| Description: | I would like to develop a relationship with an international teacher and become partners for the next few years. Perhaps beginning with some letter writing with our classes and then meet via VC to share details about our communities and cultures. I currently have students in my class who come from Korea, Czech Republic, and Mexico. It would be great to connect with a partner class from one of these areas but am open to other areas as well. |
| Dates: | Between March 15 - May 30. Perhaps two VC meetings after establishing penpals |
| Sign up method: | Exploding Collaboration |
| Grades: | 2 |
| Subjects: | Elementary All Subjects |
| Outcomes: | I am hoping to expand on the idea of community. My classroom is very diverse and my students accept differences in others very readily. However, they do this within the walls of our classroom. An international VC would give my students the opportunity to gain a larger understanding and a better view of the world around them. This would help meet and expand on the second grade state standards for social studies. |
| Preparation Time Frame: | Meeting 1/2 times with the partner teacher to set up penpals, and VC timeframe. |
| Methods and Activities: | Following the initial introductions through penpal letters the students will prepare for first VC meeting. Students can introduce themselves in the first VC. Perhaps a "Guess Who I am" game could be played for some of the students through descriptive writing (questioning) using facts shared in the letters. Students would prepare presentations about a typical day in a second grader's life. Students could be in groups of 4-5 to share presentations. The following VC presentation could be the same groups sharing about the larger community/culture. Post activities could be an item from each culture sent to the partner classroom, and hopefully a continued friendship through penpal letters. I would be open to other ideas suggested by the partner teacher. |
| Responsibilities: | Students will prepare ideas/pictures in groups of 4-5. Students will prepare questions for Guessing their partner based on penpal letters. Students will rehearse and practice presentation before VC. Teachers will guide groups and assign topics as discussed with partner teacher. Teacher will mail penpal letters and any other items to be shared with partner class. Teacher will have presets ready to show document camera pictures, groups speaking, and whole class. |
| Agenda: | VC #1 Introductions Guess Who Game Groups share Life of a Second Grader(use document camera for pictures or illustrations) Good-byes until next time VC #2 Introductions Share weather in your area Groups share Facts about our community/state A special song or game could be shared as a closer. Individual good-byes and encouragement to keep writing each other. |
| Credit: | Janine Lim just recently gave me the Guess Who I Am game suggestion. |
Kristen Dow
kdow@homeoftheshamrocks.org
Phone: 269-471-1836
MARS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Time Zone: GMT-5: Eastern Standard Time