As we were working on our Digital Citizenship PBL, the Smart Hawks team realized that they needed more information about using Smartboards safely and responsibly than they were able to find online. We decided to invite Ms. Heather Lamb with Smart Technologies to Skype with the team so they could learn more. Mrs. Lamb was so incredibly accommodating and sent the team several documents in advance. The team crafted some questions and were excited to collaborate with Mrs. Lamb.
When it was time to make the phone call, all I did was was get Skype set up and the team took over from there. We are so grateful to be learning in this time where technology helps us break down the walls of our classroom. We also realize how lucky we are to be learning in a district that embraces 21st century skills. If you would like to learn more about how our district is transforming so "All students enjoy thriving productive lives in a future they create," please visit the Lewisville ISD Strategic Design website.
This was a week of "firsts" for our 2nd grade class. The first first was that we Skyped for the first time with our learning friends in Mrs. Goodwin's 2nd grade class in Indiana. Mrs. Goodwin's class is one of friends in the Primary Blogging Community. During our Skype session, Mrs. Goodwin's class shared a Halloween poem and then three students shared poems they had written.
Nadia introduced our class and shared some information about us. Our class has been working on the reading strategy of visualization and so we also read a Halloween poem to Mrs. Goodwin's class. Jordan and Morgan then shared their pictures they had drawn based on what they visualized as they read the poem. It was exciting to get to see some of the students we have been learning with.
Our next first was that we linked our Kidblog account with our some learning friends in Canada. Mrs. Roddau's 2nd grade class loves to blog just like us. Now that our classes are linked, students can comment on one another's blogs. It was really neat to see what students in Canada write about.
Learning to collaborate safely and responsibly with other students throughout the world is a major professional goal of mine this year. One of the most exciting things about technology is that we are able to tear down the walls of our classroom and learn alongside other students in meaningful ways.
Can't wait to see what other "firsts" this year brings. What new things is your class trying for the first time? We would love to hear from you!
