A Project with Real Bite...
Students at Lindfield East Public School sink their teeth into learning early in the school year.
Every February, the school's five classes of Year 1 students wiggle and wobble their way through three months of technology-rich lessons about teeth-loss.
Lindfield East Public's participation in the annual Tooth Tally Project is an integral part of the school's technology-rich learning program, run by the school's specialist technology teacher, Cheryl Hill.
"Wobbly teeth become very important as students count and graph the number of teeth they lose, and those who are still waiting for that all important visit from the tooth fairy," she said.
Part of the high appeal of the project is the opportunity to collaborate internationally with students from around the world as classes compare and graph their data.
The Tooth Fairy also features highly with portraits posted on the website.
"Over the years, our classes have had the opportunity to link with schools across Australia, in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, China, Hungary, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere," Mrs Hill said.
"It is a wonderful opportunity for children to experience a little bit of school life in a country very different from our own."
Using lost tooth data collected in the classroom students learn to make and interpret graphs, use descriptive text and develop mapping skills.
"My classes just love taking part in the Tooth Tally and it has become a much anticipated annual event. I recommend it to others," Mrs Hill said
Sandy Beach Public school teacher librarian Audrey Nay also recommends The Tooth Tally Project.
"I have participated for the past few years with classes in their library lessons but look forward to class teachers coming on board this coming year," Ms Nay said.
"Kids love the activities because it is all about them!"
Visit the Tooth Tally website, www.toothtally.com for registration details and full information.
See this article on the NEWS @ DET website by clicking here.