I have decided to compile a list of internet sites and ideas for celebrating Easter with the Bilby. The Bilby is one of Queensland’s 16 endangered mammals. There are intense conservation efforts occuring which includes trying to swap the Easter Bunny with the Easter Bilby to make people aware of this little animal’s plight.
So this Easter, especially if you live in Queenslan, try to celebrate Easter with the Easter Bilby!
Bilby Stories
Burra Nimu, The Easter Bilby by Jeni Bright – this book can be read online or you freely print a copy. It does have 9 short chapters but is a lovely story to read aloud to your child.
Bilba the Bilby – a dreamtime story with artwork done by Michael an Aboriginal from Charleville where the Bilby Centre is situated.
Learn more about the BILBY
The Bilby Appreciation Society has a webpage that has information about how we can help save the Bilby, where we can go to see one, about the Easter Bilby chocolate easter egg, and lots more.
Units of Work
A unit of work based on the Narelle Oliver book – Baby Bilby Where do you Sleep? There are integrated ideas for maths, english, science, studies of society and the environment. There are lots of rhymes and chants based around the Bilby and some fun art and craft to try. This is aimed at young school children so if you home school it will be perfect for you. It can also be adapted for younger children!
The rhyme for october is on our new website http://www.butterflywingsearlyyearsconsultancy.com.au/october-2012/
You will find ideas for VEGETABLE FUN!!
1 October is World Vegetarian Day!! SO this month we have included rhymes about healthy vegetables and fruits and lots of fun ideas for you to try out!
We hope you enjoy!
We have a NEW WEBSITE! Please pop on over and check it out! It’s live now!!
Butterfly Wings Early Years Consultancy
Butterfly Hugs to all of you who have supported us throughout the past 8 or so years and have frequently visited this website. It will remain as a resource for you to use!
The ECTA conference was held last weekend at Sheldon College in the Redlands. It was a very successful conference. So many teachers gave up the first day of their much needed school holidays to attend.
Gwen and I presented our most popular workshop – WHO SANK THE BOAT Bringing Picture Books Alive! We had 25 eager participants who took on the activities with much enthusiasm and creativity. No matter how many times we repeat this workshop, there are always new ideas to be shared.
WILL THESE OBJECTS SINK OR FLOAT
Mr Peffers Farm
Which boat will hold the most before it sinks?
A special friend of ours, Bronwyn MacGregor, presented a workshop titled Developing a Strong Number Foundation. She spoke about recognising the 5 principles of counting, exploring use of number, using a developmental framework to enhance a strong number foundation and shared many resources and experiences in relation to number skills.
BRONWYN MACGREGOR
If you would like more information about her presentation on number in the early years please email Bronwyn at gorbro1@bigpond.com.
As part of Bronwyn’s presentation Gwen put together a booklet of counting songs and rhymes, stories with number, clapping games and many other ideas and activities. You can access your copy of this booklet here -
NUMERACY ACTIVITY IDEAS FOR LITTLE KIDS_
Gwen and I hope you enjoy this booklet!
Gwen and I are speaking at the ECTA Conference on Saturday 23 June 2012. This year the conference is at Sheldon College. We are presenting one of our Bringing Picture Books Alive workshops.
For more information please click on the link for ECTA.
Saturday 31 March at 8am Gwen and I made our way to the new training centre at Trinity College in Beenleigh. We were to facilitate 3 workshops for local Goodstart Early Learning Centres. The day was a huge success and we were so lucky to meet an amazing team of early years educators who all clearly have a passion for their profession.
Workshop 1 – Five Cheeky Possums
There was some discussion and brainstorming about the EYLF Outcomes!
Each group brainstormed using a graphic organiser. The ideas were later collated!
Gwen and Lisa shared the idea of Heuristic Play and the Treasure Basket.
We acted out Five Cheeky Possums being snapped up by a crocodile they were teasing – You can’t catch me!
A very cheeky possum is teasing Mr Crocodile.
Two cheeky possums hanging from a tree.
We danced to One cockatoo, two cockatoo, three cockatoo…………
The importance of touch and touching rhymes were shared. These rhymes for the fingers help with fine motor control and the palmer reflex.
Massages on the back to rhyme were a great hit! Touch has to be firm. You can sing a simple rhyme like incy wincy and move your hands to the actions/words in the rhyme.
We finished off with Boom Chicka Boom before morning tea! A great somg for learning slow/fast, loud/soft etc.
Workshop 2 – Bringing Books Alive with Mr Pfeffer’s Farm by Pamela Allen. This workshop demonstrates the story sack and how you can do so much more with a book.
While the story was being read we used little farm animals and a simple story map to act out the story.
We used puppets and again we acted out the story. This time each person was to hop into a boat as the story was read. Our boat was simply a defined area on the carpet!
Each group had a turn at making Mr Pfeffer’s farm with blocks. All kids and early years educators love block play.
Mr Pfeffers block farm with labels.
What is happening to the sheep?
Each group had a turn at playing card games with farm animal cards.
Memory – its a match!
We made butter from cream just like on Mr Pfeffers Farm. We even got to see ‘curds and whey’!
The butter tasted great on biscuits with some jam.
Each group made a boat using aluminium foil. Did your boat have the right design to stay afloat?
We also learnt about floating and sinking. We had a guess before we tested! This was a science experiment.
Will the object float or will it sink? What do you think?
Workshop 3 – Storythreads for Storytelling
In this workshop we gave information about the benefits of telling oral stories. Everyone then participated in a series of fun activities to strengthen their storytelling skills.
Story Sticks are a clever idea to use for group storytelling.
Trying out the story sticks to tell a fairy tale in a group situation.
An artifact story! The groups were given something special and were asked to make up a story to share with the whole group. They were amazing!
Another artifact story.
The day was an absolute success and Gwen and I were honored to receive such perfect feedback for each workshop. We cannot wait to work with the Goodstart Early Learning Centre teams again!
