15 pages of the book can be previewed by clicking on the picture on the right, then click Preview. You can purchase the book (AU$16.95 + AU$13.80 shipping) on the same web page by just adding the quantity (1 or more) into your cart. Then click checkout and register your details.

I am more than happy to organise a bulk order that will reduce the cost from AU$30.75 each to only AU$15.00 each.

BULK ORDER: AU$15 per book (including shipping)

If you wish to place a order as part of a bulk lot you will need to send your child in with $15 (cash only or ask for my bank details) by Wednesday 18th November, I will then place a bulk order on the Friday(20th November). The books will take a short time to be printed and then shipped from the United States.

Additional Information:

• The book is likely to be updated to include ButterflySkye Incursion (19th/20th Nov).
• The books are being completed a little earlier this year so that you will receive them before the Christmas Break.
• A discount coupon is being used to reduce the books bulk cost.
• The books are much cheaper this year partially because of the strength of the Australian Dollar against the green back.
• The photos were taken with my iPhone and may not always be the best. My DSLR camera would have taken much better pictures though the iPhone is just so much more convenient.

Need something interesting to do on the weekend?

Why not visit Sculpture by the Sea especially since it is free. The statues have transformed the magnificent 2km Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk until the 15th November. An estimated 500,000 visitors will view over 110 sculptures from artists from across Australia and around the world. www.sculpturebythesea.com

Below are three of my favourite Sculptures by the Sea. Click on them to see a larger version.

[amazing horse sculpture, click on photo to see full size]

[The watch sculpture reminds me of this painting by Salvador Dali.]

Today we had a wonderful time going around the school observing, taking pictures and temporarily collecting selected mini-beasts. Students were divided into seven groups and were given a camera, magnifying lenses, school map with coordinates, plastic collecting containers (Thank you Zoe B’s Dad) and a data logging sheet.

We found that the school is alive with a wonderful mass of creatures, some that we have never noticed or even seen before. One group found this pure white creature that looked like a spiky white flower. Other groups found beetles, worms, aphids, spiders, lady bug larvae, birds, rabbits, ants and a few other unidentified insects. The most popular find was a whole colony of Lady Beetles/Bugs.

We then returned to the classroom to discuss our observations. In the afternoon we had a short chance to observe the variety of creatures that were collected before releasing them where they were collected.

[ More wonderful photos can be found in the Gallery]

Several students have asked if we could keep some of the Lady Beetles/Bugs in the classroom as class pets. Since the students and I had no idea how to look after them it was probably not a good idea. After a little homework several students and I have found that they are actually very easy to look after.

Can I keep a lady beetle/bug as a pet?

A. Keeping a lady beetle as a pet to observe is easy and fun. You can house your ladybug in a bug box or terrarium. Keep the foliage moist, or place a damp paper towel inside so the ladybug can get a drink. You can feed your ladybug moistened raisins or other sweet, non-acidic fruits.

[photo taken by Zahli 2NR]

Lady beetles only live for around 100 days and lay between 600 and 2000 eggs. When the eggs hatch the larvae will grow from 1mm to about 7 mm in 10 to 30 days, depending on the amount of food. The larvae will then pupate and become a lady bug. In Australia, there are one to two generations per year before the adults enter winter hibernation.

Here is another fun game to help improve your estimation skills. If you spend too much time trying to get the exact answer you will not be able to complete many questions. If you answer too quickly then you will not get many questions right. The idea is to estimate and get close to the right answer. You have 60 seconds, good luck.

Click here or on the picture to begin.

Here is a fun game that will help improve your fraction skills. Each flower is missing some petals. Match all the falling petals to a flower before anyone hits the ground.

Click here or on the picture to begin.

Mathletics has been a brilliant tool to help you develop your mathematics skills at your own pace and level. I am amazed at how well everyone has progressed this year and will continue to use Mathletics with my classes in the future.

To help us progress further I have decided to move everyone to the International Curriculum (Year 3). It contains all the Australian content as well as a huge selection of appropriate international content. The Australian work you have finished will still show up as complete, you will just need to do the additional content.

Tasks will not be set, though you are expected to complete at least 3 tasks per week for homework.

CONGRATULATIONS (Belated)

In Term 3 we had two people visit from Mathletics to present the first 3 GOLD certificates for our school. From our class Amber and JasmineL, who have worked very hard, were reward with their gold certificates. Congratulations

I have been reading a few books and web pages about how best to look after different types of stick insects. While reading I came across some information on how to get your stick insect eggs to hatch. Since Hannah is looking after all our spiny eggs for the holidays I had to use some seasoned (at least 3 months old) goliath eggs.

Success! From eight eggs and only a couple of days I managed to hatch five goliath nymphs.

If you would like to give it a go with your spiny eggs then read the information below.

Things you need:-

• Paper towel
• Container with very small holes so the nymphs can’t escape
• Small plastic cup (small enough to fit in the container above)
• Damp sphagnum peat moss (you can do without)
• Food: Young Eucalyptus, Maleleuca or Wattle leaves

Step 1
Pour luke warm tap water in your cup and then put the eggs in the water.  You may find the water turns orange or brown (mine did not).

Step 2
After 10 minutes take the eggs out and place them on some paper towel and let them dry.

Step 3
After 5 to 10 minutes put the eggs back in the water and do Step 2 again.

Step 4
Place some damp sphagnum peat moss, if you have, in the bottom of your container. If you don’t have any then use some garden soil, preferably something that has not been sprayed with pesticides. The peat moss is used to help keep the humidity high in the container so they don’t have problems getting out of their shells.

Step 5
Dry your cup and place the dried eggs in the cup. Place the cup in to the larger container. If  the peat moss starts to dry out then spray around the cup. It is important that the eggs are not wet at this point.

Step 6
Over the next few days check the container to see how the eggs are doing. If any nymphs have hatched you will then need to add some young fresh leaves.

Let me know how it goes and Good Luck!

Our science unit next term is Schoolyard Safari. We will get to explore the fact that the world is teeming with animal life. Even the most unexpected places can host a huge variety of creatures. As humans, we share our wonderful planet with many other animals. Taking the time to really look at another species can provide a window into the similarities and differences among living beings, and can help us to appreciate how we are all part of a single, gloriously complex ecological system.

What if you had the eyes of a chameleon or the horns of an antelope? Can you imagine that you had wings and could fly like a bird? Now you no longer need to imagine, New York Zoo has created Build Your Wild Self.  When you have a go you can use the ‘Send to Friend’ button and send it to my email. I will add it to our gallery.

For those students who would like an EXTRA CREDIT STAMP challenge, all you need to do is write a description to go with your picture and post it in the comments. I will link your picture ( if you email it to me) with your description.

Things you need for a description:

1. Introduction: General statement about Your Wild Self.
2. Details: Statements describing the different parts of Your Wild Self.
3. Conclusion: Your personal opinion about Your Wild Self.

Today 2JT and 2NR had an excursion to Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden. The excursion supported our HSIE unit ‘The Need for Shelter’.

The excursion included:

• Bushwalk – Terrestrial Shelters
• RECESS
• Shelters in Nature
• Shelter Building
• Bush Craft
• LUNCH
• Pond Habitats
• Aquatic Shelters

Can you write a recount of your excursion either in your language book or directly in the comments section below. Make sure your recount has an orientation, sequence of events and a conclusion (see Writing Fun for more details). More photos are available in the gallery.

[My new iphone/camera died just after the excursion started. I would have loved to take many more photos and use the new geotag feature.]

Pablo Picasso was born more than 120 years ago (1881) in Malaga, Spain. He is famous for being the co-founder of Cubism which is a style of painting where objects of the painting subject are broken up and re-painted all muddled up.

When Pablo was age 7 his father (who was also a painter) gave him artistic training in figure drawing and oil painting. Later on Pablo studied art in Madrid (Spain) and then went to Paris(France) when he was about 19. In 1900 Paris was considered the art capital of Europe.

Pablo’s real name is Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Clito Ruiz Picasso.

Picasso’s work is divided into periods -

The Blue Period (1901-1904), which were sad looking paintings using blue and blue-green colours.

The Rose Period (1905-1907), which was a more happy style with orange and pink colours.

The African-influenced Period(1908-1909)

The Cubism Period (1909- 1919), his most famous and most expensive works are from this period.

Watch the video below and see if you can see paintings from each of these periods.

If you want to make your own Picasso visit