Issue 117
Term 2 2021
Website and app reviews
Website and apps reviewed for school library staff
AUSLAN STORYTIME
apps.apple.com/au/app/auslan-storytime/id975809635
Aimed at young children who sign, or are learning to sign using Auslan, this app features illustrated videos of classic children’s books signed by young students at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. Emphasis is placed on assisting teachers and parents to gain new insights into telling stories in Auslan. Additional stories are available as in-app purchases.
SCIS no: 5354324
BUILDING AN EARTHQUAKE READY FUTURE
This stimulating website presented by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa explores earthquakes around the world and the effects they have both structurally and socially. Students in New Zealand Curriculum Levels 1–4 are encouraged to look at solutions and create prototypes to test these solutions.
SCIS no: 5354186
ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES
sea.museum/learn/learn-from-home
Developed by the Australian National Maritime Museum these online resources encourage students who may be learning from home to undertake a variety of engaging maritime topics. The resources are curriculum linked and have subsets suitable for primary and secondary students.
SCIS no: 5354194
ECO-SCHOOLS
Both primary and secondary schools are invited to participate in this environmental education program. Students follow a seven-step program to investigate and act on one or more of the following themes: biodiversity; climate and energy; litter and waste; healthy lifestyles; social justice; and waste and water. Details of 2021 campaigns and competitions are present.
SCIS no: 5354198
LASER CUTTERS IN EDU
schrockguide.net/lasercutters.html
The link between digital resources and physical resources is facilitated via this informative site. Laser cutters/engravers are increasingly used in schools to enhance learning outcomes and instructional strategies. Background material is available on curriculum projects, vector design tools, engagement and safety.
SCIS no: 5354224
THE LITTLE LIBRARY CAFE
thelittlelibrarycafe.com/book-index
Author Kate Young writes about both cooking and literature and has combined her interest in the two for this resource. Each book selected has a recipe relating to it. An extensive bibliography covers period and contemporary fiction, plays, poetry, children’s books and picture books. Teachers can search via recipes or books.
SCIS no: 5354232
PICTURE BOOKS WITH MATHEMATICAL CONTENT
nzmaths.co.nz/picture-books-mathematicalcontent
The New Zealand Ministry of Education has selected engaging picture books that contain mathematical content. A spreadsheet cross-references Curriculum Levels 1–4 with books emphasising algebra, number, geometry, measurement or statistics. Teaching activities are outlined for each title.
SCIS no: 5354237
SWIFT PLAYGROUNDS
apps.apple.com/au/app/swift-playgrounds/id908519492
Developed by Apple, Swift is a programming language that is used by professionals to build a variety of apps. This free IOS app encourages secondary students with no coding experience to master elementary coding using puzzles, a variety of challenges and guided lessons.
SCIS no: 1823566
TIMES TABLE QUIZ!
apps.apple.com/au/app/times-tables-quiz/id441001315
Students will be occupied by this IOS app which may assist them to learn their times tables. The tables are arranged in order of difficulty ranging from 2 times 2 to 12 times 12 and are multi-choice. Competition among peers and family is encouraged.
SCIS no: 5354335
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS
discoveryeducation.com/community/virtual-field-trips
The blurb on the website says it all. ‘No permission slip required. These virtual events let educators take students to amazing places.’ Emanating from Discovery Education, these virtual visits take students to a wide range of locations, from visiting a tractor factory in Illinois to Shakespeare’s birthplace.
SCIS no: 1966388
Nigel Paull
Teacher Librarian
North Coast, NSW