Christmas Table Decorations

The Christmas table looked fabulous this year thanks to my very talented daughter. Red and white was the theme with an eclectic collection of trimmings including candles, painted cane balls, Christmas baubles, coloured twigs and glass jars. Complimented with fresh native Christmas bush, the table was ready!

Happy Christmas to all my readers!

Best Practice

Is this best practice? Is this the best way to achieve the outcomes? Is there a better way? What can I change to achieve best practice? I am always asking myself questions like these but also asking the students I teach! I rephrase the questions slightly and ask for feedback. I try to prioritise to make the time to recognise and record their thoughts on how they "best" learn. Allowing time for students to express thoughts about their learning also builds their self esteem. Students see that you sincerely value their thoughts and ideas. As an experienced teacher, I know that what has always "worked well" may not be "best practice"next time. I have high expectations for the students I teach so I constantly ask myself, "How can I achieve best practice?"
Enjoy this image I took recently from the burnt out remains of the observatory at Mt Stromlo, ACT.  Only the rounded walls and window frames remain. Devastating fires ravaged Canberra and surrounds in 2003.

Floriade in Canberra 2013

Amazing designs filled with a rhapsody of colour has to inspire any "budding" artist! This year's Floriade is truly inspirational.

Layer upon Layer

In watercolour and acrylic, these artworks simply bring joy. Inspired by the colours of spring, layer your colours for this "feel good" effect! Simple :)

Ipads and teaching: a great combination!

I have been using ipads in my teaching program over the last few months with great success. With the Phase 1 ESL students I have taken them to key locations in the school and photographed these: the canteen, sickbay, office, library etc. Back in the classroom each day we are reminded of these places visually. There are also great programs where words are pronounced in English and the students can record and playback these words. Great for encouraging them to speak English confidently.
In Learning and Support, Maths and English can be done on the white board and photographed for a record. Great for students who feel daunted by trying to fill a page with numbers/words or who have difficulties with fine motor control. There is also a great App which plays back the exact pronunciation of the words you have typed in. This really helps students to self correct their spelling.
The possibilities are endless!!!!
Enjoy these photos I took in the playground recently. The birds are enjoying "their" lunch as soon as the students returned to class! This would give the students something to write about.

Enjoy life!

I have the best advice ever. Don't put off today what you could do tomorrow. Just do it! In our busy lives it's easy to say, "I'll do that one day." My advice to you is not to worry about things that don't really matter. Do what you have to do then do what you want to do. Go on....explore your inner creativity! Enjoy :)

Art from recycled materials

A trip to the local scrap metal yard and recycling the old backyard fence can create something quite unique! Inspired by the wonderful artist Rosalie Gascoigne my son created this masterpiece. Why not search your backyard shed, collect otherwise discarded materials and make something special. Actually, I scour secondhand stores for ceramics to smash and use in my mosaics. Barely costs a thing!