W10 - Term 1 Reflection

Hey everyone, the term is coming to an end, so this week's Kidsedchatnz is a term reflection. 

Unfortunately it's the last chat for the term, thanks everyone for making Kidsedchatnz such a cool learning vehicle!

QUESTIONS

Q1. What was your favourite part of this term? Why?

Q2. What have been some of the challenges you have faced this term? What was difficult?

Q3. What was something interesting that happened this term? Did your class turn out the way you thought?

Q4. Do you have any artwork, blog posts or favourite learning that you would like to share with us?

Q5. If you could change 1 thing about this term what would it be? Why do you want to change it?

Q6. If you could describe Term 1 in one word, what word would you choose?

Q7. What are your goals for Term 2? What do you want to improve next term?

Q8. If you could choose what you want to learn in class next term, what would you choose?

Q9. What's been your favourite topic for Kidsedchatnz this term? What topics would you like to discuss next term?

Q10. What are you planning to do for the holidays?

Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Our Environment

Kia ora Kidsedchatters,

This week we are looking at our global and local environment. It sometimes seems that whenever I turn on the TV there is some type of weather/pollution/environmental related disaster occurring. I often wonder what I could be doing better to help lessen this problem.

So I thought who better to ask than our knowledgable Kidsedchatnz team.

Before this weeks chat ( I know it is today AND it is your first day back after a long Easter weekend) watch the videos below.

    

Jack the Ratter

This video is aimed at our senior classrooms :)

This weeks questions are:

1. Our environment is precious.  What are some of the environmental issues facing the world at the moment?

2. What are some things you do at home to help reduce waste/rubbish?

3. Tell us about the things that happen at your school to reduce waste and save energy?

5. What is one thing you could do better or more often to reduce waste at your school?

6. Can one person make a difference or do we need a team approach?

7. NZ has lots of endangered species.  What can we do to ensure future generations see them?

8. Have you been involved in any school or community events to protect our environment?

8. Design a way to reduce the amount of packaging around new toys.

Granddad's Letter

This week's Kidsedchatnz is based on the following letter. Please read it with your class before coming to the chat.

James K. Flanagan passed away on September 3, 2012. He left behind this powerful letter for his 5 grandchildren. In truth, this letter holds great advice for us all…

1. Each one of you is a wonderful gift to your family and to all the world. Remember it always, especially when the cold winds of doubt and discouragement fall upon your life. 

2. Be not afraid . . . of anyone or of anything when it comes to living your life most fully. Pursue your hopes and your dreams no matter how difficult or "different" they may seem to others. The worst thing in life is to look back and say: "I would have; I could have; I should have." Take risks, make mistakes. 

3. Everyone in the world is just an ordinary person. Some people may wear fancy hats or have big titles or have power and want you to think they are above the rest. Don't believe them. They have the same doubts, fears, and hopes; they eat, drink, sleep, and fart like everyone else. 

4. Make a Life List of all those things you want to do: travel to places; learn a skill; master a language; meet someone special. Make it long and do some things from it every year. Don't say "I'll do it tomorrow" (or next month or next year). That is the surest way to fail to do something. There is no tomorrow, and there is no "right" time to begin something except now. 

5. Be kind and go out of your way to help people -- especially the weak, the fearful, and children. Everyone is carrying a special sorrow, and they need our compassion. 

6. Read books, as many as you can. They are a wonderful source of delight, wisdom, and inspiration. They need no batteries or connections, and they can go anywhere. 

7. Travel: always but especially when you are young. Don't wait until you have "enough" money or until everything is "just right." That never happens. Get your passport today. 

8. Pick your job or profession because you love to do it. Sure, there will be some things hard about it, but a job must be a joy. Beware of taking a job for money alone -- it will cripple your soul. 

9. Don't yell. It never works, and it hurts both yourself and others. Every time I have yelled, I have failed. 

10. Live in harmony with Nature: go into the outdoors, woods, mountains, sea, desert. It's important for your soul. 

11. Hug people you love. Tell them how much they mean to you now; don't wait until it's too late. 

12. Be grateful. There is an Irish saying: "This is a day in our lives, and it will not come again." Live every day with this in mind. 

QUESTIONS

Q1. Do you think it was a good idea for the Granddad to write down his advice? Why?

Q2. Which piece of advice is your favourite and why?

Q3. Create your own piece of advice or find a cool quote to add to the list.

Q4. How much time do you spend with your grandparents? Do they give you any advice?

Q5. Do you agree with the statement, "Everyone in the world is just an ordinary person." Why/Why not?

Q6. Number 8 says pick a job that you love. What job would you pick and why?

Q7. Number 6 says read books. Do you like reading books? What book would you recommend? 

Q8. Number 11 says tell people how much they mean to you now. Have you got a message to someone special in your life?

Q9. What are 3 dreams/things that you would like to achieve in your life?

Q10. Write a sentence, poem or story using the following 3 words: Life - History - Family

I look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday!

Wk 7 - Sport and Learning

Playing or learning a sport can teach us a lot of lessons for life and not just the skills involved in playing the game. Watch the video below to help you answer the questions.

1. Who are some of your favourite sports teams/people? Why do you like them?
2. Who do you think helped them become the great players/teams they are today.
3. What role does a coach play in a team?
4. What roles do the players have in a team?
5. What would happen if the team and coach didn't work together?
6. How does sport at school help you with your learning in other subjects?
7. Thinking about yourself at school, who are the key people in your learning team?
8. What role does your teacher/other staff play in your learning?
9. Do mums and dads play a role in your education? If so, how?

10. What role do you play in your learning and what can you do next to help you improve?

New Zealand Flag

This week's Kidsedchatnz is all about the New Zealand Flag. I thought this would be a cool topic as New Zealand is about to vote whether to change our current flag.

Before coming to the chat please watch the videos below.

If you want to learn a few new flags here is a fun game you can play! FLAG GAME

QUESTIONS

Q1. Why do countries have flags? Are they important?

Q2. What is the history of the New Zealand flag? How did it come about?

Q3. What do you think makes a good flag design? Why are these important?

Q4. What are the positives and negatives for changing the NZ flag?

Q5. What do you think of the new New Zealand Flag design? What do you like? What don't you like?

Q6. If you could vote would you vote to change the New Zealand flag or keep the flag? Why?

Q7. What is your favourite overseas flag? Why do you like it?

Q8. Does your school have a flag, symbol or mascot? Can you share it with us?

Q9. Fun Question! The first class that tweets the correct answer to this flag gets the Kidsedchatnz mascot sent to them!

Q10. Write a sentence, poem or short sentence using the following words: Cross  Proud  History

See you on Wednesday at 2pm!

W5 - Photo Chat

Hey everyone, this week's Kidsedchatnz is a Photo chat! All questions are based on a number of different photos! 

Sounds interesting? Check out the photos and questions below! (All photos come from the fabulous website Lend Me Your Literacy)

QUESTIONS/PHOTOS

Q1. If the doors above were portals into the future and the past, which door would you visit first and why?  

Q2. Do you think people that lived a 100 years ago had better or worse lives than us?

Q3. Why do you think the two sides are so different?

Q4. If you could be more like any animal, what would it be and why?

Q5. How do you think the little boys are feeling? Would you exchange places with them?

Q6. What does a cow pack in a suitcase? Where do you think it is going?

Q7. If you were trapped inside the tree, how would you escape?

Q8. You return to find your home city in ruin, what do you do next?

Q9. If you could have any super power that could help people, what would it be?

Q10. You discover a stone giant at the bottom of the ocean. Do you remove it or leave it where it is? Why?

I'm looking forward to Wednesday's chat, I hope to see you there!

Week 4 - Making Connections

 Week 4 - Making Connections

Each week we all come together to connect from across Aotearoa.  I am keen to make sure we all get to know each other a bit better as this would help make the connections more authentic. Wouldn't it be cool if some of the connections we make here each week be developed further!  

This year we have welcomed 30 new classrooms to the @kidsedchatnz whanau so along with all the other classrooms it makes kidsedchatnz an awesome place to connect beyond our classroom walls. Sharing and connecting with new buddies from around NZ. 

Remember for these connections to happen we need to take the first step and put ourselves out there! So this weeks chat is all about you and your classroom, and hopefully developing some connections!

#keycompetencies #relatingtoothers

QUESTIONS

1. Introduce your classroom.  (sharing a photo or short video would be awesome).
2. Where in New Zealand is your School? Describe the location - share a map if you can :)
3. How many students, teachers, and classrooms does your school have?
4. Share something about your classroom that makes it special. (Photo or video opportunity)
5. Share something about your School that makes it special. (Photo or video opportunity)
6. What is your class learning about this term?  (Connect with other classrooms with the same topic)
7. Share your School's values, your classroom rules/treaty, the school motto, or whakatauki.
8. Do you have some learning that you are proud of this term?  Take a photo and tweet it!
9. What classrooms have you connected with today?  Did you connect with  a classroom in a different part of NZ?

Wk 3 - Digital Citizenship

The questions for Wednesday's topic are all based around Digital Citizenship and staying safe online. 

You can have a look at this video, before taking part in this week's chat.

 Digital Safety Video

QUESTIONS

1. How can you be safe on the internet? 
2. How can you keep your computer safe? 
3. Who teaches you about staying safe online? 
4. What are the best ways for learning about online safety?
5. What is a digital footprint and why are they important?
6. What are some important things to consider when taking part in KidsedchatNZ?
7. Should schools be using social media in the classroom and why?
8. How do we know which websites and people to trust on-line?
9. What should you do if your personal information is hacked?
10. Does anyone know any website/resources or Apps to share about Cyber safety?

Facebook

Kidsedchatnz has a FACEBOOK page. Just click here to check it out!

Question Time

Are you taking part in Kidsedchatnz this year? Here's a poster you can share with your students before they tweet!

Week 2 - Greatness

Welcome to kidsedchatnz, 2016! Our first chat for the year is on Wednesday the 10th February at 2pm and the topic is 'Greatness'! 

Please watch the video below before taking part.

 


Here are the questions:

Q1. What are you great at doing? How did you get great at it?

Q2. "Greatness is for all of us." How are you going to be great this year? How are you going to achieve this?

Q3. Name a person who you think is great. Why are they great?

Q4. If you could be great at anything what would it be? What would you like to be great at at school?

Q5. The video says, "Greatness is not born, it's made." What does this mean? Do you believe this?

Q6. What is great about your new classroom? What would your greatest learning environment look like?

Q7. What great things would you like to learn about this year? What are you looking forward to?

Q8. Describe what a 'Great Teacher' looks like?

Q9. Finish this sentence. Greatness starts......

Q10. Write a short story, poem or sentence using these 3 words: Greatness - Effort - Teamwork

Wk 9 - 2015 Reflection

Welcome to the last KidsedchaNZ for the year, where we will be reflecting on 2015. Thank you to all the classes who took part in the chats and for sharing your ideas. 

Here are the reflection questions for Wednesday:

(poster from: MargD)

Q1. What was your most favourite part of this year? Why?

Q2. What facts have you learnt and what information are you now sure about?

Q3. What are some new ideas you learnt and how could you use it in the future?

Q4. What have been some of the challenges you have faced this year?

Q5. What things could you have done better?

Q6. Do you have any learning (special to you) that you would like to share?

Q7. If you could design your class for next year, what would it look like?

Q8. If you could choose what you want to learn next year, what would you choose?

Q9. What do you want to improve in 2016?

Q10. If you could describe 2015 in one word, what word would you choose?

Have a wonderful Christmas and a great summer holiday with your whānau!

W8 - Minecraft

This week's Kidsedchatnz is all about MINECRAFT! Yes, you read correctly, Minecraft!



Below are some fun Minecraft challenges will might want to have a go at building at home. Even better ask your teacher if they will give you time in class! You never know, they might just say yes!

CHALLENGES

1) Create a Pick a Path adventure using Minecraft.

2) Create your very own Restaurant using Minecraft. Make sure you create a name and theme for your new restaurant.

3) Get into the Christmas spirit and build something with a Christmas theme. How about a giant Santa, a nativity scene or a xmas tree.

4) Create the letters for a word in Minecraft. Mix up the letters and challenge someone to figure out the word. For example what is this word? N C I T A R F M E

5) Recreate your local shopping mall or centre in Minecraft. Try to make it as close as possible to the original.

6) Build a famous landmark using Minecraft.

7) Build a small village challenge! Also see if you can hide the town jewels somewhere in the town and challenge a friend to find them. Even better write a set of instructions to your jewels!

8) Create a Minecraft creation based on a picture book. For example create the setting for the book 'The Smartest Giant in Town'. Your creation should track the giant's movements and create all the places in the story!

QUESTIONS

Q1. Do you use Minecraft? How often do you use Minecraft & where & how do you use it? Home? iPad? Laptop? 

Q2. What do you like about Minecraft? What makes it exciting to use?

Q3. Do you prefer to play in Survival Mode or Creative Mode? Why? What is the difference?

Q4. How did you learn to play Minecraft? What are some tips for new users?

Q5. Do you use Minecraft in your classroom? How do you use it? What would you like to build? If you completed the challenges, please share.

Q6. Should you be able to use Minecraft in your School/classroom? Convince us! How can it help learning?

Q7. What are the negatives about Minecraft? How can it be improved? What would you like to see in the next update?

Q8. In the video, it says, “The only limit is your imagination.” What does this mean?

Q9. Minecraft has been called Digital LEGO. Do you agree? Which do you prefer and why? 

Q10. Write a sentence, short story or poem using the following 3 words: Mineral, Mob and Survival.

I hope to see you all at 2pm on Wednesday! I think this chat is going to be a ripper!

Kidsedchatnz 3rd Birthday!

Wow! Kidsedchatnz is turning three! Kidsedchatnz started in 2012 and three years later it's still going strong! A big thanks must go out to the organisers (Stephen, Juliet, Marnel and John) and all the fabulous classes who have joined us throughout the three years. Without you guys Kidsedchatnz would be nothing!

Anyway this week we thought we would have a special Kidsedchatnz birthday party to celebrate! The topic is going to be based around.......CELEBRATIONS! Hopefully we can have a huge turn out to celebrate this special birthday!

What we would love to see is each class dress up their room with birthday decorations! Maybe they could even make a special Kidsedchatnz birthday cake? The class with the best classroom decorations and birthday cake will have the Kidsedchatnz Mascot 'Follow' sent to them as a reward! 

So what are you waiting for? Get planning!

QUESTIONS

Q1. Today is Kidsedchatnz 3rd birthday party, could you please leave Kidsedchatnz a birthday message?

Q2. How are you celebrating Kidsedchatnz's birthday? Can you tweet a picture of your decorations/cake/party?

Q3. Today we are celebrating Kidsedchatnz's birthday, why do you think it is important to celebrate birthdays?

Q4. How old did you turn on your last birthday? What did you do to celebrate it? 

Q5. What was your favourite birthday present/party? Why was it special?

Q6. There are many different celebrations around the world. Can you name some things that you celebrate and what do you do?

Q7. Kidsedchatnz has been going for 3 years, how long have you been taking part in it? Tell us about your experience?

Q8. Do you enjoy taking part in Kidsedchatnz? Why do you like it?

Q9. What topics would you like to discuss next year during Kidsedchatnz? Are there any changes you would like to see?

Q10. Make up a sentence, story or poem using the following 3 words: Presents, Excitement and Laughter.

I can't wait for Wednesday, see you then!

Learning Dispositions - Values - Key Competencies

Welcome to this weeks chat. 

This week we are looking at Learning Dispositions, School Values, and the Key Competencies. We want to know how they impact on your learning and your outlook on life! 

Every School has them, they are different at every School and we all call them something different.  Whether they are plastered on display boards in the playground, stuck in your books, or displayed around your classroom. What do they mean to you as a learner and as a kid? The videos below are to get you thinking and wondering about the values people hold as important.

 

1.What are your School's Values? Tweet a photo of your School's Values displayed either in your classroom, playground or books. 

2.Who designed/wrote them? As a student did you get a chance have your say when they were decided? 

3.Why does every School have different 'Value Statements'? All School's are trying to educate children, shouldn't they be the same for every School?

4.How do your School's values impact on your learning?

5.How do your School's values impact on your behaviour?

6.Which of your School's values do think is the most important? Why?

7.If you had to rewrite your School's Values.  What would you change them to?

8.Tweet a photo or video of you and your friends/classmates displaying one of your School Values.

9.Outside of School what are the most important values to your family?  Why?

The Language of the Future?

In this week's KidsedchatNZ we are wondering abut the future. What do you think your future holds? What skills do you think you will need? Do you have any ideas about what you want to do?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

This clip talks about coding, which is a skill that people believe will be very sought after in the future.



1. Tell us about the clip. Was there anyone that inspired you to give coding a go?

2. Have you been learning coding in your school? If so, what do you use to do it? Why do you like it?

3. Have you created anything before using coding? What was it? 

(Include your photos)

4. How can we encourage more children to learn to code? Will you get involved in the #hourofcode ?

5. Can you think of any problems that you could solve with coding?

6. What do you want to do in the future? Does this job exist now?

8. Do you think that schools need to buy more technology like Dot and Dash?

9. What do you think you could create that would help people in the future?

See you on Wednesday

Juliet Revell

Week 4 - Passions, Talents and Lifelong Learning Skills

Week 4 - Passions, Talents and Lifelong Learning Skills 

This week's topic is about your passions, talents and lifelong learning skills. Part of the chat is flipped so make sure you watch the Kid President's YouTube clip on how to be an inventor. 

You may also like to physically create or just draw a picture of something you would invent to make the world more awesome. 

There will be an opportunity for you to share your inventions during the chat. Teachers, you may also like to watch the 'Creativity Takes Time' YouTube clip yourself and do this mini lesson with your class.

 

1. What are your interests, talents or passions?
2. Do you get to learn about your interests in the classroom? Give us an example.
3. What do you have to do to become really good at something?
4. Do you think it's important for children to have some time each week to learn about something that they're interested in? Why?
5. The top 10 jobs in 2015 didn't exist in 2004. What jobs do you think there will be in 10 years time?
6. What skills do you think we will need for these jobs in the future?
7. The Kid President wanted to invent a Catuum Cleaner. What would you like to invent to make the world more awesome? *Opportunity to share a photo via a tweet here. 
8. Is creativity important? How can we encourage creativity in the classroom?
9. Sometimes we get stuck with our learning and have to problem solve. What does good problem solving look like?