Questions for discussion

Political Donations1. Discuss the BtN Political Donations story as a class and record the main points of your

discussion.2. What did politician Sam Dastyari ask for help to pay?3. The company that paid the bill had links to

a. Chinab. Indonesiac. United States

4. Which political party does Sam Dastyari belong to?5. It is legal for foreign companies to donate to political parties. True or false?6. Why did Dastyari decide to resign?7. Why do Australian organisations and individuals donate to political parties?8. Apart from Australia, which countries allow foreign donations to political parties?9. Why do some people say political donations from overseas companies should not be

allowed?10. Do you think Australia should ban political donations from overseas? Give reasons for your

answer.

Vote in the Behind the News online poll . Do the quiz on the BtN website

September 11 Anniversary1. In pairs, discuss the BtN September 11 Anniversary story and record the main points of the

discussion. 2. How many years ago did the September 11 attacks happen?3. Which terrorist group was responsible for the attacks?4. In which city is the World Trade Centre?5. The World Trade Centre is also known as the ________________________6. What is the American Defence headquarters called?7. Who was the leader of Al Qaeda?8. Which country did the US and its allies send troops into after September 11?9. How did security change after September 11?10. How important is it for us to remember what happened? Explain your answer.

Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page

Swooping Season 1. Explain the Swooping Season story to another student.2. During which season do magpies swoop?

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Episode 2613th September 2016

3. Finish the following sentence: It’s thought that magpies swoop because...4. About how long does magpie season last?5. Why can a swooping magpie be dangerous?6. What are some ways to avoid being attacked by a swooping magpie?7. What did a Queensland study find about magpies?8. Illustrate an aspect of this story.9. Design a hat or helmet to protect your head and discourage magpie attacks. 10. What was surprising about this story?

Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.

Roald Dahl Centenary1. Before you watch the BtN story, record what you know about Roald Dahl and his books.2. Think of three adjectives to describe his books.3. What inspired Roald Dahl to write Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?4. Before he became an author, what did Roald Dahl do?5. What was Dahl’s first kids’ book?6. Roald Dahl books have sold more than _________million copies worldwide.7. What is the name of the language that Roald Dahl invented?8. Why did he invent the language?9. What is your favourite Roald Dahl book? Why?10. Why do you think his work is still popular today?

Check out the Roald Dahl Centenary resource on the Teachers page

Paralympics Kid1. Briefly summarise the BtN Paralympics Kid story.2. How old is Isis?3. What did she achieve at the International Athletics Championships last year?4. Why has the training been hard in the lead up to the Paralympics?5. What do Isis’ classmates say about her achievements?6. What condition does she have?7. How does the condition affect her body?8. In the Paralympics Isis is classified at T35. What does that mean?9. Which events is Isis competing in at the Paralympics?10. What did you learn watching the BtN story?

Check out the Paralympics Kid resource on the Teachers page

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Teacher Resource

Roald Dahl

1. Before you watch the BtN story, record what you know about Roald Dahl and his books.

2. Think of three adjectives to describe his books.3. What inspired Roald Dahl to write Charlie and the Chocolate

Factory?4. Before he became an author, what did Roald Dahl do?5. What was Dahl’s first kids’ book?6. Roald Dahl books have sold more than _________million copies

worldwide.7. What is the name of the language that Roald Dahl invented?8. Why did he invent the language?9. What is your favourite Roald Dahl book? Why?10. Why do you think his work is still popular today?

After watching the BtN story, respond to the following questions:

What did you SEE in this video? What do you THINK about what you saw in this video? What does this video make your WONDER? What did you LEARN from this story? How did this story make you FEEL? What was SURPRISING about this story?

Class BrainstormAsk students to record all of the Roald Dahl books they know. Which ones have they read? Then ask them to brainstorm a list of words to describe Roald Dahl’s writing style. Here are some to get you started.

adventurous funny exaggerated imaginative

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Episode 2613th September 2016

Students will explore the work of Roald Dahl and create a biography of the author.

English – Year 4Discuss how authors and illustrators make stories exciting, moving and absorbing and hold readers’ interest by using various techniques, for example character development and plot tension (ACELT1605)

English – Year 5Understand that the pronunciation, spelling and meanings of words have histories and change over time (ACELA1500)

Create literary texts that experiment with structures, ideas and stylistic features of selected authors (ACELT1798)

English – Year 6Analyse strategies authors use to influence readers (ACELY1801)

Identify, describe, and discuss similarities and differences between texts, including those by the same author or illustrator, and evaluate characteristics that define an author’s individual style (ACELT1616)

Gobblefunk Gobblefunk is the language Roald Dahl invented to use in many of his books. Dahl thought that the made-up words were a way of making his books more interesting. Ask students to find out the meanings to the following Gobblefunk words then put them into a sentence. They can choose a few of their own in the spaces provided. Students can also be encouraged to create their own Gobblefunk words.

Word or phrase Meaning Example in a sentence

Hopscotchy

Crodsquinkled

Squibbling

Whizzpopping

Trogglehumper

Quogwinkle

Phizz-whizzing

Ucky-mucky

Swigpill

Kiddles

Scrumdiddlyumptious

Roald Dahl Biography

©ABC 2016

Students will develop a biography on Roald Dahl. Establish what students already know about him. What sort of information is included in a biography? What does a biography tell us about a person?

Students can use the Biography Organiser template to structure their biographical information on Roald Dahl.

Here are some question ideas to start your research: When and where was he born? When did he die? Describe his childhood. Who did he marry and did he have any children? Why did he become a children’s author? What are some of Dahl’s books? What impact has Roald Dahl had on children’s literature?

Present your research in an interesting way. Give a presentation on your soldier Create a portrait Design a poster Make a “Did you know?” for other students Write a letter Roald Dahl Create a timeline highlighting significant events

Choose a book written by Roald Dahl and then write a book review.

What are the themes in the book? What did you like or dislike about the book? Why? Would you recommend the book to other kids your

age? Why or why not? Include an illustration with your review. It could be a

sketch of the front cover or one of the characters from the story.

Tip: Think about the audience you are trying to reach. Use effective vocabulary and accurate and persuasive language.

Class activity! Hold your own class book club. Everyone will read the same Roald Dahl book, either individually or as a class and then discuss the story.

Some of Roald Dahl’s books have been made into movies. Students may choose to review a movie that’s based on one of his novels.

QuizzesStudents can test their Roald Dahl knowledge by having a go at the quizzesFind out which Roald Dahl character you are by completing this quiz.

©ABC 2016

Image: Roald Dahl website (link to

image)

The Guardian – Roald Dahl: the best Gobblefunk wordshttps://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/jun/14/roald-dahl-dictionary-best-gobblefunk-words

CBBC Newsround – Six fantastic facts about author Roald Dahl http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/36824907

CBBC Newsround – Roald Dahl dictionary: 10 of our favourite Gobblefunk wordshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/36405434

Roald Dahl – About Roald Dahlhttp://www.roalddahl.com/roald-dahl

Scholastic – Roald Dahl Biographyhttp://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/roald-dahl

Young Writers – Fact Packhttps://www.youngwriters.co.uk/fact-pack-roald-dahl

©ABC 2016

Teacher Resource

Paralympics

1. Briefly summarise the BtN Paralympics Kid story.2. How old is Isis?3. What did she achieve at the International Athletics

Championships last year?4. Why has the training been hard in the lead up to the

Paralympics?5. What do Isis’ classmates say about her achievements?6. What condition does she have?7. How does the condition affect her body?8. In the Paralympics Isis is classified at T35. What does that

mean?9. Which events is Isis competing in at the Paralympics?10. What did you learn watching the BtN story?

Class DiscussionWatch the BtN Paralympics story and discuss as a class. What questions were raised in the discussion (what are the gaps in their knowledge)? The following questions may help guide the discussion:

What does the word Paralympics mean? Why was the Paralympics created? When and where did the first Paralympics take place? What did you learn about Isis Holt, the young Paralympian

featured in the BtN story?

The following KWLH organiser provides students with a framework to explore their knowledge on this topic and consider what they would like to know and learn.

What do I know?

What do I want to know?

What have I learnt?

How will I find out?

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Episode 26 13th September 2016

Students will develop a deeper understanding of the Paralympics. They will research an Australian athlete competing at the Rio Paralympics and find out more about a Paralympic sport.

Health and Physical Education – Years 7 & 8Investigate the benefits to individuals and communities of valuing diversity and promoting inclusivity (ACPPS079)

Modify rules and scoring systems to allow for fair play, safety and inclusive participation (ACPMP088)

HASS – Years 5 & 6Develop appropriate questions to guide an inquiry about people, events, developments, places, systems and challenges (ACHASSI122) (ACHASSI094)

Science – Years 5 & 6Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083)

Paralympic SportsStudents will find out more about Paralympic sport. The video What is Paralympic sport? explains who can compete at the Paralympics and the classification system. Students will then choose a Summer Paralympics sport to find out more about. The Australian Paralympic Committee website has the list of sports to choose from.

Australian Paralympic Athlete – Create a BiographyStudents will choose an Australian Paralympics athlete competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympics and write a short biography about them or create a profile using Biocube software. The full list of Paralympic athletes is available at the Australian Paralympic Committee website

Ask students to think about the sort of information included in a biography. What does a biography tell us about a person?

Some possible areas of research include: Where and when was the person born?

Which sport do they compete in?

What are some of their achievements? Choose one to explore in more detail.

What are some of the challenges they have faced?

©ABC 2016

Information to include: A brief summary of the sport

Classification –

o Who is eligible?

o What are the classes?

Equipment needed

Number of Australians competing in the sport at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Some trivia about the sport.

Include a photo

Students can present the information using Prezi

Paralympics PromoWatch the Yes I Can advertisement promoting the Rio Paralympic Games. Ask students to respond to the following questions:

What is the key message is the advertisement?

Why is music an important element of the ad?

How effective do you think the ad is? Give reasons for your answer.

Paralympics TechnologyStudents will investigate the technology Paralympic athletes use when they compete. Watch the BtN Paralympics Technology story to learn more about Kelly’s story.

1. Briefly summarise the events that led to Kelly becoming an athlete.2. Which events does Kelly compete in?3. When are the next Paralympics being

held?4. How does the artificial limb technology

help Kelly?5. Why are some people questioning the

new technology?6. What did technicians see at the

prosthetic repair clinic during the Beijing Paralympics?

7. Illustrate an aspect of this story.8. Do you think Aussie athletes be allowed to use high-tech artificial limbs to gain an advantage at

the Paralympics? Explain your answer.9. How did Kelly’s story make you feel?

Ask students to investigate the technology used by Paralympic athletes such as carbon fibre prosthetic limbs and high-tech wheelchairs. Students can reflect on the following questions:

Is the technology available to all athletes? What impact does the changing technology have on the sport? Do you think the technology makes the sport fairer? Explain why or why not.

Behind the News – 2014 Paralympicshttp://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3958258.htm

Behind the News – Paralympics Technologyhttp://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3445954.htm

©ABC 2016

Behind the News - Paralympics 2012http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3576832.htm

Behind the News – Fair Gameshttp://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3885275.htm

International Paralympic Committee - History of Paralympicshttps://www.paralympic.org/the-ipc/history-of-the-movement

Paralympic Education Program - Summer Games Historyhttp://www.paralympiceducation.org.au/primary/history-games

Australian Paralympic Committee – Classificationhttp://www.paralympic.org.au/classification/

©ABC 2016

BtN: Episode 26 Transcript 13/09/16Hello, I'm Nathan and this is BtN.

Coming up in today's show:

We take you to New York to see how people marked the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Back in Australia it's now swooping season so we interviewed a magpie to find out why they do it.

And meet one of Australia's youngest Paralympic athletes and the classmates that'll be cheering her on.

Stay with us for all that. But first today to our top story.

Political Donations

Reporter: Matthew Holbrook

INTRO: Should overseas groups be allowed to donate money to Australian politicians? That's the question many were asking last week after Labor Senator Sam Dastyari allowed a Chinese company to pay a big bill for him. He says the company expected nothing in return. But others say the payment is not okay. Here's more.

If you were to help someone out, would you expect anything in return?

GIRL: If they would give me money, I would feel like I would need to give them their money back, because I don’t feel like it would be good for me to take someone else's money for my advantage.

GIRL: I don't expect anything in return. Like if I lent them a book, I wouldn't expect them to lend me something of theirs. But if I lent them some money, they might want to pay me back.

BOY: I think if I did something for someone else they should do something for me back. Like if I got a bit of a knock playing footy, getting tackled, like if they help me up, I'd do the same for them if they were in the same position.

MATTHEW HOLBROOK, REPORTER: According to these kids, expecting something in return for a bit of help isn't always a given. But what if you gave someone more than a

©ABC 2016

thousand dollars? Back in 2014, Labor Senator, Sam Dastyari asked for help to pay a $1600 travel bill from a company with links to China.

He didn't break any rules or laws by doing it, but it's upset some people who say it's not a good look for a foreign company to hand out money to Aussie politicians because they might expect the favour to be repaid in some way.

Sam Dastyari says that didn't happen. But in the end, he decided to resign anyway.

SAM DASTYARI, SENATOR: What I did was within the rules, but it was wrong. I fell short of the duty I owe to the people I'm so proud to represent.

But the issue still hasn't gone away. Lots of people from all sides of politics are now talking about whether our whole political donation system needs a shake up. Aussie Companies, organisations and individuals donate money to political parties all the time. Either because they support the party's views, or hope they'll make decisions that will benefit them. Lots of people say it's just how things work, and it gives voters and organisations a say in our political system. And political parties say that money is really important, because it helps pay for things like marketing, polling, research and ads.

But sometimes people and companies from outside of Australia donate too. And that's where things get a lot more controversial. Australia's one of only a handful of countries, along with places like Uganda, Iraq, and Jamaica, that let foreign companies donate to political parties. These donations add up to millions of dollars every year. Some people say they are okay, because they help fund our political parties. But other people don't like the idea that another country could be handing out money in the hope of influencing how Australia is run.

Now, some politicians are talking about banning them. But what would you do?

BOY: I don't think other countries should be allowed to donate, because I don't think they should have a say in Australian politics.

GIRL I think they should be allowed to because it would definitely help our country as well, and we could also help them with other things if they donated quite a large amount of money.

GIRL: It's kind of a good thing if it can help our country, but it's also a bad thing because they might expect us to give them something back.

Ask a Reporter

Got a question about political donations? Ask me live on Friday during Ask a Reporter!

Just head to our website for all the details.

©ABC 2016

Poll

And that issue will also be our poll this week.

Let us know what you think on our website.

Should Australia ban political donations from overseas?

This Week in News

A new report from UNICEF has found around fifty million kids around the world have left their homes because of war or violence or just in search of a better life.

More than ten million of those are refugees who have had to leave because their homes are no longer safe. All up more than half of the world's refugees are now kids and UNICEF says something has to be done.

TED CHAIBAN, UNICEF DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS: They've often escaped a horrendous situation in their home country, whether it's a conflict in Syria or whether it's poverty or gang-violence in Central America.

For the first time ever the Northern Territory government will have more women than men in its cabinet.

Five of the top eight jobs in the new Labor government have gone to women! Chief Minister Michael Gunner says the new cabinet better reflects the diversity and life experience of Territorians.

And giant pandas are no longer an endangered species! That's according to the special organisation that keeps an eye on threatened species.

It found that thanks to breeding programs and habitat protection, pandas are doing a lot better now than in the past.

Way to go pandas!

9/11 Anniversary

Reporter: Amelia Moseley

INTRO: Fifteen years ago on the morning of September the 11th a terrible event in America changed the world forever. Next we take a look back at the World Trade Centre attacks to find out what happened then and in the 15 years since.

©ABC 2016

KIMBERLEY: I remember waking up and having breakfast and my parents turned the TV on. We don't normally watch TV in the morning, so that was a bit of a strange thing to happen and yeah just remember seeing it on there.

BRIANNA: I just remember seeing all this smoke and fire and it was really shocking to see that as a child. Umm and I was quite upset by it.

REECE: I didn't really understand why somebody would want to hurt so many people, so that confused me.

ALEX: I just remember mum listening quite intently on the radio and then we got dropped off to school and I guess everything was different.

AMELIA MOSELEY, REPORTER: September 11, 2001 is a day many people will never forget, even if they were kids living thousands of miles away from here, New York City. On that morning, while people arrived for work and tourists gathered to see the famous sights, extremists working for a terrorist group hijacked planes and flew them into the two massive World Trade Centre buildings, eventually causing this to happen.

Another target was the American Defence headquarters, known as The Pentagon in Virginia, and a final plane was believed to be heading for America's capital Washington DC before passengers fought back and caused the plane to crash. By the end of that horrible day, nearly 3000 people had died and thousands more were injured.

It was an attack designed to shock the world and create fear. While Americans mourned, the US Government quickly turned to finding those responsible and holding them to account.

GEORGE W BUSH, FORMER US PRESIDENT: These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

Investigations showed that known terrorist Osama Bin Laden and his group Al Qaeda were behind the attacks. So America's next move was to target their base in the Middle Eastern country of Afghanistan. US soldiers and troops from allied countries like Australia were sent there as the War in Afghanistan was declared.

Security in America and even here in Australia also changed dramatically after the attacks. Before September 11, American airline passengers could sometimes take pocket knives on flights and kids could visit the plane's cockpit. Now the doors are locked and bullet-proofed.

In Australia the government started warning us of the possibility of a similar attack happening here.

ADVERTISEMENT: Be alert, but not alarmed. Together, let's look out for Australia.

Of course, nothing on the scale of 9/11 ever happened here, but some things like heightened security still remain. The War in Afghanistan also carried on for many years, becoming the longest war in America's history. It was only in 2014 that President Barack

©ABC 2016

Obama announced the US would withdraw nearly all its troops from Afghanistan and Australia did the same.

In the 15 years that have passed since 9/11, New York has built a new World Trade Centre, along with a museum and two huge memorials on the exact spot where the buildings stood. And every year on the anniversary of 9/11, people gather here to remember one of the darkest days in America's history and to hope for brighter days ahead.

Magpie Season

Reporter: Matt Holbrook

INTRO: It's now spring in Australia when trees turn green and the weather finally warms up again unless you're watching this from up north that is. But spring is also when some very aggressive black and white birds decide to randomly swoop kids everywhere. But why do magpies do it? And what can you do to protect yourself? Here's the answers.

MAGPIE: Yeah. So I saw this human, and I was like "This is my house!" And boom. That'll teach 'em. And don't come back. AHAHAHAHA.

MATT HOLBROOK, REPORTER: So I am pretty sure this is exactly what magpies are thinking when they do things like this, or this, or this. Yes, it's magpie season once again, when black and white birds lurk up high, waiting to swoop!

GIRL: They're a little bit scary, the magpies.

GIRL 2: This magpie just came over us and went over went "JOOMP" over our heads.

BOY: I got swooped by a magpie just the other day when I was riding to school, when I rode under where the magpie was living and it obviously didn't like that.

GIRL 3: It's kind of scary in a way, because you don't expect it and they come so fast over the top of you.

GIRL 4: It's just so unexpected and I never know what's going to happen.

MATT: So why do you do it?

MAGPIE: Are you kidding me? They want to hurt my little baby magpies. Who would do that? What ANIMALS! Animals.

Spring is the time of year when baby magpies start hatching, and it's thought adult magpies, particularly daddy magpies, are a little protective of their chicks. And they must worry that us two-legged predators are trying to eat them or something.

MAGPIE: CRASH! POW! I'll tear them apart.

©ABC 2016

Yeah. Anyway, magpie season usually lasts for about 6 weeks. So if you spend a lot of time outside, you should probably be on the lookout around now for an angry magpie or two. But while they're just trying to protect their territory, and drive annoying baby bird eaters away, a swooping magpie can be really dangerous.

People have reported being cut and bruised or even suffering really serious eye injuries.

So what can you do about it? Well, experts say one of the best ways to avoid being attacked is to stay away from dangerous locations entirely. That's what this website was designed to help with. People use it to record the locations of any sneaky swoopers, so other users know where to keep away from.

But if you can't avoid them, apparently dressing and acting weirdly, like really weirdly, with like freaky masks and stuff can help discourage attacks.

MAGPIE: Yeah, that's terrifying.

Putting cable ties on your bike helmet can help, too. As can drawing or sticking eyes on the back of your helmet. Or just generally doing things that will protect you, like wearing a hat, sunglasses and getting off your bike if you're riding. Alternatively, you could just stay indoors, and read a book or something.

But if you ever feel like you're being targeted more than other people, you might be right. A Queensland study found magpies can recognise faces, and remember who they've encountered before.

MAGPIE: Hey You! Get Out of Here!

MATT: What's your problem with that guy?

MAGPIE: I just hate him. He is THE worst. Ka kaw ka kaw.

Anyway, while it might be annoying, at least it's only a temporary problem. Until this time next year, anyway.

Quiz

Time for today's quiz.

How fast can magpies swoop?

12km/h

32km/h

92km/h

©ABC 2016

Answer: 32km/h

Roald Dahl Centenary

Reporter: Amelia Moseley

INTRO: The 13th of September would've been Roald Dahl's 100th birthday. The British writer is still one of the most successful kids' authors in history, with 17 best-selling titles to his name. But there is a lot more to his story than just his stories. Take a look.

They're stories where magnificent, magical things can happen, often to wonderfully ordinary people! They come alive on the big screen, and on the stage.

AMELIA: But they all started right here on the pages of books by Roald Dahl, which have been read by millions of kids and adults all around the world.

NATALIA: My favourite Roald Dahl book is Matilda.

JOSH: I really like the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

TAHLIA: The BFG because I think it's really original and it's one of the first books my dad read to me.

AMELIA MOSELEY, REPORTER: Little Roald was born on September 13, 1916. As a kid, he wasn't particularly known for his writing! But many of his childhood experiences came to inspire his stories years later. For instance, a chocolate maker used to taste-test their new products at Roald's school, and he used to dream of inventing a new chocolate bar! Hmm, sound familiar?

But before becoming an author, Roald Dahl was actually a fighter pilot in World War Two, and later a spy for MI6 working alongside Ian Fleming - the man who created James Bond! It wasn't until 1943, that Dahl put pencil to his favourite yellow paper and published his first kids' book, The Gremlins, a tale of naughty creatures that cause mechanical problems on planes! Dahl went on to write 16 other kids books, selling more than 200 million copies worldwide.

WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: Try some more! The strawberries taste like strawberries! The snozberries taste like snozberries! Snozberries? Who ever heard of a snozberry?

One of the best ways to spot a Roald Dahl story is by its use of unusual words, like...

TAHLIA: Scrumdiddlyumptious!

JOSH: Flushbunking!

ELYSE: Bopmuggered!

TY: Hornswaggler!

©ABC 2016

NATALIA: Phizz-whizzing!

ROALD DAHL: So, I’ll read you something...

While writing, Dahl loved to invent new words with new meanings. He said playing with language, or Gobblefunk as he called it, was a good way to make sure his readers wouldn't get bored! Over the years, he created more than 500 words and character names, like Quogwinkles which are strange space aliens, Trogglehumper which is a terrible dream, and Snozzcumber; a gruesome vegetable, found only in Giant Country.

But even without knowing exactly what something like a Snozzwanger is - it's a deadly three-footed creature that preys on Oompa-Loompas, by the way - kids still can't get enough of the magical world of Roald Dahl.

TAHLIA: I think they're really original.

JOSH: His creativity with words.

TY: It's all magic and that it probably won't happen in real life to anyone.

ELYSE: All the characters are very interesting and their adventures.

NATALIA: His made up words and how entertaining his books are to read and the pictures are nice as well.

Welcome Book

Have you sent in your artwork for the BtN Welcome Book yet?

All it takes is one A4 piece of paper and some creativity to help say welcome to thousands of refugee and migrant kids coming to Australia to live.

Here's just some of the hundreds of artworks we've already received.

But yours doesn't have to look like this, you can do anything! Just make sure it is original and personal.

All of the important info about this project is on our website so please take a look and then get drawing. Submissions close on the 23rd of September.

Sport

The Paralympics kicked off in Rio last week with a pretty speccy fireworks display.

Wheelchair basketballer Brad Ness led out the Aussie team. He's competing at his fifth Paralympics. So far Australia's picked up a bunch of medals including Katie Kelly's gold in the women's triathlon for visually impaired athletes.

©ABC 2016

Meanwhile Australia's most experienced Paralaympian has retired after 44 years of competition. Shooter Libby Kosmala is the oldest of all 4,300 athletes in Rio and has competed at 12 Paralympic Games winning 9 gold medals in the process.

Stan Wawrinka has won his first ever US Open title! He faced off against Novak Djokovic in the final and was in perfect form. While Djokovic struggled with some injuries.

In the women’s Angelique Kerber took the top prize beating Karolina Pliskova over the weekend. The win lifts Kerber to the top of the world rankings for the first time.

The Wallabies have broken their six test losing streak with a win over the Springboks! South Africa scored the first two tries but the Aussies came back and ended up winning 23 points to 17.

And some of Barcelona's top soccer players took on a different sort of challenge this week. They went up against the Spanish Blind Football Team to help them get ready for the Paralympics.

The Barca players were blindfolded and had to learn how to use a different ball that makes noise so you can hear where it is. The game was organised by UNICEF to encourage kids of all abilities to give sport a go!

Paralympics Kid

INTRO: As you saw there the Paralympics are now underway so we thought it would be a great time to introduce you to one of the youngest members of the Australian team. Her name is Isis and shortly she'll be competing on the track in Rio. Take a look.

Imagine picking up a new sport and after just 2 years, being crowned the world champ!

Last year, Isis Holt took the sprinting world by storm at the IPC International Athletics Championships in Qatar.

Not only did she win gold in the 100 and 200m, she also broke the world record in both events!

ISIS HOLT: Yeah, I think the experience was amazing and being able to go overseas with the Australian team was even better. You couldn't ask for better than that really.

It was a huge moment for the Aussie.

©ABC 2016

ISIS HOLT: After I competed, I had so many messages from so many people, via email, via social media, and that was one of the best bits.

Since then, Isis has been training hard for the Paralympics in Rio.

ISIS HOLT: It's really busy. There's something on every day athletics wise, on top of school, homework, managing all of that, it’s been pretty crazy.

But, she's had plenty of support from the people around her.

A lot of that support comes from Isis' classmates back home.

STUDENT 1: She's just so amazing, so inspirational. She just comes into class and everyone loves her and is so proud of her.

STUDENT 2: She focuses on her study, she's got her extracurricular with her athletics, but then you realise, oh, she's a world record holder and that's something that's such an amazing thing. Even if it's getting up at one in the morning, I'm really excited to watch her.

Isis has cerebral palsy, which is a disability that affects her movement and posture. It's a pretty complex disease that can affect people in different ways. So, at tournaments like the Paralympics, athletes are split up into separate categories.

ISIS HOLT: I'm classified as a T35, which means I have cerebral palsy in both sides of my body, mainly in my left and a little bit in my right. So, the classifications depend on who you race against.

And in Rio, Isis will be competing in that category in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 by 100 metre relay.

ISIS HOLT: I'm so excited. I couldn't be more looking forward to it than I am. It'll be an incredible experience.

Isis is hoping she can smash both of her world records.

But, no matter what happens, she'll be able to hit the racetrack knowing all of her schoolmates back home are cheering her on.

Closer

And that's it for today!

Stay well and bye for now.

©ABC 2016