IMOVIE PROJECT

This is a wonderful commercial that one of my students and I experimented with using the imovie app on the I-pad.  What a great way for students to share what they know in an all out debate on what is better for our soil.  The efforts of this program will provide a third world country with either manure or worms to help sustain their life in their country by growing healthy crops and sharing with their neighboring villages.

Skype in your own Classroom

Skype in Your Classroom:

There are so many benefits to Skyping in your own classroom.  Everyone talks about how much more engaged students are and how much more they learn because they are learning from there peers, and I can honestly say that this is nothing but the TRUTH!  My experiences with Skype are few, but I can say that they have been great, and the children that you have the hardest time reaching tend to be the most reached.

This year so far our students have had the opportunity of Skyping with a class in another local school on practice debates, and commercials.  Currently, we are planning a "virtual trip" with Yellowstone National Park to learn more about their habitats and local conservation efforts.  Next week we will be Skyping with Cegar, Serbia.  This is a school that has 8 year olds exploring their first year of English and they want a chance to use it in real world situations.  We will be doing a short question and answer session with the students on their habitats in their country and what they do to keep their earth healthy and clean.  Not only is this a great experience for those students, but a great experience for those in my class that will NEVER have any opportunity besides this one to contact someone outside of their own country.

The impact that Skyping with others brings is limitless.  Students learn best from their peers and from their outside experiences.  Providing students with roles in your Skype allow for learning beyond the curriculum.  This allows students to learn about self control, self importance, and critical thinking skills in real world situations.  Talk about applying what they know. 

If you have not had an opportunity to Skype with your students with another class I suggest that you get involved in this site: Skype in the Classroom

There is a great group titled: World Class for Kids. This group allows you to add your name to a database of teachers from all over the world in an effort to connect globally on so many different issues.  If you try it, leave me a comment and let me know how it goes!