Digital Citizenship & The Hour of Code

The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in over 180 countries. It takes place during Computer Science Education Week December 4-10

Anyone, anywhere can organise an Hour of Code event. No experience needed. 

There are currently 

94,008 events registered for Hour of Code 2017

 and 325 of these are in New Zealand.

Sign your school up! Take a look and see what's involved.

When we are online, we have to be Cyber Smart.  Are you a good digital citizen?

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

With the advent of social media, mobile devices in the classroom and a range of e-learning tools in the classroom it is more important than ever that students are aware of the long term effects of leaving their digital footprint and learn to become good cyber citizens. 
The concept of digital citizenship needs to be embedded in all aspects of work in schools with e-learning tools.

A good way to start this is to build awareness of what it means to be a good citizen in our community -  local, national and global. 

So what is a good citizen? 

QUESTIONS

Q1.  What do you use the internet for most? What's the first site that you go? 

Q2.  How can we encourage more children to learn to code? Will you get involved in the #hourofcode?

Q3.  Who teaches you about staying safe online? 

Q4.  What are the best ways for learning about online safety?

Q5.  What is a digital footprint and why are they important? Watch this video to help with your answer. 

Q6.  What are some important things to consider when taking part in KidsedchatNZ?

Q7.  Should schools be using social media in the classroom and why?

Q8.  How do we know which websites and people to trust on-line?

Q9.  Does anyone know any website/resources or Apps to share about Cyber safety?

See you on Wednesday at 2pm

My learning and how I connect with it...

Nau mai, Haere mai,

Term 4 is almost over, we've had a whole year of hard work and plenty of great fun with Kidsedchatnz. Our topics have included; Coding, Health & Nutrition , Science,  and family. We have learnt some amazing things from all of the children taking part and it is always proving to me how important it is to be a learner.  In class, my children are teaching me how to create stop animations using plasticine and I'm always learning ways to be a better teacher or parent, but all of this requires hard work.

This week WE have three challenges for you before taking part in Kidsedchatnz:
1 - Find or make up a great quote about learning, make it into a poster or meme and share it with us on Wednesday.
2 - Talk to another child and identify what they want to be learning in 10 years? Why?
3 - Ask an adult about their learning, what are they learning and how does this make them feel.

 

Your questions for this week:

1. What have you learnt about  so far in term 4? Has it been easy or difficult to learn? Why?
2. What is something (eg a sport, hobbies, cultural etc) that you have learnt outside of school? Why do you do take part in these activities?
3. What words would you use to describe term 4 for you and your class?
4. What praise has your teacher given you this term?
5. What has been one challenge that you have faced in term 4? How have you beaten this challenge?
6. What advice do your teachers, friends and families give you about learning? What does it mean? Share any posters or memes you have made.
7. What do you think you will be doing in 10 years and what will you be learning?
8. What does it mean to be a life long learner and why is this important?

Hei kōnā mai.

See you on Wednesday at 2pm

Classrooms of the future

Classrooms of the future

Righto, get those imaginations going! We want you to think about your current classroom and what a classroom could look like in the future.

This weeks questions:

1.Give the @kidsedchatnz viewers a short tour of your room? Photos or video.

2.What about your classroom do you really like?

3.What are the things that you find difficult with your classroom?

4.What would you do in your classroom to improve it?

5.What is your favourite piece of furniture in your classroom? Why?

6.If you have no budget what one thing would you buy for your classroom that would help your learning? Why?

7.What would your dream classroom look like? Read some of the other tweets and see what people add. Use the reply feature on twitter to comment on people’s ideas.

8.What would the technology look like that you would use in your dream classroom?

9.What would a classroom look like in ten years time?

Making Digital 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 lots of 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?

Change leadership and Children's Issues

Kia ora Kidsedchatters,

It is hard to believe that it is Week 3 of Term 4, where does the year go!  I can hardly believe that in a few weeks we will all be getting ready for the Summer holidays.  Bring on the warm weather and lazy days watching the Black Caps.

This week our topic is about Change and Kids issues.  Over the past few weeks Aotearoa has gone through some pretty big changes.  We have a new Government lead by Jacinda Ardern, who is now our 40th Prime Minister.  The Government has made several big promises around supporting children to thrive and succeed.  We want to hear about change in your space and how to make it sustainable and what issues are facing our Kiwi kids.

When Jacinda Ardern was offered the leadership of her party she said  "When opportunities come up, say 'Yep, I can do that job'."  Could you be the change in your community?







This weeks questions:

1. What skills or qualities does a person need to have to be a Leader of a Country? Do you have these skills?
2. How does the Government of New Zealand affect you? 
3. If you wanted to change something at your School, what would it be?
4. How would you go about making that change? Could you lead that change and what skills would you need?
5. What problems do you think New Zealand children are facing? Why are they having these problems?
6. How could we help the children who are having these problems?
7. Does your School do anything to help your local community? (Fundraising etc)
8. What is more important - helping yourself or helping others?

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 problems do you want to solve 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

Let's Talk About Term 3

What has stuck with you this term?

Term 3 2017 is nearly over and in our last KidsedchatNZ for the term we like to reflect. 


Put your thinking caps on to REFLECT and talk about some of the things that happened for you during this term.

Questions:

1. What was your favourite part of this term. 

How did this make you feel and why? 

2. What was the most interesting thing that you have learned in Term 3?

3.What were some of the challenges for you? Tell us why.

4. Do you have any artwork or blog posts that you would like to share with us?

5.If you could describe this term in one word, what would that word be?

6.What would you like to do better in Term 4?

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

8.What would you like to learn about in Term 4?

See you on Wednesday at 2pm team!

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2017

Nau Mai

Every year since 1975 New Zealand has marked Māori Language Week. This is a time for all New Zealanders to celebrate te reo Māori (the Māori language) and to use more Māori phrases in everyday life. In 2017 Māori Language Week runs from 11-17 September, the theme is 'Kia ora te reo' – which celebrates New Zealand’s indigenous greeting and the intent of te reo Māori revitalisation efforts between the Crown and Māori.

1. How do you celebrate Maori Language Week in your class/school?
2. Why is this an important week to New Zealand?
3. How does New Zealand celebrate Maori Language Week?
4. Can you name any local places of significance that have a Maori name?Why are they significant?
5. What is your favourite Maori phrase or a saying you have heard this week?
6. What other languages are a part of your school and are these celebrated?
7. What are the three official languages of New Zealand?
8. If New Zealand was to officially celebrate another language what language do you think that should be? Why?
9. Do you know of other countries that celebrate a second language in their country? What country and how do they celebrate?

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday at 2pm for our chat. 

Waterways

Kia ora koutou

• 75% of the earth is covered with water but only 3% of it can be used for drinking - (it is 'fresh' water).
• Most of this fresh water is underground; the rest is in lakes and rivers. We are learning all about looking after our water and would love some more ideas about how to keep our waterways clean and reduce our water usage at home and school.
• To make sure we know where all this water comes from, watch the video on the water cycle.

Lake Hawea

In Hawea we have lots of lakes and rivers in our area. There is a big concern that the lakes are being contaminated by pollution and algae build up. What can you find out about your local waterways this week? Time to get investigating!

Q1: Where does water come from? Can you explain the water cycle?

Q2: Where do you think most of the water in your area comes from? What makes you think this?

Q3: Why is having good water quality important to you and your community?

Q4:What things can make water quality poor in a river or lake?

Q5: How is the water quality in your area? Can you swim in local lakes or rivers? Has this changed over time?

Q6: What are some ways you can conserve water at home or at school? How could you encourage others to do the same?

Q7: Near Hawea we have lots of beautiful rivers and lakes. We are looking for some ideas to help keep our waterways clean and reduce our water use? Can you help us by adding some ideas to this Padlet?

Q8: Can you design an invention to save water at school?

Q9: Whose job is it to protect  our waterways? How do you think they monitor them?

We look forward to seeing you all Wednesday at 2pm.

Nga mihi nui

Being part of a team

This week we are looking at being part of a team.

So often in life we have to work with other people, it could be in your classroom, the playground, a sports field. We are wanting to find out what it really means to be a 'team-player' or someone who works well in a team situation.

We only have to look at the sporting victories over the weekend to see how important being a team player is;

Black Ferns - World Campions

All Blacks - Last minute victory over Australia

K4 Crew (Bronze) - Kayaking World Championship

Here are the questions!

Q1. How often do you work in a team or group in your class? What team or group activities do you do? 

Q2. Do you enjoy working in a team with others? Explain why or why not?

Q3. What are the key elements of teamwork? Why are they important?

Q4. In what ways are you a team player? What do you bring to a team?

Q5. Do you think it's important to be able to work with others? What are the benefits?

Q6. What can you do when someone is not pulling their weight in a team? What could you say?

Q7. In one of the videos is the ex-NBA Champions San Antonio Spurs. Who is your favourite team? Why do you like them?

Q8. When you get older employers are looking for people who can work in a team. What other skills are they looking for?

Q9. TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More. What do you think this means?

Can't wait to see everyone on Wednesday - Yahoo

Ka mau te wehi! Kids are Awesome

This week's KidsedchatNZ was inspired by a cool American Teacher called Angela Maiers.

Angela shares a great message, and it is important for all of us. 

The message is  -

 YOU MATTER.

KidsedchatNZ want you to think about how you are awesome. We want to know how you are a genius. Everyone has their own unique talents and abilities. What are yours? We would love to hear all about them.

Here are some kids sharing their awesome abilities. These kids are great on the sports field, and the dance floor. Your genius might be in music, or writing, or maths. 

You might be a great listener or friend, or both!

Think about how you contribute to make the world a better place.

Have a read of the YOU MATTER manifesto. A manifesto is a public announcement or declaration. There are some important points to think about there. You might like to make a book about your genius, and share it with us.







Questions for this week.

Q1. Why are you awesome? What is your Genius?

Q2. What would you like to change in the world around you?

Q3. How do you think that you could do this?

Remember “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love”

– Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Q4. What is the best thing that a Teacher has ever said to you?

Q5. Think of a time when you have achieved a goal. Tell us what this felt like.

Q6. Do you have some learning that you are really proud of? Take a picture and tweet it!

Q7. Name five people that you would put on a "Dream Team" to encourage and inspire you. Are they famous people, successful people, members of your family?

Q8. Why are these people amazing to you?

Q9. What makes you feel proud?

Kia ora tamariki. Kau mau te wehi! We are so looking forward to this week's chat.

Juliet Revell

The New Zealand Election

This week in KidsedchatNZ, we are talking about the upcoming New Zealand election. 

New Zealand's next general election is taking place on 23 September. 

Have you been learning about what it is and how it all happens at your school? We are looking forward to hearing all about your learning.

Q1: What is an election? What type of election do we have in New Zealand?

Q:2 Why do we have elections in New Zealand?

Q3: What happens during an election?

Q4: What do you think would happen if we did not have elections and people did not vote?

Q5: Who is the Prime Minister of New Zealand? How did he become the prime minister?

Q6: Why do you think it is important that people vote in elections?

Q7: If you became Prime Minister what is the first thing you would change?

Q8: How do you think our government can make New Zealand ‘more awesome’ like the Kid President?

Q9: What do you think the Prime Minister’s main job is during the day?

Q10: Even though you can’t vote what are some ways we can make sure our voices get heard?

Looking forward to reading your opinions on Wednesday.

See you then!