Children of Men: Study Guide

Children of Men Study Guide

Study Guide: Children of Men

Director Details:

“Children of Men” is a 2006 dystopian science fiction film directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Cuarón is a Mexican filmmaker known for his visually stunning and critically acclaimed films, including “Y Tu Mamá También,” “Gravity,” and “Roma.” “Children of Men” was adapted from the 1992 novel of the same name by P.D. James.

Historical Context:

“Children of Men” is set in a near-future world where human fertility has mysteriously declined, and no children have been born for 18 years. The film was released in 2006, at a time when the world was grappling with the consequences of the 9/11 attacks, the Iraq War, and the global refugee crisis. The film’s themes of authoritarianism, xenophobia, and the search for hope in a bleak world resonate strongly with contemporary audiences.

Key Events:

  • Theo Faron is approached by his former lover, Julian Taylor, to help transport a young woman, Kee, to safety. It is revealed that Kee is pregnant, and her child may be the first in 18 years.
  • Theo and Kee are pursued by various groups, including the government, the military, and a radical immigrant rights group. They eventually find refuge with a group of sympathetic activists called the Human Project.
  • In a stunning long-take sequence, Theo navigates a war-torn city to transport Kee and her newborn baby to the Human Project’s ship.

Key Quotes:

“As the sound of the playgrounds faded, the despair set in. Very odd, what happens in a world without children’s voices.” – Miriam

“I can’t really remember when I last had any hope, and I certainly can’t remember when anyone else did either. Because really, since women stopped being able to have babies, what’s left to hope for?” – Theo Faron

“The world was stunned today by the death of Diego Ricardo, the youngest person on the planet, the youngest person on Earth was 18 years, 4 months, 20 days, 16 hours, and 8 minutes old.” – News Anchor

“It’s hard to know what to do, isn’t it? When faced with such hopelessness. But that’s when you gotta dig deep and find a reason to carry on.” – Jasper

Questions:

How does the film explore themes of hopelessness and despair in a world without children?

What is the role of government and military forces in the film, and how do they contribute to the dystopian world depicted in the film?

How does the relationship between Theo and Kee develop throughout the film, and what is the significance of their journey to safety?

What is the role of technology in the film, and how does it both help and hinder the characters’ efforts to survive?

What is the significance of the Human Project, and what hope does it offer for the future?

How does the film address issues of immigration and xenophobia, and what is the role of the Fishes, the radical immigrant rights group?

What is the significance of the long-take sequence, and how does it contribute to the film’s themes of desperation and hope?

What message does the film convey about the importance of human connection and compassion in a world that has lost its humanity?

 

To Kill A Mockingbird: Study Guide

To Kill A Mockingbird Study Guide

Study Guide: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Author Details:

Harper Lee was an American novelist who was born in Monroeville, Alabama in 1926. She is best known for her novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. Lee was a private person and did not give many interviews or make public appearances. She passed away in 2016.

Context:

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is set in the 1930s in a small town in Alabama. The novel was published in 1960 during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The novel deals with issues of racism, prejudice, and injustice, which were prevalent during that time.

Key Quotes:

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” – Atticus Finch

This quote is spoken by Atticus Finch, the protagonist’s father, and is a key theme in the novel. Atticus is teaching his children about empathy and understanding other people’s perspectives, which is crucial in combating prejudice and discrimination.

“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy… but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” – Miss Maudie Atkinson

This quote is spoken by Miss Maudie Atkinson, a neighbor of the protagonist, Scout. The mockingbird is a symbol of innocence and goodness, and Miss Maudie is explaining to Scout and her brother Jem that it is wrong to harm something that is innocent and does not cause harm to anyone.

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” – Atticus Finch

This quote is spoken by Atticus Finch to his children, Jem and Scout. He is teaching them about the true meaning of courage, which is not about physical strength or violence but about standing up for what is right and doing the right thing, even when it is difficult or unpopular.

Additional Quotes: 

“People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.” – Judge Taylor

“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” – Atticus Finch

“Before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself.” – Scout Finch

“The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box.” – Atticus Finch

“I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks.” – Scout Finch

“Atticus told me to delete the adjectives and I’d have the facts.” – Scout Finch

“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” – Atticus Finch

Questions:

What is the significance of the title, “To Kill a Mockingbird”?

How does the novel address issues of racism and prejudice?

What is the relationship between Scout and her father, Atticus Finch?

Who is Boo Radley, and what is his role in the novel?

What is the significance of the trial of Tom Robinson, and how does it relate to the themes of the novel?

What is the role of empathy and understanding in the novel, and how does it relate to the characters of Scout and Jem?

How does the novel address issues of gender and sexism?

What is the significance of the ending of the novel, and what message does it convey?

How to Survive University

How to Survive University

Surviving university can be a daunting task, especially for new students who have just started their academic journey. University life is a new and exciting experience, but it can also be challenging and overwhelming at times. However, with the right mindset and approach, anyone can navigate through university successfully. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on how to survive university and make the most of your academic journey.

Plan and Manage Your Time

Time management is key to surviving university. With numerous lectures, tutorials, assignments, and exams, it is essential to plan your time effectively. Start by creating a schedule or a to-do list to keep track of your tasks and deadlines. Allocate time for studying, socialising, and self-care. Use tools such as calendars, planners, or apps to help you stay organised and manage your time efficiently. My go-to is GoodNotes for keeping all of my notes organised and Forest to help me stay on track. 

Attend Lectures and Tutorials

Attending lectures and tutorials is crucial for your academic success. Lectures provide you with the essential information you need to succeed in your courses, while tutorials allow you to discuss the material in-depth and ask questions. Try not to miss any lectures or tutorials, as it can be challenging to catch up later. Moreover, attending classes regularly shows your commitment to your studies, and professors are more likely to help you if they see that you are engaged and proactive.

Stay Organized

Staying organized is essential to surviving university. Keep track of your assignments, notes, and other academic materials. Use folders or binders to organize your papers, and store your digital files in a cloud-based platform or a backup drive. Keep your study space clean and tidy to avoid distractions and improve your productivity.

Seek Help When Needed

University can be challenging, and it is okay to ask for help when you need it. If you are struggling with a particular course or assignment, seek help from your professor or tutor. Join study groups or peer-led sessions to collaborate with other students and get different perspectives on the material. Additionally, universities offer various support services such as counseling, academic advising, and career services. Don’t hesitate to reach out to these services if you need them. 

Prioritise Self-Care

Self-care is crucial to your overall well-being and academic success. Make sure to prioritize your physical, emotional, and mental health. Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and take breaks when needed. Take time for yourself to do the things you enjoy, whether it’s reading, watching a movie, or hanging out with friends. Remember that your academic journey is a marathon, not a sprint, and taking care of yourself is essential to crossing the finish line successfully.

Get Involved

Getting involved in extracurricular activities is an excellent way to meet new people, develop new skills, and make the most of your university experience. Join clubs, societies, or sports teams that align with your interests and goals. Attend events and workshops to expand your knowledge and network. Volunteering or working part-time can also provide you with valuable experience and skills that can help you in your future career.

In conclusion, surviving university requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and self-care. By managing your time effectively, attending classes, staying organised, seeking help when needed, prioritising self-care, and getting involved, you can make the most of your academic journey and achieve your goals. Remember to take things one day at a time, stay positive, and enjoy the journey. Good luck!

How to teach my child sight words?

The epic adventure of teaching your child to read can be a rollercoaster. 

Sight words instruction is a fantastic way to support phonics instruction. Phonics assist students with reading in general, but English can be a tricky language to learn solely through phonics. Sight words allow a child to increase their familiarity with the high frequency words he will encounter most often when reading.

What are sight words?

Sight words are the words that appear the most in our reading and writing. These words might not have an “image” that accompanies them. They are high-frequency and must just be memorised to be understood. These words can be difficult for children to memorise if they are solely focused on phonetic awareness. 

What are common sight words?

  1. a
  2. after
  3. again
  4. and
  5. at
  6. away
  7. because
  8. been
  9. before
  10. big
  11. boy
  12. by
  13. came
  14. come
  15. could
  16. dad
  17. didn’t
  18. do
  19. down
  20. for
  21. friend
  22. from
  23. gave
  24. get
  25. girl
  26. give
  27. goes
  28. good
  29. had
  30. have
  31. he
  32. her
  33. him
  34. his
  35. how
  36. I
  37. if
  38. in
  39. into
  40. is
  41. it
  42. like
  43. little
  44. looked
  45. love
  46. made
  47. make
  48. me
  49. mum
  50. my
  51. not
  52. of
  53. off
  54. on
  55. one
  56. our
  57. out
  58. over
  59. people
  60. play
  61. run
  62. said
  63. saw
  64. say
  65. school
  66. see
  67. she
  68. should
  69. so
  70. stayed
  71. that
  72. the
  73. their
  74. them
  75. then
  76. there
  77. they
  78. this
  79. to
  80. too
  81. upon
  82. two
  83. up
  84. us
  85. use
  86. very
  87. was
  88. we
  89. went
  90. were
  91. what
  92. when
  93. where
  94. which
  95. who
  96. why
  97. will
  98. with
  99. you
  100. your

How to support your child with their sight words

Learning words is not just about reading and saying them over and over again until they are committed to memory. Getting creative with sight words helps your child’s understanding and in turn, creates more fluency when reading. 

Here are my top three activities for sight words. 

1. Create a book

Using a program like Canva, you can create a custom book with your child where they can choose pictures that they associate with the word. This creates deep engagement with the words as they learn to associate the word with their book. I like this as a creative tool to really get your child thinking about seeing these words written. 

2. Get handsy

Many children find it easier to learn kinesthetically rather than visually or through audio. A fun way to engage this sense is to have the child make the words using playdough or pipe cleaners. 

3. Read every day

It may sound like a chore, but spending five minutes a day reading is going to pay off in dividends. Try some sight words books and see how your child is beginning to use these sight words more fluently. 

 

Y12 ATAR English

Y12 ATAR English

Semester 2 2022

Revision Tick List

Section One: Comprehending

  • Practice writing short response – set a timer, give yourself 5mins reading time, and 20mins writing time. Use the marking key to mark your work or peer edit with a friend.
  • Time poor? Set a timer for 10mins. Read/view a text, dot point your response,
    write a clear topic sentence.
  • Go through your marked Comprehension responses from Y11 & Y12, review the feedback, rewrite a paragraph / add evidence or explanation.

Section Two: Responding

  • Decide on the topic /issue/idea that you are most interested in for the studied text. Examine how this can be manipulated to answer questions on: voice, perspective, context, response, and challenge / reinforce ideologies. Look at how your topic can be adapted to discuss issues, ideas, controversies.
  • Decided on the ‘ways in which you are most interested in: genre (including
    adaptation & manipulation of), voice (and construction of), structure, style. Create a list of devices used, collect examples, and explore how you can adapt these examples to suit the concepts above.
  • Unpack questions: set a timer for 7mins – unpack a question, dot point your body paragraphs, write your topic sentences, and write your thesis.
  • Practice paragraphs: after the above activity, set a time for 15mins, and write a body paragraph. Review your paragraph and highlight in different colours where you have answered the different aspects of the question. If there is a colour missing, you have not addressed that aspect of the question. Use the marking key to review your work, ask a friend to look at it, hand it in if you think it is a good paragraph.
  • Review your work: go through your Responding essay, re-read the annotations, have a go at re-writing a paragraph. Show it to a friend, show it to me.
  • Read through ‘Good Answer’ responses – use the ‘Good Answers’ book, review a friend’s work. Go back and look at your essay and see how you can improve.
  • Write a really good nutshell statement. Remember to include genre, setting, point of view, main elements of the story, and issues relevant to the ones that you will be talking about.

Section Three: Composing

  • Read, read, read. I can not stress enough how important it is to read widely and
    frequently. It does not have to only be the classics, read articles, memoirs, diaries, non-fiction, magazines, blogs.
  • Know your genre. Think of where your strengths lie – if you want to write a
    persuasive speech, watch persuasive speeches, make a note of the way the speaker engages the audience, examine the structure, the tone, the language. Do the same with which ever genre you think you may write in. Collate a list of generic conventions.
  • Know your subject. Make sure you have facts, figures, information relevant to a
    couple of topics/issues that could be adapted to suit a range of questions. If your strength is narrative, think of characters or settings that could be adapted, collect some great phrases or examples of imagery that could be used.
  • Practice unpacking questions: set a timer for 5mins, unpack the question, write a clear plan. Make sure your writing has structure – this is important for ALL FORMS of writing.

General Revision

  • Review terms – use MLC English terms, ATAR Syllabus Glossary, Devices List (all on Cover Page)

NAPLAN Practice Tests

NAPLAN is an annual assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It tests the types of skills essential for every child to progress through school and life. The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. The assessments are undertaken every year in the second full week in May. 

NAP sample assessments occur annually on a rolling basis. In 2021, ICT literacy was due to be assessed, having been deferred from 2020 due to COVID-19. However, the ICT literacy test has been deferred again, to 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, civics and citizenship was tested and in 2018, science literacy was tested.

NAPLAN Practice Tests Year 3

ACARA

2016 2015 2014 2013
Language Conventions Language Conventions Language Conventions Language Conventions
Numeracy Numeracy Numeracy Numeracy
Writing Prompt Writing Prompt Writing Prompt Writing Prompt
Writing Writing Writing Writing
Reading Magazine Reading Magazine Reading Magazine Reading Magazine
Reading Reading Reading Reading

2012-2016

2008-2011

National Assessment Program

Year 3 Example Tests Marking
Reading

Reading Magazine

Language Conventions

Numeracy

Writing Prompt 1

Writing Prompt 2

Reading Answers

Language Conventions Answers

Numeracy Answers

Smeebu

http://www.smeebu.com/old

Numeracy Spelling Grammar and Punctuation
Year 3A

Year 3B

Year 3A

Year 3B

Year 3A

Year 3B

NAPLAN Practice Tests Year 5

ACARA

2016 2015 2014 2013
Language Conventions Language Conventions Language Conventions Language Conventions
Numeracy Numeracy Numeracy Numeracy
Writing Prompt Writing Prompt Writing Prompt Writing Prompt
Writing Writing Writing Writing
Reading Magazine Reading Magazine Reading Magazine Reading Magazine
Reading Reading Reading Reading

2012-2016

2008-2011

 

National Assessment Program

Year 5 Example Tests Marking
Reading

Reading Magazine

Language Conventions

Numeracy

Writing Prompt 1

Writing Prompt 2

Reading Answers

Language Conventions Answers

Numeracy Answers

 

Smeebu

http://www.smeebu.com/old

 

Numeracy Spelling Grammar and Punctuation
Year 5A

Year 5B

Year 5A

Year 5B

Year 5A

Year 5B

 

NAPLAN Practice Tests Year 7

ACARA

2016 2015 2014 2013
Language Conventions Language Conventions Language Conventions Language Conventions
Numeracy (Calc)

Numeracy (Non Calc)

Numeracy (Calc)

Numeracy (Non Calc)

Numeracy (Calc)

Numeracy (Non Calc)

Numeracy (Calc)

Numeracy (Non Calc)

Writing Prompt Writing Prompt Writing Prompt Writing Prompt
Writing Writing Writing Writing
Reading Magazine Reading Magazine Reading Magazine Reading Magazine
Reading Reading Reading Reading

2012-2016

2008-2011

National Assessment Program

 

Example Tests Marking
Reading

Reading Magazine

Language Conventions

Numeracy (Calc)

Numeracy (Non Calc)

Writing Prompt 1

Writing Prompt 2

Reading Answers

Language Conventions Answers

Numeracy Answers

Smeebu

http://www.smeebu.com/old

 

Numeracy Spelling Grammar and Punctuation
Year 7A

Year 7B

Year 7A

Year 7B

Year 7A

Year 7B

NAPLAN Practice Tests Year 9

 

ACARA

2016 2015 2014 2013
Language Conventions Language Conventions Language Conventions Language Conventions
Numeracy (Calc)

Numeracy (Non Calc)

Numeracy (Calc)

Numeracy (Non Calc)

Numeracy (Calc)

Numeracy (Non Calc)

Numeracy (Calc)

Numeracy (Non Calc)

Writing Prompt Writing Prompt Writing Prompt Writing Prompt
Writing Writing Writing Writing
Reading Magazine Reading Magazine Reading Magazine Reading Magazine
Reading Reading Reading Reading

2012-2016

2008-2011

 

National Assessment Program

Year 9 Example Tests Marking
Reading

Reading Magazine

Language Conventions

Numeracy (Calc)

Numeracy (Non Calc)

Writing Prompt 1

Writing Prompt 2

Reading Answers

Language Conventions Answers

Numeracy Answers

Smeebu 

http://www.smeebu.com/old

 

Numeracy Spelling Grammar and Punctuation
Year 9A

Year 9B

Year 9A

Year 9B

Year 9A

Year 9B

 

Why Grammarly is essential for every student in 2022

As an English tutor, I see grammatical issues worsening as the years go on. 

One can put this down to the way it is taught in schools or the relative difficulty of grammar. Still, I genuinely believe that texting culture, Spell Check and general malaise have something to do with this. 

However, as children venture through primary school and then into high school and university, they are still making the same grammatical errors. Whilst Spell Check can fix up the letters of a word being jumbled, it cannot resolve common grammar issues. 

I truly believe that grammar must become a key focus in our schools and our homes. 

Recently, my student told me that he does not consider grammar and punctuation relevant. Whilst this momentarily broke my heart, it also offered me a teaching opportunity. I proceeded to teach him about a sad grandma and a pesky panda.

 

My student was perplexed that a simple line flick could dramatically change someone’s life. And so, it was an effective use of my time. 

Here are three ways that you can help improve your child’s grammar at home:

1. Story-telling in past, present and future

Encourage your child to tell you their daily stories in “past tense” from a young age. Ask them about specific verbs they have conjugated into past tense, i.e. “Ben, how would you say ‘ran’ if you were doing it right now?”. 

2. Read, read, read!

I cannot stress the importance of reading. It is so fundamentally important for you to be reading with your child every day until they can complete the task independently. There are so many exceptional children’s books, so finding content will not be a problem. Why not check out your local library to improve your child’s grammar?

3. Silly stories

Have your child write you “silly” stories that still make grammatical sense. For example, “the purple bunny farted and flew into the sky because it was so forceful”. There are chances to look at nouns, verbs, adjectives and other grammatical elements in silly sentences!

For my students, I always use a service such as Grammarly. Grammarly is a fantastic tool that “reviews spelling, grammar, punctuation, clarity, engagement, and delivery mistakes. It uses AI to identify and search for an appropriate replacement for the error it locates”. 

I use Grammarly myself as a student and teacher because I believe it gamifies the process of correcting your work. Students are engaged when they see their writing score turn from a 60 to an 85, and it encourages them to take more care in their writing in the future. 

Most students use the free version of Grammarly, but there is also a premium version that elevates language use even further.

Students can use it when they are typing emails to their teachers, writing assessments or generally communicating. It will create a habit of checking their grammar and writing in a way that provides them with alternatives and support. 

You can try Grammarly today by clicking the image below.

 

Preparing for the New School Year 

Preparing for the New School Year 

At the start of every school year, parents and students alike are often in the dark about what is coming in the year ahead. When students are in primary school, this does not feel so overwhelming. However, once a student reaches high school the thought of a new year’s content can become more and more overwhelming particularly as they reach the ATAR years. As parents or students, it is incredibly important to prepare correctly for the school year ahead. There are a number of strategies that people can use to prepare for the new school year whether in primary school or in high school. Here are my top five favourite strategies for preparing for a new school year to ensure academic success.

Number 1: Checking the Syllabus

Every year, teachers will create a learning plan for your child based on what is required of them by the Australian curriculum. Copies of the Australian curriculum for each year group and each subject can be found at the ACARA website. My recommendation is to search on the website for the appropriate year and understand what is going to be taught in the year ahead. Once you know what your child will be learning, it becomes a lot easier to frame your daily conversations and your daily questions to the appropriate year level that you were looking at. For example, you can find out on the year three science syllabus that children are going to learn about how liquids and solids respond to changes in temperature, for example water changing to ice, or melting chocolate. Once you are aware of this it becomes much easier to prompt conversations about this topic in everyday life. Children’s brains make connections to things that they already know or things that they have already heard. By establishing an understanding of the concept that they are going to learn in class will be much more engaging and they will be much more likely to hold on to all of their learning in the classroom.

Number 2: Lesson Plans or Unit Outlines

In primary school, teachers will often set units based on collaboration with other teachers in their school. Therefore, we know that teachers have some kind of understanding of the subjects or that in areas that they will be teaching in a particular term. It’s a great idea to reach out to your child’s new teacher at the at the start of the year and kindly ask for a very brief breakdown of what they will be covering in class that term so that you can reinforce different concepts and create different questions in your everyday life that will develop more enhanced learning in the classroom. For high school students, teachers are required to deliver a unit outline or assessment outline for each of the subjects that your child will sit (teachers of elective units may not be required to do this) and they should be accessible on your parent portal for school. Alternatively, teachers will likely give students a copy of this unit outline on the very first day of each of their classes for the year. Prompt your child to bring these home and make a copy of them so that you could have a copy at home. This is particularly important for year 11 and year 12 as sometimes these assessments will fall sooner than expected due to the sheer amount of content that is being taught at any one time.

Number 3: Note Keeping

Daily study is a little bit excessive for primary school. However, it makes sense for students to have somewhere that they can keep notes that they will likely need for tests. For example, if your student has studied Greek history in their humanities class, have them jot down four or five of the main points that they were taught in that class. They can keep this in a folder at home and this will prompt them when they are then practising for their test or if they forget important information to remember key lessons that were delivered as part of the unit. Once a student reaches high school, it is fundamentally important that note keeping becomes part of their habits. Having files at home where children can come home and do a weekly or daily dump of all of the key lessons that they talk about will help them recall what they learnt in the day; this will also serve as a useful study resource when it comes to test time. If this habit is practised every week students will find themselves in a much better position when it comes to exam time later in the year.



Number 4: Yearly Testing

It is a good idea to do a quick google search of the yearly tests that are expected of students as they progress through different years. For example, in year three, year five, year seven and year nine, students are expected to do the NAPLAN test. However, certain schools have requirements for students every year with tests such as the PAT test or the gifted and talented test. Understanding the different standardised testing that is going to be done through the year can reduce test anxiety as they are not sprung on the students without forewarning. It is good to discuss these tests and discuss that they are really useful in providing a picture of where students are out but not to worry too much about what happens with the results. It’s all about understanding what additional resources your child needs to help them in their learning. This could also be useful for students who are looking to enter selective schools as you will keep abreast of the selective testing that is done in yearly intervals.

Number 5: Getting in the Right Headspace

One of the biggest challenges that students have when it comes to starting a new year can be the anxiety of what the year will bring for them. The start of the new year can be a really effective time to create some mindfulness practices in a child’s life. Breathing exercises are really useful for students to self regulate when it comes to tests or things such as oral presentations. Meditation is another fantastic way that students can become more in tune with their emotions and learn to self regulate rather than let school overwhelm them. When discussing mindfulness with your children it should be made clear that all students no matter how intelligent they are have concerns about their abilities. This is a normal part of schooling and should be discussed as such. The more that we can destigmatise stress and make it a normal experience the better life will become for students everywhere.

I hope these tips help you in preparing for the New Year. Please reach out if you have any that I have not included in this list.

Canva for Students

Canva for Students

When I started using Canva I didn’t realise the potential that it had to change the way we learn and work. Over time I’ve realised that Canva can be a really powerful tool for teachers and students alike.

What is Canva?

Canva is a tool created by two Perth locals that helps individuals create templated designs from thousands of options in an online platform or through the app. It allows you to use stock photos, different fonts and other elements used by graphic designers around the world. Canva has been used a lot in the business world for social media graphics, presentations and for other important Mitchell marketing materials. But Canva also has great applications for students who are trying to take their skills to the next level. Here are some of the reasons why I love Canva as a resource for students.

Number 1: Practice with web interfaces

As digital natives this next generation of learners have become so accustomed to using web based interfaces to create wonderful and spectacular things. As part of the Australian curriculum, there is a requirement for students to learn how to use multiple different digital interfaces as part of their learning journey. I think Canva is a fantastic resource for students to learn how to design different elements that they will be required to create in their adult lives. They can create PowerPoint presentations, logos for their small businesses, social media graphics, to-do and checklists, important materials for their lives and anything else that they wish to create. Learning to use these design tools will help them in the long-term to become more familiar with how web interfaces and web tools can help them in their career.

Number 2: Improve aesthetics of assessments 

There have always been no students that go above and beyond in the presentation of their assignments for school. Whilst this is often not necessarily part of the rubric that is being marked, it is often looked upon favourably by teachers demonstrating the extra effort the students use to make their work look professional and sophisticated. Students can use Canva to create the finishing touch on their poetry, narrative writing, even their reports. It can really be used to make everything look 10 times better. I personally used it as a resource with one of my students to create a book of sight words to help him learn the meaning behind the words instead of just an arbitrary spelling. He really loves using the system because he could choose the picture that he wanted to associate with the site word and could make it look however he wanted with the appropriate colours and symbols.

No. 3: Artistic Prowess

There are some students who just light up when they are allowed to do art in school. They really get stuck into painting and they love creating different pictures from inside their mind. This is something that we should be encouraging as a standard because art is so powerful and so important in the modern world. Canva can be used as a tool for students to present their artistic designs in a different manner. They can create digital artwork or posters using the software and can even create posters to hang on their walls doors all for their study notes.

Sign up for a free trial for Canva today and see what you can create!

Disclaimer: Perth English Tutor is an affiliate of Canva

136 Irregular Verbs List

Irregular Verbs List

This list contains all the irregular verbs of the English language. Each entry includes the base or bare infinitive first, followed by the simple past (V2) form and the past participle (V3) form. Taking some time to make sentences using each irregular verb form will help you to use these verbs correctly when speaking and writing. Simply reading through this list will help you to recognize an irregular verb when you see one.

Irregular Verbs – Complete List

Base FormPast Simple (V2)Past Participle (V3)
arisearosearisen
awakeawokeawoken
bewas/werebeen
bearboreborn(e)
beatbeatbeaten
becomebecamebecome
beginbeganbegun
bendbentbent
betbetbet
bindboundbound
bitebitbitten
bleedbledbled
blowblewblown
breakbrokebroken
breedbredbred
bringbroughtbrought
buildbuiltbuilt
burstburstburst
buyboughtbought
cancould… (been able)
catchchosechosen
clingclungclung
comecamecome
costcostcost
creepcreptcrept
cutcutcut
dealdealtdealt
digdugdug
dodid done
drawdrewdrawn
dreamdreamt/dreameddreamt/dreamed
drinkdrankdrunk
drivedrovedriven
eatateeaten
fallfellfallen
feedfedfed
feelfeltfelt
fightfoughtfought
findfoundfound
flyflewflown
forbidforbadeforbidden
forgetforgotforgotten
forgiveforgaveforgiven
freezefrozefrozen
getgotgot
givegavegiven
gowentgone
grindgroundground
growgrewgrown
hanghunghung
havehadhad
hearheardheard
hidehidhidden
hithithit
holdheldheld
hurthurthurt
keepkeptkept
kneelkneltknelt
knowknew known
laylaidlaid
leadled led
leanleant/leanedleant/leaned
learnlearnt/learnedlearnt/learned
leaveleftleft
lendlentlent
lie (in bed)laylain
lie (to not tell the truth) liedlied
lightlit/lightedlit/lighted
loselostlost
makemademade
maymight-
meanmeantmeant
meetmetmet
mowmowedmown/mowed
musthad to-
overtakeovertookovertaken
paypaidpaid
putputput
readreadread
rideroderidden
ringrangrung
riseroserisen
runranrun
sawsawedsawn/sawed
saysaidsaid
seesawseen
sellsoldsold
sendsentsent
setsetset
sewsewedsewn/sewed
shakeshookshaken
shallshould-
shedshedshed
shineshoneshone
shootshotshot
showshowedshown
shrinkshrankshrunk
shutshutshut
singsangsung
sinksanksunk
sitsatsat
sleepsleptslept
slideslidslid
smellsmeltsmelt
sowsowedsown/sowed
speakspokespoken
spellspelt/spelledspelt/spelled
spendspentspent
spillspilt/spilledspilt/spilled
spitspatspat
spreadspreadspread
standstoodstood
stealstolestolen
stickstuckstuck
stinkstankstunk
strikestruckstruck
swearsworesworn
sweepsweptswept
swellswelledswollen/swelled
swimswamswum
swingswungswung
taketooktaken
teachtaughttaught
teartoretorn
telltoldtold
thinkthoughtthought
throwthrewthrown
understandunderstoodunderstood
wakewokewoken
wearworeworn
weepweptwept
willwould-
winwonwon
windwoundwound
writewrotewritten