Wild Gardens of Lemuria

The children were transfixed by Cora’s expressive story telling.
Students described the story telling as ‘inspirational’ and the stories as ‘cliff-hangers’.
The children found Cora’s use of intonation, body language and facial expressions were instrumental in maintaining their interest and supporting their understanding of the story.
A Houghton Murrumbeena Primary School

“Cover Design: The Magic Garden“

Lori Gloyd (c) 2007

THE MAGIC GARDEN

The Magic Garden is a Web 2.0 project designed to show educators and their students how good curriculum can be delivered and the outcomes published, using new technology such as blogs, writeboard, photo board and many other exciting applications.

Cora Zon, a professional storyteller and Heather Blakey, an experienced web publisher and webmaster of the Soul Food Cafe, work collaboratively and demonstrate how educators can marry the ancient craft of storytelling, apply current curriculum and publish using state of the art blogging software. Cora tells the enchanting Kazakha story of the ‘The Magic Garden’ while Heather Blakey delivers a curriculum package that climaxes with self publication on a constellation of Global Teacher, Global Student blogs. Watch, in wonder, at the way this virtual garden is growing as staff, students and the wider community contribute by responding to the activities within the Magic Garden Project.

The Magic Garden is an example of delivering curriculum in an IT rich, WEB2 environment without discarding tried and true practice.

The $6000 package for schools includes a number of modules:

1. Storytelling session with Cora Zon. Become immersed and hear the story of the Magic Garden as told by a professional story teller.

2. Curriculum Outline that relates to VELS and Progression Points. Provision of creative stimuli that promotes cross curriculum work and engages all members of the school community, including parents and all support staff.

3. Beginner blogging session provided for staff.

4. Extended, one to one assistance, over two terms, to help establish teacher, class and student blogs. These blogs act as containers or digital folios, to store outcomes. Access to the latest freeware technology and inclusion in online support groups.

5. Ongoing coaching, mentoring and online team-teaching during implementation of the curriculum activities. Access to Web 2.0 specialists.

6. Expert support to evaluate, showcase and communicate the outcomes of the program

7. Membership into a fully supported network of innovative teachers. Inclusion in other stimulating, global projects, such as Priscilla Queen of Cyber Space, that will engage students.

8. Publication of outcomes on collaborative blogs such as Global Teacher, Global Student and the Web 2 Telegraph. Publication of work related specifically to the Magic Garden project on a collaborative Magic Garden blog.

9. Access to comprehensive assessment rubrics.

10. Cyber safety and Digital Citizenship sessions.

11. Quirky Web 2.0 fund raising that engages the whole community.

12 Engagement in VITTA Web Star Challenge

Grade 6 Hawkesdale - Collaborative Art

Flock of Birds by Prep 1 Students - Hawkesdale

Working With the Community

Eden Seeds have led the way by donating seeds to be planted in the first schools to participate in this project.