Every child has the right to a life free from discrimination.
Directed by John Rocco.
Imagine Asia, Philippines.
In 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child became the first legally binding international convention to affirm human rights for all children. While great progress has been made on child rights in the past 20 years, much work remains to be done.
What is the CRC? – It is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. The Convention has achieved near-universal acceptance, having now been ratified by 193 parties – more than belong to the United Nations or have acceded to the Geneva Conventions.
Do you know what the rights of the child are? – Check here
Voices of Youth is a website where young people can relate their stories. Registration is required to participate. This could be a useful activity for schools.
Activities are happening all over the city including Government House Gardens, FESA Museum and Stirling Gardens. The Local Studies Library situated in the Law Chambers in Hay St. will be open from 11 am – 3 pm to view a collection of photos and other displays on history of Perth. They also have children’s activities and a prize quiz that will take you on a journey round the city.
A full list of Activities can be downloaded here.
Teachers can incorporate the CMIS Theme page on Western Australia in studies about Perth’s History
350 could well be the most important number in the world at the moment.
350–as in parts per million, is the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our
atmosphere and is included in the Draft UN resolution.
As a lead up to COP15, the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen being held in December several activities are being planned. Participants from all corners of the world are contributing and you can too.
The international Day of Climate Action will occur on the 24th (coincidentally United Nations Day) and that’s where 350 comes in.
At 350.org you can read about the science behind this number. Other websites of interest include The World is Ready ; A Climate for Change and WWF- Climate Trackers.
To coincide with 2009 being the year of the Blood Donor, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service has launched a new interactive website aimed at students in years 7-1o.
Blood Buddies is a cross-curricular site which allows students to discover the why and how of Blood Donation. There is a Virtual Blood Donor Tour which takes the user through what happens when one donates and the requirements of being a donor. The site also explains the science of blood and uncovers some of the myths associatied with donating blood. Teachers’ Notes with curriculum links are included on the site.
Students are future blood donors and this site is a valuable tool in encouraging them to consider becoming donors when they are old enough.
Did you know that the Australian flag is the only national flag that has ever flown over an entire continent?
It has done so since it was first raised on the site of the new Capital City in 1908. The flag was first flown in 1901 over the dome of the Exhibition Building in Melbourne which then housed the Parliament.
For this 108th Anniversary of the Australian Flag being flown for the first time, schools are encouraged to hold flag raising ceremonies on the day. Information about the flag can be found on the Australian National Flag Association website along with messages from the Governor-General and other dignitaries. Teachers can also find information on lessons. and a timeline of events. A blank flag for colouring can be found at this page and a video of the Story of the Flag is also available for download from the website.
On the Federal Government website It’s an Honour, there is some excellent information about the significance of flag elements and protocols to be followed when flying the flag. Schools can obtain a free copy of the publication Australian flags from electorate offices of Federal Members of Parliament and Senators. A brochure guide about National Flag Day can be downloaded from the website.
The Northbridge History Project was begun in 2007 with a view to recording the stories and growth of the area since the colonisation of Perth in 1829.
Since its inception many people and different agencies have cooperated to bring together the hidden stories of this historic area of Perth city. Every year a special day is set aside to bring together some of the interest groups to pool their collective knowledge and to ensure that following generations are made aware of the special place Northbridge has in the State’s History. To be part of the 2010 Studies Day, interested people can register by emailing the project. Often students have availed themselves of the opportunity to be part of the Research Team to discover the colourful past of Northbridge.
“Northbridge is a fascinating and complex area, originally part of an interconnected freshwater lake system occupied by the Nyoongar people. Through repeated waves of migration, nearly fifty different nationalities and ethnic groups have called the area ‘home’ at one time or another.”
Recently the project launched a set of Curriculum Materials for students in years 8 to 11 Local History Studies. These are currently available on CD and the Project management is keen to send them out to schools. As well as the CD and the main website, WA DET teachers can access related Curriculum Resources in the K10 Syllabus through the portal. The Northbridge History Project is an excellent way to study local history.
For other Local History the CMIS Theme page – Western Australia has some good starting points.
The day has been initiated by Save the Frogs group dedicated to amphibian conservation. On their website there is a great amount of information about frogs.
Coincidentally and in time for this celebration, the Western Australian Museum “Frog” Team have dicovered two new species in the Kimberley. Read about this exciting discovery and much more at the museum’s Frogwatch pages.
Students and teachers can also learn more about Frogs on the CMIS Frog Theme page.
ABC Online has launched an innovative website in time for ANZAC DAY 2009. Gallipoli: The First Day developers have utilized the latest technology to produce an amzing and extremely useful resource for teachers and students. The innovative site allows the user to “be there” with the combatants – on the beach at ANZAC Cove and in the cliffs above.
The computer graphics and simulations are very realistic and are enhanced by the use of primary source materials and Google Earth at Gallipoli.
The website should help dispel the myth amongst some young people that history is boring.
Although the site is resource rich it is very computer resource hungry. It has been designed around ADSL delivery and dialup and wireless users may experience some difficulties with the downloads.
Around the world groups will be celebrating the life and legacy of Charles Darwin - the ‘Father of Evolution’
Darwin200 celebrates Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday [February 12] and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his theory On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
To introduce students to Darwin’s life and work teachers can start by reading two recently published books, both of which are on the Primary Focus List.
Teachers and students can explore the many intriguing facets of his life and works through the many websites which have evolved to cover the celebrations. From those listed below students will be able to engage in many different activities.
About Darwin – dedicated to everything about Darwin – his life, books and travels. It has a special section of photos relating to different times in his life.
Darwin Online – contains the largest collection in the world of electronic images relating to Darwin, many of which can be reproduced.
Darwin Day Celebration – designed especially for February 12th but contains a great amount of information.
At the Charles Darwin Trust, teachers can read about Darwin inspired teaching and learning and translate items there for use in their own classrooms. The Experiment Topics inspired by Darwin shows some easy to follow activities such as food chains and worm farms.
Tree of life animation – a video presented by Sir David Attenborough which helps explain Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.
In the British Natural History Museum students can follow the 5 year voyage of H.M.S Beagle on an interactive map. At each stop a graphic displays relates a significant event.
The Galapagos – where the theory took shape and was explored.
The Asia Pacific Portal of Darwin200 is hosted by Charles Darwin University and supported by the Northern Territory Government and Darwin City Council. Includes information about the HMS Beagle Ship Bell Chime artwork in Darwin – Northern Territory.
The Perth Mint is producing a special commemorative coin for the occasion. The Darwin City Council is presenting a ship’s bell to the Beagle Project in the UK.and a special set of bells will be installed in a Darwin park.
Posted on behalf of the Organising Committee of ASLA XXI Biennial 2009 Conference:
ASLA XXI Biennial Conference 2009
29 September – 2 October 2009
Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, Perth, Western Australia http://www.asla.org.au/pd/conference/
The ASLA XXI Biennial 2009 Conference Organising Committee invites abstract submissions for presentations at the 2009 Conference.
This Conference aims to bring together professionals from all over Australia and neighbouring countries by providing opportunities to engage, celebrate, debate, and explore the challenges and issues of teacher librarianship and school libraries. The Conference will provide a strong focus on information literacy, and an emphasis on literature and engagement with young adult and children’s authors. It is anticipated that over 300 delegates will attend the event including teacher librarians, library technicians, library officers, teachers, principals and administrators from government, Catholic and independent schools and universities across Australia.
We are now calling for innovative, practical and researched papers in all topics of interest to school library staff, particularly those exploring the Conference strands: engage, explore and celebrate. These strands are designed to engage the diverse range of school library staff, teachers, learners and cultures in our schools; to reflect on current practice; celebrates successes and explore the potential for the future.
The CMIS Evaluation Blog is published by Curriculum Materials Information Services (CMIS), Department of Education and Training, Western Australia. It is designed to provide news about current events, resources and research to assist staff in schools to become aware of the most up-to-date, relevant resources for learning and teaching. The CMIS Evaluation Blog is supported by 3 specialist blogs: Fiction Focus, Primary Focus and Technology Focus.
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