Nine unique lessons on the planning and attack at Pearl Harbour (WW2). By William Van Zyl (December 2021). Listen to the podcast of the article: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-cyjiw-115b17b Weeks earlier. A tiny reed protrudes out of the water – hardly visible – slowly moving from ship to ship. His eyes are wide open; his brain is making… Continue reading Tiger, Tiger, Tiger! タイガー、タイガー、タイガー！
Category: Lesson plans and ideas.
Lesson plans and ideas for teachers and students.
Sensors: Maintaining the eco-equilibrium of sensitive limestone caves in New Zealand. STEM and Digital Technologies -Programming microprocessors as sensors to improve cave sustainability (Micro:bit and MakerBot – mBot).
By William Van Zyl On Friday, 5 March 2021, I stepped into the unknown. It was dark, humid, and very black. Yellow cat-eyes stared at me from the ground. It was evenly spaced and extended way ahead of me. Where could it lead? It took some time for my sensitive eyes to adapt to the… Continue reading Sensors: Maintaining the eco-equilibrium of sensitive limestone caves in New Zealand. STEM and Digital Technologies -Programming microprocessors as sensors to improve cave sustainability (Micro:bit and MakerBot – mBot).
HEROES, HEROINES AND ME: Tuahangata (Heroes) & Tuawahine (Heroines). MAORI CULTURE COMPARED TO PAKEHA AND OTHER GLOBAL HEROES (LESSON & RESOURCE FOR 13-YEAR-OLD TO 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS).
Tauhangata & Tauwhine (Maori – New Zealand context) Download the full ebook (lesson on own identity) for free: Overview of the resource: Tuahangata (Heroes) 1. (personal noun) hero, male idol, principal male character, male celebrity – a familiar name for the main male character of a story, etc. and is often used as a proper… Continue reading HEROES, HEROINES AND ME: Tuahangata (Heroes) & Tuawahine (Heroines). MAORI CULTURE COMPARED TO PAKEHA AND OTHER GLOBAL HEROES (LESSON & RESOURCE FOR 13-YEAR-OLD TO 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS).
Cardboard Art, Sculpture, and Bas-Relief work: An integrated lesson on ‘identity.’
Front cover. Back cover. Available at fivehousepublishing.com By William Van Zyl ( First published in 2017, edited in 2018 & 2024) The Battle of Bloodriver The first shot from the ‘Sanna voorlaaier’ (rifle) broke the silence of the fog. It crept slowly up and along the cold river like a thick blanket. It was an uncertain,… Continue reading Cardboard Art, Sculpture, and Bas-Relief work: An integrated lesson on ‘identity.’
Helium Balloons and Sky Lanterns: Our New Jellyfish and Alien ‘Space Killers’ of the Future?
By William Van Zyl (Published in 2020) Essay: Soft bait is a silent killer. Synthetic fishing lures have been developed to catch any type of freshwater and saltwater fish. Designers and manufacturers have spent large amounts of money, time, and resources, on creating the most effective lures and soft baits. Soft bait is so effective… Continue reading Helium Balloons and Sky Lanterns: Our New Jellyfish and Alien ‘Space Killers’ of the Future?
River Rights: A United Approach to Improve Sustainable Practice.
By William Van Zyl (2019) Overview of this article From a sustainability perspective, this article investigates the views of three prominent cultures: Hinduism, Māori World view (New Zealand’s indigenous people), and Christianity. By comparing the different cultures or perspectives, the concept of giving rights to natural features like rivers are discussed. However, there are many… Continue reading River Rights: A United Approach to Improve Sustainable Practice.
Whimsical, Loose, and Quirky Watercolour Sketching.
William Van Zyl (2021) The book of Felix Scheinberger – Urban Watercolour Sketching – challenges the reader with 154 pages of unique sketching ideas. To learn new art techniques and explore new ideas for sketching, one has to immerse oneself in the artist’s work. In this instance, I have used the sketches of Mr Scheinberger… Continue reading Whimsical, Loose, and Quirky Watercolour Sketching.
Rat-a-Strophics and Cat-o-Matics
By William Van Zyl (July 2021) Listen to the podcast of this story and article: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-spxxm-10f938c *Additional to this article: Don’t miss the great lesson ideas at the end (for teachers, parents, and homeschoolers) – Digital Collaborative Learning. “Rat-a-strophic,” laughed the freight plane dispatcher. “Or, maybe Cat-o-matics,” chuckled the second dispatcher. “They are going to… Continue reading Rat-a-Strophics and Cat-o-Matics
Learn Technology through Arts and Crafts: for 12-year-old to 16-year-old students. Primary and Secondary School. Integrated Learning. Global Citizenship. Critical Thinking. Electrical Circuits. Programming. Multi-materials.
By William Van Zyl (edited in 2021) Synopsis: This resource introduces a simple lesson of cardmaking with electrical circuits. STEM & STEAM focus. The project – a greeting card – includes cardboard, and an elementary electrical circuit running on 3 Volts (coin battery). The sticky copper strip circuit for the card involves the 3-Volt battery,… Continue reading Learn Technology through Arts and Crafts: for 12-year-old to 16-year-old students. Primary and Secondary School. Integrated Learning. Global Citizenship. Critical Thinking. Electrical Circuits. Programming. Multi-materials.
Entering a dark, humid cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down.
By William Van Zyl (March 2021) On Friday, 5 March 2021, I stepped into the unknown. It was dark, humid, and very black. Yellow cat-eyes stared at me from the ground. It was evenly spaced and extended way ahead of me. Where could it lead? It took some time for my sensitive eyes to adapt… Continue reading Entering a dark, humid cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down.
Sensors: Maintaining the eco-equilibrium of sensitive limestone caves in New Zealand. STEM and Digital Technologies -Programming microprocessors as sensors to improve cave sustainability (Micro:bit and MakerBot – mBot).
By William Van Zyl Thinking of the sustainability of a cave is not something that comes to mind naturally. It requires prompts: What choice of materials is best for constructing the walkways? What type of lighting is best? Could the electrical system of the cave be powered via solar power? To what extent could sensors,… Continue reading Sensors: Maintaining the eco-equilibrium of sensitive limestone caves in New Zealand. STEM and Digital Technologies -Programming microprocessors as sensors to improve cave sustainability (Micro:bit and MakerBot – mBot).
Hickory, Dickory, Fig Tree – I ask of you – can you hear me?
By William Van Zyl (July 2021) Listen to the podcast of this article (listen while you read): https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-gvr28-116868b Hickory, Dickory, Tree – Dockerty, Hockerty, Dock. A mouse Hickory Dickory Tree. The mouse went up the tree.The tree said no: “Not allowed.” The bark made it itch The mouse immediately went downHickory Dickory TreeTick tock, tick… Continue reading Hickory, Dickory, Fig Tree – I ask of you – can you hear me?
Tardigrades and Radiotrophic Fungi – death-defiers and demon-destroyers.
By William Van Zyl Podcast of this article. Listen while you read OR just listen: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5n4bm-1010cab July 2032 “As all the countries of the world are aware, an asteroid had been detected on radar for some time now. Black rock and ice are hurtling towards earth. We have an emergency!” said the radio host in… Continue reading Tardigrades and Radiotrophic Fungi – death-defiers and demon-destroyers.
Sensors: Maintaining the eco-equilibrium of sensitive limestone caves in New Zealand. STEM and Digital Technologies -Programming microprocessors as sensors to improve cave sustainability (Micro:bit and MakerBot – mBot).
By William Van Zyl Thinking of the sustainability of a cave is not something that comes to mind naturally. It requires prompts: What choice of materials is best for constructing the walkways? What type of lighting is best? Could the electrical system of the cave be powered via solar power? To what extent could sensors,… Continue reading Sensors: Maintaining the eco-equilibrium of sensitive limestone caves in New Zealand. STEM and Digital Technologies -Programming microprocessors as sensors to improve cave sustainability (Micro:bit and MakerBot – mBot).
Entering a Dark, Humid Cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down.
By William Van Zyl (March 2021) Entering a dark, humid cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down. Listen to the podcast link: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-vbeeq-feb056 On Friday, 5 March 2021, I stepped into the unknown. It was dark, humid, and very black. Yellow cat-eyes stared at me from… Continue reading Entering a Dark, Humid Cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down.
Learn Technology through Arts and Crafts: for 12-year-old to 16-year-old students. Primary and Secondary School. Integrated Learning. Global Citizenship. Critical Thinking. Electrical Circuits. Programming. Multi-materials.
By William Van Zyl Synopsis: This resource introduces a simple lesson of cardmaking with electrical circuits. STEM & STEAM focus. The project – a greeting card – includes cardboard, and an elementary electrical circuit running on 3 Volts (coin battery). The sticky copper strip circuit for the card involves the 3-Volt battery, a Led (light),… Continue reading Learn Technology through Arts and Crafts: for 12-year-old to 16-year-old students. Primary and Secondary School. Integrated Learning. Global Citizenship. Critical Thinking. Electrical Circuits. Programming. Multi-materials.
A QUARTZ CRYSTAL VIBRATES AT AN AMAZING 32,768 TIMES PER SECOND – A SERIES OF FLIP-FLOPS TAKE IT TO ONLY 1 PULSE PER SECOND.
The amazing world of science: How the intervention of humans takes quartz crystal technology to the next level. The miracle of quartz crystal technology. By William Van Zyl Tick, tock, tick, tock, … you are reading a time-clock. In scientific terms 32,768 Hertz Isn’t that just stunning? I mean in one second you have to… Continue reading A QUARTZ CRYSTAL VIBRATES AT AN AMAZING 32,768 TIMES PER SECOND – A SERIES OF FLIP-FLOPS TAKE IT TO ONLY 1 PULSE PER SECOND.
Learn Technology through Arts and Crafts: for 12-year-old to 16-year-old students. Primary and Secondary School. Integrated Learning. Global Citizenship. Critical Thinking. Electrical Circuits. Programming. Multi-materials.
Learn Technology through Arts and Crafts. STEM Project-Based Learning. Lesson objectives: 1. Research and investigate simple electrical circuits 2. Design a simple greeting card containing a Led light (or more) that could light up 3. Develop artistic skills (arts and crafts). Explore cardmaking ideas 4. Learn how a coin battery, copper tape (sticky), a switch, and a… Continue reading Learn Technology through Arts and Crafts: for 12-year-old to 16-year-old students. Primary and Secondary School. Integrated Learning. Global Citizenship. Critical Thinking. Electrical Circuits. Programming. Multi-materials.
The Fox, the Badger, and the Megalodon Shark Tooth (short story).
Excerpt: I can see the flaming Sun—it is spewing red and yellow—I am so close to it. If I reach out, I can almost touch it. It is very different here. It is dead quiet. Too quiet. ‘Am I really living here? It feels so surreal; I have to pinch myself.’ It is the year 2060. Someone… Continue reading The Fox, the Badger, and the Megalodon Shark Tooth (short story).
LESSON: Tips, ideas, and strategies to improve your writing as a teacher — have fun writing.
Use of the colon, semicolon, en-dash and em-dash in writing. Write that Essay (WTE) presentation PDL (Professional Learning Development) 6 Dec 2019 – By W. Van Zyl & F. Van Buren. *26 Powerpoint slides – converted to pdf format (download for free Five House Publishing). Ernest Hemingway was asked to sum up his life in… Continue reading LESSON: Tips, ideas, and strategies to improve your writing as a teacher — have fun writing.