Discovering Books & Information Online Module 1:

TumbleBooks, Busythings
& Literacy Planet

Description: Discovering Stories & Information Online Module 1: TumbleBooks, Busythings & Literacy
Planet introduces eresources for families with young children provided by the State Library of Western
Australia. It highlights how to find and navigate TumbleBooks, Busythings and Literacy Planet, and
guides parents in using them to support their child’s early development in the areas of literacy,
numeracy, creativity and information literacy.

Training outcomes for participants:

• Know how to access eresources provided by the State Library of Western Australia
• Use the resources confidently with their child (for parents) or clients (for practitioners)

Estimated session duration: 1 – 1.5 hours

Preferable pre-requisite skills:

• Basic computer skills and familiarity with web browsing
• Participants need a library card and email address to access Busythings and create a free
account for Literacy Planet

Equipment and resources required (as applicable for your session):

• Internet connection on all PCs and latest Flash updates installed
• Laptop and data projector or Laptop and Smart Board for presenter
• Computers for participants
• Handouts for participants available for download from the Better Beginnings website. See also
other useful links and information about each eresource:
www.better-beginnings.com.au/resources/tumblebooks
www.better-beginnings.com.au/resources/busythings
www.better-beginnings.com.au/resources/literacy-planet

Preparation for presenters:

• Familiarise yourself with the eresources prior to your session. Find your own favourite activities
to demonstrate. If you enjoy the resources, your participants will enjoy them too
• Have a library card available to login to Busythings
• Create an account for Literacy Planet at www.literacyplanet.com/libraries and select New Users
• Ask participants to bring their library card along to the session
• A Powerpoint presentation has been developed for this training module and can be used if
internet connection fails. Slides match the training notes in the Resources column.

For more information please contact Better Beginnings:

(08) 9427 3127 | betterbeginnings@slwa.wa.gov.au | www.better-beginnings.com.au
Starting the Session

Time Main point Training Notes Resources

5 mins Welcome and introduction Welcome participants to the session and introduce yourself. - Name badges if required
Introduce Better Beginnings: a family literacy program designed to - Laptop and projector
support parents as their child’s first teacher and support the early
literacy development of children up to age of five. [Slide 1, 2 and 3]
Introduce the eresources you will be demonstrating: Slides refer to the downloadable
• TumbleBooks: an animated e-book library for families Powerpoint presentation
available for download on the
• Busythings: early learning activities for children aged 3-6 Better Beginnings website. See
• Literacy Planet: literacy resource for children aged 5 and up www.better-beginnings.com.au
/resources/discovering-books-
and-information-online

2 mins Locating eresources on the Follow these steps to find eresources: [Slide 4]
Better Beginnings website • Go to www.better-beginnings.com.au
• Click on Books and More
• Find each eresource in the Fun category
• For a complete list go to
www.better-beginnings.com.au/resources/online-books-and-games

Explain to participants that the eresources are for personal use from
home or within your library. Refer to the State Library’s Conditions of
Use for more information if required:
www.slwa.wa.gov.au/find/eresources/conditions_of_use

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TumbleBooks

Time Main point Training Notes Resources

2 mins Introducing TumbleBooks TumbleBooks is an online library of animated e-books for you and [Slide 5]
your child to share together, to encourage and support your child in
preparing and learning to read. TumbleBooks also introduces
children to alternative formats of stories.
There are six areas of the TumbleBooks Library to explore:
• Story Books – picture books for young children
• Non-Fiction Books – picture books with factual information
• Puzzles and Games – literacy games linked to titles
• Language Learning – books in other languages
• Read-Alongs – short chapter books for older readers
• Tumble TV – pre-selected playlists to watch

5 mins Searching TumbleBooks Today we’re going to look at the Story Books section. Demonstrate searching
You can search the TumbleBooks library at the top left hand corner with Bugs, Bugs, Bugs by
of the screen. The TumbleSearch function on the TumbleBooks Bob Barner. You’ll also find
homepage allows you to search for items by title, author, illustrator, this title under Insects in a
subject or reading level. subject search.
If you’re not sure what to search for you can browse by subject.
Choose Subject from the drop down menu, then choose a subject [Slide 6]
from the sub-menu. E.g. Action, adventure etc.

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Time Main point Training Notes Resources
5 mins Playing a TumbleBook Now that you’ve found a TumbleBook title, demonstrate how to view Demonstrate searching
it. Click View Online to launch the Tumble Player and load the story. with Bugs, Bugs, Bugs by
Point out different functions of the Player: Bob Barner, or choose
your own favourite title to
• Pause – allows the child to explore the book at their own
demonstrate with.
pace. Encourage parents to pause the book to talk about the
pictures and predict what might happen next
• Rewind / Fast Forward – returns to the previous page or skips [Slide 6 and 7]
ahead to the next page
• Word Helper – when switched on, this feature pronounces
words when clicked. This is a useful feature for children who
are learning to read
If you find a book you really like, add it to My Favourites so you can
find it again easily next time.

5 mins Puzzles & Games Some TumbleBook titles have literacy games attached to them, such Demonstrate using the
as jigsaw puzzles, word searches, crosswords and picture matching. Matching Game for Bugs,
Games and activities extend the enjoyment of reading and reinforce Bugs, Bugs by Bob Barner,
key literacy skills for emerging readers. Look for the Games button or choose your favourite
when browsing TumbleBook titles. game to share.
Encourage parents to think of activities they could do together at
home, such as making your own storybook using the template [Slide 6]
available on the Better Beginnings website:
http://www.better-beginnings.com.au/resources/template-fold-
your-own-book

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Time Main point Training Notes Resources
5 mins Tumble TV and My Playlist TumbleBooks has a new feature called Tumble TV, preselected [Slide 6]
playlists of TumbleBooks titles grouped by age-level or subjects.
These playlists range from 10 minutes in length to over forty minutes
and play titles consecutively. Demonstrate TumbleTV with the Get
Buggy! playlist, or choose your own favourite.
If none of the preselected playlists catch your eye, you can create
your own Playlist by clicking the Add to my Playlist button.

Tip for libraries: This is a nifty function for broadcasting

TumbleBooks at an event on a large screen.

1 min Help! Take the TumbleTour If you run into problems on the TumbleBooks site click the Help at [Slide 6]
the top of the screen to find answers to technical-based problems.
Forgotten something from this session or want to know more? Take
the TumbleTour, you’ll find a link at the bottom of each page.
Note: The TumbleTour is based on the school version, so some
features covered in the tour are not available for library users.

2 mins Just for Libraries You can download promotional icons and bookmarks by clicking [Slide 6]
TumbleAdmin link at the bottom of the site, then click on
Downloads. While you’re there check out how many WA families
have viewed TumbleBooks!

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Busythings

Time Main point Training Notes Resources

2 mins Introducing Busythings Busythings is an online resource for the early years, (3-6 years). [Slide 8]
Busythings uses friendly characters, bright colours and silly sounds to
create over 100 fun activities in the learning areas of:
• Communication, Language and Literacy (English)
• Numeracy and Problem Solving (Maths)
• Creative Development (Art and Music)
• General Knowledge and Understanding of the World

2 mins Easy Search The menu is broken down into each learning area, and is visually [Slide 8 and 9]
represented to make it easy for early learners to navigate. But if
you’re looking for games with a specific character or learning
outcome, have a look at the Easy Search function.
For example, if you’re looking for games about the alphabet, find the
ABC icon in the Easy Search. If you’re looking for games featuring the
Robot character, look for his icon.
Visual literacy is an important concept when learning to read. The
Helpful hint! Easy Search feature allows children to search themselves for games
Look for the they would like to play by reading the images and translating the
blue arrow to go back to a image/symbol to a concept. This function is also key in introducing
previous screen. Using the back young children to the concept of keyword/online searching.
button on your web browser
will log you out. Encourage participants to explore the activities.

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Time Main point Training Notes Resources
10 mins Busy Box Busy Box is series of short activities played one after the other – the [Slide 10]
player is awarded a star for each activity successfully completed.
Collecting five stars moves you on to the next level, and the activities
get progressively harder. You can have a mix of activities from across
all learning areas or you can focus in on literacy, numeracy etc.
This engages children without the need to navigate through the
menus to find activities and provides motivation through awards and
progress. Introducing competition creates a stimulating environment
for reluctant learners. Allow participants to have a go.
10 mins Busythings Storytime 1. Start with a rhyme. Can you guess the rhyme in Follow the [Slide 11]
Cloud
Creative Development
Creating Music
Follow the Cloud
2. Read along to your favourite Traditional Tale (choose your
favourite to demonstrate)
Communication, Language & Literacy
Traditional Tales
3. Extend the story with a matching activity
Communication, Language & Literacy
Traditional Tales

General Activities
Colour the Picture or Make a Picture
4. For more arts and craft activities, explore the creative activities.
Idea: Print your creative designs and put them on display in your
library!
Creative Development
Exploring Media & Materials
1 min Busythings Apps For families with smart phones or tablets, Busythings has produced [Slide 12]
apps (some are free!). Visit www.busythings.co.uk for more
information, including current titles and pricing.

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Literacy Planet
Time Main point
2 mins Introducing Literacy Planet
Helpful hint!
Look for the red arrow to go
back to a previous screen on
Literacy Planet. Using the back
button on your internet browser
will log you out.
Training Notes Resources
Literacy Planet is a literacy resource for children 5 years and up. - Login for presenter
Literacy Planet supports emergent readers and students developing - Library cards for
their reading and writing skills. Learning outcomes are linked with participants
the Australian Education Curriculum. It’s a motivating online
environment that uses incentives such as coins to reward students
for completing learning activities. Coins can be used to play games [Slide 13]
in the Arcade or to buy outfits for their avatar.
Literacy Planet requires families to register and create an account
to personal a personal login for each child. The login system allows
each child to progress at their own pace and have control over how
they use their rewards. Help each participant to create an account
with Intrepica for their child/children, by clicking New Users from
the front page. Please note:
• Parents need a library card and an email address
• Parents can create up to 4 student logins under their one
registration.
• When asked to choose your library, select Western
Australian Libraries from the dropdown menu
Once you have created your logins, you can now enter Literacy
Planet. Next time you want to login, click Existing Users from the
front page.
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Time Main point Training Notes Resources
2 mins Navigating the Menu Congratulations! You’re now an Intrepican! Here are the features of [Slide 14]
Literacy Planet to explore (enter each section to show participants):
• Academy: Here you will find the learning activities. Complete
these activities to earn coins.
• Arena: Challenge your friends to multi-player learning games
• Home: See your progress, change your personal details etc.
• Shop: Use the coins you have earned in the Academy to buy
outfits for your Avatar
• Arcade: Use the coins you have earned in the Academy to
take a break with these fun games

5 mins Academy The place to start is the Academy to start learning. Once in the [Slide 15]
Academy, select the Free Learning icon to begin.
Now you’re ready to choose the learning area you want to start
with. Here is a sample demonstration:
1. Select the Pre-Reading category and choose Learning the
Alphabet
2. Select Unit 1, then select Lesson 1
3. Finally, select the Match the Letter to the Picture activity
The level of difficulty in the activities gradually increases as you
progress through the lessons. Older children using Literacy Planet
can advance straight to upper levels to suit their ability.

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Time Main point Training Notes Resources
Home In the Home section you can: [Slide 16]
• Customise your Avatar. This is a popular and important
feature because it allows children to personalise their
learning experience and feel more involved
• Receive notifications and updates from Intrepica
• View trophies your child has received in the Academy.
Recognising achievements helps to boost confidence in
emergent learners and motivates children to keep
progressing through the game

Shop In the Shop you can: [Slide 17]

• Buy clothes and outfits for your Avatar with coins earned by
completing activities in the Academy
• Students learn to save their coins to afford more expensive
items in the Shop, and are motivated to earn more by
completing more learning activities in the Academy

Arcade In the Arcade you can: [Slide 18]

• Reward your hard work and take a break with fun arcade
style games. Use your coins earned in the Academy to play in
the Arcade
• The Arcade, again, provides motivation for learning and
particularly appeals to reluctant learners and boys

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Time Main point Training Notes Resources
10 mins Arena The best way to demonstrate the Arena is to create a multiplayer [Slide 19]
game for your participants. This will require at least 2 computers
both logged in to Literacy Planet. You can have a maximum of 4
computers connected to a game.
To create a game:
1. Enter the Arena page
2. Choose a game: Donkey Dash or Word Mania
3. Select Friends & Peers under Who would you like to play?
4. Select the number of players you want to connect (max 4) and
click Create. This will give you a Game I.D. number

To connect players to a created game:

1. Enter the Arena page
2. Select your game: Donkey Dash or Word Mania
3. Select Friends & Peers under Who would you like to play?
4. Enter the Game I.D. number to join the game

5 mins More about Literacy Planet and Visit Literacy Planet’s website to learn more about Literacy Planet [Slide 20]
Free downloads and for free downloadable colouring sheets. They offer free online
training regularly for practitioners and parents:
www.literacyplanet.com
For even more information, links and downloads visit the Better
Beginnings online www.better-beginnings.com.au/literacy-planet

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Concluding the Session

Time Main point Training Notes Resources

Free Play and Questions At the end of the session, allow participants time to continue [Slide 21]
exploring any of the eresources you have demonstrated and be
available to help with any questions.

If practitioners have any feedback from this training program the

Better Beginnings team would love to hear from you.
Phone: (08) 9427 3127
Email: betterbeginnings@slwa.wa.gov.au
Website: www.better-beginnings.com.au

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