Sunday, January 9, 2011

Connecting with our Friends Using Edmodo!

Shannon posted this on the Van Meter Library Voice on December 17, 2010.

On November 24th I wrote about connecting with John Schu and his amazing students at Brook Forest Elementary in Oak Brook, Illinois. Ever since I met John at the School Library Journal Summit in Chicago this last fall we have thought of fun ways to connect our students in the library.

In this project we focused on the 4th graders at Brook Forest and Van Meter. We both have two sections of 4th grade in our school so it worked out perfect having two groups....Fourth Grade Reads 1 and Fourth Grade Reads 2.

The students started out by introducing themselves and posting something of their choice about school, their town, what they liked to read, favorite authors, and more.

The next time they came to library it was fun to see them read about their new friends and reply to comments. They were excited when they read about similar interests and hobbies.

Today in the computer lab, I loved watching them also respond to their classmates at Van Meter. The conversations are growing in our two groups and this is becoming exciting and challenging to the students to think about what they are writing. The connections they are making mean something to them and give them a VOICE in their learning.

We created this Animoto video as a THANK YOU to Mr. Schu and all of the 4th graders at Brook Forest Elementary. We wish you a very happy holiday season and cannot wait to connect again in 2011.

2 Comments:

At January 10, 2011 at 3:34 AM , Blogger Lisa said...

Thank you Mrs. Miller and Mr. Schu for your hard work with the kids on this GREAT communication between the schools. As a parent of a 4th grader in Van Meter, and a child myself of an educator from the Chicago suburbs, I am amazed by the strides the education system has made over the years. So much of these changes have happened because of educators like you who care and want to grow our children's minds. I know you don't hear it enough...so THANK YOU for all your caring, and keep up the good work!! We parents (and the kids) appreciate it...

 
At January 10, 2011 at 8:57 AM , Blogger Shannon Miller said...

Thank you Lisa for reading our new blog and making such a kind comment! :) This is just the beginning of great changes in education. Experiences like this give our children a VOICE and connects them to valuable experiences, relationships, and learning.

Have a wonderful day, Lisa. Shannon

 

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