Cheatham Park Elementary

What's the hype about Skype?

All authors, illustrators, scientiest, etc that have visited us have donated their time to SKYPE with classrooms around the world.

 On the teachers websites and our school blog you can find pictures of their SKYPE visits.

Mrs. Tracy Redfern, 4th grade teacher - (visit April 9)

     My students throughly enjoyed our author visit with Anita Yasuda, author of "Explore the Solar System".  We are making one of the hands on projects of the eclipse.  They are excited about having been able to talk to a real author!  This is allowing them to connect the concept of "author/illustrator" through a firsthand experience.  We teach about authors, but until now, they have just been a name.

     Our author has written over 20 books and is working on 3 biographies!  We have also explored some of her other books and have been reading her blog.  I truly believe that this is giving my students an opprotunity to expand on their current knowledge what it takes to create a book.  It also exposes them to a whole knew culture and experiences  that they wouldn't otherwise get.

Mrs. Javena Carroll, 2nd grade teacher - (visit March 11th)

     The students in my class enjoyed the Skype visit with Ms. Ramona Kirby.  We have made our cards for her.  I was also able to use a special deal and have the pictures of our visit to send to her.  The visit has made an impression on the children.  Here we are a month later and they are still making connections to "Owney the Mail-Pouch Pooch".  Just yesterday the word tag was in an activity and one of my struggling students exclaimed "Just like Owney!". I was so pleased to see her make that learning connection.  I can't wait for another opprotunity to do it again.

Mrs. Susan Owens, 1st - 5th grades - (visit March 12th)

   The SKYPE visit in my classroom was with the author of a book I read to my class (Frankie, the walk and roll dog, by Barbara Techel).  The students included wer in first through 5th grade.  They were very excited to learn that they would actually meet the author who wrote this book and get to speak with her.  During the visit the students were fascinated to also get to meet the dog in the story.  Our author made the visit interesting by asking questions and including the students in the presentation.  They are more aware of what the author did to create the story. Now when I say it is time to author a story, the students sharpen pencils, sit up straighter and get ready to create a tale for us to enjoy!

      I will definitely usethis technology in my classroom again.  I would like to make contact with small group classrooms like mine to share what we are doing and to see what other classrooms around the country are doing that works. I've always gotten good ideas by visiting other classrooms; this will help me visit many more than I could visit physically. The skype technology can take us anywhere we need to go to see, be an active part of and to expand what we are able to learn.         

Ms. Herberlene Blair, 4th grade teacher - (visit April 9)

     We were dazzled by the fact that visual communication could be conducted here in our own school!  The visit created more interest in our school's Science Fair.  Children uninterested in a project have decided to try a project.  Some are choosing activities Anita Yasuda, our author, discussed with them.  They wrote down the web address she gave them and have printed information from it.  I will definitely try SKYPE again in my classroom.  The students we "spellbound".

Ms. Jennifer Bursey, 3rd grade teacher - (visit April 19th - May 14th)

Mrs. Wilkerson, 2nd grade teacher - (visit April 27th )

     My class and I loved the skype visit with author. Mike Artell.  We have been discussing how fairy tales can be written in different ways, and his two books, Petite Rouge and Three Little Cajun Pigs, went right along with our discussion.  When the students wrote their own fairy tales, some of them took his idea and used facts thay had learned in our Tennessee unite to write Tennessee fairy tales.  He showed them how to write super hero letters and draw a dinosaur.  They drew right along with him.  They liked having that one on one interaction with Mr. Artell.  He also gave them the opprotunity to ask questions.  It was a great experience for all of us!

Mrs. Meek, P.E. teacher - (April 27th, 2010)

Mrs. Carroll, 1st grade teacher - (visit May 12th)

     My class taught Mrs. Richard's class how to use the 10-frame to solve math word problems.  This was introducing a new skill to students in Mrs. Richard's class.  We are continuing to practice this skill.  I feel the children need to better commuicate verbally as well as the fact they pay more attention. 

Mrs. Hogan, 5th grade teacher -(visit May 20th)