What I did in school YESTERDAY: 5/6/13

Yesterday was another day that I mostly spent prepping a room for SOL testing.  At WMES, I had a parent and one of the IT guys help move computers, and to some extent, set them up.  The rest was up to me.  I had the foresight to wear jeans and a t-shirt, as I knew I'd be crawling around the floor.  I did have several students ask me where my tie was.

The highlight of my day was probably scheduling and planning a lesson I will be teaching on Thursday.  My AP discovered neither she nor the principal had observed me this year, so I had to find a teacher willing to allow me to work with her and her class.  I found a second grade teacher who I have worked with many, many times before. 

The lesson I am planning is one I created for Skype in the Classroom.  It's called "Animals in Our World and Yours".  In this lesson, two classes complete a Venn diagram showing the differences and similarities of the animal wildlife in their regions.  We'll be Skyping with a 1st/2nd grade combined class in Burlington, ON.  The last time I did this lesson it was with a class in Kentucky, and we found our animal life not very different.  I'm hoping that the nearly 600 miles (mostly north, a little west) that separate Williamsburg, VA and Burlington will result in a more interesting Venn diagram.

The lesson:

• Show PowerPoint of animal pictures.  Have students silently signal whether each animal is found in VA or not.
• Explain the purpose of the Skype call.
• Show students a map on Google Maps (or Earth) and route the trip from Williamsburg to Burlington.
• Show students Prezi of Venn diagram and explain how it will be completed.
• Brainstorm list of animals that live in VA.  Have master list at hand and use internet search tools to check accuracy.
• Place or receive Skype call.
• Collaboratively complete Venn diagram, taking turns.
• Closure: TBA.