Issue 118
TERM 3 2021
Website and app reviews
EARLY YEARS HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
A subsection of the Queensland Department of Education’s website featuring a range of resources, information and guidelines relating to early childhood students. Content includes emotional wellbeing, health conditions, language and literacy development, hygiene, and physical activity.
SCIS No. 5363629
FIRST LANGUAGES AUSTRALIA
https://www.firstlanguages.org.au
This website aims to promote awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and to advocate for their use. A variety of resources for schools are available including language maps, current projects, news, lessons and web resources.
SCIS No. 1883878
MOVE EASE
The NSW Department of Education has produced this resource to assist K-6 teachers with the techniques, skills and processes to teach dance in their classrooms. Content includes the importance of dance in various cultures, the role of dance in historical times, and how dance is inspired through life.
SCIS No. 5360202
NASA STEM ENGAGEMENT
https://www.nasa.gov/stem/foreducators/k-12/index.html
An initiative of NASA, this topical website focuses attention on the increasing importance of STEM, specifically in relation to space. A plethora of engrossing videos, games, lessons, activities, and virtual tours are available for both primary and secondary teachers to use with their students.
SCIS No. 5363679
OUR LAND AND WATER
New Zealand’s AgResearch and the associated National Science Challenge, are looking at ways stakeholders can preserve “the land, water and associated ecosystems – while producing value from those same treasures”. Primary and secondary students and teachers can access a variety of pertinent resources focussing on this challenge.
SCIS No. 5363696
OXFAM AUSTRALIA’S SCHOOLS PROGRAM
https://www.oxfam.org.au/education-2/
Teachers and students can use Oxfam Australia’s curriculum-linked resources to integrate a variety of global issues into the classroom. Issues tackled include climate change, gender inequality, humanitarian emergencies and economic imbalances.
SCIS No. 5364134
RECOMMENDED LITERACY APPS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN
AUSPELD supports students and adults throughout Australia struggling with both learning difficulties and specific learning disorders. A directory of selected apps is available in the target areas of phonological awareness, phonics, reading, writing and vocabulary/grammar.
SCIS No. 5364143
RESOLVE: MATHS BY INQUIRY
Collaboratively managed by the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers, this free program has been designed to promote engaging and relevant mathematics for students K-10. The exemplary lesson plans are linked to the Australian Curriculum, and teachers also have access to professional learning modules.
SCIS No. 1864576
TEDED@HOME
TEDEd has created an array of videobased lessons to assist teachers, students and parents around the world who are engaged in schooling from home. The free resources are organised by grade level from K to university and cover a wide range of subject areas. Daily updates are delivered to nominated inboxes.
SCIS No. 1562966
TERRAGENESIS – SPACE SETTLERS
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/terragenesis-space-settlers/id1039841501
Based on informative and authoritative data from the NASA this immersive free app aims to help make barren planets ultimately habitable. Scientific technologies are employed to combat a variety of scenarios which need to be overcome. Available for most mobile platforms.
SCIS No. 5363706
YALE ENVIRONMENT 360
Senior secondary students studying global environmental issues will find a wealth of pertinent and authoritative information, analysis, and debate from this online magazine published at the Yale School of the Environment. Content is available by topic, region or author.
SCIS No. 5364108
Nigel Paull
Teacher Librarian North Coast, NSW