Join now for Term 1, 2010! This is a collaborative space for classes who are following Kate Leeming's journey across Africa from October 2009 - August 2010, whilst learning through inquiry. The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is supporting the project with learning sequences and collaborative spaces to enable classes to share their learning.

To join the ning click 'sign up' in the top right corner and we will approve your application. If you join the project we ask that you do join in the community and participate as much as you can. Please download and read the guidelines before joining. Breaking the Cycle ning guidelines.doc

Units have been developed covering a range of issues. They are suitable for the middle years.
- How does where I live impact on who I am?
- Why should I care about poverty?
- How am I connected to Africa?
- You can also Follow the Countries and view resources to support learning and teaching
Visit the wiki: http://breakingthecycleafrica.wikispaces.com/

You might also download the PLAN 'Action on Global Poverty' resource. Action_on_Global_Poverty_Guide.pdf

Please email connect@edumail.vic.gov.au to ask questions.

Getting started
- Complete your profile. Upload an image.
- Familiarise yourself with the ning, Kate's trip via her blog and the units or activities you will use and collect your own resources.
- Share how you intend to participate in the Term 1, 2010 discussion under the 'forum' heading. Add to any other discussions of interest or start your own.
- Discuss cybersafe and ethical behaviours with your students. For resources you can visit: Working with the Web.
- Do not include any information that specifically identifies individual students or photos of individual students without express parental permission. Individual students should not join the ning.

Due to the nature of collaborative spaces, please be aware that opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of DEECD. Inappropriate content will be removed. Please refer to the Acceptable Use Guidelines.

Link to the Breaking the Cycle Google map.

* The learning sequence you are studying, what interests you about it, what you think and know about it, some of the initial questions you have, how you think you will find out
* Explanation – steps we plan to take to investigate our questions, an issue we have been investigating, what we are going to do to take action
* Factual reports - about places or issues
* Opinion – the class opinion on a particular issue with references from other websites that agree/disagree
* Analysis – looking at an issue from two different sides and finding the arguments for each including some references
* Poetry - related to the issues you’re studying, try using http://www.piclits.com/compose_dragdrop.aspx
* Reflection – what is interesting, fun, surprising, difficult, confusing, inspiring
* Connections – write about the other schools and classes you’ve connected with and what you’ve learnt from them
* Sharing - questions and answers to mini inquiries conducted by students
* Student reflections - share a range of reflections and links to student blogs if possible
* Sharing images or videos - including those from Africa where possible. I see, I feel, I wonder reflections
* Cause and effect - relationships based on the issues you’re investigating and reflect on these
* How am I connected to Africa? - Share a brainstorm of student ideas at the beginning and end of your unit
* Creative writing - based on your experiences of the learning sequence
* Book analysis - reviews and reflections on books related to Africa