Let's change our photos!

Year 1, 4 and 5 took photos using PhotoBooth. They inserted the photo into a PowerPoint and then used the software to create different effects. What do you think?

Madeline

Kinder heard a story about a young girl called Madeline. It is a very, very old story written a long, long, long time ago. It was written in 1952.

Madeline lived in a city called Paris. It is the capital city of a country called France.

If we wanted to get to paris, we would have to catch a plane. It would take all day and all night to get to Paris.

You can watch a video about Madeline. It is different to the book.

Here are some picture of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It was built in 1889. That is a long, long, long, long time ago.

This is the Eiffel Tower. It is very tall. You have to walk up 1,665 steps to get to the top! You get a lift if you don't want to walk.

At night time, the lights on the Eiffel Tower sparkle. It is very pretty.

Student Reading Survey

Please click here to complete the survey

Woolworths - Receipts for Books

Do you shop at Woolworths? The store is currently running a "Earn and Learn" program to help schools purchase books.

As we are still in need of books for the children to read, we are asking that parents and family members send in any Woolworths dockets over the value of $10 to school library.

All dockets collected will help develop our reading collection.

More details to follow...

Start today.... Thank You

Read-a-thon books start arriving

The books ordered from the Book Fair have arrived and are ready for borrowing.

Libby Gleeson visits Bethany

Libby Gleeson coming to Bethany

LibbyGleeson is coming to speak to the children at Bethany!!

If you want to read about Libby, go to http://www.libbygleeson.com.au/

Libby has written lots of books...

Year 2 discover Photo Booth

Year 2 have been learning how to log into a computer at school. This week, when they logged into a computer they were able to 'play' with the program "Photo Booth."

It was delightful listening to their squeals of excitement when they saw their picture on the screen. Imagine the sound of an entire class laughing as they watched a movie they had just created, staring themselves!

Great work Year 2.

The Farm Concert

This week, Kindergarten got to tell Mrs Shields what a story was going to be about. They were divided into groups and looked at copies of the big book “The Farm Concert”. As they looked at the book, they realised that the story was going to be about a cow, pig, dog, frog, sheep and a farmer.

As Mrs Shields read the story, the children had discussions about whether the story was set at night time or during the day. Some children saw the moon on the page and thought it was night time. The farmer also wore pyjamas but we soon realised that some people work at night so they would wear their pyjamas during the day. And so the discussion continued.

Mrs Shields then pointed out that the trees in the book were green but at night time when it is dark, the trees look black. A discussion then followed. Were they green because, as one child said, the moon was shining on the trees or was it because the illustrator decided to make it coloured so we could see the animals?

Some children asked about day and night. We then went on the internet to try and find a picture to explain day and night.

We wondered why the book was called “The Farm Concert.” The children realised that the ‘music’ was created when the animals sang. At this point, the children sang just like one of the animals in the book, but just like the farmer in the story, Mrs Shields yelled “Be Quiet!”

It is amazing where some discussions will take you...

Vokis everywhere

Students in the primary classes are learning how to create a Voki. If you look to the right hand side of this blog you will see some of the examples.

Vokis are examples of Web 2.0 tools that the students are learning to create and use.

We need to ensure they keep safe, so the students login under a special login and ensure that their names are not disclosed.

We hope you enjoy listening to our Vokis.

Safety on the WWW

At Bethany we want our students to stay safe while using the World Wide Web. Students are reminded often on ways to stay safe. We have several processes in place for all students.

Feeling Safe
There are many sites on the internet that are great. Some however are not. At Bethany, we have bookmarked a number of websites for students to visit. Teachers may also ask their students to visit sites they have already checked. Students are reminded that if they see anything on the internet that makes them feel uncomfortable, to see their teacher immediately.

Pop-ups and Advertisements
Students are asked not to click on any pop-ups or advertisements.

Identification

Students are given a "WWW ID" to use when adding comments etc.

Email
Students in Years 3 to 6 have been given an email account. At the moment, students have been asked to:

• Not to send or open any emails to anyone outside the school.
• See their teacher if they receive an email from outside the school.
  

Keeping computer screens visible
Strategically placing computer screens around the room helps staff to monitor sites being visited by students.

Login and Password
Students in Years 3 to 6 have their own login and password. Students have been asked not to share these details with anyone. Any student who cannot remember their password are to let their teacher know. Passwords are reset by staff at the Catholic Education Office.

CEO Website - Advice for parents
It is important to allow your child to utilise and explore Web 2.0, but involve yourself to ensure it is done with care and caution. Keep in mind that in most cases, you cannot control who views the information that is shared on the Web.

Remember to talk to your child about these new technologies. Discuss the type of material and information that should not be shared and the possible dangers of sharing inappropriate and personal information. Have a look at the web pages your child is both accessing and creating.

Staying Safe in Cyberspace

For parents one of the most difficult aspects of cyber bullying and other dangers online is that they are often unaware of the risks and unsure of how the technology works. One of the best ways to keep your children safe online is to get involved and be aware - learn all you can about information and communication technologies and talk to your children about what they do online. Young people today are growing up in an ever-changing technological environment and can be engaged in a number of activities such as social networking (e.g. Facebook, Bebo, MySpace), blogs, instant messaging, chat and online gaming. You can use the internet yourself to research some of these activities to get a better understanding of the online world your children participate in. Asking your children to explain the technology is also a good way to improve your knowledge of their activities as children are often keen to share their online expertise.

Useful Websites

• Bullying no way


• Cybersmart


• Chatdanger


• NetAlert

"Skulduggery Pleasant" comes to Bethany

Have you heard that the next 'big' read is the "Skulduggery Pleasant" series?

Here are some comments by students who have begun reading the series:

"I really enjoyed the book you gave me. It was really interesting because at the start of the book
you think the skeleton guy is the bad guy but once you really get into the book he turns out to
be the good guy. Now I know I'll enjoy the whole series."

"It is true that Skulduggery Pleasant is the best book in the library. I could not put it down
which means I could not stop reading."

"My parents said that its good that I'm starting to read something I like and I also told
them a little bit about the book how Skuldgerry is the good guy. They also agreed that
its a good book."  

"My parents were shocked that I was reading all weekend."

CEnet - What is it?

Like all other students attending systemic schools in the Diocese of Parramatta, students at Bethany have access to CEnet.

CEnet stands for Catholic Education Network. It is used by many Dioceses and thousands of students around Australia.

The primary classes at Bethany have or will be introduced to CEnet by the end of this term.

Students will access CEnet once they have logged into the Student Portal. CEnet is also username and password protected.

An opportunity will be provided in term 2 for parents to attend a session at Bethany to view CEnet as well as our blog. More details next term.

StudnetNET @ Bethany

This week we had some very exciting news for the students at Bethany.

Once they know their username and password, students will be able to log into StudentNET.

This portal is available to all students who attend systemic schools in the Diocese of Parramatta.

Once they are logged in to StudentNET, students will be able to access "iBistro" to see what books we have in the library and so much more.

Students can log into StudentNET from any computer with access to the internet - at home or from the computers in the school.

Diary of a Wombat

Kinder found out about wombats this week. Did you know that wombats sleep in the morning? Some are called Hairy Nosed wombats. They have whiskers. They have short legs.Their nose is called a snout.

Jackie French wrote the book "Diary of a Wombat". The wombat in the story wanted to eat carrots and rolled oats. He also slept in the morning and the afternoon and in the evening.

We realised that Grug lived in a wombat burrow.

To learn about wombats, just click here.

Clancy the Courageous Cow

A great story written by a boy when he was in Year 7. It took until he was in Year 12 before his story was published.

Read the story about the boy, Lachie Hume, who wrote the story.

This week, Year 2 students heard the story about Clancy. He was different to all the other "Belted Galloways" - he didn't have a 'belt'. You can see some picture of Belted Galloways here. If you look very carefully, you will see a picture of the book "Clancy the Courageous Cow" amongst the other pictures.

We discovered that Clancy was not a cow. He was a bull.

We created some different and very colourful bulls. We decided to call them the Bethany Bulls. (Please come back next week and see some of our pictures.)

2011 NSW Premier's Reading Challenge

Any child wishing to participate in the

Premier's Reading Challenge for 2011

are now able to collect the forms from the library.

Question: If every child at Bethany entered the PRC, how many books will we all read?

Answer: Write your answer as a comment to this post. Don't forget to enter your blog number.

Bethany Library @ Lunchtime

The library @ Bethany is very busy at lunchtimes!! Children from all classes are welcome to come to the library and play one of the many games available to them, read books, talk to their friends, borrow a book or from next week - catch up on some computer time.

The new, brightly coloured chairs made quite a hit when they were delivered today.

If the library gets too popular at lunchtime, we will limit the number of children who are allowed to come in.

Today, Year 2 found some facts about different animals.

Octopus
The longest octopus can be 2m long.
In the centre of their tentacles they have a mouth.
They squirt ink when they are scared.

Frogs
To keep warm they go into the mud.
They breathe out of their skin.
They start off as tadpoles.
They grow feet.

Termites
The king termites is as long as your toe.
The queen termites is as long as your thumb.
The workers is the smallest one.
The queen lays the eggs.
They eat wood.

Hermit Crabs
They float in the sea.
Their eggs are really small.
They change shells when they get bigger.

Daddylonglegs
They break up their food to eat it.
They eat insects.
They are a type of spider.
They eat flowers and fruit.

Lobster
The youngest ones are the size of your fingernail
They eat fish.
When their shells get too small they change their shells.
Most lobsters live at the bottom of the sea.

Caterpillar and Butterfly
Some can kill pets.
They lay their eggs somewhere in your garden.
Butterflies are insects.
Butterflies do not start off as a butterfly.

Sea Horses
Baby sea horses are as long as an eyelash.
Baby sea horses are very, very small.

Black Widow spider
They are arachnids.

They have eight legs.
They have eight eyes.

Shark
They can be all kids of shapes and sizes.
There is a little shark that is a little bit bigger than a chocolate bar.
Sharks eat fish at nighttime when everyone is asleep.
They can swim very, very fast.

Beetles
They have different kinds of stinks.
They make larvae.
They are big and small.
They are insects.

Slugs and Snails
When snails grow their shells grow too.
Snails lays eggs.
Turtles like to eat snails.
Snails eat strawberries.

Earthworms
They eat dried up leaves off the ground.
They come out of yellow coloured cocoons.
They don't have bones.
They have a mouth on one end.

Sea Anemones
They don't have bones.
Their mouth is in the middle of their head.
Their bodies look like jelly.

Year 1 and 2 learn how to take notes!

This week, Years 1 and 2 students began to learn how to take notes.

After watching a video all about Grug, the children read Grug stories. Mrs Shields explained that even if they could not read the words, the children can always find information by looking at the pictures. (You can watch it too. It's the one on this blog.)

The children found out that Grug:

• is made from a tree;
• has stripes;
  
• liked to eat cabbages;
• built a rainbow out of wood;
• is cheeky because he went into a classroom when the children were not there;
• likes to read;
• can't read words yet;
• likes green paint;
• likes red apples;
• learnt to swim;
• lives in a wombat's burrow
• made a fire;
• went to a birthday party and
  
• fell on Snoot.

Great work Year 1 and 2

Who is Grug?

Kinder are going to find out about Grug this week. Do you know who Grug is? Come back on Friday and you can learn all about him.

If you want some hints, click on the link below

An interview with Ted Prior

Book Focus #1

This week, we are focusing on a few of the books in the library here at Bethany.

Anthony Browne
If you are interested in illustrations where you will always get a surprise, borrow a book written by Anthony Browne. His books are for all ages - even parents. If you look at the illustrations long enough, you will see some very strange things such as a wheel of a bike that changes into an apple or a fish going for a walk !! Anthony Browne is fascinated with gorillas. How many can you find in his books?

Our Australia - Kangaroo Island
This 127 page Non Fiction book is a combination of facts, cartoons, jokes and real life photographs. It is one in a series of books written to help inform the reader about different parts of Australia.

Jasper McFlea will not eat his tea
In this poem, Jasper will not eat anything but pasta. His twin sister, Ginger, eats everything. How will his family ever get him to eat? A visit to the doctor just might help.

Coming soon.... reviews by some of the Year 6 library monitors.

Barbie and the Prince

Once upon a time there was one pretty princess. Her name was Barbie. She lived in a castle. She had no one to talk to. One day Barbie went out to pick some apples. She found a prince. They got married.
The End

By Kiana

Kinder learn about Mem Fox

Kindergarten children have been listening to stories written by Mem Fox.

This is a picture of Mem Fox.

Last week they heard "Koala Lou". They all coloured some beautiful paper koalas that are now displayed in the library.

This week, they are going to listen as Mem Fox reads the story "Where is the green sheep?" The kindergarten children are then going to make some different coloured sheep. Mrs Shields is going to hide the one green sheep somewhere in the library. I wonder if the children will be able to find it?

Can you find the green sheep in our library?

...and the winner is?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been voted as the favourite book for those who added a comment to the postings below.

To read more about the author, Jeff Kinney, click on this link.

Check out this survey to see just how much you know about the book. (Remember - stay safe and don't click on any ads!)

Year 3 - Our Favourite Stories

Students in Year 3 also wanted to share the title of their favourite book. Please read their comments.

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We want to stay safe on the "Internet", so we have not used our names. We only use a special code that allows the teachers to identify our comment.

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Year 4 - Our Favourite Stories

Have you ever wondered what Year 4 liked to read?

Please read our comments below to find out.

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We want to stay safe on the "Internet", so we have not used our names. We only use a special code that allows the teachers to identify our comment.

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Year 6 - Our Favourite Books

Children at Bethany have a beautiful library with many different types of books.

When the students in Year 6 visited the library this week, they were asked to add a comment to this post. It could be a non fiction or information book, an eBook, a magazine or a fiction book.

We hope you like reading their comments.

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We want to stay safe on the "Internet", so we have not used our names. We only use a special code that allows the teachers to identify our comment.

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Year 5 - Our Favourite Books

Children at Bethany have a beautiful library with many different types of books.

Students in Year 5 have been asked to add a comment to this post to tell you what their favourite book is. It could be a non fiction or information book, an eBook or a fiction book.

We hope you like reading their comments.

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We want to stay safe on the "Internet", so we have not used our names. We only use a special code that allows the teachers to identify our comment.

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