Crunchy Numbers

Happy New Year! This is a summary from WordPress of the stats for this blog in 2011:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 34,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 13 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

In 2011, there were 28 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 139 posts. The busiest day of the year was April 6th with 228 views. The most popular post that day was BBC Bitesize Games for KS1.

E-Safety Christmas Message from the SWGfL

There is often a ‘must have’ gadget each Christmas and usually technological. Parents can be swept along and not necessarily consider all aspects when making some of these present purchases, for example online access, age rating, etc.

The SWGfL have produced some content that any schools or organisation may wish to include in any pre Christmas communication, such as a newsletter. Click here.

Interactive Advent Calendar for Schools

Tricias has put together an amazing collection of Digital Advent Calendars here. If more options are needed then from try ICT Magic or this free download from Wishtrac.

BBC Newsround

Congratulations to BBC Newsround on being awarded a Bafta for it’s ‘significant contribution’ to programming. The website provides a news service for children and  is a fantastic resource for teaching current affairs. It has recently received a major update and has been given a much more modern look. Many stories are kept in the archive service and their are games, word searches and video clips based on the topics covered.

Warning Sign Generator

A lovely idea from @merlinsteve for pupils to use this Warning Sign Generator to create signs and enhance displays around the school.

Show Me

Thanks to Rob for sharing Show Me, a website which showcases all the best bits from the UK’s museums and galleries.

Comic Strip Makers

I was reminded this week what a good resource Super Action Comic Maker from Artisan Cam is. We also discussed Myths and Legends from E2BN. In addition, from Read Write and Think comes the Comic Creator:

The Comic Creator invites students to compose their own comic strips for a variety of contexts. This focuses on the key elements of comic strips by allowing students to choose backgrounds, characters, and props, as well as to compose related dialogue. The tool is easy to use, made even easier with the Comic Strip Planning Sheet, a printable PDF that comic creators can use to draft and revise their work before creating and printing their final comics.

Poetry Generator

Thanks to Karl for recommending the Winning Words poetry generator from the poems in the classroom project.

The Generator is a creative poetry game where words selected from a bank of inspirational poetry, which will be displayed in the London 2012 Olympic Park and other venues across the country, are automatically generated to kick start your own poetic journey.

For more poetic inspiration try Kenn Nesbitt’s poetry for kids. 

Infant Encyclopedia

Mr Haughton’s online, child-friendly encyclopedia contains easily searchable information and activities linked to popular curriculum topics. Click here.

Bonfire Night and Guy Fawkes

Fireworks night is such a good context for using a paint package such as Revelation Natural Art. Other resources also include:

• The Lancaster Grid for Learning Literacy Resources
• Primary Resources – Famous people from History
• BBC gunpowder plot game
• Teaching resources – Remember Remember
• Primary treasure chest classroom resources
• Twinkl classroom resources

and for safety advice – Bonfires and Fireworks Night – Education Resources for Teachers

Or play the following fireworks game by clicking on the picture: