Monthly Archives: June 2018

Goods and Services Videoconference: Wikispaces Archive

Since Wikispaces is closing down, I’m moving my collaborative videoconference projects over to my websites and blog for archiving. Great project formats can still be used and adapted!

Goods and Services

Description: Students present goods and services-themed interaction to practice and exhibit their understanding of goods and services / producers & consumers. 

Agenda:
Five minutes introduction from each class.
Ten minutes presentation/interaction led by each class. (See preparation for ideas.)
Five minutes Q & A.

How To Create Posters for Videoconferencing

This VC Poster Handout for students gives simple tips for clear presentations via posters.

Preparation

Kindergarten Ideas

Goods and Services Guessing
A class can present a skit, poster, song, etc. that involves various goods and services. The other classes will identify which elements of the presentation are goods and which are services.

Show You Know!
A class can present various props that represent goods and services. As the first class presents each prop the other class will clap if the prop represents a good or stomp if it represents a service.

Costume Connection
A class can wear costumes that represent various services. The other class will guess which service they represent and identify goods that are connected with each service. (For example, an auto mechanic fixes cars-service, he uses goods to fix them-tools, doctor visits patients-service, but prescribes medication-goods)

Mad-Libs
One class will call on other classes for goods and services to complete the mad-lib. and then read the completed mad-lib for a fun story.

Story Time
Before the conference one class will read a story such as My Town, by William Wegman or Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Numeroff, and identify goods and services in the story. The students will then write a short story such as the ones they’ve read to present during the conference. During the conference, the students will read their story to the other class. Students in the other class will then identify the goods and services in the story.

1st Grade

Adapt these ideas to a focus on the consumer or the producer of the good or service.

2nd Grade

Charades or Costumes: Act out a business providing a good or service to the local community. The partner class identifies the business.

Community Production: Present one or more goods or services created in your community. Describe the natural, human, and capital resources needed to create it and where the resources come from.

Community Specialization: Create posters, skits or visuals to show trading and specialization from your community. (Use examples to show that people cannot produce everything they want (specialization) and depend on trade with others to meet their wants.)

Standards

Michigan Curriculum:
E1 Market Economy
Use fundamental principles and concepts of economics to understand economic activity in a market economy.
Kindergarten: E1.0.2 Distinguish between goods and services.

1st grade: E1.0.1 Distinguish between producers and consumers of goods and services.

2nd grade:

  • E1.0.3 Describe how businesses in the local community meet economic wants of consumers. (i.e. providing goods and services).
  • E1.0.4 Describe the natural, human, and capital resources needed for production of a good or service in a community
  • E1.0.5 Use examples to show that people cannot produce everything they want (specialization) and depend on trade with others to meet their wants.

Evaluation

This project used this Google Spreadsheet evaluation form for feedback.

Confirmation Letter Template

To: Teachers & techs on both sides, cc [coordinator]
Subject: Goods & Services VC Project Confirmation: [date]

Greetings and welcome to our Goods & Services Videoconference Project. The goal of this project is to increase student understanding of goods and services in different communities.

Dates & Times
[date & time in both time zones]

Technical Information:
[who] will dial.
[IP address]
If there are problems, please call [phone].

Introductions
The lead teacher for this project is [local teacher name, email, phone, school name, city, state, country].

The other participating school is:
[local teacher name, email, phone, school name, city, state, country].

Preparation
Preparation materials and resources are online:

Format
For the actual connection, I recommend this format as a rough guideline:
5 min. Introductions (be sure to prepare a map for each other)
5-10 min. One class presents
5-10 min. The other class presents.
5-10 min. Ask each other questions.

Action Items
Here’s what needs to happen next.

  • Teachers: Please email each other to discuss further.
  • Techs: We’re trying to do test calls for this event on January 22. Please email with the best time to test.

Let me know if you have any questions along the way. We really appreciate you participating in this project with us!

Janine

Wikispaces to Blog Conversion Feedback

Thoughts on the conversion of wikispaces videoconference projects to this blog format? This conversion is a summer project for me, and feedback is welcome.

Eco-Conversations Videoconference: Wikispaces Archive

Girl’s hands holding globe — Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

Since Wikispaces is closing down, I’m moving my collaborative videoconference projects over to my blog for archiving. Great project formats can still be used and adapted!

Eco-Conversations

Project Description: Middle and high school students connect to discuss current environmental issues and their impact locally. Students present their research and the local perspectives and then discuss the issues with the partner class. See the Resources section for potential topics.

Teacher Quote: My students absolutely LOVED IT. You know they really liked it when they are telling other teachers and students about it!!! Talking to another country is by far the best VC out there!! I would talk to another country any time it was available! -Karen Ennesser, Dowagiac Middle School

Blog Report: Carbon Emissions

VC Agenda:

  • Introductions
  • Both class present
  • Question & answer time / discuss the implications / differences

How To Create Posters for Videoconferencing

This VC Poster Handout for students gives simple tips for clear presentations via posters.

PowerPoint Tips

  • Use a large font.
  • Don’t put too much text on the page.
  • Don’t use red for background or text.
  • Have a good contrast between text and background.
  • Blue backgrounds with white or yellow text work best.

Preparation

Preparation Steps
  1. Talk to your partner teacher via phone or email and negotiate the details.
  2. Have students list prior knowledge on the topic.
  3. Explore the topic by using the websites and resources listed for that topic and/or supplementing with your own activities & resources.
  4. Students prepare a presentation to explain the issue from their perspective(s) and how the issue affects their community. This presentation is then shared with the partner class. Divide the students into groups and involve as many students as possible (see page 36 in this booklet). Use these Tips for Posters to help you prepare any visuals. Possible groups include:
    • Background science knowledge
    • Analysis of scientific method’s use
    • Environmental perspectives
    • Economic perspectives
    • Local perspectives
    • Recommended actions / solutions
  5. Discuss and process together in the videoconference what you learned. What conclusions did you reach together? Which issues are still unresolved?
  6. After the videoconference, compare conclusions to listed prior knowledge.
  7. You may also wish to have the students prepare questions for each other.

Resources

Note: I am not maintaining this list of resources. It is here for reference and archive only.

Teachers should have agreed on a topic.
Use the resources and activities listed to explore the issues and prepare a presentation.
If you want to contribute other resources or topics, click “join” above to request access to this web site so you can edit it too.
For a plethora of green resources, visit Edutopia’s Go Green Database.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Climate Change

Warming Oceans

Fresh Water

Water Bottles

Invasive Species

Evaluation

This project used this Google Spreadsheet evaluation form for feedback.

Facilitator Confirmation Letter

Email Confirmation Template

To: Teachers & techs on both sides, cc [coordinator]
Subject: Eco-Conversations [topic] Confirmation: [date]

Greetings and welcome to our Eco-Conversations Videoconference Project. The goal of this project is to present and hear different perspectives on environmental issues.

Dates & Times
[date & time in both time zones]

Technical Information:
[who] will dial.
[IP address]
If there are problems, please call [phone].

Introductions
The lead teacher for this project is [local teacher name, email, phone, school name, city, state, country].

The other participating school is:
[local teacher name, email, phone, school name, city, state, country].

Preparation
Preparation materials and resources are online:

Format
For the actual connection, I recommend this format as a rough guideline:
5 min. Introductions (be sure to prepare a map for each other)
15 min. One class presents
15 min. The other class presents.
10 min. Ask each other questions.

Action Items
Here’s what needs to happen next.

  • Teachers: Please email each other to discuss further.
  • Techs: We’re trying to do test calls for this event on November 23. Please email with the best time to test.

Let me know if you have any questions along the way. We really appreciate you participating in this project with us!

Janine

Wikispaces to Blog Conversion Feedback

Thoughts on the conversion of wikispaces videoconference projects to this blog format? This conversion is a summer project for me, and feedback is welcome.

Collaboration 411: Wikispaces Archive

Since Wikispaces is closing down, I’m moving my collaborative videoconference projects over to my websites and blog for archiving. Great project formats can still be used and adapted!

Note: This wiki was a collection of projects with contact and scheduling information. I’m keeping just the lesson plans and videoconference agendas, for archiving and ideas.

Turkey Talk

Classroom Preparation:
This project is modeled after Monster Match. Each class will create a turkey, describe it, send the description to the partner classes, and then make each other’s turkeys. During the videoconference we will see how well they match.

For more information, see the from Monster Match, realizing of course that we’re doing this with TURKEYS not monsters.

Turkey Talk Approved Materials: crayons, markers, pipe cleaners, tape, googly eyes, construction paper, glue, newspaper, shoe boxes, balloons, cups, bulletin board paper, paper plates, yarn.

Videoconference Agenda:
Welcome and Introductions

  1. Classroom A zooms in on their ORIGINAL turkey.
  2. Classroom B zooms in on the second turkey they created.
  3. Classroom A identifies similarities and differences.
  4. REPEAT switching roles.
  5. Classroom B zooms in on their ORIGINAL turkey.
  6. Classroom A zooms in on the second turkey they created.
  7. Classroom B identifies similarities and differences.
  8. Closing: Big round of applause for both groups!

Michigan Native American Tribes

Classroom Preparation:

In our class, the students are each making a poster on a Michigan Native American tribe and are gathering information on the history of the trip. We want to have our class present, and your class to present what you are learning about the tribes also. The students can ask each other questions as well.

Videoconference Agenda:

5 min. Introductions by both classes (tell a little about your school & area)
15-30 min. Presentations by each class. It may be helpful to rotate between the two classes doing a small presentation at a time.
10-15 min. Q&A time.

4th 5th Cinco de Mayo Holiday Traditions Bilingual

Classroom Preparation:
Each class will share holiday traditions for Cinco de Mayo.

The Michigan students are in first year of Spanish studies. This is mostly meant to be a “culture discussion” with teacher assistance with translation where needed.
The Texas/Florida students are in a bilingual classroom.

Videoconference Agenda:
5 min. Introductions of both schools. Tell about your community and show a map.
5 min. One class shares about holiday traditions.
5 min. The other class shares about holiday traditions.
5 min. Q&A between the students.

High School Culinary Arts Collaboration

Preparation
Each class should prepare a food demonstration for the other class. Some ideas include: how to prepare a food, knife cuts, how to fabricate a chicken and then prepare it; demonstrate cuts and make a soup or stir fry. Classes should also prepare some content and community related questions for each other.

VC Agenda
5 min. Introductions (a map, a little about your class and town, a interesting food/nutrition fact about your town)
30 min. Each class does a demonstration for the other class. Try to engage the other class in the demonstration by asking questions etc.
15 min. Share what you’re studying/learning. Ask each other questions, etc.

Snowman Swap

Classroom Preparation:
This project is modeled after Monster Mayhem. Each class will create a snowman , describe it, send the description to the partner class. Then, the class will try to create the other class’ snowman based on the written instructions.

Note: This would be a great project to reinforce geometry terms, measurement, and descriptive writing.

For more information, see the instructions from Monster Mayhem, realizing of course that we’re doing this with Snowmen, not monsters.

Videoconference Agenda:
Welcome and Introductions

  1. Classroom A zooms in on their ORIGINAL snowman.
  2. Classroom B zooms in on the second snowman they created.
  3. Classroom A identifies similarities and differences.
  4. REPEAT switching roles.
  5. Classroom B zooms in on their ORIGINAL snowman.
  6. Classroom A zooms in on the second snowman they created.
  7. Classroom B identifies similarities and differences.
  8. Closing: Big round of applause for both groups!

Day of the Dead Cultural Exchange

Videoconference Agenda:
5 min.: Welcome and introductions. Each class shares their location and brief introductions about their school.
30 – 40 min. Two presentations, one from each class, with a few minutes in between each to set up. (Participants can decide the order of presentations.)
5 min.: Debriefing and to say good bye. (Amount of time spent on each activity can be changed to fit the scheduling need of participants.)

Wikispaces to Blog Conversion Feedback

Thoughts on the conversion of wikispaces videoconference projects to this blog format? This conversion is a summer project for me, and feedback is welcome.

Critter Connections: Wikispaces Archive

Since Wikispaces is closing down, I’m moving my collaborative videoconference projects over to my blog for archiving. Great project formats can still be used and adapted!

Critter Connections Videoconference

Description: K-2 Students present or lead an interaction on the study of animals. Both classes share what they are learning about animals.

2011 Dates: May 11-12.

Videoconference Agenda:
Five minutes introduction from each class.
5-10 minutes presentation/interaction led by each class. (See Preparation for ideas.)
5 minutes: Compare and contrast the animals presented by both classes.
Five minutes Q & A.

How To Create Posters for Videoconferencing

This VC Poster Handout for students gives simple tips for clear presentations via posters.

Preparation

Animal Presentation
Share a presentation about an animal your class is learning about:

Information should include:

  1. Habitat
  2. Movement
  3. Description
  4. What they eat
  5. Song or poem about the critter

Presentation should include:

  • a visual – preferably student drawing
  • sound – what sound does the critter make?
  • motion – act out how the animal moves

Animal Riddles
Lead the interaction with the other class.
Have several riddles prepared for the other class (negotiate the number with your partner class).
Include a drawing of the animal to reveal the answer.

Animal Alphabet
Share a celebration of animals and the alphabet with your partner class.
Share a picture of an animal that starts with the letter. Have the other class repeat after you the letter, the sound it makes, and the name of the animal.

Animal Habitats
Teach the partner class the habitats you are learning (i.e. forests, deserts, wetlands, and grasslands). Then share pictures of animals in each habitat and have the partner class guess the habitat and animal name.
Sample supporting lesson plan.

Animal Colors and Shapes
Remind the partner class of the different shapes: triangles, circles, squares, rhomboids. Then share pictures of animals and have the partner class identify the shapes in the animal.

and/or Draw pictures of animals in their habitat to share on posters (see How To) or your document camera. Have the partner class identify the color(s) of the animal and the color of the habitat. Does it camouflage? Have the partner class say camouflage if it does.
Sample supporting lesson plan.

Your Ideas
What other ideas do you have? Share what you’re learning about animals, and figure out a way to engage the other class in guessing or interacting some way with your presentation.

Facilitator Confirmation Email Template

To: Teachers & techs on both sides, cc [coordinator]
Subject: Critter Connections VC Project Confirmation: [date]

Greetings and welcome to our Critter Connections Videoconference Project. The goal of this project is to increase student understanding of animals.

Dates & Times
[date & time in both time zones]

Technical Information:
[who] will dial.
[IP address]
If there are problems, please call [phone].

Introductions
The lead teacher for this project is [local teacher name, email, phone, school name, city, state, country].

The other participating school is:
[local teacher name, email, phone, school name, city, state, country].

Preparation
Preparation materials and resources are online:

Format
For the actual connection, I recommend this format as a rough guideline:
Five minutes introduction from each class. (prepare a map for each other)
5-10 minutes presentation/interaction led by each class. (See the Preparation page for ideas.)
5 minutes: Compare and contrast the animals presented by both classes.
Five minutes Q & A.

Action Items
Here’s what needs to happen next.

  • Teachers: Please email each other to discuss further.
  • Techs: Please sign up for a test call time here:

Let me know if you have any questions along the way. We really appreciate you participating in this project with us!

Janine

Wikispaces to Blog Conversion Feedback

Thoughts on the conversion of wikispaces videoconference projects to this blog format? This conversion is a summer project for me, and feedback is welcome.

Celebración: Spanish Videoconferences: Wikispaces Archive

Since Wikispaces is closing down, I’m moving my collaborative videoconference projects over to my blog for archiving. Great project formats can still be used and adapted!

Welcome to Celebración!

Celebrate a holiday with your Spanish class. This project partners Spanish classes with bilingual classes. Each class leads an interactive activity with the other class. Practice your Spanish while learning about a Mexican holiday.

  • Día de los Muertos (VCs during October 26-29)
  • Cinco de Mayo (VCs during May 5-13)

Berrien RESA’s Spanish classes will be partnered with bilingual classes in Dallas ISD, TX or Broward County, FL.

VC Agenda:

  • Introductions
  • Each class takes a turn (or more) leading the interaction
  • Question & answer time

How To Create Posters for Videoconferencing

This VC Poster Handout for students gives simple tips for clear presentations via posters.

Preparation

Each class should prepare to lead an interaction and present to the other class. Here are some ideas to get you started. Try to:

  • Involve all your students
  • Interact with the other class: ask them questions, get them to respond with motions, etc.

Share Artwork
Have students create art such as drawings, salt dough skull sculptures, or other art projects.

Share Writing or Poetry
Prepare a class recitation of the traditional Calaveras poem for your partner class.

Skits
Create a skit for students to act out while practicing the language. Add some interaction by have the other students give a signal (stand up, thumbs up, etc) if the language use was correct.

Stories
Have students read a story in Spanish for the partner class.

Games
Have students lead a game show activity that reviews Spanish vocabulary or quizzes the other students.

Resources

(Note: These are here for archiving purposes. I am not maintaining these links.)

Dia de los Muertos

Cinco de Mayo

Evaluation

This project used this Google Spreadsheet evaluation form for feedback.

Facilitator Confirmation Email Template

Day of the Dead Confirmation

To: Teachers & techs on both sides, cc [coordinator]
Subject: Day of the Dead VC Project Confirmation: [date]

Greetings and welcome to our Day of the Dead Videoconference Project. The goal of this project is to practice Spanish skills and to learn more about this cultural celebration.

Dates & Times
[date & time in both time zones]

Technical Information:
[who] will dial.
[IP address]
If there are problems, please call [phone].

Introductions
The lead teacher for this project is [local teacher name, email, phone, school name, city, state, country].

The other participating school is:
[local teacher name, email, phone, school name, city, state, country].

Preparation
Preparation materials and resources are online:

Format
For the actual connection, I recommend this format as a rough guideline:
5 min. Introductions (be sure to prepare a map for each other)
5-10 min. One class leads the interaction
5-10 min. The other class leads the interaction.
5-10 min. Ask each other questions.

Action Items
Here’s what needs to happen next.

  • Teachers: Please email each other to discuss further.
  • Techs: Dallas and Berrien schools do not need to test. Otherwise, please sign up for a test call with Berrien RESA’s bridge here: ADD LINK

Let me know if you have any questions along the way. We really appreciate you participating in this project with us!

Janine

Cinco de Mayo Confirmation

To: Teachers & techs on both sides, cc [coordinator
Subject: Cinco de Mayo VC Project Confirmation: [date]

Greetings and welcome to our Cinco de Mayo Videoconference Project. The goal of this project is to practice Spanish skills and to learn more about this cultural celebration.

Dates & Times
[date & time in both time zones]

Technical Information:
[who] will dial.
[IP address]
If there are problems, please call [phone].

Introductions
The lead teacher for this project is [local teacher name, email, phone, school name, city, state, country].

The other participating school is:
[local teacher name, email, phone, school name, city, state, country].

Preparation
Preparation materials and resources are online:

Format
For the actual connection, I recommend this format as a rough guideline:
5 min. Introductions (be sure to prepare a map for each other)
5-10 min. One class leads the interaction
5-10 min. The other class leads the interaction.
5-10 min. Ask each other questions.

Action Items
Here’s what needs to happen next.

  • Teachers: Please email each other to discuss further.
  • Techs: Dallas and Berrien schools do not need to test. Otherwise, please sign up for a test call with Berrien RESA’s bridge here: ADD LINK

Let me know if you have any questions along the way. We really appreciate you participating in this project with us!

Janine

Wikispaces to Blog Conversion Feedback

Thoughts on the conversion of wikispaces videoconference projects to this blog format? This conversion is a summer project for me, and feedback is welcome.