Lesson Title: Seasons in other countries (Using Skype) Outcome(s) and Indicator(s): ICS1.

2 With teachers assistance connects to people from around the world Working in groups to design a poster

(BOS, 2006) ST1-4WS Respond to and posing questions

ST1-15I Uses a range of technologies to communicate with others

(BOS, 2012)

KLA Integration (Appendix 1) Resources and Equipment: Cardboard, approximately 15 pieces Coloured textas, pencils, crayons, pens, lead pencils Interactive whiteboard Access to the internet Globe (Appendix 2) Appendix 3, examples of how to connect with schools Appendix 4 example of how to explain seasons/weather patterns

Description of activity: Introduce the lesson today by stating that we are going to be talking to school students who live in another country. Use Appendix 2 (globe), to show students where the school is located that they will be talking to. If unable to connect with a school from another county use a school within Australia. Appendix 3 details ideas on how to make connections with other schools along with recommended countries.

Before using Skype (www.skype.com) to connect with another classroom ask students to come up with a range of questions that will be asked during this time. Use the interactive white board to write down what is being asked and who will be asking what questions, questions could consist of what its like to live there, what they enjoy doing, seasons, animals, plants. Print up questions, teacher to use this as a guide to the communication that will be taking place. Students

to be advised what will happen when the other school comes online, teachers to guide the communication that is taking place to ensure that students can hear/see what is happening.

After connecting with another school the educator will discuss with students why the weather is the way it is there and not here. Educator to show students Appendix 4 (diagram of how seasons work) to reinforce current knowledge that the students already have from previous lessons.

After this students will have time to make posters in small groups of what they learnt about the other place. For example they could draw what season it is in that country.

To conclude students will be asked to sit in a reflective circle to discuss what they thought of using Skype to connect with another class. This will b an opportunity for the students to share their thoughts/ideas. Key Scientific Knowledge Earths axis: Spins on an imaginary line which is referred to the axis. Earth takes 24 hours to make a complete rotation. The Sun faces Earth and as Earth spins only certain parts get sunlight. That is what makes day/night (Dunn, 2008). Earths seasons: As Earth spins around it is also rotating around the sun that is what makes the seasons. During the year, which is what it takes to complete one rotation of the sun, Earth is closer to the sun at different times of the year (Allaby, 1995). Skype: An interactive technology that is used to have face to face interaction with someone from anywhere in the world (www.skype.com). Names of seasons: Places have different names for the changing weather that is occurring. Some places refer to the changes as the rainy season and dry season (Jennings, 2005). Summer, winter, autumn/fall, spring. Modifications Simplifications Use globe to explain how Earth revolves around the sun (Appendix 2). Extensions Research other countries and their weather patterns via the internet/books.