tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193400482024-02-20T03:41:48.404+13:00Discovery TimeDiscovery Time is a hands-on activity-based programme that puts students in control of their own learning.
The teacher sets the scene but the students decide on the action.
As one student put it "Discovery Time is the best part of the whole week." Read our blog and find out what is happening in Discovery Time sessions around New Zealand.
Our book is now available for just $48(NZ).
Email discoveryt@gmail.com for your copy.Brenda Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17470589283804941932noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-47442748940727535732012-09-14T16:42:00.002+12:002012-09-14T16:42:20.996+12:00<h2>
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><b>New Discovery Time Website and Blog launched July 2012!</b></span></h2>
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Thanks for visiting this page - all Discovery Time action is now all at:<br />
<a href="http://www.discoverytime.co.nz/">www.discoverytime.co.nz</a> <br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><b><a href="http://www.discoverytime.co.nz/blog/" target="_blank">Click here to go straight to our new blog</a></b></span><br />
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We are pleased so many people are following our Discovery Time blog!<br />
Please join us at our new website and catch up on the latest from Discovery Time.<br />
<span style="color: lime;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: lime;"><b><a href="http://www.discoverytime.co.nz/newsletter/" target="_blank">Click here to sign up for our Discovery Time e-newsletter</a></b></span><br />
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Thanks - see you there,<br />
Brenda and Gay<br />
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<br />Brenda Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17470589283804941932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-87511754314145446472010-02-08T19:30:00.003+13:002010-02-08T19:43:02.774+13:00<span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-size:180%;">New website</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Huge excitement!!!!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">We have just launched our new website </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.discoverytime.co.nz/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;">http://www.discoverytime.co.nz/</span></a><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc00;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Our blog will now be part of our web so go and explore!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">We would love you to ask questions, leave comments and pass the link on to others.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">Discovery Time continues to gain enthusiastic support from around the world.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">Thank you for following our progress</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;">Brenda and Gay</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"></span>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-50099894276236009722010-02-01T20:46:00.003+13:002010-02-01T20:54:41.143+13:00<strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Interesting listening.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Monday Feb1 on the Nine to Noon programme, Kathryn Ryan had very interesting interviews with:</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Prof. Robin Alexander from the Cambrige University Education review team.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Prof Tom Nicholson from Massey University.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Ray Newport from the School Trustees Association.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffff66;">-go to Radio NZ to hear their opinions.</span></strong>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-65839366038919684952010-01-24T19:20:00.004+13:002010-01-25T19:29:51.799+13:00<strong><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">Wow!</span></em></strong><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><em>Fantastic!</em></strong><br /></span><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong><em>Terrific!</em></strong><br /></span><strong><em><span style="color:#660000;">Amazing!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffff99;">........our web page is nearly up and running!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffff99;">Keep watching!</span></em></strong>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-6235611216199671852010-01-22T16:01:00.003+13:002010-01-24T12:30:37.975+13:00<span style="color:#ffffcc;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em>NZRA</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Reading Forum vol.24 no.3 2009</em></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></span></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">The latest Forum magazine from the Manawatu branch of the NZRA would have arrived in your schools at the end of 2009.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">Look out for the article re Discovery Time.</span></strong>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-84991307943515879472010-01-20T12:58:00.002+13:002010-01-20T13:05:12.773+13:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9c10aSZj-Vy-I0P9qa4WS7VL3SKCmr2AN8AlehkJmKT8AL-uSKjFs7E3xEMveZFfkBDVxcYzrEkcULohLIjSR5MRc0Q55ihE5T57bds4Mxu7C_UHS-e3kQypt3blwvx_feGy2Uw/s1600-h/DT+o6+034.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428606288471384770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9c10aSZj-Vy-I0P9qa4WS7VL3SKCmr2AN8AlehkJmKT8AL-uSKjFs7E3xEMveZFfkBDVxcYzrEkcULohLIjSR5MRc0Q55ihE5T57bds4Mxu7C_UHS-e3kQypt3blwvx_feGy2Uw/s320/DT+o6+034.jpg" /></a><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Teacher Aides are wonderful!</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Using a small room to store equipment keeps things accesible.</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Label the shelves, have a whiteboard for reserving equipment and releasing your teacher aide 10 minutes before interval to receive equipment students return and check its all OK makes for good management!</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Keep a box for misplaced pieces and at the end of the term make a good effort to find the right container.</span></strong></div>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-41855761711290041372010-01-20T12:51:00.003+13:002010-01-20T13:10:21.468+13:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf-cgCy2zJjJOfY9YpvWeI-QM3UijUPloLcsT0GgI86w1aEzR_co_uhHD4fn1VSNz5euM40J_cr1NarCZYRWkNdg3BgyzRSoAEB4ZbEkG2hWr4MPkCB7gPKs_GXy-xdhpRtivtQ/s1600-h/DT+o6+037.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428604093706427218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTf-cgCy2zJjJOfY9YpvWeI-QM3UijUPloLcsT0GgI86w1aEzR_co_uhHD4fn1VSNz5euM40J_cr1NarCZYRWkNdg3BgyzRSoAEB4ZbEkG2hWr4MPkCB7gPKs_GXy-xdhpRtivtQ/s320/DT+o6+037.jpg" /></a><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Organising for the new year.</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">It is a good idea to have a central resource area for all the equipment your team share.</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">This is a great cooking trolley with cupboards for equipment and a good working space on top for cooking.</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Remember its a good idea to laminate a list of equipment that should always be on this trolley.</span></strong></div>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-83919980522707033002010-01-09T09:01:00.005+13:002010-01-09T21:06:51.240+13:00<span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Emotional Intelligence.</strong></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">-from recent Edutopia release:</span></strong><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.edutopia.org/social-emotional-intelligence-learning-education">http://www.edutopia.org/social-emotional-intelligence-learning-education</a></span></strong><br /><br />"Emotionally intelligent individuals stand out. Their ability to empathize, persevere, control impulses, communicate clearly, make thoughtful decisions, solve problems, and work with others earns them friends and success. They tend to lead happier lives, with more satisfying relationships. At work, they are more productive, and they spur productivity in others. At school, they do better on standardized tests and help create a safe, comfortable classroom atmosphere that makes it easier to learn."<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Discovery Time provides an excellent environment where students can develop positive relationships.</span>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-69483098432864397292009-12-22T17:50:00.003+13:002009-12-23T10:02:25.258+13:00<strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Merry Christmas.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">We hope everyone has had a very good year and ready for a relaxing holiday.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">We are busy getting a web site up and working so check us out next year!</span></em></strong><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;"><strong><em>In today's "Dominion" newspaper there was a report from Dr Sebastian Suggate of Otago University. His research is claiming that teaching children to read from the age of five is not likely to make them any better at reading than a child who learns from seven.</em></strong><br /><strong><em>"Because later starters at reading are still learning through play, language and interactions with adults, their long term learning is not disadvantaged. Instead these activities prepare the soil well for later development of reading."</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Dr Suggate's research has been placed on otago University's "distinguished list" of doctoral theses for 2009.</em></strong></span>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-91402816258948249802009-11-26T20:31:00.003+13:002009-11-26T20:38:15.141+13:00<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;">The Value of Play</span><br />From the Washington Post <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/20/AR2009112002391.html">(read the full article)</a><br /><br /><em>With increasing pressure on early-childhood education programs to promote math and literacy skills, educators are debating the value of play in preschool and early elementary grades. "Play is problem-solving," said one Virginia educator. "It's really critical life skills." While some studies show that students who attended play-based preschool programs develop better socially and emotionally later in life, time for play is increasingly being pushed aside for more instruction aimed at achieving higher test scores.</em> <br /><br />A interesting article that is worth a read.Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-29396213820180103922009-11-16T16:06:00.003+13:002009-11-16T16:20:48.962+13:00<strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">David Elkin -"The Wisdom of Play"</span></strong><br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">I am staying with my son and family in New london, Connecticut, USA. I came across this free (in USA) booklet introduced by David Elkind.</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">...."Clearly, play serves a very different function for children than it does for adults. For children, it is a way to learn about self and the world through self-created experiences. That is one reason child-initiated play is so important and why it should not be replaced either by adult-organised sports or by academic activities disguised as games."</span></em>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-11331114756434026112009-11-15T11:29:00.002+13:002009-11-15T11:38:16.103+13:00<strong><em><span style="color:#990000;">Time!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#990000;">..time to play</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#990000;">..time to create</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#990000;">..time to discover</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#990000;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#990000;">"Features of the natural world children explore with their senses by day, they play with in their dreams at night, and turn into poetry when they wake."</span></em></strong><br /><span style="color:#990000;">-William C. Crain</span>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-26803260162719897032009-11-14T14:36:00.003+13:002009-11-14T14:45:18.098+13:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbr8nXWhq66W0DDJEvhMTeQtqTyOoMY0iTQ6kUqar4aYbeKbmIFzTKMv-UbmecVFHiQY_1MSmRCSBEgZGqU5d2Dw3csIa235sj2uwYw-owR9X9i-2sUEJoOkI1_TA-cXchg4wnw/s1600-h/IMG_1102.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403768850960938882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbr8nXWhq66W0DDJEvhMTeQtqTyOoMY0iTQ6kUqar4aYbeKbmIFzTKMv-UbmecVFHiQY_1MSmRCSBEgZGqU5d2Dw3csIa235sj2uwYw-owR9X9i-2sUEJoOkI1_TA-cXchg4wnw/s320/IMG_1102.JPG" /></a><br /><div><strong><em><span style="color:#006600;">Remember your science and technology resources!</span></em></strong></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Have a look in your science resource room for equipment to bring out in Discovery Time.</span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Lenses, prisms, mirrors.coloured plastics!</span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;">What about electric circuits, light bulbs, switches, bells!</span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></em> </div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#006600;">The possibilities are endless.</span></em></strong></div>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-78505630270319864122009-11-13T07:43:00.003+13:002009-11-13T07:54:40.663+13:00<span style="color:#000066;">'Play Time - The Game of Learning.'</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">author -Trish <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Konzak</span>.</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Read this interesting article on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Edutopia</span> site or google Trish <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Konzak</span>. </span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">She is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">passionate</span> about the importance of play and her worry that testing and teaching for testing will take over.</span><br /><span style="color:#000066;">Other books she recommends - ( I haven't previewed them )</span><br /><ul><li><span style="color:#000066;">'The Power of Play.' David <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Elkind</span>.</span></li><li><span style="color:#000066;">'Play: How it Shapes the Brain, opens the imagination and Invigorates the Soul.' Dr Stuart Brown.</span></li><li><span style="color:#000066;">'A Child's Work - The Importance of Fantasy Play.' Vivian <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gussin</span> Paley.</span></li><li><span style="color:#000066;">'A Place for Play.' Elizabeth <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Goodenough</span>.</span></li><li><span style="color:#000066;">'Play, Development and Early Education.' James E Johnson, James F Christi, and Francis <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wardle</span>.</span></li><li><span style="color:#000066;">'Play: The Pathway from Theory to Practice.' Sandra <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heidemann</span>,and Deborah Hewitt.</span></li></ul><p><span style="color:#000066;">Let us know how you feel about these authors.</span></p>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-10410779015206442022009-11-11T11:27:00.008+13:002009-11-11T20:59:52.968+13:00<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">Creativity and the camera<br /></span><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc66cc;">I hope you have all seen the Groovy Girl dolls we love. I am in USA at the moment and couldn't resist buying 5 new dolls!</span></div><div><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Try putting out a box of small fabric scraps, ribbons, trims etc, plus velcro and then watch the fashion designers create!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Give them the camera and see the fun!</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0y8tVOIOgCwhKG1v0kEjru24f4lSv_2j9zTYTg7tp8cdiuedFo83oxycpXD4QKiLEBlzpjw5zbi4fTFvj7wgBuGaSCe_8iqnyfM0eSBzgkg_YFspq3wd6nYC0AxMX2cNc1jadQ/s1600-h/IMG_1141.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402608327378141458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0y8tVOIOgCwhKG1v0kEjru24f4lSv_2j9zTYTg7tp8cdiuedFo83oxycpXD4QKiLEBlzpjw5zbi4fTFvj7wgBuGaSCe_8iqnyfM0eSBzgkg_YFspq3wd6nYC0AxMX2cNc1jadQ/s320/IMG_1141.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Using play mobile characters to explore animation is fun too. Add some scenery: twigs, blocks, stones lego -anything!</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqKB6T69ruEq3n4rNtf-AkmGO5fioUCHrpJ0Z9DnPcpSEW1YG059nbB8v6cEpeO_JZ7u7K2z15kJOt09KICiytE5vKN2fiBIl1SE2TR3jxyiE7MrLWPyss9Z1CmcfX29Z7j_siw/s1600-h/IMG_1130.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402608323694545522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqKB6T69ruEq3n4rNtf-AkmGO5fioUCHrpJ0Z9DnPcpSEW1YG059nbB8v6cEpeO_JZ7u7K2z15kJOt09KICiytE5vKN2fiBIl1SE2TR3jxyiE7MrLWPyss9Z1CmcfX29Z7j_siw/s320/IMG_1130.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Creating characters from modeling clay is also magic.</span></div></div>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-76754097733505882302009-11-08T11:34:00.003+13:002009-11-09T18:48:41.410+13:00<span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;color:#000099;">Getting Started with Discovery Time</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Jj7assbGa_8KIlJ0CyQlE6tMPLnJ-ChI32WXV75kSF2Kz6UZZ9U6jj1vPdZkhe-bAkzZGsStZdsLUYSLcX7Sf6PMSZ_j9A2LTxHeJBcSLd0q0IBRnAGXqGeb0FNPSXTFLdN8yQ/s1600-h/IMG_1109.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401497754015962594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Jj7assbGa_8KIlJ0CyQlE6tMPLnJ-ChI32WXV75kSF2Kz6UZZ9U6jj1vPdZkhe-bAkzZGsStZdsLUYSLcX7Sf6PMSZ_j9A2LTxHeJBcSLd0q0IBRnAGXqGeb0FNPSXTFLdN8yQ/s320/IMG_1109.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8CQINk2DHAGCuCfj_Q6R0jz2OIbcLEkC1H2j3atxuheNgh9CK5hhn1OTD6SX1pfI1H9ul1FhD-QpaCjWFjxTN4iop5cVidUxyzHANBsWYb3okqSIbCbaRK5it3tIvWMTHplMmw/s1600-h/IMG_1108.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401497750581978642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8CQINk2DHAGCuCfj_Q6R0jz2OIbcLEkC1H2j3atxuheNgh9CK5hhn1OTD6SX1pfI1H9ul1FhD-QpaCjWFjxTN4iop5cVidUxyzHANBsWYb3okqSIbCbaRK5it3tIvWMTHplMmw/s320/IMG_1108.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;color:#000099;"></span> </div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff6600;">"OK ! Lets go to Space!"</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;">It has been a lot of fun getting Discovery Time underway at Pukerua Bay School.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;">Their first key competency focus was -'working together',but we found not enough activities required co-operation. We are all learning!</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;">The second week was -'challenge yourself' and wow, they sure did.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;">Black paper and shish kebab sticks soon became shadow puppets. With the sun streaming in through the shade curtains the children quickly created their own theatre stage - how's that for creative thinking?</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;">The class camera was used to record their own space rescue drama. The teacher was impressed with the child that self appointed herself as narrator.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ff9900;"></span> </div><div> </div></div>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-40058391801316321512009-10-28T21:43:00.006+13:002009-10-29T12:46:56.608+13:00<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc33;"><strong>A bit of creativity for Halloween.</strong></span><br /><br />Just love this spiderweb that Jack made.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bpRoVf5nhfDHE7B0hNX32AMARa-glj9PC6PmUHcH4zZP3z8JDJj7gpmtdBGrQMtElK371Q1e3wQJsjRE9ZRT9bWa5cyfB9cP_nifOIDn3ErFv-C2gbCmm4wpzkMtZNBrW_ok/s1600-h/IMG_5988.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397569883840594194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bpRoVf5nhfDHE7B0hNX32AMARa-glj9PC6PmUHcH4zZP3z8JDJj7gpmtdBGrQMtElK371Q1e3wQJsjRE9ZRT9bWa5cyfB9cP_nifOIDn3ErFv-C2gbCmm4wpzkMtZNBrW_ok/s320/IMG_5988.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />He says it's really easy!<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;">You need wool, a bowl of PVA glue and a sheet of plastic.</span><br /><p>Cut the wool to the right length so that it will fit from corner to corner on the plastic.</p><p>Dip the wool in the PVA glue and construct the radial lines (forming a star shape) on the sheet of plastic.</p><p>Then use longer pieces of wool (also dipped in PVA) to make the circular pattern.</p><br /><br />When the PVA dries you can lift the stiffened cobweb off the plastic.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I wonder how big you could make it?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoWaCS-R7-mhrAcK3-A42qtW3IkKn4UvQwvmDpso5y8PJvENgLqM8MwV5f0pwgQegIt8PZhMsTjRpgEa-6Vj51tQDm4RF5h6HMlT9OodvjoSjiXfyk8NDwka60amVBZgSQyO5/s1600-h/IMG_5986.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397572512022600002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoWaCS-R7-mhrAcK3-A42qtW3IkKn4UvQwvmDpso5y8PJvENgLqM8MwV5f0pwgQegIt8PZhMsTjRpgEa-6Vj51tQDm4RF5h6HMlT9OodvjoSjiXfyk8NDwka60amVBZgSQyO5/s320/IMG_5986.JPG" border="0" /></a> check out <a href="http://www.looledo.com/index.php/spooky-spider.html">LooLeDo</a> website for a spooky spiderBrenda Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17470589283804941932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-3772778947545204302009-09-05T20:35:00.006+12:002009-09-05T21:53:42.736+12:00<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Creativity with boat design<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377914529326935474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTR8htr9Z7W-0aecJPhPWi5kXxlakKU2WDG0SC8_nnI6-d-GKKD2PEI7siezJH-GoMuUrEtLoMxx0Tpi84vBxvB6dHJGPo1Rw5v_Aw7DCay4oNzp8mgGoC4lDtS0WBby1RDNlR/s320/IMG_5699.JPG" border="0" /><br />A lovely couple of sessions at Randwick School where one of the activities was boat building. We provided the dried flower stems from harakeke (flax), kebab sticks, knives and chopping boards plus a couple of articles that would provide ideas and suggestions. The actual design was left to the students (so as you can see we are part way toward a student directed session).<br /><br />We started with some safety issues around using knives (direct instruction still has a part to play in Discovery Time!). Then we basically left them to it.<br /><br /><br />The students experimented, struggled, redisigned but all persisted!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As teachers we kept an eye on safety, helped out with any particularly difficult cutting and asked questions.<br />"Do you think it will float? How can we find out?"<br />"How will your boat move?"<br />"What else do you need?"<br />"What do you think might happen to sellotape in water?"<br /><br /><br />As teachers we discovered:<br /><ul><li>That the students really didn't know a lot about boats and we probably could have done some preparatory work on this or linked it to a picture book or reading text. </li><li>That our students were very creative and tenacious. No one gave up!</li><li>That some students were able to forward plan and get the water tray ready for the second session.</li></ul><br />The students discovered:<br /><ul><li>That at times it helped to work with a friend, epecially when things went wrong and you need some support and new ideas.</li><li>That sails need to be vertical rather than horizontal and that light material works better than polar fleece!</li><li>That for a fair race the boats have to start at the same time.<br /></li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_ix956hZv88F2KWlUTsVo8FoZhO1kHwPdsgRUQ6Qx2AOgv7q8Kv0JuT_dAGHQpqOmILgYh3qC-GQc2dWS4d5vrlhBCubh4RMUxpzFwD-juhCtjfr9VlXaz7ZADW4I4sD6Su3/s1600-h/IMG_5725a.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377915571731592066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 313px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_ix956hZv88F2KWlUTsVo8FoZhO1kHwPdsgRUQ6Qx2AOgv7q8Kv0JuT_dAGHQpqOmILgYh3qC-GQc2dWS4d5vrlhBCubh4RMUxpzFwD-juhCtjfr9VlXaz7ZADW4I4sD6Su3/s320/IMG_5725a.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQK0Js-GAKCkl1SQaLuMvmJpWBkLG39VPQXeerMuq_nUHKuKw0e5NU6s0N4O1rjdq-atqUodZ-lfjs6lFEAMQSRjwBc_Ab4C_VluV-vM5fMDFfO4P1c9nbxmkpCSd7oKZwZ3i/s1600-h/IMG_5718.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377916350233195154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQK0Js-GAKCkl1SQaLuMvmJpWBkLG39VPQXeerMuq_nUHKuKw0e5NU6s0N4O1rjdq-atqUodZ-lfjs6lFEAMQSRjwBc_Ab4C_VluV-vM5fMDFfO4P1c9nbxmkpCSd7oKZwZ3i/s320/IMG_5718.JPG" border="0" /></a>Brenda Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17470589283804941932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-53936737207922412622009-09-05T20:04:00.002+12:002009-09-05T20:34:05.620+12:00<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Student Directed Learning</span><br /><br />Jackie West (Resource Teacher Learning & Behaviour Maori) and I ran a workshop on Thursday for teachers from two local kura. As part of the session we delved more deeply into the issue of teacher directed versus student directed sessions: what each would look like in a discovery time session and how to make the shift toward giving students more control.<br /><br />As teachers we are generally very good at directing the action and feel very comfortable doing so, but it can be quite a scary prospect to pass control over to the students.<br /><br />One of the discussions centered on what the shift might look like. <br /><br />Teacher directed session<br /><em>"This is the card we are going to make for father's day. You can cut out these flowers and stick them on and write a message to dad inside."</em><br /><br />Teacher /student shared session:<br /><em>"I thought some of you might like to make cards for father's day so I've put some paper and card out for you." (teacher)</em><br /><em>"Has anyone got any ideas for how they might do this?"</em><br /><br />Student directed session:<br /><em>"Can we make cards for father's day?" (student)</em><br /><em>"What ideas have you got for doing that?" (teacher)</em><br /><em>"What might you need?"</em><br /><br />Change happens slowly, and the move to a student directed session may take time. Teachers need time to learn to stand back, while students need time to realise that they really can direct the action.Brenda Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17470589283804941932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-84569595130530205082009-08-13T19:47:00.005+12:002009-08-14T20:57:29.069+12:00<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9966;">Quality work and Discovery Time</span><br /><br /><br />In the last two weeks, in two different classes, we have had a focus on quality work. What a difference this has made! Students stayed at activities for longer and really took their work to a noticably higher level than in previous sessions.<br /><br />Our digi kids for the day took photos of what they considered to be quality work.<br /><br />At the end of the session students reflected on what made their work 'quality' - which aspects they were happy with and what they could have done differently.Brenda Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17470589283804941932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-47720814251050418972009-08-03T09:26:00.004+12:002009-08-03T18:05:49.016+12:00<span style="color:#ff99ff;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Discovery Time Learning in England.</span><br /></span>Gay will be in the Uk early September for 2 weeks.<br />Are any schools there interested in her bringing the Discovery Time book?<br />She will be in the Oxford area and would love to know of any schools there doing Discovery Time programmes.<br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">email to:</span><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;"><a href="mailto:discoveryt@gmail.com">discoveryt@gmail.com</a></span>Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-50119933197736250952009-08-03T09:21:00.002+12:002009-08-03T09:26:21.060+12:00<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#ffff00;">Christchurch workshop</span><br />We had a great time in Christchurch and wonderful to see all the exciting enthusiasm for Discovery Time.<br />We found Groovy Girl Dolls in the:<br />CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOP in Victoria Street.<br />They also have a shop in Auckland -Jervois Rd Ponsonby.Gayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12761605205375030370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-34045414834232976632009-07-20T19:46:00.005+12:002009-07-20T21:06:59.676+12:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzj4rgCfEJkqsqc_pjOx491jdm6cGh75zzW3kHPAQO92qTzT4VEDWz4l7lx-XurgeCXKoiNMaDptDwbCqAHRkM8Wc-hVWmMb26Ib2CcBmHEm2WkxA7A0envpRy1fb6RkW1A6a/s1600-h/IMG_5332.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360464679269915986" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzj4rgCfEJkqsqc_pjOx491jdm6cGh75zzW3kHPAQO92qTzT4VEDWz4l7lx-XurgeCXKoiNMaDptDwbCqAHRkM8Wc-hVWmMb26Ib2CcBmHEm2WkxA7A0envpRy1fb6RkW1A6a/s320/IMG_5332.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff9900;">Imaginative play with Groovy Girls... & Boys</span></span><br /><br />If you've been to our workshops you'll have met our Groovy Girl Dolls.<br /><br /><br />The kids just love them and have a wonderful time making clothes, building houses, cars, beds etc and then using them in all sorts of imaginary games.<br /><br />They are available in lots of places but we get ours from a shop in Petone ($25-$30)<br /><br />Playdays Toyshop<br />238 Jackson St<br />Petone<br />Lower Hutt<br />New Zealand<br /><br />tel 04 586 8056<br />email <a href="mailto:toys@playdays.co.nz">toys@playdays.co.nz</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.playdays.co.nz/">http://www.playdays.co.nz/</a><br /><br />The dolls don't show on the website but phone or send an email and Trish and Debbie will let you know what is in stock.</div>Brenda Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17470589283804941932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-45376059615252566282009-07-17T21:59:00.007+12:002009-07-17T22:29:53.557+12:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CE46m5vnEA8IYPj60wU5EThDWE8vAkHyEYwOfuaMArp-kgCSbqIARWJtq6i5HhCvNyzGVZ-Xb3K-fvKZSnExXz_vE4-lFzKK8ATQ3yAbVcEgziCL1jM0PFOtAP26NvPbTcLm/s1600-h/discovery+time+t2+09+072.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359372438637474962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CE46m5vnEA8IYPj60wU5EThDWE8vAkHyEYwOfuaMArp-kgCSbqIARWJtq6i5HhCvNyzGVZ-Xb3K-fvKZSnExXz_vE4-lFzKK8ATQ3yAbVcEgziCL1jM0PFOtAP26NvPbTcLm/s320/discovery+time+t2+09+072.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">Creativity </span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">with </span></div><div><span style="color:#ff9900;">Pirates</span></div><br />"Ship ahoy!"<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>A few sheets and a climbing frame, with some pegs and tape to hold it all together and they're off. Sailing the shark infested waters in their pirate ship!<br /></div><div> </div><div>The kids imagination runs wild and pirate hats, flags, eyepatches and telescopes materialised from the construction table. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"But how do we get to shore when there are sharks in the water?" </div><div>Great problem solving opportunities!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CxD0YxVS6XQhIqXky3kDmn3Hk87UuvpEFVe2WDDDcaTef-He_ClHYT7cu5-Pe9gjIfwQWLyCd_oYEuEvKgbLJSWgNnS8ALQBb-HG9TrJKp6uimNwnfiujEZUmWUpW7NF7Ihe/s1600-h/discovery+time+t2+09+069.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359368718453437490" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CxD0YxVS6XQhIqXky3kDmn3Hk87UuvpEFVe2WDDDcaTef-He_ClHYT7cu5-Pe9gjIfwQWLyCd_oYEuEvKgbLJSWgNnS8ALQBb-HG9TrJKp6uimNwnfiujEZUmWUpW7NF7Ihe/s320/discovery+time+t2+09+069.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>A fantastic Discovery Time at Randwick School.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Brenda Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17470589283804941932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19340048.post-83396417052728715392009-07-11T19:40:00.003+12:002009-07-11T19:50:18.369+12:00<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc66;">TED Talks - Tinkering School</span><br /><br />Check out this video about a 'hands-on' school for kids in the States. Students are only there for a week but look at what they achieve in that time. <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/gever_tulley_s_tinkering_school_in_action.html">Gever Tulley teaches life lessons through tinkering </a>Brenda Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17470589283804941932noreply@blogger.com2