the science of candy

How to make science irresistable??? Well, it should be anyway, but a little sugar seems to help :-)

Making Candy

Motivating Creative People

Yes, you little critters from Room5 are in fact people too. You are also creative [many of you]. Here is an online e-book to skim over regarding how to motivate creative people. If you're not interested, maybe your parents will be.
Check it out... if you can be bothered ;-)

http://lateralaction.com/articles/motivate-creative-people/

Science for kids

Science is great because it helps you make sense of the world around you - it is a way to unravel mysteries [without switching off your brain and turning to ancient superstitions].
For example, how did life start on Earth? Did meteors have something to do with it perhaps?

http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org

Why would we turn to bronze age, pre-scientific, explanations of our world when we know so much more now?

Cool Clustermap update

Check out our visitor numbers by country via clustrmap :-)

Finally we can find out exactly which countries we are "famous" in.

TED and interesting human stuff

Here is a link to a video clip with a dude chatting about some interesting human bits n bobs:

During part of it, you may recall what I told you about Protestantism, schisms within the Christian church, the significance of a monk named Martin Luther and the invention of the printing press. Interestingly, you guys had a more in-depth discussion about it than these educated adults do, but it is an entertainment "lecture" rather than a discussion - enjoyable though :-)

There are also references to space travel, meteorites and the energy required to read this post.

[Thanks to MrsBanjer from my Twitter community for the link.]

ePortfolios

what is an eportfolio? how have you used them? what are the benefits or drawbacks?
In Room5 last year many of our books ended up being pretty lame as we did alot of work on things like blogs and wikis. Most parents never saw this wok for one reason or another. Yet i suspect the work online counted as an eportfolio of some kind. what do you think?

Coping with a 2 yr composite class

I've always thought composite classes seemed weird. Who has been in one and what was your experience like? Can you give me any tips for success or describe things about working with y0unger or older kids in the same class that worked well for you? Can you advise me on aspects to try to avoid?
Also, please provide me with a list of skills, attitudes and values you think are important to learn and refine over a two year period.
:-)