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Fisher School Reunion #2 (Dec. 2014) Another year is just about on the books, but it wouldn't have been complete without our "2nd Fisher School Reunion."   (Read about the FIRST Fisher School Reunion here !) Gathering in the auditorium of the actual school , more than 60 former classmates and teachers joined in an evening of celebration of the 'wonder years'!  The 'wonder years' could be described as the days between 1971 - 1981 when a group of talented, highly-motivated,  highly engaging, creative and caring teachers collaborated together which inevitably created long-lasting memories. Visiting their Grade 6 Classroom One of the highlights of the evening included a tour of the building.   What a sight it was to see as these long-ago students and teachers found their former classrooms.  Many more stories came spilling out as they lingered in the doorways or sat in the small classroom chairs chatting about events like how the walls between classrooms would...

I'm no expert - especially when it comes to Google+ Hangout . In fact, I've only used it a couple of times. However, I can see the many and varied possibilities for use in an elementary classroom. Classes can collaborate in ways not been done before! Here are 10 ways elementary classes can use Google+ Hangout to connect for more collaborative, authentic learning. (Class would need a Google+ Account ) English Language Arts: 1. Reader's Theater: Each participating classroom will have one or several parts in the play; or each classroom will share a different play. After the play discuss the elements of the story. 2. Book Club - Each class can read the same book (off line) then come together to discuss the setting, character, plot, rising action, conflict and solution. Or classes can participate in their own mini read aloud based on the Global Read Aloud. Writing: 3. Create a Story: Using a basic story (outlined by participating teachers) each class ...

By this time last year I had my summer PD all planned out . So far, I hadn't really planned anything for these first 2 weeks off from school, and to my delight a professional development opportunity arose before my very eyes. Every other Thursday night I meet on Twitter with a group of people interested in Elementary Science. The creator and moderator of that chat, Bill Krakower ( @wkrakower ) of New Jersey, suggested that we try to conduct the chat via 'Google Hangout' . I have heard Bill, as well as some other folks, referring to this 'Hangout' a lot lately, and decided I would LOVE to be involved. What is a Google Hangout ? Think Skype on steroids! Google Hangout is a feature of Google+ which allows up to 10 people to video conference at one time. Within the Hangout there are many extra great features as well. These include Screen Sharing, Google Doc sharing, Watching the same Youtube Video together, a Sketchpad and more. These features promote collab...

There are all kinds of opinions out there about using Social Media with your students.  The Case for Social Media in Schools is one example by someone who has outlined very valid reasons to use sites like Facebook, Edmodo & Edublogs in the classroom.  Here is a post about the recent Missouri Facebook Law which "limits teacher-student interaction online".      My post really doesn't address the above thoughts except that it IS about teachers and students interacting online via Facebook! Back in the beginning of July I received a Facebook invite from one of my 6th grade teachers ...okay, well, one of my former sixth grade teachers.  He and another one of my former 6th grade teachers, decided to start a Facebook group for those who belonged to our little neighborhood school from the years between 1971 - 1981 (I'm sure I'm dating myself NOW!). Little by little the group started growing.   In just a short month over 180 now adult, former s...