Tag: School’s out Friday

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School’s out Friday

Time for another School’s out Friday. I’ve been on holidays for a week now, but many schools finished today for a two week hiatus. I’m sure you’re up for a bit of a laugh and who better than Melbourne’s own Hamish and Andy to provide just that. This is them engaged in Team Ghosting – Ghosting being a sport they claim to have invented. It requires you to invade the personal space of other people by walking as close as you can to them without them noticing. It’s caught on and been banned in a few schools apparantly. An interesting thing I noticed when watching was the location where this footage was shot – it’s the corner of Swanston St. and Grattan St. and the building they’re in front of used to be called the Melbourne College of Advanced Education; this is where I studied to become a teacher. A little while ago now!!

Have a great weekend.  Rest up those of you who’ve just made it to the hols.   

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School’s out Friday

Yes, I know it’s Saturday. I spent most of last night trying to get my Sliderocket presentation finished and cached. I’ll explain that drama in my next post. Yesterday was the last day of term for me for three weeks and aren’t I glad. That’s not because I want to see the back of the students I teach; far from it. I love my students; they are so giving and bring such joy to my life. I’m just really tired and need some time to regroup and recuperate.  

I first saw this video of Taylor Mali performing his slam poetry ‘What teacher’s make’ on Dennis Harter’s blog, ‘Thinking allowed’. My nine year old son watched it with me. I loved it when he agreed with Taylor when he said he wouldn’t let students go to the toilet because they were bored. My son laughed and said that’s what he does when he’s bored – asks to go to the toilet!   

I just love how Taylor expresses the essence of teaching in this piece. Making a difference is what we do when we’re doing our job well; this should be recommended viewing for all teachers. Taylor deserves a standing ovation. 

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School’s out Friday

Yes, it’s that time again. School’s out Friday. And aren’t I glad to see this Friday. Teachers everywhere are battling through this time of year when assessment and reporting are occupying much of our thinking space. It’s been a lean week for me in terms of this blog – I’ve only posted twice!

Definitely need a laugh to see in the weekend. A colleague sent this to me today and I couldn’t help but join Ethan as he laughed at the simple joy that comes from tearing a sheet of paper. Oh, to have such an uncomplicated life!

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School’s out Friday

This YouTube vid is another recommendation from one of my students. It’s Matrix Ping Pong and is some very clever work from Japan I’m assuming. Being Friday night, I’m too tired to do some further investigation into its origins. It really is a clever piece of theatre – it takes a while before you realise there are people controlling both the ball and the people.

Hope the weekend treats you well.

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School’s out Friday

This is sorta, dunno, nothing. It’s a fun video on YouTube that was first shown to me by a member of staff. A student recommended it today as a School’s out Friday post. If you’re not Australian, pay close attention to the table and the array of food items on display. There are some iconic items symbolic of Australian cuisine. Despite the strong Australian accents evident throughout, I’m sure this video will be easy to relate to by people from other countries – teenagers worldwide display attributes like this at times!

Have a great weekend!

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School’s out Friday

Here’s a great way to learn about chemical reactions. What’s the bet students would remember how elements react a whole lot better from watching this rather than listening to a lecture from their teacher!!  

Have a great weekend.

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School’s out Friday

Before I begin the weekly School’s out Friday post, I want to alert you to a new blogger on the scene. Keyta is a student at the school I work at. She’s an amazing young woman with a passion for almost everything. She has only been at our school a short while, but she has made her mark by taking on positons of leadership and exemplifying qualities we would like to see young women in our school and society live up to. She is a young woman with much to say  -I hope you all follow the link and encourage her as she begins her blogging journey.

So, to this weeks School’s out Friday. Again inspired by a student from my school. My Yr 7 class were roaring with laughter this afternoon watching this. The student who showed it did so because her oral presentation was about The Chasers – a comedy group who have a television program on the ABC network. The first part has a swear word  -please ignore it – I’ve tried very hard to keep this blog clear of profanity! Unavoidable this time as the second part of the video is the part I want you to watch. It’s a take off of a Riva coffee commercial and it is very funny – enjoy your weekend. 

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School’s out Friday

This post is dedicated to Lindsea. In a presentation I am making on Monday I’m using Lindsea as an example of the kind of learning that is possible now that the walls are down and we can reach out and make contact. She has been an inspiration to me and my students – I hope you read this Lindsea and realise the difference you have made. This is Lindsea’s favourite video on YouTube – she posted a link to it on Twitter last night. I was watching and noticing Lindsea as I always do when I see your name. Thanks.

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School’s out Friday

End of another working week – I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling like this is going to be one loooong term! A laugh at the end of the week is necessary, and the latest effort from improveverywhere provides just that. This time their mission is food court musical – improveverywhere agents are in a food court and break out in song much to the bemusement of unsuspecting diners. It’s very much like the work of the guys from The Chasers and their ‘Life is a musical’ efforts. I’m wondering if the improveverywhere crew have seen some of their work.

 I’m having problems with WordPress tonight and can’t embed the video from YouTube – very frustrating. Trust me – follow the link and you’re guaranteed a chuckle.  

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School’s out Friday

I normally post a funny video for the School’s out Friday post but it just didn’t seem right to do that today. Here in Australia the 25th of April is Anzac Day, a day that is a public holiday as tribute to the fallen soldiers who have given their lives in the defence of our country. I attended a local service this morning where students from our school read the names of the fallen from our municipality in all wars affecting this country. They were exceptional – their readings reflected the solemn occasion – their parents and the school should be proud of their efforts. ANZAC is an acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and New Zealand honours this day as well.  April 25th is the day honoured in tribute because this was the day Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli. It was here that a long and fruitless battle against the Turkish forces took place in World War One. Countless lives were lost and it was the start of Australians realising the sense of nationhood that now prevails. Australia came together as a nation in 1901 with Federation but it wasn’t until young men lost their lives in defence of this country that people began to recognise themselves as Australian rather than Victorians or New South Welshmen.  

This video from Youtube reflects the reverence with which this day is held and also combines another Australian passion – Australian Rules Football. Nothing is open on the morning of Anzac Day but the afternoon sees a football match being held between Melbourne clubs Collingwood and Essendon. It’s become a tradition and today 95,000 people attended the match. Footy is a national pastime here in Australia – it’s almost a rite of passage to attend a footy match and watch the game while eating a meat pie with sauce!

Enjoy your weekend!