We had a great time speaking with our new friends in North Carolina for half an hour! This conversation wasn't as successful as the other ones have been because their sound system wasn't as loud and clear as the other groups we've talked to, so we couldn't hear any of the whole-class responses or the "background" noise (I know that may sound silly, but hearing all of the kids and their teacher really makes us feel more like we are there with them!)
They had a lot of prepared questions for us about Texas, and we enjoyed answering. A side benefit I had never thought about was that my students are learning a lot more about Texas so that they can answer questions as experts!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Gadsen, Alabama
Today we talked to a fifth grade class in Gadsen, Alabama. They are doing a "50 States" Project. Their wiki is at http://50statesproject.wikispaces.com/.
Last week, we contributed facts about Texas to their site. Today we shared these facts, and they shared theirs about Alabama. Then there was a chance for Q & A, which was enjoyable until the end when one student asked if we were "ready to lose the national championship again"! It was actually really funny, although some of my students got pretty steamed! But it was a good opportunity to talk about not being sore losers.
Right now, the students are writing a letter to Ms. Howard telling about their experiences talking to students in New York and Alabama. Since we've been studying persuasive writing, they also have to share which place they would rather visit and persuade her why it is better.
Last week, we contributed facts about Texas to their site. Today we shared these facts, and they shared theirs about Alabama. Then there was a chance for Q & A, which was enjoyable until the end when one student asked if we were "ready to lose the national championship again"! It was actually really funny, although some of my students got pretty steamed! But it was a good opportunity to talk about not being sore losers.
Right now, the students are writing a letter to Ms. Howard telling about their experiences talking to students in New York and Alabama. Since we've been studying persuasive writing, they also have to share which place they would rather visit and persuade her why it is better.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Long Island, New York
We spoke with Ms. Mosele's 5th grade class in Long Island, New York today. It was AWESOME!!! It was so much fun to find out what we had in common and to share and learn information that was different or suprising. Their mouths dropped when we told them that we almost never have snow days, and we were surprised to learn that it's 30 degrees there right now and "pretty warm for this time of year".
Mr. Waldvogel (the librarian who set up this meeting) and I agreed that it was a huge success. We're hoping to maybe collaborate on a shared project in the future.
What an amazing experience for them to realize that there is a big world out there, full of people with similarities and differences!
My students are journalling about the experience right now. I will post some of their comments later.
Mr. Waldvogel (the librarian who set up this meeting) and I agreed that it was a huge success. We're hoping to maybe collaborate on a shared project in the future.
What an amazing experience for them to realize that there is a big world out there, full of people with similarities and differences!
My students are journalling about the experience right now. I will post some of their comments later.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
50 States Project
We have created a Texas State Facts page for Mrs. Goodwin's class' 50 States Project. We'll be talking with them tomorrow.
You can see our page on their wiki at http://50statesproject.wikispaces.com/Texas+State+Facts.
You can see our page on their wiki at http://50statesproject.wikispaces.com/Texas+State+Facts.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Meeting classes
We will be speaking with a class in Alabama on Friday. I'm excited! They are doing a 50 states project, so we will be answering questions about Texas (and hopefully asking some questions of our own). I just hope my kids aren't rude about the football game that will be taking place the night before!
On Wednesday the 20th we will be speaking with another class in Chocowinity, North Carolina. I'm also in the works with a librarian in New York state, but I learned that I have to be clear about what I'm looking for-- just a 15 to 20 minute meeting between classes, not some sort of on-going collaborative project. At this point, I'm not organized enough to work in-depth with another teacher to create an ongoing project.
On Wednesday the 20th we will be speaking with another class in Chocowinity, North Carolina. I'm also in the works with a librarian in New York state, but I learned that I have to be clear about what I'm looking for-- just a 15 to 20 minute meeting between classes, not some sort of on-going collaborative project. At this point, I'm not organized enough to work in-depth with another teacher to create an ongoing project.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Added to the directory
I just added myself to the classroom Skype directory at http://skypeinschools.pbworks.com/ . I was able to find a bunch of different elementary teachers from around the world and hopefully some of them will respond. I added their names to my Skype account along with a message explaining what we are doing. Although I would love most of all to talk to people in other countries, talking to students in different regions of the US would be cool too.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Introduction to Skype
Today, I used Skype in my 5th grade classroom for the very first time.
I've only started using Skype very recently to talk to friends and family around the world. I'm impressed with how easy it is; sometimes technology is more trouble than it's worth! Especially as a teacher, time and efficiency are considerations.
Nicole, our awesome tech specialist, installed a webcam on my classroom computer and I downloaded Skype for free (www.Skype.com/download). You can upload your address book to find contacts (others who have Skype accounts) or search for them seperately.
My grandparents live in Switzerland, so they were the class' first call. 5 students had questions ready for them.
It was so fun and so exciting for the kids, I can't wait to try again. I went online and found this website: http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/ . Numbers 41 on are especially interesting. I've found a site where students can connect for free with authors, and I'm investigating other classrooms to meet with. Right now I don't have a major objective in talking to other classrooms besides helping students understand that there's a whole world out there to explore. Later, I can see talking about and discussing subjects they are studying in common.
Afterwards, the students had to write in their journals about the experience. One of my favorites, from Izzy: "Early this morning I got to meet my teacher Ms. King's grandparents. It was so the best morning ever because we got to talk in the computer and we were on camera like on T.V. Another good thing was we got to talk to somebody from a whole different continent. We asked 5 questions and they answered all of them. They showed us outside and it was icy out there. Now I have an idea of what Switzerland looks like. I hope we get to do it again another time."
I've only started using Skype very recently to talk to friends and family around the world. I'm impressed with how easy it is; sometimes technology is more trouble than it's worth! Especially as a teacher, time and efficiency are considerations.
Nicole, our awesome tech specialist, installed a webcam on my classroom computer and I downloaded Skype for free (www.Skype.com/download). You can upload your address book to find contacts (others who have Skype accounts) or search for them seperately.
My grandparents live in Switzerland, so they were the class' first call. 5 students had questions ready for them.
It was so fun and so exciting for the kids, I can't wait to try again. I went online and found this website: http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/ . Numbers 41 on are especially interesting. I've found a site where students can connect for free with authors, and I'm investigating other classrooms to meet with. Right now I don't have a major objective in talking to other classrooms besides helping students understand that there's a whole world out there to explore. Later, I can see talking about and discussing subjects they are studying in common.
Afterwards, the students had to write in their journals about the experience. One of my favorites, from Izzy: "Early this morning I got to meet my teacher Ms. King's grandparents. It was so the best morning ever because we got to talk in the computer and we were on camera like on T.V. Another good thing was we got to talk to somebody from a whole different continent. We asked 5 questions and they answered all of them. They showed us outside and it was icy out there. Now I have an idea of what Switzerland looks like. I hope we get to do it again another time."
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