Patterns in Symmetry

This week in the Grade 1 computer classes we're talking symmetry. We use Drawing for Children - a free download. It has some great little features and symmetry drawing is one of them.

This cute little guy was happy to show off his efforts. The kids love this lesson and it really helps them understand this mathematical concept. Technology is great as a learning tool. My little friend here thinks so too. :-)

Almost Quince Jam

These quinces have been lurking in my kitchen for a couple of weeks now. I'm planning on making jam and jelly with them. I have no experience of cooking with quinces so I'm not sure if they're ready to use or if I should wait a bit longer. I just thought they'd make an interesting photo today.

The wind is really blowing hard outside and the thought of venturing out to take photos just doesn't appeal. Then I saw these quinces and they have become my subject for the day.

Perhaps I'll give them a try today. If it doesn't work out I have a few more to experiment with. I'll post a photo of the bottles of jam here and you can have a cyber taste.

Sweetie Hearts

You're looking at the face of bribery here today peeps. As you know I'm the computer teacher for Grades 1 to 3 at my school. We introduce the learners to the ThinkQuest website from Grade 2. It's a secure platform for project work which means that each child has to have a unique username and password to log in. The little ones really struggle to copy their username exactly as it is on their name card - then there's still the password. When we first started out it took the first 20 minutes to get everyone in. So I resorted to bribery. I buy these little heart sweets and any child who manages to log in without my help gets a sweetie heart. It's worth it for my sanity. ;-)

ThinkQuest really is a great site for kids once they get the hang of it. Of course I'm biased because we were world winners in the U12 narrative competition last year. Yeah! A first for South Africa! Well done Team.