Flat Classroom Project

I had an exciting opportunity last month to participate in judging videos made by students from around the world as part of the Flat Classroom Project initiative. The Flat Classroom Project is centered on the concept of providing meaningful project-based learning opportunities to students in different parts of the world. Using topics from the book, The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman they collaborate and create a video that is judged by other teachers around the world (like me!). By flattening the world (lowering the classroom walls), classes are connected to join together virtually and become one big classroom. At the current time, only high school students are eligible to participate (although there was a "pilot" session this past fall with 5th-8th graders) - I will keep you posted! For more information on the Flat Classroom Project click here -

"On Stage" Enrichment Cluster!

This past week we all met with our enrichment cluster groups for the first time. Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. Miller and I have a wonderful group of first and second grade students who were full of creative ideas for our cluster experience. We brainstormed the roles involved in the production of a play and ended our session with a discussion of possible scripts and a listing of "experts" that know who could be resources for us throughout this process. Below is a "smilebox" with photos from our meeting -

This free slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Accelerated Math for Second Graders

This semester a small group of second graders have been given the opportunity to work on "accelerated math packets". This is a voluntary activity and will be completed during free time at school or at home. The students are encouraged to work on the packets by themselves, but they are able to ask their teachers or parents if they have questions because they will encounter material that has not be discussed in class. I also plan to meet weekly (if possible) with the students to present brief lessons and review the problems that they miss.

Skyping with Africa!

When Mrs. Yant's Fourth Grade class read a National Geographic Kids article entitled, "Thirsty Planet" last Fall, who knew that it would lead to a fascinating skype discussion with a St. Mary's alum working on a water filtration system in Africa! Shortly after we read the article, I was talking with Mrs. McElroy about her daughter (Rachel) and her daughter's good friend who is working for 10 months in Africa. We realized that Katie Camille Friedman (St. Mary's graduate from 2006) is studying at an Engineering school in W. Africa and specifically trying to help the surrounding communities use local materials to make funnels that filter out impurities and parasites from the water supplies. We contacted Katie through email and on the day that all of St. Mary's participated in the "Sit for Good" on November 30, 2010 (where we role-played that we were students in Uganda), we brainstormed questions that we wanted to ask Katie after her life and work in Africa. This past week (Thursday, Jan. 13) we were finally able to connect with Katie via Skype (see photos below). It was such a wonderful experience to talk with this exemplary graduate of St. Mary's - she is a terrific role model for us all! We hope to continue our relationship throughout this semester and would like to check in with Katie sometime in May. Thank you to Mrs. Lancaster and Mrs. McElroy for making our Skype session so successful! 

P.S.  Katie recently sent me this link about the
water purification program (Potters for Peace)  - click here for more information.

New Year's Book Club!

The Second Grade Book Club met for the first time in 2011. The girls shared many of their personal favorites and Ansley S. served as a "club photographer" (sorry that I couldn't include all of the pictures!). We discussed the possibility of ordering a book (or two) that we could all read together and thanks to several students for their suggestions (especially Catherine F.!). Enjoy a the attached "Smilebox" with some photos from the meeting: New Year's Book Club

This free digital greeting card customized with Smilebox

Happy New Year!!

I put together the photos from the 2nd grade December book club meeting - click on the picture to view a smilebox of the photos -

Picture slideshow customized with Smilebox

Thanks again to Jessica, McKinely and Ansley S. for all of their help making cookies, posters and assisting with the groups during the meeting. The holiday books were inspiring and it was so much fun to read/sing Ansley's book The Twelve Days of Christmas in Louisiana (I enjoyed it so much I bought myself a copy when we were in Baton Rouge for Christmas!).
I hope that you all have had a happy, healthy, holiday and I look forward to seeing you at school tomorrow and don't forget, we have another book club meeting coming up soon!