Lex Gillette Posted About Us on His Facebook Page!

Couldn't have been more thrilled about reading this and what we mean to Lex.  Our class is so lucky to be connected to him through the Classroom Champions program.  It is expecially cool that Lex is using Google Glass to show us life "through his eyes."  He is a an amazing person and athlete, who happens to be blind.

***Any time, any place, learn!*** ;)

Virtual Field Trips to Antarctica!!

We were thrilled to get acquainted with Scientist Jean Pennycook and connect with her during her students in Camp Royds Antarctica!  The first call took place in mid December, which is the summer and mating season for the penguins.  Ms. Pennycook told us about the Adeline penguins, what they eat, how they interact, and how they are pretty curious about humans.  She took her laptop, hiked to the penguin camp and sat down.  The penguins walked right up. She said they didn't like to be touched, but they would come really close to her.  We could hear them "talking" and watched as moms and dads switched places babysitting the egg, while the other went for food.  We even watch one couple, and the one with the egg did not want to trade places and we all had a chuckle.  He or she must have been pretty comfortable!

Our second call introduced us to the babies.  It had been almost 4 weeks since our last call, so the babies were pretty big, but it was still amazing to see and hear them live.  We watched the parents feeding them in the warmest part of the summer (still below freezing).  And, although it seems harsh, we learned how the parents decide one day to leave the babies to fend for themselves and just don't come back.  The babies then must find their way to the ocean and hunt for food themselves.

Skype is an amazing tool for connecting with folks all over the world.  This year we have connected with places like Canada, Mongolia, Uganda, Australia, and lots of states around the US.  We have learned about wildlife, geography, language, culture, traditions...and learned presentation, communication, collaboration, and tech skills.  Skype is an invaluable tool.  Visit Skype in Education website to get you started discovering the world.  It's just waiting for you.



***Any time, any place, learn!*** ;)

Our Google Hangout with Meryl Davis and Charlie White!

Through our awesome Classroom Champions project, we were able to have a live video chat with our athlete mentors, Meryl and Charlie. They took a break from training to check in with our class and let us get to know them. Needless to say they were amazing and the kids were instantly connected with them! Check it out here: In the first 2 days, it has bee watched in 30 states and 19 countries around the world!!! ***Any time, any place, learn!*** ;)

Can't wait to live chat with Meryl and Charlie on Tuesday!! Watch this piece on Road to Sochi about their journey! So proud to be a part of this fabulous Classroom Champions program! ***Any time, any place, learn!*** ;)

Check out this awesome site, where kids have made video book trailers for other kids!  Click on a book you think you may want to read, and get hooked seeing what other kids have said about it!
Book Trailers for Readers!

***Any time, any place, learn!*** ;)

Math Fun!

 

The kids had a ball with this math product game!  It is cheap and easy to make!  Students take turns selecting a card and then placing the card in the correct spot, in the row with the correct color.  They worked together to decide where the mulitple should go.  Hopefully, they reinforced their knowledge of their multiplication facts as well.
***Any time, any place, learn!*** ;)

3,000 visits from 54 countries to our YouTube!

Our YouTube.com channel has been visited by almost 3,000 visitors from 54 COUNTRIES!!!!  Isn't that uh-maz-ing?!!  Our channel has videos we have uploaded with activities and songs from our classroom and also videos we have watched in class to enhance learning.  If you have a chance, stop by and comment or request.  We would love to hear from you!
Here is a list of the countries we have had visits from: (every continent except Antarctica!!!)

United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, India, Australia, Netherlands, Egypt, Romania, Thailand, Poland, Italy, Mexico, Pakistan, Taiwan, France, Philippines, Brazil, Turkey, Chile, Hong Kong, Ukraine, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland, Malaysia, Hungary, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Serbia, Moldova, New Zealand, Jordan, Jamaica, Vietnam, Venezuela, Greece, Austria, Argentina, Qatar, Cyprus, Lithuania, Norway, Oman, Peru, Indonesia, Ireland, South Korea

I am just amazed by technology and where it can take us!

***Any time, any place, learn!*** ;)

Love the GoogleDocs-

   The fabulous students of Room 18 collaborated with partners to create a Google Presentation on the Immune System of the Body.  The rubric allowed for a wide variety of presentation details.  They projects turned out wonderfully!
   Students have computer knowledge to research, create content, create new slides, insert images and photos and resize them, make background themes, spell check and most important do real time collaboration from across the room!  Google Docs allows students to share documents with each other and work on them AT THE SAME TIME.
   While one is typing, another cursor shows up where the partner is updating content in real time.  In a side chat window, students can comment on changes that need to be made or compliment each other on content being added.  Many times students will set a time to work on these projects at home, since all they need is their login to access them.  We printed slides of Google Presentations to hang in the hall and show other students!
   Stop in sometime and ask any member of Room 18 about it.  They would be happy to talk to you!

Titan visitors!!!

Students from SMS came to share their rock presentation stories with us!!  Their 7th grade classroom researched types of rocks and wrote interesting stories to peak the interests of 4th graders. It sure worked!  Our kids loved it!  Thanks, Mrs. Beavers, for arranging the visit!
***Any time, any place, learn!*** ;)

World Read Aloud Day

Watch the video clip!
Our class participated in World Read Aloud Day on March 7, 2012!

We LOVE Mystery Skype!

Watch the video clip!

Room 18 has been participating in Mystery Skype with other classrooms around the United States and even AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND!  It has really been great fun.

We found out about the project through Google Docs and signed up to participate.  We then brainstormed a list of questions to be answered Yes or No by the Mystery callers.  

When the call is placed through Skype, each class has a student ask a question, the other classroom answers, while classmates try to narrow down their location on maps, in books, and on Google Maps on the computer. Some students are taking notes and formulating new questions as the call progresses.

We have met some really fabulous folks along the way!  We have connected with classrooms from New Jersey, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, and the country of New Zealand!  How cool is that?!  

Our classroom has had a ball and has more classrooms lined up for more!
***Any time, any place, learn!*** ;)