Mystery Hangouts!!! We LOVE LOVE LOVE mystery hangouts. We have been scheduling with classes all around the United States and were even BLESSED enough to have one on March 4th with a classroom in New Zealand! In just one lesson, we learned about their summers [Dec-Feb], a typical Christmas day there [hanging at the beach], time zone change [19 hours ahead of us], plane ride time [16 hours to fly there approx.], and so much more! We did our guessing game and then after had a Q and A time with each other. Their class even busted out a song for us in another language as their teacher played his guitar. It was awesome! The kids had a great time and truly enjoyed every minute. We blogged about the experience on our Kidblog page HERE.
This morning, March 13th, we were able to be in a GHO with Tony Vincent, creator of the amazing Stick Around App. There were SEVERAL classes involved in this hangout that Brent Catlett put together and moderated for us. Kids from all classes were given questions to ask Mr. Vincent, as well as having the option to come up with their own questions for him. He asked us questions as well! The students couldn't stop talking about the experience and we did blog about this as well. [see link above]
IPAD academy was a VERY productive day! Sarah Armstrong and I created several Stick Around apps and threw them in the BPS folder for 6th grade on Google Drive. I made a Math one for 9-3 [Dividing fractions], and a few for the Grammar bin [prefixes/meanings, etc]. We also collaborated with Monica Evon and came up with a Guided Reading Checklist for intermediate students. This "menu" style doc was shared in the academy's Google Community page and if you want you want access just send me the request. We just wanted to have a Daily 5 Menu that worked for older kids. Sarah and I also put the finishing touches on what we want out of Parent Teacher Conferences that are coming up....created a checklist of things we want the students to discuss/show to their parents. We can't wait for the student-led model! Kids are BEAMING with pride at the work they have created this quarter....only more to come!
Apps that we are excited about: Chatterpix, Stick Around, Ask3, Puffin, ComicBook, Comic Maker, Wordsalad, and Wonderopolis to name a few.....
Thanks to all that have created and SHARED their amazing ideas. I am so happy to have this true COMMUNITY of educators working hard to do what we love to do--HELP INSPIRE KIDS TO LEARN!
Excellent post, Emily. Thanks for sharing all the things happening in your classroom. I agree, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to connect with App developer Tony Vincent. What an incredible experience for students. It was also so validating for them to have him answer their questions and even jot down some of their ideas on how to improve the app.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Emily! Thanks for sharing out all the awesome things happening in you and Sarah's classrooms! You guys rock! I am so glad to hear the kids enjoyed the hangout with Tony! I thought it was awesome as well! He rocks and so does Stick Around! Thank you so much for putting so much effort into creating puzzles and sharing them to the BPS Drive folder.
ReplyDeleteYour Mystery Hangout with New Zealand was EPIC! Keep up the great work!