This is Fiona Beal from Cape Town writing again. Summer holidays are here for many of you in the northern hemisphere. Lucky you! We are wondering – what sorts of activities do you do in your holidays in your country? Do you find the holidays too long – or not long enough? This is a picture of Grade 4/5 B in Cape Town right at the top of Table Mountain, a very popular tourist site. Here is an idea for something to consider doing in your holidays. Miss Ale in Argentina (http://yearsixale.blogspot.com) directed me to this programme called Etherpad (Etherpad.com) for writing collaborative stories. It is really great. We have had such fun with it in class, writing collaborative stories with four in a group. Do you think it would be a useful tool to use to write stories with others in the holidays?
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May 29th, 2009 at 12:38 am
Hi Fiona,
When I looked at the picture I knew right away where it was taken as I have great memories of my trip to the top of Table Mountain. I visited South Africa by tall ship in 2005, and traveled to Durban, inland to Drankensberg, and then on to Cape Town. I would love to visit again sometime.
Our Grade 6 students used Etherpad to gather information about robotics earlier this year. Yes, it’s a fun way to work together.
Congratulations on a fabulous blog–your project with seniors is very inspiring. Best wishes to you and your class!
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fionabeal Reply:
June 17th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Thanks very much Jan. Etherpad is quite well-known amongst teachers it seems. It’s a fabulous programme. If you ever do come this way again – please let me know. Sincerely, Fiona Beal
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May 30th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Hi Ms. Beal!
I can’t wait for my summer holidays which are coming up in a few weeks. In the middle of summer it seems like it keeps going on and on but the last couple days before school starts again you wonder where your summer went. In the summer I sail a lot with a town Recreational program. I play outside a ton with my younger sister. I read every day. I play basketball in the evenings. Occasionally I go camping with my family. I swim in my pool almost every day. Every so often I go on bike rides. I relax a lot and hang out with friends. Some summers I do plays for a local theater. This summer I will have something new to do: blog!
What do you and your students do in your summer holidays?
-Dominique
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fionabeal Reply:
June 17th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Hi Dominique. I’m glad you have found a new hobby for the holidays – blogging! It sounds as though you have a lot of fun in your holidays. Here in Cape Town we have holidays coming up at the end of June. As it is winter we usually do indoor type of things most of the time. Students around here like to ride on their bicycles and go to the movies. Some families use this holiday to go away to warmer climates. I hope some of the students like to read. We have a beach here, but it is usually quite bare in the winter. Enjoy your holidays. Sincerely, Fiona Beal
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June 4th, 2009 at 4:09 am
Hi Ms. Beal, this is Luke from Mr. Millwards grade 7/8 class. For us, the summer holidays are nearly here, and with all the teachers trying to plan the end-year field trips, it’s getting kind of hectic over here. I am looking forward to our end of the year trip, where we will be heading off to the Toronto Zoo! I think that summer is coming up to fast. I don’t have enough time to do everything that I wanted to this year, with all the work we been loaded with. I hope that your class has a great summer holiday, because I know mine will be!
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fionabeal Reply:
June 17th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Hi Luke, I’m sure your Toronto Zoo trip must have happened or be about to happen. What a great way to end the term. It sounds as though you have been working hard in class. Well, enjoy your break and make the most of it. Sincerely, Fiona Beal
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June 19th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Hi Danielle here from morrinsville intermediate school new zealand what I do In the hoildays is sit on the sofa all day and watch tv or go and stay at a friends house
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fionabeal Reply:
June 19th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Hi Danielle, Well, I hope you have a good holiday doing just that. Have a great time.
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