Weekly Verse: 8/18

For the past 10 years, the night before school starts (for teachers anyway) has always been an exciting time. Getting to see faces that you haven't seen since June and catching up, while feeling re-energized and pumped to start the year. However, this year feels different. Teachers have been attacked for the last few years, but even more so this year. Leading in to tomorrow, the atmosphere is different. Some teachers have already left the profession because they are not valued, some are hanging on by a single thread, and there are some who are still excited to start the year.

Teachers are of a different breed. They love and care for your children as their own. They buy school supplies for those who can't afford them; they provide snacks or lunch for those same children (and for those who simply forgot). Let me be clear, no teacher went into the profession thinking he or she would be rewarded with a huge paycheck. However, when I entered teaching it was a revered profession. One that was highly reputable and respected.

Since January of this year, teachers have been attacked over and over again. Our state legislature has proven that they do not value education and teachers have fought back as hard as they can. Over the summer more articles have been shared on FB than I have ever seen regarding teacher salary, job security, and the investment in education. I have read some nasty comments and hateful remarks about teachers and education from the public and it is heartbreaking to think that some folks think so little of these professionals.

Our schools and educators need prayer more than ever before. There are teachers who are going to barrel through the doors ready to fight against the stigma and show what teaching is all about! But there are some, who feel defeated and there are others who will start to deflate as the school year progresses. Please pray for our schools, our teachers, our students, and our government.

This week's verse focuses on teaching: "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us." (Titus 2:7-8, ESV)

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