May 7, 2008
We are continuing our Texas History Mystery sessions. Feed back from teachers has been positive and the presentations have showcased creativity by our teachers and students.
Here are some good examples of sharing clues that I saw today.
1. This class embedded their clues in a skit about a family going on a vacation to the “mystery location”. After each portion of the skit, they zoomed in on a visual clue to restate the clue for our other classes.
2. This class used magnets and poster board to share their clues. This is a great tip to keep the clue stationary so that it will transmit well through the system.
3. The class had a nice, solid-colored backdrop for the students to stand in front of. I also liked that they indicated what historical figure was speaking. Sometimes audio is a bit tricky in videoconferencing and this is a good way to assist with communicating during our Texas History Mystery sessions.
Be sure to check out Joan Roehre’s blog for tips from Wisconsin History Mystery. Those tips apply to our Texas History Mystery, too!
Posted in Collaborative Projects, Tx History Mystery 
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May 5, 2008
Today was the first day of our Texas History Mystery (based on the MysteryQuest format) and the first session was great! This year we have 67 classes during our 5 days of connections representing schools from across the state.
One school had a back drop and acted out their clues.
Sometimes when the clues are embedded in a skit, it is difficult to hear the clues. This class used nice visual clues to restate the clues.
All of the classes today had good “reveals” and one class even had a good-bye song! I used our Sympodium while facilitating to help keep the classes (and myself on track). I hope our schools enjoyed the connections as much as I did.
We had some time at the end and the classes got to ask each other questions and we learned about the size of the schools.
- Roanoke Elem from Northwest ISD had about 550 students in their elementary. (They have 13 elementary schools in their district.)
- Fairfield Elem from Fairfield ISD had about 750 student in their elementary which is the ONLY elementary in their district.
- Park Lakes Elem from Humble ISD has over 800 students in their elementary school and they have 23 elementary schools in their district.
This helps me to understand the size of the larger districts because in my service area, the majority of my schools do not have multiple elementary schools.
I would love to hear from teachers and students. How did your connections go today?
Posted in Collaborative Projects, Tx History Mystery 2 Comments »
May 1, 2008
I must confess. I waaaayyyyy oversubscribed in my bloglines when I first learned about RSS feeds. I got caught up in trying to keep up with the “edu-bloggers” and all they were writing. Now, I realize I can’t keep up…and I really don’t want to. I am almost finished reading CrazyBusy and am thinking about how to better use my time at work and at play–so this quote that popped up on my iGoogle page struck a chord with me.
Read, every day, something no one else is reading.
Think, every day, something no one else is thinking.
Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do.
It is bad for the mind to be always part of unanimity.
Christopher Morley
What are you reading? What are you thinking? What are you doing?
Posted in Collaborative Projects 2 Comments »
April 28, 2008
Last week, our book study focused on how to be a good listener. I want to remember these two quotes.
All great learners are great listeners.
Good listening draws people to you.
Quick tips for becoming a good listener
- Look at speaker. (much harder in audio or video conference)
- Don’t interrupt!
- Focus on understanding.
- Determine the need at the moment.
- Check your emotions.
- Suspend your judgment.
- Sum up at major intervals (after each mtg.)
- Ask clarifying questions.
Make listening your priority. As we move into the collaboration of 123VC: Jazz and planning for next year, I need to remember how to be a good listener. Do I only hear my customers or am I listening to them?
Posted in Collaborative Projects No Comments »
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