Google+ Hangout With Four Classes!

Today was an amazing day! We connected with three other classes on Google+ Hangout. The classes that joined us were Mr. Buist's class from Arizona, Mr. Spicer's class from Illinios, and Ms. Abdel-Aal's class (from right next door)! We are partnering with these classes (and two others who couldn't attend the hangout session) on Edmodo for the Global Read Aloud project.

The coolest thing about Google+ Hangouts is that you can connect with more than one class at a time! The class that is talking is featured on the main screen while the other classes are listening and shown at the bottom. Somehow Google+ Hangouts knows which class to put on top!

Our class introduced ourselves to the others and then we shared some predictions about the book we are reading together, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. We also learned about the other classes and heard their predictions. My kids commented that most of their predictions were the same except my class thinks that Ivan is in the circus, and the other classes predicted Ivan was in a mall! We shall find out soon which is correct when we read the book next week!

Thank you to Mr. Spicer and Mr. Buist for spending some excellent face time with us today!

Here are some photos from the event. 

This is Mr. Buist's class presenting while the others are listening.

Here some students are waiting to introduce the class and share
predictions about Ivan.

Here we are watching the screen waiting for our turn to come up!

Can you see? It's Ms. Abdel-Aal's class talking from next door!

The students talked into the camera on the teacher's laptop.

What was your favorite thing about meeting these classes on Google+ Hangout today?

The Global Read Aloud 2012

This week, we introduce the Global Read Aloud Project and our book The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. The premise of this project created by Pernille Ripp, a Wisconsin teacher, is simple: One shared book can connect the world and inspire children to love reading, sharing, and learning together.

This will be my second time participating in the Global Read Aloud. Last year my class read Tuck Everlasting with over 1000 children worldwide! It was amazing! Next week, we will be joining with classes from North America to Australia to read The One and Only Ivan at the same time. Our class will be collaborating with classes in Illinois, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Canada on Edmodo and Skype to discuss the book. In addition, we will post class projects on our blog to reach our global audience. The children will share not only their predictions, thoughts, and comments, but their love of reading with the world!  If you haven't heard of this book, please take a moment to view this trailer below! You can also click on the links to learn more about Ivan.

http://theoneandonlyivan.com/

I read the book this summer and fell in love with Ivan instantly. A gentle, silverback gorilla, Ivan has been kept for almost 30 years in a glass "domain" in a mall in Washington. This story is written from his perspective. Based on a true story, this book incites people to stand up for the rights of animals like Ivan who are kept unjustly in captivity. Silverback gorillas are an endangered species and we will be learning more about them, and the real Ivan, as we read this novel.

If you'd like to know more about the Global Read Aloud Project you can check out this article that was published in Learning and Leading with Technology in 2011. We are excited to be a part of this project again this year!