The students begin the project

The excitement of the first few weeks of school continues to fill my class. A small setback - I am teaching one section instead of two Algebra 1 classes this semester.  I have 16 students and Kristin has almost 60 but we don't see this as a problem.

Kristin and I agreed that we would lead the students into the project with quick activities that will let them see what a big world they live in. Last week we used Shout It Out (an activity from SMART Notebook 16). I asked my students about the farthest place they have travelled to from Hawaii.

The students were able to sort the responses and group them from closest to farthest from Hawaii. Within minutes on their ipads they found the distances from Hawaii. I was actually surprised that so many had travelled so far from Hawaii.

Then on a SMART amp workspace they shared what they knew about Norway - very little. Not very surprising. In fact, not all students could contribute.

Given 5 minutes to do research on their ipads, they shared something unique that they had discovered about Norway on the same workspace. It was fun hearing what students had learned as they shared their findings with the class. We learned so much in a short period of time.

Is this what learning is about? Looking for more information about something you don't know then sharing it with others? Not once did any student ask why I was asking these questions. At the end of the period, which came too quickly, I told them that we will have an opportunity to collaborate with students in Norway this semester. There were cheers and the questions started coming . . . but the bell ended the period.

Two days later my students shared what they love about their school and what they love about their "home" which could be their island, state or country.

Several love their teachers =) and many noted the opportunities available to them at school. Of note, which I will share with our cafeterial staff is the numerous votes given to the food! More than half love the beaches and the weather of Hawaii. Several love (and appreciate) their freedom.

It will be fun to exchange these workspaces and LAB activities to see what Kristin's class will think of our responses and to see what her class' responses are to the same questions.

With global collaboration day coming up on September 15, we will exchange a brief video introducting ourselves.

The students begin the project

The excitement of the first few weeks of school continues to fill my class. A small setback - I am teaching one section instead of two Algebra 1 classes this semester.  I have 16 students and Kristin has almost 60 but we don't see this as a problem.

Kristin and I agreed that we would lead the students into the project with quick activities that will let them see what a big world they live in. Last week we used Shout It Out (an activity from SMART Notebook 16). I asked my students about the farthest place they have travelled to from Hawaii.

The students were able to sort the responses and group them from closest to farthest from Hawaii. Within minutes on their ipads they found the distances from Hawaii. I was actually surprised that so many had travelled so far from Hawaii.

Then on a SMART amp workspace they shared what they knew about Norway - very little. Not very surprising. In fact, not all students could contribute.

Given 5 minutes to do research on their ipads, they shared something unique that they had discovered about Norway on the same workspace. It was fun hearing what students had learned as they shared their findings with the class. We learned so much in a short period of time.

Is this what learning is about? Looking for more information about something you don't know then sharing it with others? Not once did any student ask why I was asking these questions. At the end of the period, which came too quickly, I told them that we will have an opportunity to collaborate with a classroom in Norway this semester. There were cheers and the questions started coming . . . but the bell ended the period.

Two days later my students shared what they love about their school and what they love about their "home" which could be their island, state or country.

Several love their teachers =) and many noted the opportunities available to them at school. Of note, which I will share with our cafeterial staff is the numerous votes given to the food! More than half love the beaches and the weather of Hawaii. Several love (and appreciate) their freedom.

It will be fun to exchange these workspaces and LAB activities to see what Kristin's class will think of our responses and to see what her class' responses are to the same questions.

With global collaboration day coming up on September 15, we will exchange a brief video introducting ourselves.