This Blog has moved

Hi All,
Due to this being a new academic year. We have moved this blog to http://www.swatechnology.wordpress.com and I also blog at http://www.1to1inpractice.blogspot.com

Many of the students have kept their old blogs. They are now in Grade 6. I am no longer their homeroom teacher as I am now the Technology Integrator full time. I am encouraging their new homeroom teachers to blog with them too.

Jane Ross

Follow me on Twitter at janeinjava

The Mine Game by Leo

Game Creator

A new game maker is at http://www.popfly.com/
Try it out. I can help you to install the plug in for your Macbook. This might be a fun way to teach the visitors at the Exhibition about your research.

A New Free eBook Maker

When we get back from Sumbawa, Grade 5 can try making an eBook about your exhibition study. First make it using iPhoto photo album and then save as in print PDF. Then you can upload to this website which converts it into a flipping eBook. Nice!

YouCube - A way to present videos

I am trying this one out. Could be useful for the exhibition
http://www.universaloscillation.com/youcube/?1491

Task for this week

In English this week, we will finish our book about Life at SWA. We will also make a group video recording about the focus research that each group is doing for the PYP Exhibition.

Spelling has finished for this year. We will need to spend more time getting ready for the PYP Exhibition which will be on the 28 and 29th May.

We're in the News!

Congratulations Grade 5, We are in Koran Tempo because of your blogging work. Take a look at the links to read the articles.

http://epaper.korantempo.com//KT/KT/2009/05/02/PagePrint/02_05_2009_101.pdf 

http://epaper.korantempo.com//KT/KT/2009/05/02/PagePrint/02_05_2009_104.pdf 

http://epaper.korantempo.com//KT/KT/2009/05/02/PagePrint/02_05_2009_105.pdf

I'm proud of you all. well done to Zaky and Adel for their presentations.

Negative with There + Be

Try these online games:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~adelegc/grammar/present_simple/to_be_neg.html

http://www.tcet.com/eaonline/GrammarCentral/negativeforms.html

After trying those activities, I want you to describe the things in this picture. 

Write 3 sentences each with:

is - There is a cockatoo in the picture.

isn't - There isn't any car in the picture.

are - There are a lot of birds in the picture.

aren't - There aren't any buildings in the picture.

Post these to your blog and copy the above picture to your blog as well.

Grammar Bites - There is - There are - There isn't - There aren't

Make 10 sentences about Jakarta from the following words:

(art museums) There are some art museums in Jakarta.

(golf courses)

(shopping centres)

(International Schools)

(ice rinks)

(virtual reality game centres)

(movie theatres)

(hospitals)

(car wash centres)

(photocopy centres)

(chair lifts)

Post your sentences on your blogs with a photo for each sentence. 

Embedded Maps from Google

View Sumbawa Island in a larger map

Today I learned about how to manage maps from Google and embed them in your blog. This is great for the PYP Exhibition teams as you can work on a map collaboratively. 

Our List of Minerals

Uncountable Nouns (is)
zinc
gold
copper
shale
silver
salt
limestone
coal
quartz
beryl
agate
gypsum
fluorite
talc
iron ore
topaz
calcite

Countable Nouns (are)
diamonds
sapphires
emeralds
rubies
pearls
fossils


There is a lot of gold found on the Island of Sumbawa.
There are a lot of diamonds found in Kalimantan.
There are lots of rubies found in India.
There is a lot of agate found in Sukabumi.

Mineral Game

Today in English we learned about Uncountable nouns like water, gold or coffee. We are learning about these in connection with our UOI about Finite Resources. We learned about how to describe the quantity of each noun by saying "A lot of gold" or "Lots of gold". 

The class worked in teams to find out about different minerals found in the world and then to locate them on a world map. We used the timer in my iPhone to make the team game more exciting. Each student then wrote sentences about each mineral and its location.

Mapping Games and Finite Resources

Inspired by a talk this morning - we would like you to learn about the location of different countries. After you have done this, you will be required to locate finite resources around the world.
To help you, I have found some online games to teach you.
Click here -
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/World_Continents.htm
Try playing the different games. The first one is a tutorial.

Using mLearning Techniques

I am experimenting with using the iPhone as a tool for education. Today I downloaded Google Earth and Geotags. Google Earth is the mobile version and on the iPhone you can get an instant GPS location of where you are standing! You can also tilt your phone and the horizon on the map changes.
Geotag is a photo App that allows you to tag via GPS the location of where you are taking the photo. You can also add notes and voice recordings. The advantage of this one is that it is integrated with Google Maps.

A New Creative Project for Gr 5!

Today we started a new project as a class. We are planning to visit Sekolah Batu Buin in Sumbawa next month so we are making a book about life at our school to present to them during our visit.
It will be called "Life at SWA".
Content:
Intro to SWA
Students of Grade 5 – in table groups
PERSONAL GOALS Learner Profiles
The SCHOOL – facilities, location, uniform, break time games etc
21st Century Learning – the student perspective
Special Groups – Student council, Tech X, the Authors Club
Special projects:
SPORE Comics
Clock inquiry
Koran Berani
Online personal sites
Mathletics
Class Newsletters
Today we brainstormed the content and then took a picture with our laptops of our table groups. We finished the lesson by making an introductions page of each table group. Tomorrow we will divide up the different focus articles amongst the class.

The PYP Exhibition has begun!

Today the Gr 5 officially started the Exhibition process. All the students got a copy of the Exhibition Journal that they must write in each week with their inquiry updates. Today the kids were also put into working groups. There are 5 inquiry groups in the class. The homework tonight is to write a personal definition of the central idea:
Living creatures are connected to, have the right to use, and the responsibility to protect finite resources.
Tomorrow we will work on creating group wikis to use as the inquiry builds.

Luli's New Story

Mobile Blogging

I am testing this. I am blogging from my iPhone.

Our Second Cartoon Comic

Here is another story. This one is by Atta.

Spore Comics

Hi Everyone,

We haven't been very active lately on this blog because we have been very busy working on a creative writing project. Here is one of the cartoon comics that grade 5 have produced. We used Comic Life, Photo Booth, iMovie and Garageband to make this. This one has been made by Adel.

Grammar Bite for this Week

Hi Grade 5,

The Grammar Bite this week is how to use positive and negative forms of be.

You will use the words: is, are, isn't and aren't

Here are some links to online games:

THE SENTENCE GAME

Remember to use Firefox to play the game. Add a game in the comment box if you find a different on online.

Grade 5 SWA Inspires International American Competition!

You might remember that last December, Gr 5 wrote a comic book called "Grade 5's Idol Interviews". I posted this book on an American website called Tikatok.com

Just recently I became aware that they are having a competition: 

Classroom Writing Contest

Calling all writing teachers! Looking for a rewarding writing project for your class? Enter your classroom in Tikatok.com’s Classroom Writing Contest for a chance to win free copies of your students’ books and have them sent to President Barack Obama.

Writing Topics
Barack Obama just became the nation’s 44th president. Pretend you have the chance to have lunch with President Obama. What would you advise him to do as President? How do you think he can help the country in 2009? Be sure to include colorful illustrations to support your story.

OR

Imagine someone gives you the chance to meet your idol. Tell us what you would say? Where would you go? Use your imagination and tell us who you would meet and what you would talk about. Be sure to include colorful illustrations to support your story. 

You can see how we inspired this competition. Today I got an email from the Marketing of Tikatok:

Hi Jane,

Thanks for the submission...and yes, your idea did spark the basis for the contest. Your book has been viewed by the entire Tikatok team and we all think it's phenomenal! Thanks for submitting!

Thanks,
Katie
_____________________
Katie Cowan Porro
VP of Marketing and School Programs
Tikatok, Inc.
www.tikatok.com

Wow, well done Grade 5, you have inspired America!

That's so "Jetsons"!

Grade 5 today worked in the piazza shared area to record their inquiry reflection. I was able to easily keep them on task through using Remote Desktop. I felt very futuristic as I was able to interact with each student remotely as they were out of the classroom.

Rainforest Maths Site

Hey Grade 5,

Did you know that you can sign into this site with your Mathletics login? Click here to try it now.

Rainforest Maths

A Comment from Atlanta, America

This morning as I was checking your homework, I clicked on a visitor from our Site Feed. I found this lovely comment about our class blog from Atlanta in America:

"The next classroom blog I visited was the Jakarta, Indonesia class that corresponds with the fifth graders from New Zealand. Mrs. Jane's fifth grade class blog has an unusually, modern campus. Sinarmas World Academy is extraordinary. Each student has an inquiry site and their own blog site. The curriculum is outlined with helpful information. The teacher has very detailed assignments posted. The students even added a video game to their blog."

It is nice to know that Grade 5 at SWA is leading the way in education!

My Volcano

Homework Tonight

Hi Gr 5,

Tonight you need to go to Spelling City. You lists for this week have been uploaded and are Beginner Ninja 2, Skilled Ninja 2 and Master Ninja 2.

You need to practice your Grammar Bites - This, That, These and Those. Please play the game on the previous post. I also need you to finish your good copy of your last week's reflection about English. Publish this on your blog.

This, That, These and Those Online Games

I have had a little look around and found these online games for you to use:

Game 1

QUIZ

QUIZ 2

QUIZ 3

Grammar Bites - this, that, these and those

This, that, these and those

These little words will be the Grammar Bite focus this week

Write a sentence using this, that, these and those. near us farther away
1. books/ heavy These books aren’t heavy. Those books are heavy.
2. bag/ green This bag isn’t green. That bag is green
That or those
1. Those are her pens. They are on the table.
2. They are our friends. They are playing outside.
Choose the correct word
1. (This/These) These cars are fast, but (that/those) that car isn’t.
2. (This/These) This ball is red, but (that/those) those are purple.
Complete the sentences with is, isn’t, are and aren’t
1. Candy is sweet. It isn’t sour.
2. Lemons aren’t sweet. They are sour.

The students have been given some worksheets to practice using these words correctly.

Check in your child's English folder

Spore Story

This week in English we will create our Spore story. On your lined paper you need to create the story outline. 

To begin with you need to write your main ideas for the story. 

What is your story about? 

Why is it so interesting? 

Where is the location? 

What time of day does it begin?

What will be the most dramatic part?

Are any of your friends involved?

Phase 2

Introduce all your characters. Describe what they look like, how they move and include something unique - perhaps what they sound like. You will use these descriptions as your characters start to get involved in the story.

Phase 3 (Writing in more detail)

Writing the Story:

Beginning- introduce the problem. What does your character want...or not want? What is in his or her way? What troubles him? Or start out with something that brings the reader 'into' the book: something that makes the reader read further. (Examples: a coming event, a national spelling bee, an exciting street happening).

Middle- add bumps along the way that make the character rise to the challenge. (Examples: selling their house, finding a place to sit at lunch, an argument). Keep bringing on the action.

The darkest moment- this is the moment where it looks like your character is not going to achieve their goal or learn their lesson. It happens sometimes after failing to overcome the biggest hurdle (see below) or when first realizing what the hurdle is.

The biggest hurdle- this is the moment of the greatest conflict. it is the point in the story when your character has to deal with or overcome the big problem that you set up at the beginning or middle of the story.

End- the conflict is solved. Your character either gets what she/he wants or doesn't. Whatever the case is, your character has changed or learned. Remember: Your ending is always in your beginning. (Examples: two families are better than one, a true friend forever)

Remember that all stories have a beginning, middle and ending

Metaphors

What are Metaphors?

Metaphors talk about one thing as if it were another. They are not introduced with the words “like” or “as”, but make direct comparisons. Here are a few examples:

His shirt was a flag, flying in the breeze.
Her eyes were jewels, sparkling in the sun.
The ocean is a playground for scuba divers.
A song is a poem set to music.

Metaphors can compare something unfamiliar with something familiar to give you a frame of reference.
The surface of the moon is a snowy yard with footprint craters.
The bottom of the ocean is a dark cave.
A kiwi is a fuzzy lime.

You can’t always take the meaning directly. Here are some examples:

His room was a pigpen. (This means his room is messy, not that pigs live in it.)
The harvest moon was a pumpkin. (This means the moon was round and orange, not made out of pumpkin.)
Her teeth were pearls. (This means her teeth were white like pearls, not that each tooth was actually a pearl.)
The baby’s cheeks were two rosy apples. (This means the baby’s cheeks are round and red, not really apples.)
Writers use metaphors to make their writing colorful and you can to. Give it a try.

Copy and paste this text below into a new blog post and complete the sentences. 

An Exercise in Writing Metaphors: Complete the sentences to make your own metaphors.

1. The moon is a _________.

2. Freckles are _________ when they spread across your face.

3. His arms were __________ as they lifted the heavy chair.

4. The stars are ____________ as they twinkle in the night sky.

5. The storm was a ______________ as it clawed against my window.

6. The freshly mowed lawn was a ___________.

7. The noisy children were ____________ as they raced through the museum.

8. I was a ____________ as I tiptoed across the wooden floor.

9. The river was a ____________ as it twisted and turned down the mountain.

10. His cheeks were _____________ as he chewed the giant wad of bubble gum.

Resources:
Renee Kirchner (2007) The National Writing for Children Center http://writingforchildrencenter.com/2007/11/29/metaphors-this-weeks-teaching-tip/

Spelling Homework

HI Grade 5,

To get you more used to working online, I will use the blog and Studywiz to post your homework. You can connect to Studywiz by following the link on the class blog.

Try it now. Leave a comment on this blog if you were able to login and see the Spelling homework for this week. Click here to see StudyWiz

If you can't log into Studywiz you can go straight to Spelling City 

Introducing Emeraldite Spore

Here is my first attempt to create a Spore.

Get Ready for Creative Writing Festival!!

Hi Grade 5,

This week in English we will have a SPECIAL CREATIVE WRITING FESTIVAL! Yeah! You will learn to write descriptively about a creature that you will design in your Macbook. Take a look at this screen shot. I have downloaded Spore Creature Creator. 

You will learn to describe:

What it looks like.

How it moves.

What it eats.

AND

What it sounds like.

We will use alliterative sentences, your Mac thesaurus and a new draft writing system. A combination of paper drafts and digital drafts.

The software involved will be Spore Creature Creator, Comic Life, and Keynote. You will show off your creatures during Bookweek. Can't wait 'til Tuesday!

Mrs. T

New Blog

Yesterday I made a new blog. You can see it here http://1two1.edublogs.org

Take a look!

Sharing the Planet

Today in Grade 5 we started our exhibition process. We explored the theme of 'Sharing the Planet'.
Zaky said "Without each other we cannot live" this is about Interconnectiveness
Leo said "Take good care of the earth" this is about Responsibility

Carl said "We should all lend a helping hand and keep our earth green and clean".

Gaudi said "We share our planet with the many, many people that live on the planet".

So Grade 5, what do you say? You need to post your own definition on your own blog.

Alliterative Sentences

Here are the sentences that we did in English today.

1. The cat curled up on the cushion and cried.

2. One Saturday a silly snake slithered in the sand.

Complete each sentence up to number 6.

Kung Fu SWA Style

This video was shot this morning during rehearsal. It is of a performance by Gr 5 from Sinarmas World Academy for the Gong Xi Fa Cai celebration at school. This Kung Fu performance was learned very quickly by the class.