Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Second Grade PenPals - Runyon Elementary and Hopkins Elementary


Mandi Autry a 2nd grade teacher at Runyon, was inspired to start pen-pals back up this year after a former student came back to visit after her first week in middle school and was thrilled to have met her pen-pal from elementary school. It was wonderful to see they remembered each other and had an immediate friend in a new school. This year Mandi Autry (Runyon) and Libby Wachter also a 2nd grade teacher (Hopkins) have their classes write back and forth about once a month. Their goal is that they learn about other students and make friendships that continue throughout elementary school and into middle school. The students use their Google account and continue writing back and forth on one Google document. The kids are enjoying it and are thrilled when a new letter arrives! 

Interested in pen paling with your class? 
Let us know so we can help get you started and match you up with another classroom.



Beware Online Filter Bubbles

Eli Pariser: Beware online "filter bubbles" TED TALK "As web companies strive to tailor their services (including news and search results) to our personal tastes, there's a dangerous unintended consequence: We get trapped in a "filter bubble" and don't get exposed to information that could challenge or broaden our worldview. Eli Pariser argues powerfully that this will ultimately prove to be bad for us and bad for democracy." 

Tips to Break the Filter Bubble 
How To Burst Your Filter
BubbleEscape Your News Bubble



Monday, February 27, 2017

Global Connections

Developing global and cultural awareness and collaboration skills is important for our students in today’s workforce. ISTE has standards for teachers and students, which share the need for students and teachers to work collaboratively with people from other parts of the globe to increase their perspective and understanding of others. 

A few places to consider getting started

Skype in the Classroom 

  • Virtual Field Trips 
  • Skype Lessons 
  • Skype Collaborations 
  • Mystery Skype 
  • Guest Speakers 
iEARN
Google Hangouts 
Classroom Bridges 



Many teachers also begin with blogging to increase audience for student voice while others use Twitter to reach author's and share classroom projects, student thinking. 

SHARE Let us know how you develop global awareness in your classroom.

Friday, February 24, 2017

Tilt brush - Another Medium of Art

Tilt Brush, is a virtual reality app from Google.


It lets you paint in three-dimensional space, walk around your brush strokes from any angle, and use fantastical materials like fire, stars and rainbows. Since they launched Tilt Brush in April, they have seen professional artists and everyday doodlers make some incredible creations. Check out an artist using Tilt Brush. YouTube (bypass the filter if needed)

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Second Grade Blogging

Primary grades are busy sharing their thinking too. 

Check out Mandi Autry's 2nd grade classroom blog at Runyon. Students have been blogging to whole group responses. Mandi might read a story and ask about a character. Students may respond to general questions such as... How was your weekend? They also respond to specific questions based on their reading group. Mandi is also excited to share that 98% of her 7 and 8 year olds have their Google logins memorized which is HUGE!!