Task 6
Rap wrap up
Term 2, Week 9: week beginning 22 June, 2009
What have you enjoyed about participating in this rap?
· During this rap, what have you learnt about
o Aboriginal culture and beliefs?
o dealing with difficult times and challenges in life?
o cultural identity and building a strong future?
· During this rap what skills have you developed in
o using technology to read, write and communicate?
o reading texts?
o any other skills you improved?
· What was the highlight of this rap for you?
Post your class response to the rap blog once your teacher has approved the final message. You are welcome to blog in as individual students but DON’T give us your surnames in your user name or sign off. Please DO tell us the name of your school when you sign off.
The Planning & programming activities will help teachers.
Go to the Leave a reply at the bottom of this page to post your response. You will need to log in, post a response and wait for moderation.
May 13th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Dear everyone
You are welcome to blog in as a class group OR as individual students. Just leave your comment down the bottom, by clicking on Comments or Leave a Reply. Make a comment about what other students have written if you find it interesting or have learned something from it! Please DON’T use your surnames in your user names or sign offs! Please DO tell us the name of your school when you sign off.
This week I am looking forward to hearing about what you have learned about Aboriginal culture. Let me know what your group has learned about building a strong identity. I would also like to know about whether you have enjoyed doing this rap and if you have learned any new skills.
All the best!
Cheers
Lizzie
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Dear rappers and Ms Chase,
Earlier this term, our school’s first interactive whiteboard (IWB) arrived, and the Year 4 and Year 5 students in 4/5M did a survey in Circle Time with Mr McLean, our teacher librarian.
Our survey was called: Does the use of Interactive Whiteboards assist with student engagement in their education and therefore improve students’ literacy and ICT skills?
Do you have the Internet at home?
Yes: 21
No: 1
Don’t know: 0
What does an IWB do?
• Like the Internet, plays videos, like a TV
• It helps you learn
• Lets you read a book to the whole class (eg. “Pete the sheep” simultaneous reading day) – looks bigger
• Like a plasma TV with bigger speakers
• A computer from the future, touch screen, can save work
• Like a normal computer only bigger
• Can search for stuff
• Can show stuff again, and save work
• Like the Internet only bigger, can do more things
• Like a computer, can touch the screen to change things
• Don’t know/Pass: x 11.
How is it better than an ordinary whiteboard??
• Can save stuff, use Internet, write things, use screen keyboard
• Like a computer, play games, do stories
• Don’t use Texta – use finger to write and draw
• Play games x 2
• Internet
• Already has information in it (eg. Notebook 10)
• Can save
• Can click to rub out x 2
• Like a computer and whiteboard combined
• Play music
• Can type or write with finger/IWB pen
• Look at everything on it
• Get pictures (eg. Google Images), save, rub out – not gone forever
• Can go back weeks later to revise
• Don’t know/Pass: x 6.
Why are we using an IWB to write, publish and read our Identity Rap blog posts?
Year 4 (who did the “Olympic Rap” on the library computers in 2008):
• Screen is bigger, easier to see
• Computer monitor too small
• Not bunched up, and no more arguing over chairs (ie. sitting around small monitor screen)
• Much bigger screen, can sit at tables and chairs
• Bigger screen, can write more things
• No people are stuck up behind others
• Can’t see small screen properly
• Don’t know/Pass: x 3.
Year 5 (who are doing the “Identity Rap” on the IWB in 2009):
• On small screen, you can’t see well x 2
• Easier to read writing
• Screen is much bigger
• Don’t know/Pass: x 1.
What will Year 5 have learned when they have finished the rap?
• Learn about our environment x 2
• About human body x 3
• Teamwork is really easy with an IWB
• Learn about other people’s identities
• How living things work
• Learn about where people come from (eg. Schools doing the rap with us)
• Transport – how cars move
• What the topic is, learn more about it x 2
• Learn about the solar system
• Cooperate with each other
• Know more things than the first time
• Don’t know/Pass: x 8.
What else could we do with an IWB?
• Use it as a TV, watch movies on DVD
• Make it read books
• Play games x 2
• Play music x 2
• Listen to heavy metal music x 2
• Learn rules for playing sports
• Read stories
• Look at different websites
• Draw
• Search the Internet
• Browse the Internet
• Learn about first aid
• Learn about speech writing
• Use Google Earth
• Search for things with Google
• Write stuff
• The school could buy things they need on eBay
• Don’t know/Pass: x 0.
We are going to do this survey again at the end of the Identity Rap.
From 4/5M @ Penrith PS
June 24th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Thanks so much 4/5M Penrith PS bloggers
These comments are very enlightening! It will be great to read what you all come up with at the END stage of the rap…
You are obviously having so much fun with the IWB and are learning heaps too… I will share what you have written about the potential of an IWB with many people, so thank you so much! It has been a great pleasure to have you all on board for the rap – thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on Identity and Aboriginal culture as well…
Cheers
Lizzie
June 24th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Hello rappers,
From participating in the Identity Rap 2009, what did the Fantastic Nine of 5/6D learn about:
Aboriginal culture and beliefs?:
The Aboriginal people had a pretty hard life, learning to survive in dry areas, but they had faith in their beliefs. Then things got even harder when Europeans arrived in Australia, but the Aboriginal beliefs were still strong, and are today, too. Lots of Aboriginal people have been successful in many fields, such as sport, education and acting.
Dealing with difficult times?:
Face your situation and don’t run from it. Accept your responsibilities, never give up, believe in yourself, and call in professional help when you need it. One day justice will come. Otherwise, suffer the consequences.
Cultural identity and a strong future?:
Have patience, be kind and loving, eat what food you’ve been given, and keep to your strong beliefs. Care for Australia’s native animals because they are unique.
Using technology to read, write and communicate?:
Technology can make our job easier. Learn how to be a “savvy searcher” on the Internet.
Reading texts?:
Learn from the messages in interviews. Read about how people survived and how to chase your goals. Find your own way in life.
Improving our skills?:
We learned about students from other schools, and how we can use technology to help ourselves. Reading helps you get good ideas.
The highlights of this rap have been:
Talking about stuff we like to do. Naming our groups and thinking about what our parents try to teach us about life. Talking about the rap points in Circle Time. Learning more things every time we come to do the rap. Using the IWB to rap with other schools, and learning about people – famous and not yet famous.
From The Fantastic Nine, 5/6 D,
Penrith PS
June 24th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Hello rappers,
From participating in the Identity Rap 2009, what did the best half of 5/6D learn about:
Aboriginal culture and beliefs?:
Aboriginal people know about their responsibilities. In ancient times, this meant hunting, gathering bush tucker and using what they had around them. They have tried to preserve this culture and their beliefs. Some Aboriginal people have become famous boxers and actors who are proud of their Indigenous heritage.
Dealing with difficult times?:
Ring mum, talk to parents, don’t keep problems to yourself, talk to God, or even to your baby sister. After the serious talking, celebrate your success with a family tickling match.
Cultural identity and a strong future?:
Learn from your extended family. Remember that everyone is different. Having a mixed cultural identity can be hard, but it can also make you strong. Don’t judge people too quickly.
Using technology to read, write and communicate?:
Technology makes it all look easy. You might use more of your brain reading a book, but technology and the Internet can help you find very recent information that isn’t in any books yet.
Reading texts?:
The lives of ordinary people can be just as interesting as the lives of celebrities. Even famous people started out as ordinary people. People in the interviews we read tried hard not to think of the down side.
Improving our skills?:
Listening, going deep inside our minds, remembering our vision for the future, increasing our knowledge of Aboriginal culture.
The highlights of this rap have been:
Reading Maureen Wenzel’s interviews. She was very brave to make big changes in her life. Knowing that other schools were reading out ideas, and that can make it hard to write our responses. Using new technologies at school.
From the best half of 5/6 D,
Penrith PS
June 25th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Good day Fantastic Nine and best half of 5/6D! Thanks so much for sharing what you have learned by participating in this rap! It has been wonderful to have you on board…
I have really appreciated your ideas and I can see that Circle Time and reading some of the interviews has had a big impact on your learning.
All the very best…
Cheers
Lizzie
June 25th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
We have learnt that you need a good mentor who will encourage you and help you get through tough times.
You need to explain your cultural backgrounds and inform the younger generations.
To build a good future you need to; get along with others, remember to always have a go, have persistence, organisation and resilience.
To be a good mentor do the right things, help others and follow the rules.
When you are experiencing difficult times you need to; do things you like, keep you happy and never give up.
The things that could improve the next blog are; new topics and shorter tasks.
Blake, Jordan, Cooper and Travis.
Mount Hutton PS
June 25th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
In this rap we have learnt about Aboriginal traditions and having pride in where we come from.
Here are some examples:
Never give up.
Keep trying.
Believe in yourself, have a go.
Study hard and make the right choices.
Next time we would like to rap about:
Sport
Music
Movies
Countries
And much more
That’s all for now bye from Jarrod, Nick, Liam and Damian.
Mount Hutton PS
June 25th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Yo rappers this is the awesome foursome.
In this rap we have learnt about other peoples’ culture, traditions, pride, respect, confidence and skills.
Next time we’d like to join a rap about sports, animals, movies and landmarks.
I know this is the last rap but by for now not forever.
From the awesome foursome.
Mount Hutton PS
June 25th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
In this rap and blog we have learnt about:
• Different cultures and why people are proud to know who they are and where they come from as it makes them feel special.
Next time we’d like to a blog on;
• something more interesting
• a different book per fortnight
This would be more fun and interesting. Doing raps about books you’ve read would be better as they know what the book is about.
Ben, Allison, Hayden, Sam and Krista.
Mount Hutton PS
June 25th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
A huge good day to all the folks at Mount Hutton – the awesome foursome and all the rest of the guys…
I have really appreciated reading your ideas – I will pass on your thoughts about what would be some good topics for the next rap!
Cheers
Lizzie
June 25th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
This week we had a discussion on how to build a strong identity. These are the things we would like to do:
•Take pride in who we are and where we come from. If we didn’t know were we came from and who we are, we will lose our identity. If you have pride in yourself you have pride in other people.
•Passing on our cultural values to others by sharing the differences so that the next generation knows where they came from.
•Making sure we build a good future for ourselves. Making good choices and believe in ourselves and respect each other and our cultures.
•Learning from a mentor and being a mentor to others is passing on culture. We need to be a role model for others so children will learn what is expected of them. Have faith in yourself.
In this rap we have learnt about our culture and where we came from and believe in things you cannot see because if we don’t we will lose our real culture. Next time we would like to join a rap about: Music, drama, sport, singing, and any thing else interesting.
By Alex, Larelle, Breanna, Nathara.
Mount Hutton PS
June 25th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
What have you enjoyed or learnt…
• About other people’s feelings and opinions
• How to express how we feel
• Learnt about other people’s personalities
• How people stay fit
• How to set goals to succeed
• Aboriginal tribes around Goulburn
• That Aboriginal people have a strong connection to the land
• Aboriginal people know and understand their culture and can express it strongly to others
• What Wollondilly means
• That we are mentors to younger people
What have you learnt about Aboriginal Culture?
• Know, understand and express their culture
• Have many tribes living in one area
• They spoke many languages
• They have one big family (cousins, aunts, uncles)
• They respect the land
What have you learnt about dealing with difficult times?
• Keep your head held high
• Don’t live in the past
• Don’t focus on the negative
• Ignore negative comments from people
• Don’t give up
• Focus on the positive
What have you learnt about building a stronger future?
• Tolerate and accept others
• Be prepared and plan for the future
• Improve everything you do
• Take opportunities
• Look after the environment
• Focus on goals
• Make smaller goals to achieve larger goals
What skills have you gained from doing the book rap?
• How to ask for advice
• Improve ICT skills
• How to brainstorm ideas
• Reading and listening skills
• Improved our interpersonal skills
• Empathy
Hogan’s Heroes,
Wollondilly Public School
June 26th, 2009 at 5:46 am
Good day to Alex, Larelle, Breanna, and Nathara from Mount Hutton – Thanks so much for your ideas – it has been great to hear about what you have learned and to find out what you would like to rap about in the future!
Greetings to Hogan’s Heroes at Wollondilly PS – you have certainly also learned a lot by doing this rap – I am pleased that you now know more about Aboriginal culture and that you have gained these worthwhile ideas about building a strong identity.
All the very best!
Lizzie
June 26th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Hey there rappers,
From participating in the Identity Rap 2009, what did 5B Besties learn about:
Aboriginal culture and beliefs?:
We should respect the culture and beliefs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They care for and respect their Elders. Learning about their culture helps us to respect ourselves. We should all be grateful for what we have, and listen to what other people have to say.
Dealing with difficult times?:
Sort it out, then try to forget. Ask our family for help and always talk to someone about a problem.
Cultural identity and a strong future?:
Keep healthy in mind and body. The head of a family has a great responsibility to pass on culture and encourage the family members. Keep trying, no matter what. Live a happy life.
Using technology to read, write and communicate?:
The IWB helped us to rap. We loved the bigger screen, so everyone could see easily.
Reading texts?:
The interviews helped us to use better words in our writing.
Improving our skills?:
We were enjoying writing for an audience (other schools in NSW, and Ms Chase.)
The highlights of this rap have been:
Using the IWB (x 5), learning about Aboriginal culture, and learning about other students’ family identities.
Thanks for great rap!
From the 5B Besties,
Penrith PS
June 26th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Hi rappers,
From participating in the Identity Rap 2009, what did 5B Bees learn about:
Aboriginal culture and beliefs?:
Aboriginal people are proud of their heritage and show their pride in the art works. We have been enjoying practicing dot painting techniques for the NAIDOC art competition at school. Hunting for your own food is hard work!
Dealing with difficult times?:
With any problem, it’s not the end of the world. Take it easy, try doing it again, take your mind off it, play the Playstation. Write your feelings on a piece of paper, then chuck it out!
Cultural identity and a strong future?:
Your family should support you, and they’re always there. Listen when your family tells you about cultural things. (Good luck to Melvin, who flies to Europe on Sunday, to learn more about his cultural identity!)
Using technology to read, write and communicate?:
The IWB lets us enjoy the rap without being squashed, and the words are not as hard to read. We discover new things every time.
Reading texts?:
The interviews gave us different messages about different things. It was good reading posts from other schools.
Improving our skills?:
We learned how to rap. The rap gave us confidence to share our ideas. We learned about the past.
The highlights of this rap have been:
Doing the rap together. Thinking about our future jobs and families. Using the IWB. Sharing ideas.
From 5B Bees,
Penrith PS
June 26th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Hi rappers,
From participating in the Identity Rap 2009, what did 5B Grasshoppers learn about:
Aboriginal culture and beliefs?:
Aboriginal people are respectful, and treat others how they would like to be treated. They are creative and know how to work together. They came before the rest of us. Kevin Rudd was respectful when he made the Apology to Indigenous People. Aboriginal artifacts are popular, and remind us of their proud identity.
Dealing with difficult times?:
Stand up for yourself! Have a good cry if you need to, and get professional help if you need it. Then get over it. Ignore name-calling.
Cultural identity and a strong future?:
Families help us learn about culture. Share family recipes, funny stories and good times. Often we look a lot like our parents; this reminds us of the culture passing down the family.
Using technology to read, write and communicate?:
Bigger, faster, touch screen! It was good to use Google Earth; you can see where other schools were.
Reading texts?:
We learned new things as we read.
Improving our skills?:
Thinking. Sharing ideas with others. Describing our cultures. Teamwork.
The highlights of this rap have been:
New ideas about Aboriginal culture. Sharing. Having fun. Enjoying working as a small group. Learning can be fun. Finding out what other people think about identity.
From 5B Grasshoppers,
Penrith PS
June 26th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Hi rappers,
From participating in the Identity Rap 2009, what did Year 5 of 4/5M learn about:
Aboriginal culture and beliefs?:
Find food first – this is so important for survival. Aboriginal people are proud of their identity. Learning about Aboriginal culture and beliefs is important for all Australians, Aboriginal and non Aboriginal.
Dealing with difficult times?:
We realised we all have strong mothers, who help us get through difficult times. Keep strong family connections, even if your parents split up.
Cultural identity and a strong future?:
Keep moving forward. Aim high. Be tough. Choose good mentors.
Using technology to read, write and communicate?:
Technology helps us to be focused. We can buy or borrow a book, but searching the Internet is also a good way to find information.
Reading texts?:
The IWB is good for reading rap points. We got together and were talking about our reading. We talked to other schools.
Improving our skills?:
We know about identity. Circle Time helped us to share our ideas before writing. Lots of talking and listening!
The highlights of this rap have been:
Talking to other rapping schools. Telling family stories obout our identities. Talking to Ms Chase. Thinking about our future families.
From Year 5 of 4/5 M,
Penrith PS
June 28th, 2009 at 10:27 am
A huge good day to Penrith PS – 5B Bees, Besties and Grasshoppers and Year 5 of 4/5M!
Wow! What can I say – your feedback is so detailed and so clever…
Each group has obviously done so much thinking and discussing about Aboriginal culture, building your own strong identities, dealing with difficult times, aiming high for the future and using IWBs to the maximum advantage for your learning…
You clearly did find it interesting to write for a wider audience and I certainly found your weekly blog postings to be very interesting indeed…
All the best on your journeys towards building a strong identity and a positive future for yourselves.
Cheers
Lizzie
July 1st, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Hello brothers and sisters!
We have just come from a performance by Boori “Monty” Pryor. He is a very funny Aboriginal storyteller.
He taught us some dances: the crocodile and the fisherman; and pretending to be Australian animals. He told us about the taipan that tried to drink his milk when he was a little baby in a cot, and then he told us about “My girragundji”, who was a small green treefrog. He also described a scary story about a giant woman who caught kids and put them in her backpack. It was a Canadian Indian story about where mosquitoes first came from.
Monty told us that he is from Townsville in Queensland and has seven sisters and three brothers. He has been writing books and telling stories for twenty years.
We thought it was fun. We learned about his life as an Aboriginal man, He showed us how to play the didgeridoo properly.
Peace out peeps!
5B Besties from Penrith PS
July 1st, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Thumbs up! It’s the Bees!
Monty Pryor is a very, very, very funny man!
He told us about when he was a kid and how a green treefrog crawled near his butt while he was in bed. Someone asked Monty if the frog fell somewhere we didn’t want to know and he said, “No, It was on a four-wheel drive. Oh what a feeling!”
When Monty was a baby, a taipan slithered into his cot. His mother flipped Monty out of the way of the snake. Monty flew up into the air, spinning like a little black helicopter wearing a white nappy on his butt, going: “Butt butt butt butt butt.”
We had to dance like Australian animals, including kangaroos, snakes, lizards, kookaburras, emus, disco dancers, crocodiles, monsters, frogs, statues and crabs. He gave us three tips for playing the didgeridoo.
When someone asked him how old Monty was, he said, “40 000 years old.”
It was excellent, funny, fantastic and awesome. You should check out his books!
Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
From 5B Bees @ Penrith PS
July 1st, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Hello everyone,
Monty Pryor is a great storyteller and a funny man. He was telling the story of his life and his Aboriginal culture.
He taught us dances and we used our brains to think of how to perform each animal. Monty has a strong spirit and is proud of his Aboriginal identity. He is also a good dancer and can play the didgeridoo.
It was worth the $4 we paid to hear Monty speak. We enjoyed it. His visit has made us ready for NAIDOC Week next week.
From 5B Grasshoppers @ Penrith PS
July 1st, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Wow – 5B Bees, Besties and Grasshoppers,
It sounds as if Monty Pryor is a really funny and very clever man! What a fantastic storyteller – I really believe the world needs more storytellers like Monty – I wish I had been there when he was talking to you all.
It also sounds as if he got you up and dancing – I bet that was good fun…
What a blast – good on you all! Thanks for sharing this with everyone.
Cheers
Lizzie
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Hi, we are the peace rappers from Year 5 of 4/5 M,
On Wednesday, we went to see Boori “Monty” Pryor, a famous Aboriginal writer and storyteller. He told some funny stories about when he was a kid. Boori did some rap and other songs on his didgeridoo.
He taught us a dance about the boy who wouldn’t listen. The boy went to go fishing in a place where there were crocodiles. First, the people who were acting as the boy had to walk around, then hold their hands together and shake their knees. The people being crocodiles had to lie on their bellies, sneak up behind the boys, grab them and pretend to eat them. Then the crocodiles had to hold their hands together like jaws and shake their knees.
Another dance we had to mime being different animals. Aboriginal people thank the animals they hunt. They thank them for dying, to provide food.
Boori told us stories, like the one about a treefrog, the snake in his cot, and his cousin getting bitten by a crocodile. Never use a crocodile’s head as a stepping stone.
He sang us a song as we left to go out to lunch. He gave us high fives and handshakes in the playground. We all miss him and hope he comes back again. Everyone should ask their schools to get Monty to visit.
Goodbye and thank you,
Year 5 of 4/5 M @ Penrith PS.
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Hi all,
Penrith PS has added some artwork links and a photo of our visit from Boori at:
http://rapblog5.edublogs.org/gallery/
Regards, Mr McLean,
Penrith PS
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Good day peace rappers from 4/5M at Penrith PS!
The visit from Boori Monty Pryor sounds great – including the dance he taught you about the boy who wouldn’t listen…
I will definitely remember never to use a crocodile’s head as a stepping stone! The song that he sang you as you went out to lunch sounds great – what a fabulous visit…
Thanks so much, Mr McLean, for the link you have provided to the students’ artwork!
Cheers
Lizzie