Lest We Forget

There has been a whole lot of remembrance stuff on the radio and television this weekend concerning the D-Day landings of WW2. I found it really poignant and humbling that we owe so much to these young men (and women) who gave so much for King and Country. We used the newsround website as a source for our assembly on Friday morning. http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/world/d-day_/newsid_3773000/3773737.stm

The story of a 89 year old man leaving his care home to travel to Normandy really made me smile, He showed true spirit and determination.

Bernard Jordan, an 89-year-old D-Day veteran, was reportedly told by staff at the Pines nursing home in Furze Hill, also in England, that he couldn’t travel to Normandy to be with his comrades for the 70th anniversary of the famous invasion.
On Thursday, Jordan went missing. The nursing home called the police, informing them that the veteran hadn’t been seen since leaving at around 10:30 a.m. that morning, the Daily Mail reports.
So where did he go?
The Royal Navy veteran put on his war medals under a raincoat and met his former comrades on a coach. They arrived at a hotel in Ouistreham, northwestern France, about 12 hours later. He was going to Normandy — with or without permission.

Screengrab via the Daily Mail

Fitting in with my 'Adventure before Dementia' theme, here is a picture of Jock Hutton, another 89 year old veteran who parachuted into Normandy to recreate his drop of 70 years before.  I did a tandem parachute jump some years ago and can confirm without doubt, it was the most terrifying thing I have ever done.

Publisher

Tuesday's task was all about Publisher. I've used it before to create birthday cards and invitations and we were required to produce a tri-fold brochure to publicise an educational attraction.

I chose Eureka! It is one of my favourite museums and we used to go there a lot when our kids were smaller.

Here's my attempt at a brochure. I don't think Eureka Marketing and PR department will be knocking on my door any time soon!

 

 

It was fun making it and uploading it for assessment, all in one session. I hope to practise this a bit more to perfect this skill.

I'm working on my essay and the moment and have been reading some really good articles on ICT and the new Computing curriculum including the NAACE Primary Guidelines. Have a look at their website www.naace.co.uk/curriculum

It's true, I've been 'Certified'!

It took a little more than an hour and was lots of fun - but I can hold my hand to my heart and say that I can now generate code and make an angry bird follow my instructions! (If only I could do that with an angry 15 year old son.)

I thought that Paul's presentation about the new curriculum was very interesting, especially about Toomas Ilves the President of Estonia who had a fantastic attitude towards Programming. The year 2's in their schools are very competent ICT users and are writing their own programs.

Toomas Ilves, the President of Estonia

It is important that new technology is embraced as early as possible, if we have resistance to change or a 'let's wait and see' attitude, we would still be using quills and slates!

I'm really liking the new ICT curriculum with it's emphasis on programming and discovery. The entrepreneurs of tomorrow won't be found if all we do is follow tried and tested applications.