1 Jan | International year of the Plant Health http://www.fao.org/plant-health-2020/home/en/ |
25 Jan | Chinese New Year begins https://chinesenewyear.net/ |
26 Jan | World leprosy day www.timeanddate.com/holidays/world/world-leprosy-day |
1-28 Feb | Bikewise month https://can.org.nz/article/february-is-bikewise-month |
1-29 Feb | Heart Awareness Month www.heartfoundation.org.nz/for-women |
2 Feb | World Wetlands Day. www.fishandgame.org.nz, www.doc.govt.nz |
3 Feb 1931 | Napier-Hastings Earthquake. www.teara.govt.nz/en/historic-earthquakes/page-6 |
4 Feb | World Cancer Day. http://www.worldcancerday.org/ |
7 Feb | National Periodic Table day. http://www.periodictableday.org/ |
Moon | NM 25 Jan 1Q 2 Feb FM 9 Feb 3Q 16 Feb |
- A calendar for the year: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Dates-for-2020.doc
- DoC’s Protecting our marine world resource can be used to support learning about & taking action to protect our marine world as a lead up or follow up to Seaweek (29 Feb – 8 March).
Info
- Culturally Responsive & Relational Pedagogy:
- Learn about the moana, through a Te Ao Māori lens https://www.youngoceanexplorers.com/yoe/topic/890089045053
- Literacy
- Compare and contrast map http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/compare-contrast-30066.html
- Pedagogy:
- Some science/NoS/know the learner activities to start the year in your classroom: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Starter-activities.docx
- Student competitions:
- ESSENZ and the NZ Space Agency have worked together to add a NZ competition on to the NASA Scientist for a Day. Prizes & more details soon, but meanwhile, below is a link to the topic and the contact details. Due date for the essay will be the last Monday of term 1. https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/scientist-for-a-day/2019-2020-topics/ https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/scientist-for-a-day/international/
- eLearning
Resources
- Geology:
- Summary of some of the science in the tragedy at Whakaari / White Island : https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Whakaari.docx
- Formation of sedimentary layers https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/329_How_sedimentary_beds_form.pdf
- Summary of some of the science in the tragedy at Whakaari / White Island : https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Whakaari.docx
- Biology:
- A video clip The Pathway of Blood Flow Through the Heart with Anna Krasna http://smartfrogeducation.org/free-download-smart01/
- A summary of the findings of Homo luzonensis attached: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/H-luzonensis.docx
- AgHort:
- An Earth Learning Idea that explores life in the soil. https://www.earthlearningidea.com/PDF/271_Soil_life.pdf
- Astronomy:
- NASA has a new online science resource for teachers and students called NASA Wavelength. Visit online for access to NASA Wavelength.
- For those wanting some creative inspiration, astronomical beadwork from Margaret Nazon https://www.brainpickings.org/2019/10/08/margaret-nazon-celestial-beadwork/
- Chemistry:
- Science Learning Hub’sRethinking plastics uses a wicked problem as a rich context for learning – their planning pathway will help you get started. The report from the Office of PM’s chief Science Advisor.
- Suppressing fires with chemistry https://cen.acs.org/environment/Periodic-Graphics-Suppressing-wildfires-chemistry/97/i46
- Physics:
- This Engineering Engagement Program includes a teacher pack to introduce yr 7 students to the world of engineering https://bit.ly/2DAYdvu
- Using fibre optic cable to sense earthquakes. http://bit.ly/36oLUiO
- Science:
- In December MoE released a climate change teacher resource, more of a SS focus but may have some useful ideas. https://bit.ly/3aigH3h
MoE/NZQA
- The 1st draft from the review of Achievement Standards is out for L1 Science. Please go to http://bit.ly/37tnSDu to read and give feedback. Have a good look at all the documents, as the supporting rationale explains the underlying thinking. Any questions go to FAQs at https://conversation.education.govt.nz/conversations/ncea-review/review-of-achievement-standards/feedback-pilot-phase/pilot-phase-faqs/
- A reminder of the resources available for the new 1 and C 2.2: https://www.mikesnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/New-L2-Chem-Stds.docx
Professional Learning & Development (PLD) Opportunities
- NZ Primary Schools Teachers’ Conference 16-17 April, at St. Cuthbert’s College, 122 Market Rd, Epsom, Auckland. https://nzptc.com/
- A calendar of clusters, workshops and events that Auckland’s Sustainable Schools facilitators will deliver in 2020. sustainableschools@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
- The best things people take from conference often come from workshops where teachers share their practice. What did you do differently in 2019? What were you working on? Others can benefit from what you have learned, so please consider presenting at SciCon 2020, it’s not too late. More info here https://nzase.org.nz/scicon-2020/scicon-registration/
- PD relating to the Takahē Recovery Programme & BEANZ’s QAAM’d task Bio 2.6 “Where have all theTakahē Gone?” 31 Jan, 4-7pm at Zealandia in Wgtn, $16.20. Book here.
Vacancy
“The Auckland Seventh Day Adventist High (ASDAH) is a Christian special character school in Mangere Bridge. We are looking for a fulltime teacher to teach General Science (yr 9-11) and Physics (yr 12-13).” Alison Baatjies alison@asdah.school.nz
Cheers, Mike