Put the Awe Back in "Awesome" -- Helping Students Develop Purpose

Click on the link below to go to the edutopia blog. We forget what a big part the magnificence of God's creation plays in the development of our children. Click and read on . . .

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/awe-helping-students-develop-purpose-vicki-zakrzewski

DEFINITION OF A BOY

WHY EXERCISE AND OUTDOOR PLAY ARE VITAL FOR GRADE R LEARNERS by Natalie Rundle

Children need to develop their gross (large) muscles in order to develop their gross motor and fine motor skills. Children develop the larger muscles first and then the finer muscles as they mature. A vital link has been made between physical exercise or activity and the development of the brain in ALL areas!

In order for a child to sit correctly at a table for a fair amount of time when he/she goes to 'big school', he/she needs to develop strong core muscles. This is achieved by various exercises that strengthen and build these muscles. This is done progressively as the child grows and develops and is built up during the foundation years.

Too much time spent in front of the TV, i-pad, x-box or computer, small or no gardens and less freedom for children to ride and play outdoors because of security, has resulted in these muscles not being developed and strengthened adequately in many children. As a result we are seeing more and more children having to go for Occupational Therapy.

A large amount of these challenges can be avoided or worked on if parents encourage children to be active and to expend energy - preferably outdoors.

Playing ball games, climbing jungle gyms, riding, trampolines, crawling, skipping, balancing and 'wheelbarrows' are all excellent, easy activities to play with your child. Grab a ball, play soccer, 'piggy-in-the-middle' or bounce and catch. Swingball is excellent for developing hand-eye co-ordination.

'Wheelbarrows' develop upper body strength and build core muscles. Hold your child by his/her legs and let him/her walk on his/her hands. Balance on a rope, logs or stepping stones. Skip using a rope or just skip down the driveway together!

Exercise and physical movement is VITAL TO LEARNING in every way. Make it a special time with your child - there are so many fun, family activities that will build up your child's tone and help you as well!

Here's to happy, physical fun with your little one!

Exercise and ADHD

Attention! Teachers and parents - please answer the following questions:

• Do you keep children in during break so that they can finish their work?
• Do you keep children indoors as punishment for misbehaviour
• Do you tell your children they cannot play sport until their school marks improve?

The next question is - does this really help? Does it make life any easier for them or for yourself? Before answering, please read on ...

Recent Research

The Journal of Paediatrics recently published the findings of a team of experts in the Michigan State University (MSU) which demonstrated that children with ADHD can focus better and become less distracted after a quick session of exercise (walking on a treadmill for 20 minutes). Results showed that participants with ADHD were able to focus better and slow down after making a mistake. This helps to avoid future errors.

Matthew Pontifex, the assistant professor of kinesiology, and lead researcher in the team explained:

"This provides some very early evidence that exercise might be a tool in our non-pharmaceutical treatment of ADHD. Maybe our first course of action that we would recommend to developmental psychologists would be to increase children's physical activity". He added that school children need more physical activity incorporated in their daily schedule. 

Because of the time needed to teach all the other subjects, many schools no longer offer physical education. Some don't even have sporting facilities. Maybe this should be reconsidered.

Exercise helps in different ways

In his book Spar, Dr John Ratey explains the many different ways in which exercise can help the learner:

Exercise improves the learner with

• heightened senses
• improved focus and mood
• they become less fidgety and less tense
• they become more motivated and invigorated.

Exercise increases learning at the cellular level and 

• improves the brain's ability to log in and process new information
• creates the environment for brain cells to wire together and create better links
• increases Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BNDF) which Dr Ratey refers to as 'fertilizer' for the brain.

Exercise is the best way to make new neurons in the brain (neurogenesis) which happens every day, but is far greater after we exercise.

Exercise and neurotransmitters
Dr Ratey points out that dopamine, serotonin and nonadrenalin all increase with exercise and suggests that exercise should be five times daily. He adds that dopamine works on the pleasure center of the brain and anyone short of dopamine is more likely to be looking for extra excitement and greater thrills. Most mothers of children with ADHD will tell you about their kids (and even husbands) winding them up until they totally lose their cool and explode. It makes life far more interesting for people with ADHD - but definitely not for the victim who is regularly stretched to the end of their tether.

Lifestyle is important
If you think about it ... medication helps to make dopamine (Ritalin, Concerta) and nonadrenalin (Strattera) more available in the brain, and so does exercise.  Please don't for a moment think that we're suggesting that you suddenly take your children off medication ... definitely not, especially just before exams. However we are suggesting that you have a careful look at lifestyle: exercise, diet, supplementation, reducing stress levels, family time etc and improve where possible. It could mean a much happier and more peaceful holiday season, especially with a whole lot more family togetherness with playing sport/games, walking or even family hiking.

Sport
Sport can help children channel their excess energy. Michael Phelps was a skinny ADHD child whose mum was told he would never be able to focus on anything. At least he could burn off his excess energy in the swimming pool. This paid off handsomely as he now holds the world record with 22 Olympic medals, 18 of which are gold. Not all children will want to do the same thing and so we need to find what interests them, and how they can best achieve it. Don't push them into something they can't do or don't enjoy. Also be aware that some prefer to play in a team sport while others prefer to compete against themselves. Football, swimming, horse-riding, running, walking, swimming, judo, karate are just some of the many sports available however, there are many other forms of exercise that could help equally well.

Taken from the ADHASA  newsletter of Sep/Oct 2012

USEFUL iPAD APP

SpeechBox for iOS @SpeechBoxApp

SpeechBox™ is an iPhone/iPad app for Children w/ Apraxia, Autism & other Speech Language difficulties. speechboxapp.com #apraxia#autism #speechtherapy

http://speechboxapp.com

Letter from Nikki Bush - author, motivational speaker and mother

CLOSING FOR MENTAL MAINTENANCE! MAY 2013

"Closing for mental maintenance," announced the sign on the door of one of my favourite restaurants in my favourite holiday town of Knysna last week. This famous little restaurant, called Ile de Pain, closes every year for six whole weeks. This time is used by the owners and staff for relaxation and research -- what they call mental maintenance. They pull back, get perspective, and have the mental space and time to come up with fresh recipe and menu ideas. This is a restaurant that is always full and has people waiting in a queue outside all year round, come rain or shine and it has an almost zero staff turnover. I guess they deserve to recharge their batteries as they prepare a mammoth number of meals of a consistently high standard throughout the year, using their trademark handmade bread that is prepared fresh daily, starting in the wee hours of the morning. Well, as a busy mother, I can certainly identify with having a constant queue of 'customers' that must be 'served' all year round, from my children's need for my attention and listening ear; to the countless forms from school that need filling in and signing; to finding cash for Civvies Day; to lifts to and from activities; to watching sports matches; to filling lunch boxes; to sewing on missing blazer buttons; to covering countless books; to labelling articles of clothing; to making sure uniforms get washed and ironed on the rainiest of days; to ensuring we get to doctor's appointments on time; to the logistical nightmare of making plans for the family for when I am going out of town on business; to my children's teachers who need to see me; to the friend's child who needs a lift home; to the dog that needs a stitch or two at the vet and the bags that must be packed for holiday. And don't forget the spill on the floor and the vitamins that must be put out for each member of the family every day so that they don't get the flu. And the hearts that must be mended when children's friendships go south; the homework hassles; the party invitations that must go out and, oh, the photographs that must be taken, right this minute! Because...........if I miss this moment, it might never happen again, and then, how on Earth will I remember it all, when it's over? Mums, it's Mothers' Day this month and you deserve a break. While we might all like six weeks off to recondition our minds, to retune our hearts and to reinvent our bodies, we know that it is just not going to happen because we are in such great demand for our awesome resourcefulness; our incredible talents; our unmatchable multi-tasking ability; our big hearts, and our very broad shoulders, to name but a few of our magnetic attractions. I hereby give you full permission to absolutely claim this one day, all for yourself, for mental maintenance and relaxation. Let your customers wait on you hand and foot, and don't feel guilty -- not one little bit! Happy Mothers' Day to all the marvellous mums out there. Mothers make the world go round! NIKKI NIKKI BUSH Creative parenting expert,   inspirational speaker and author The Bright Ideas Outfit 083 265 5754 nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za   www.brightideasoutfit.com  www.toytalk.co.za

WHY BAD HOMEWORK HABITS HAPPEN TO GOOD KIDS

This is a booklet by Linda Silbert, PhD. It can be downloaded for free from www.askdrlindasilbert.com/tips.html. Alternatively you can get a copy from Mrs Mansfield.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WEBSITE

Have a look at this cool website. National Geographic It may help you with your research for your next project. You'll also find lots of interesting things you'd love to know even when you don't have a project.

Why Do Internet Trolls Exist?

As you've probably discovered, there are people lurking all over the web who find great joy in humiliating and attacking others. This insightful infographic describes the inner workings of Internet trolls, explaining why they decide to spend their online time in attack mode. Tapping the expertise of psychologists and experts, it offers solid reasons why this scourge of the Internet continues.

We all like to think that most people mean well, and are inherently good. Even if that's true, the infographic shows us instances where even some good people can quickly turn bad, all because of a variety of situations related to mob behavior.

When people think they're anonymous, they do things they otherwise wouldn't. When conversations aren't happening in real time, some people feel like they can quickly dash off a negative comment and then immediately escape altogether. And when people get all wrapped up in their narcissism and rebelliousness, they might be more likely to pick on others they don't even know.

This infographic, presented by bestpsychologyschoolsonline.com, concludes with University of Central Lancashire lecturer Claire Hardaker offering ways to prevail over Internet trolls. She combed through nine years' worth of unmoderated comments on an Internet forum, and suggests ways to frustrate — and even thwart — trolls.

Why Do Internet Trolls Exist? [INFOGRAPHIC]

From http://mashable.com/2013/02/10/internet-trolls/

Internet safety lessons urged for five-year-olds

By Judith BurnsBBC News education reporter

The charity ChildLine has seen a big increase in calls about online pornography

Continue reading the main story

Related Stories

• Parents warned over online abuse
• Child abuse ring: 78 UK victims
• Appeal to 'online abuse' victims

Pupils as young as five should be given lessons in how to use the internet safely, urge campaigners.

The call comes amid fears that children are increasingly exposed to online pornography and forced to send indecent images of themselves to others.

The charity ChildLine is holding assemblies in every UK primary school to tell children how to stay safe in the digital age.

Claire Lilley, of the NSPCC, said: "We are facing an e-safety time bomb."

Ms Lilley said online abuse was one of the biggest child protection issues of our time.

"Young people tell us they are experiencing all sorts of new forms of abuse on scale never before seen.

'Huge' dangers

"The internet and mobile phones are now part and parcel of young people's everyday lives. They are the first generation who have never known a world without them.

"The benefits are huge, both socially and educationally, but so too are the dangers."

ChildLine says its helpline took some 3,745 calls about abuse via the internet and mobile phones last year, with most callers aged between 12 and 15.

Some 250 callers said they were being groomed for sex online.

There was also a 70% increase in calls about online pornography with 641 calls, some from children as young as 11 years old.

The campaigners also highlighted previous research which has shown that many teenagers see "sexting" and hard core pornography as "mundane", while cyberbullying is a growing and insidious problem.

On Monday the Child Exploitation and Online Protection group (CEOP) warned that paedophiles are increasingly forcing children to carry out sexual acts online.

The NSPCC says that schools need to step in as the issue is something that parents struggle to keep up with.

It is calling for lessons in all schools on internet safety with young people themselves sharing tips for keeping safe online and more advice for parents on how to talk to their children about the issue - just as they would about being wary of drugs or strangers.

Blanket filtering

It also wants all internet service providers to provide easy systems to allow parents to install online blocks and filters in their homes.

However some experts argued against blanket filtering of the internet. Phil Bradley, of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, described it as "like using a hammer to crack a nut".

He warned that blanket filtering could have unintended consequences such as blocking legitimate websites on sexual health and identity.

"When it comes to the internet... children need to learn how to use it safely and how to differentiate the good from the bad."

A government spokeswoman said web safety was taught in schools as part of the personal, social and health curriculum but it shouldn't just be left to teachers.

"Just as parents would teach their children to cross the road safely, they should also help them learn how to stay safe online.

"The industry also has a vital role to play. Websites children use to network should be fully moderated and internet companies should provide parents with all the tools and information they need - including access to parental controls."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-21328411

WORLD EDUCATION GAMES 5-7 MARCH

The World Education Games is an annual global online challenge to get all students (4-18 years of age) excited about learning, and to give the top students in all schools an opportunity to see how they measure up against the best in the world. Last year, over 5 million students were a part of what is now the world’s largest online education event.

The World Education Games are completely free to register for and participate in.

Split over three days and focussing on literacy, mathematics and science, the World Education Games is a hugely exciting and engaging way to promote learning and education across the world. Our partners UNICEF and Samsung work with us to promote our key messages of education for all. Check out the HISTORY tab above to read more about the story and legacy of the Games.

Register your child and let him or her be part of setting a Guinness World Record!
Click Here! to register.

A.D.H.D. Identify and help

Peter lived a sad, lonely life. He'd given up on an intimate, sharing relationship because he knew he'd only repeat the past and end up hurting those who meant the most to him - his wife, his children and his parents. His young family had disappeared many years ago. Not even his parents invited him to their special occasions because they never knew if he was going to arrive drunk or drugged up to the eyeballs.

Just a few months ago I met Peter and was immediately taken by his sincerity and searching for answers. He's been in and out of rehab and also had extensive therapy for his A.D.H.D. He did extremely well when not drugged or in an alcoholic haze, but wasn't able to stay 'clean' for any period of time.

He was trying to understand himself and had one burning question which no one had ever been able to answer - he wanted to know what made him start taking these things in the first place.

As he spoke, the more the puzzle pieces fell into place.

He remembered being a fun-loving, adventurous, excitable and exciting kid who couldn't understand why he was always in trouble in class, and was teased and excluded by his classmates. Home wasn't much different and he'd go home to a hiding every day not knowing why he'd had it. Peter spoke of the intense pain when he first began to feel he was a waste of space. He desperately wanted to belong and eventually found refuge in a group of kids who were already drinking heavily. He did not like the alcohol but it meant he was part of the group.

Finally Peter understood - his life of substance abuse started because he was looking for acceptance - he wanted to belong.

This is a common story in the life of people with A.D.H.D. and especially those who were raised in a time when people just saw them as noisy, naughty children. No one recognized how hard they tried, and no one helped. - Anon

SKY MAP

How many times have you looked up at the night sky and wished you could identify the stars and constellations for your children? Well, now you can!

Go to fourmilab.ch/yoursky and type in your latitude and longitude. E.g. Johannesburg - 26°12'S, 28°4'E  (You should be able to find this on your GPS or Google Earth).

A map then appears of the sky above your area. Go outside and gaze at the stars... (Don't forget your torch!)

BELLAVISTA SCHOOL EVENING TALKS

Nutrition and your child's brain

Nutrition plays a pivotal role in brain development - from before conception - through all the stages of growth - till full brain development and beyond. Nutrition and brain development will be discussed from an integrative medical perspective - focusing on simplification - and making this practical for every parent and child.

Speaker : Dr Hein Badenhorst

Date      : 6 February 2013
Time     : 19:00 - 20:00
Venue    : Bellavista School Hall
Fee        : R80 per person

Something to look forward to


Speaker : Prof. Andre Venter
Date      : March 2013 (date to be confirmed)
Time     : 19:00 - 20:00
Venue    : Bellavista School Hall

For enquiries, please contact Imogan Beukes: 

011 788 5454

secretarybatu@bellavistaschool.co.za

HOMEWORK : GRADE 1-3

Homework – aarrgggg or yaaayyyyy!!!!

You have heard the whine “I hate homework!! Why do we have to do it??” – And that’s coming from the parents!!

In Grade R and 1 its often fun but that can wear off! So why do it?

Well, it gives parents a glimpse into what the child is learning at school. It also prepares children for real life – having to do things that sometimes you don’t want to do but have to. It may also consolidate what has been taught in the day – extra practice.

No matter the age of your child, he or she will need clear and consistent help with their homework. Your involvement will provide them with encouragement, direction and support.

This involvement lays the foundation in helping your child recognise and realise responsibilities (please don’t say “I’ve been through school – this is your problem now!!”)

Here are some general tips to help you:

1. Create a relaxed environment at home to do homework – no TV or shrieking music is very beneficial!
2. Try and keep to a routine and avoid rushing through this time. Help your child get organised by making a homework calendar, especially when there is a project or speech due. This planning and prioritization will stop both you and your child from getting overwhelmed.
3. Teach your child how to study – quiz them, show them different study methods – be involved. The importance of your attention to them cannot be underestimated.

Some detailed tips for different ages :

Grade 1

1. Reading – start with sentences and little words – please practise them daily – let your child ‘teach’ you how to form the sentences – they love being in charge!!
2. Spelling – starts with individual letters in their bank bags – same procedure as above. Try making this time into a game – write on bath tiles with bath crayons – keep individual letters on the fridge to practise with – write with scented kokis!!
3. Please sign books every day.

Grade 2

1. Encourage and support your child – don’t do their homework for them.
2. Read daily – sit with your child and do the reading. Letting your child read to you while you are busy with other things is not really beneficial as he/she could make up some words that aren’t there!!
3. Plan ahead – a little every day. Don’t leave everything till Thursday – you and your child will be very stressed!
4. Please check and sign the homework – it shows you are interested and you have a ‘finger on the pulse’ – you can monitor their progress.
5. Feel free to insist they work neatly!!

Grade 3

1. Homework is given on a Monday and collected in on Friday.
2. It must be marked by parents in order for you to keep abreast of the progress of your child.
3. All tests are to be signed by you and returned to school. Tests will be written neatly.

I have not put in a time that homework should take daily as each child works at their own pace and some put more detail in than others. However, if it is taking ages to complete, please pop in and visit the teacher to discuss it.

Have fun!! Once your routines are laid, your job becomes easier and your child will be well prepared and eventually independent!

GRADE R HOMEWORK 2013

Welcome to Grade R homework! Homework with your child should be fun and a special time for you to share in what they have done for the day!

• Each week you will get a homework sheet explaining what to do each day. Reminders for special events and swimming/library will be included.
• The homework can be completed by Friday.
• Each day a task assigned should not take more than 15 minutes!
• Please DO NOT do your child's work for them as it is of no benefit to them. Please assist, help and encourage them, though!!!
• When looking for pictures relating to the letter we are learning about, help your child to find the pictures and then let them cut out and glue in! If they find cutting finer details a challenge, draw a circle around the picture for them and let them cut it out.
• Most important: Have fun and enjoy one on one time together!!!

The Grade R Teachers

HELPFUL HOMEWORK TIPS - Senior Primary

A child's enthusiasm is greatly influenced by the interest and support parents give from an early age. Help, encouragement, checking, being available and discussion, all give best results. Research has shown that pupils who learn to do homework well in primary school, benefit more in high school, than pupils who had little or no homework.

1. Ensure your child has written down or pasted in homework for the day or week.
2. Help your child to be responsible about bringing the correct books home and knowing exactly what is required for each subject. Set up a system which suits your child to help them to make sure this happens effectively every day. E.g. A note clipped to their gate card to remind them.
3. Together, decide on the best time of day for homework which needs the highest level of concentration. E.g. Half an hour after arriving home.
4. Create a permanent area for homework with good light, no television or other distractions and all stationery and equipment must be at hand.
5. Time spent on homework should be broken up into manageable periods. E.g. Half an hour of concentrated work followed by a short break, then another half an hour.
6. Discuss any concerns about homework with the teacher immediately. Homework should never be allowed to ruin parent/child relationships.

Any child who has done of their best for the full time allocation should be praised for what they have done, not punished for the bits that are incomplete.

Mrs Mansfield