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News of December 2011
ESOL Online Teaching and learning sequences
20/12/2011
ESOL Online has three new teaching and learning sequences that can be used with the DVD ‘Making Language and Learning Work 3’, available from Down the Back of the Chair – Item number 113358.
See Siapo – Printmaking, Making Lanterns, and Family Treasures.
NCEA Matrices for 2012
16/12/2011
The current registered NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3 achievement standards can be accessed on the NZQA website. As a result of the review of the Level 1 and 2 achievement standards to align them with The New Zealand Curriculum (2007), the subject matrices have been amended.
The matrices for 2012 for all subjects are now available.
Rudolph and relatives have built-in air con
15/12/2011
Recently published research from Norway has unravelled the complexity of how Arctic reindeer keep themselves cool when exercising – a necessity when you wear a thick shaggy coat and pull a giant sleigh with a fat man and toys for all the world’s children.
This news article reports on scientists' experiments with reindeer. Your students may like to the use the Ethics thinking tool to investigate the ethics of using animals in scientific experiments.
Revision of the e-asTTle writing tool
12/12/2011
NZCER has been contracted by the Ministry of Education to revise the e-asTTle writing tool. The revision will improve e-asTTle writing. The revision will include the writing of new tasks, revision of existing tasks, the collection and annotation of a wide range of exemplars and the development of a new marking rubric. The assessment tool will cover writing in years 1-10 and will be available from term 2 of 2012.
Software for learning
12/12/2011
Hold a wiki training camp
Wikispaces has created a 10–20 minute Wikispaces Training Camp to help new users (teachers or students) to get started with a wiki.
A Snapshot of learning for Wikispaces shows how a wiki was used as part of a mini unit on career planning.
NCEA on TKI – Aligned Level 2 standards
8/12/2011
The aligned Level 2 achievement standards have now been registered on NZQA, examination papers, assessment schedules and associated documents for externally assessed standards are now available on the NZQA website.
The "Final Published" assessment activities and schedules and Conditions of Assessment for internally assessed standards are now published on TKI.
Assessment for Learning in practice - new resources
7/12/2011
Assessment for Learning in Practice is a brand new section on the Assessment website. It contains practical advice on how to implement or improve formative assessment in the classroom, suitable for both primary and secondary teaching.
Individual pages cover the inter-related capabilities deemed crucial for making a difference to student learning. You can find on each page a downloadable power point presentation to be used for professional development. The power points give loads of practical strategies for practising Assessment for Learning in the classroom.
Science Roadshow – Itinerary for 2012
7/12/2011
Find out when the 2012 Fonterra Science Roadshow will be in your area next year. It will have new exhibits, demonstrations, and classroom ready resources, all designed to support the curriculum as well as enthuse and stimulate teachers and students.
Go to the roadshow's website to book online and download the 2012 roadshow resource kit and other resources and activities.
LEARNZ 2012 Online field trips
5/12/2011
Teachers can now register and enrol their classes for LEARNZ virtual field trips in 2012.
The 14 field trips visit locations throughout NZ and include Mt Ruapehu, renewable energy, earth science and fossil hunting, wetlands, Canterbury earthquakes, Rangitoto Island, Humpback whales, coal and UCG, a South Pacific islands expedition, Waituna Lagoon in Southland, ocean acidification, Antarctica, Halloween music, kiwi, penguins and seals.
Find out more about these from the LEARNZ field trip chooser.
LEARNZ is free for teachers to use with their classes in NZ schools.
Christmas
2/12/2011
Take a look at National Library Services to School's collection of online resources on the many aspects of Christmas - from its origins and how it's celebrated around the world, to food and recipes, legends of Christmas, decorations and crafts, Christmas cards, and a Kiwi Christmas quiz.
See also the Festivals and Celebrations collection for more on other festivals, celebrations, holidays, and special occasions around the world.