Mystery Skype in the Elementary Classroom

Mystery Skype is a global classroom learning experience in which two teachers schedule a video conference for their students.  The conferencing classes can be in different cities, states, or even countries.  This activity is suitable for all grade levels and students at Furr Elementary are loving this 21st Century Classroom Experience!

 As our school's Technology Facilitator, I have worked with 2nd through 5th grade teachers in setting up their Mystery Skype sessions and teaching their students about research and problem-solving.  My Mystery Skype tasks have differed based on the grade level I am working with.

With Second Grade classes and one Third Grade class, I created open-ended questions.  These questions were shared with both Skyping classes ahead of time so the class could research the answers for their own school location.  Students were then assigned a question for the Skype session.  Our Skype session ran as follows:
Introduction:  The teacher or a designated student can introduce the class without giving away any specific information.
Question and Answer session:  Students are called up by corresponding question number.  The classes then alternate asking and answering questions.  With the lower grade levels, I sat with my laptop and recorded the answers.
Research:  The call is ended and both classes begin their research based on the answers given.  Once the class thinks they have determined the correct location they will create questions they would like to ask about the school/curriculum/activities, etc.  Laptops and iPads are provided for students to begin their research.
Call Back:  The call back is placed the same day or within a day or two of the original Mystery Skype (this depends on schedules).  During the call back each class will take turns guessing where the other is located.  Once both have guessed correctly we then have an open discussion.
Open Discussion:  The Open Discussion is a forum where the students can post questions to the other students and class.  Some questions and topics:  size of the school, grade levels, after school activities, local attractions, weather, and even testing.

Our upper grade levels (3rd through 5th grade) have taken the Mystery Skype experience to an expert level.  These students begin with a few scripted Yes/No questions, but then have to create their own Yes/No questions as the Mystery Skype progresses.  Each class tries to be the first to guess the location of the other.  For this advanced Mystery Skype, jobs are assigned for the students.  Similar to above, once the locations were guessed correctly students were able to have an open discussion and ask questions about their city, state, school, and lifestyles.

With the onset of the Common Core Standards in our school system, I have been asked how Mystery Skype aligns to the new standards.   These are the links to the Anchor Standards met:

Comprehension and Collaboration
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.4
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.6

Documents
Yes/No Questions (advanced Mystery Skype)
Open-Ended Questions (beginner Mystery Skype)
Jobs & Preparation

CAFE Technology News 11/19/14

Dreambox and New Students - Updated!! 11/20/14

Per the county: We have asked Dreambox to lock the teacher fields that allow for students to be added.  School level administrators will still see that screen (principals, assistant principals, technology facilitators, and lead teachers), but it is very important that no one manually add students from here on out!

Reminder: We are syncing Dreambox accounts with PowerSchool and student accounts will be automatically created.  Please do not create accounts manually.  If a student has been in PowerSchool for more than three days and is not appearing in Dreambox, please e-mail your technology facilitator who will contact Dreambox to investigate and resolve the issue.

Student Activities for November

Looking for a Thanksgiving-themed activity for your students?  Check out these two activities from Scholastic.

The Thanksgiving Feast: A First Thanksgiving Activity
Grades: PreK-K, 1-2, 3-5
Students view a slideshow, read text, and go on a fact-finding mission to learn details related to the first Thanksgiving celebration.

Daily Life:  A First Thanksgiving Activity
Grades: 3-5
Students may use these side-by-side slideshows to compare and contrast daily lives of pilgrims and the Wampanoags, a local Native American tribe.

Microsoft Office - Available for Purchase

Per the email from Kelly Propst, CCS IT is selling the software license for $9.95, but the procedure for purchasing is now on-line through Microsoft. 

If interested, please visit this site to purchase:  http://www.microsofthup.com    You will be asked for a CODE when you register. The CODE is 626B2F4757.

This is a one-time offer.  If a school employee makes a purchase with this offer, he or she cannot purchase another copy until a newer Office version is released. This offer does not have an expiration date at this time. 


If you need support in purchasing, please contact the CCS IT Help Desk (704-788-6120).

Install Directions

Installing Office for Windows 

Installing Office for Mac

CAFE Technology Newsletter 11/5/14

Welcome to the first CAFE Technology Newsletter publication.  This newsletter (blog) will circulate every 2 weeks on Wednesdays.  This is a way for you to stay up-to-date on all things Technology (happenings, county-wide updates, and reminders).  I will send out a staff email each time there is a new Newsletter, but feel free to subscribe so you can be the first to know! Cheers ~ Sarah

 

Email Password Expiring

The time has come to start changing email passwords, many of you have probably already seen the notifications.  Here are a few reminders:
1.  Do NOT change your password at the login screen on your computer.
2.  Only change your password via web access HERE
3.  Once your email password is changed, this updates your password for:  email, computer login, Cabarrus Apps (Google Docs), iCurio, CARE, KACE (technology work orders), Schoolwires
4.  When you restart your computer, and login with your NEW password you will see a Keychain Popup window.  Do NOT click cancel.  This will cause issues.

 

Join the Largest Learning Event in History:  Hour of Code (Dec. 8-14)

Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics. Check out the tutorials, and look out for new ones coming for the Hour of Code 2014.

I would love to work with your classes up for 2 periods of computer coding (2 days, 50 minutes each)! This is a great learning opportunity and students love the activities.  This is completely voluntary, but my time slots are filling up FAST!   Please contact me by Friday, November 14th if you would like for me to come to your classes Dec 8-14 to work with your students on computer coding.
Thanks to Mrs. Reece, Mrs. Short, and Mrs. McQueen for already signing up.  You will be getting 10GB of FREE Dropbox storage just for participating!

You can find more information here: http://hourofcode.com/

DE Testing: Nov. 3-21

Over the next few weeks we have DE testing.  Here are a few reminders:
1.  Labs will be logged in each day for you. 
                 If a computer is not logged in the login information is
                  username: nctest.ccs
                  password: test123
      If you have students who have mods and sit at the u-shape table for testing, you will need to bring laptops with you.
2.  The gray slinky in the bottom links directly to the DE testing login.
3.  If students finish early, they may work on a school approved site such as Dreambox.  However, no student is allowed to Zscaler authenticate while logged in as nctest.ccs.  These logins are used by multiple users and if a student "zscaler authenticates" all web browsing is linked to him/her (ie. If another students looks up an inappropriate web site, it is linked to the student who authenticated).

 

Class Pictures Needed

I am in need of some pictures of your classes during their learning activities to post on the front office TV, school website, and Facebook page.  Email me your pictures with a short little blurb.  Thanks Christine Nelson for sending me your "Economy Project" photos.

What do you think about the newsletter?  Email me with your feedback no later than Thursday at 9:00am to be entered into a drawing for a FREE Starbucks Gift Card!