Have students name their favorite piece of literature (poem, story, etc.) from the year so far, name the author and title of work, then give a few sentences about what the piece was about and why they enjoyed it. You could choose 2-3 students (or more if time permits) from each room to stand up and read theirs out loud over Skype to the other classrooms. When the student was ready to talk, they would stand and say their name then begin reading their assignment. Those students that were not going to be speaking were to take notes about which pieces of literature were suggested as ones they enjoyed, as well as 1-2 reasons why that student who spoke believed it to be good literature.
This could also be done more specifically with a novel study or specific piece of literature. Share a list of 3-4 questions with the groups skyping and allow students a class or two to prepare responses to discuss with the other school grade. Have an open discussion about the novel or piece of literature, this allows students the opportunity to connect with other people in their grade from other towns about a common thread in ELA. Another idea you could use which would probably work better in a Creative Writing 20 course is to read out creative writing pieces they have written if they feel comfortable as a way to build up their audience. http://horizoncap.pbworks.com/w/page/34811601/Watrous-Nokomis-Bruno%20Skype - ELA 10 CAP experience
Click on the link or image above to see how Skype can help you connect in your classroom to other teachers, to other schools and help you become inspired to use technology in your classroom!
Idea #2
Author Visit
Email the Saskatchewan Writers Guild to find a author to connect via Skype with your classroom to do a reading with them, or possibly do some writing activities.
Idea #3 Global Skype
IF you happen to have a teacher-friend who teaches in a different province, state or country, it would be a neat idea to try to coordinate a plan where they could Skype with your class even if it is just for 10 minutes! IF you have just a friend or "expert" in a neat field - like science, archaeology, an author, ANYTHING that happens globally, have them Skype as an expert visit - have students create questions ahead of time to ask!
There are many global projects out there and not all will work for ELA but many will overlap with other subject areas. This is an evolving type of activity that is starting to become more and more available in schools around the country. There is a lot of potential for educational purposes but there needs to be structure. Here are a few really well done global projects for you to check out:
The AMAZING teacher Vicki Davis - Flat Classroom Project Horizon Project
Skype Potential
Idea #1
Skype Classroom to Classroom or School to School
Have students name their favorite piece of literature (poem, story, etc.) from the year so far, name the author and title of work, then give a few sentences about what the piece was about and why they enjoyed it. You could choose 2-3 students (or more if time permits) from each room to stand up and read theirs out loud over Skype to the other classrooms. When the student was ready to talk, they would stand and say their name then begin reading their assignment. Those students that were not going to be speaking were to take notes about which pieces of literature were suggested as ones they enjoyed, as well as 1-2 reasons why that student who spoke believed it to be good literature.
This could also be done more specifically with a novel study or specific piece of literature. Share a list of 3-4 questions with the groups skyping and allow students a class or two to prepare responses to discuss with the other school grade. Have an open discussion about the novel or piece of literature, this allows students the opportunity to connect with other people in their grade from other towns about a common thread in ELA. Another idea you could use which would probably work better in a Creative Writing 20 course is to read out creative writing pieces they have written if they feel comfortable as a way to build up their audience.http://horizoncap.pbworks.com/w/page/34811601/Watrous-Nokomis-Bruno%20Skype - ELA 10 CAP experience
SKYPE IN THE CLASSROOM
http://education.skype.com/
Click on the link or image above to see how Skype can help you connect in your classroom to other teachers, to other schools and help you become inspired to use technology in your classroom!Idea #2
Author Visit
Email the Saskatchewan Writers Guild to find a author to connect via Skype with your classroom to do a reading with them, or possibly do some writing activities.
http://www.skwriter.com/programs-and-services/rural-programsIdea #3
Global Skype
IF you happen to have a teacher-friend who teaches in a different province, state or country, it would be a neat idea to try to coordinate a plan where they could Skype with your class even if it is just for 10 minutes! IF you have just a friend or "expert" in a neat field - like science, archaeology, an author, ANYTHING that happens globally, have them Skype as an expert visit - have students create questions ahead of time to ask!
There are many global projects out there and not all will work for ELA but many will overlap with other subject areas. This is an evolving type of activity that is starting to become more and more available in schools around the country. There is a lot of potential for educational purposes but there needs to be structure.
Here are a few really well done global projects for you to check out:
The AMAZING teacher Vicki Davis - Flat Classroom Project
Horizon Project