First Grade Pen-Pal Meet and Greet

Time Frame:

Winter/Spring 2008

The penpals will communicate througout the winter and meet via videoconference in the spring.

Sign Up/Contact Information

Sign up deadlines will remain open until we find a partnering first grade classroom. Please contact me at ahinterm@remc11.k12.mi.us if you are interested in participating in this experience.

Technology/Equipment Requirements

Our equipment is configured for IP connections so we need to find a class who likewise has IP connection capabilities.

Learner Outcomes

What state and/or national standards are you addressing? What are the curriculum benchmarks? What do you expect your learners to accomplish?

Materials

If needed, the students may use a document camera, video, or computer for visual/audio presentations.

Videoconference Details (Lesson)

Introduction

This videoconference will be a connection of two first grade classes who have been writing penpal letters to each other throughout the year. Each student has been paired with another student and while they have been getting to know each other through written correspondence, this will be their first face-to-face meeting. The first grade teachers have been in direct email connect thus establishing a collaborative relationship.

Pre-Conference Preparation

Each class will prepare a short five to ten minute presentation of something they have been learning in their classroom. The first graders at my school have just finished a musical performance for their parents and they may want to share some of their songs. Maybe the class would like to think of several mathematical story problems to share with the other class. The possibilities are endless. Each student must also write down three things they have learned about their penpal through written correspondence on a piece of paper.

Conference Procedures

The teachers will begin the conference by showing the students each other’s locations using a map of the United States and the document camera. Next the students will get to meet and introduce each other one at a time. The students will also introduce their penpal to their class by saying their name and three things they have learned about their penpal. This will get the students more involved in the introduction process making it more special and meaningful by having students introduce each other rather than students introducing themselves.

After the introductions have been completed, each class will take five to ten minutes to present something they have been learning in class. The preparation for this presentation will take place before the time of the conference.

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