I have to get this idea down via blog so that I don’t forget to tell all you LL’s about it come Fall. If you weren’t already aware, our awesome PTA bought web cams for all the classrooms that didn’t already have one. (YEA!) I know several classrooms that had some Skypeccess this year, 🙂
One of the great things about Twitter that it can be tailor made to suit YOUR grade level or interests. (or even Nate Berkus…or say, ummm, Troy Aikman, ;))
One of the most beneficial chat lists I’ve come across are the ones that pertain to your grade level. (A list of chats can be found here.) I was following along with a 5th grade chat the other night and the idea of a mystery skype came up. I asked what in the world that was and tada. A new idea was shared.
Basically, your students have no idea what class you are skyping with. The goal to cooperate as a team to try to figure out the location of the mystery class.
There are only a few rules to Mystery Skype. Students have to ask closed questions with yes or no answers. Classes went back and forth asking questions to help them find the location. If a class asked a question that received a yes answer, they got to ask a follow up question. Think of how you, as the teacher, could facilitate your students into creating social studies, geography, mathmatical, or scientific questions. You could specifically seek out a class in an area that relates to a place in a story you are reading, or has a tie in to a science lesson.
I know what you are thinking, my LL’s. Where in the world would I even FIND a class to Skype with? Ala Twitter, here ya go…
Also, before any of you already start deciding that this was a 6th grade class and there’s just no way your little kiddos can do it, yea huh, yes you can. Create a list of questions FOR them and let them use their thinking skills! you help LEAD them in the right direction…FACILITATE their discovery! 🙂
To read more about @mr_avery and his chat session including the roles some of his students played throughout the chat, check out his blog!
I know I’bve told you before what a big fan I am, but seriously, Twitter offers a nonstop stream of views, ideas, opinions, and activities. Get yourself in the flow or get left behind!
all a’twitterD,
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