Have you joined Skype in the Classroom?

We know that Skype, the home of free Internet phone calls and chats, has opened the door to many learning opportunities for our students.  The trick is finding the ideas and cooperating groups to talk to as we integrate this awesome communication tool.  While communicating with the classroom next door or even across the district may be a first step, there has to be something more we can do.

Skype in the Classroom Home Page

Meet Skype in the Classroom.  This free community for educators was created by Skype to connect teachers and students with common interests worldwide.  All you have to do is sign up for a free account.  Then be sure to indicate your areas of interest so that you can be grouped with others of similar interest. 

Now you can find lesson ideas, tips and tricks, resources for your classroom, experts, and others with whom your class can communicate locally, nationally, and internationally.  How cool would it be to get a new perspective on movement of tectonic plates from a class that resides in the ring of fire?  Wouldn't it be fun to find an audience for your students' writing on the other side of the world?

Register now for your free account.  All you'll need is a Skype software download, a webcam or document camera, and a microphone.  It's that easy!

Storybird: An Inspiring Resource for Young Writers

New & Noted books from the Storybird library

"Storybirds are short, visual stories that you make with family and friends to share and print." This collaborative resource allows students to choose books already illustrated by professional artists to inspire their own stories.  The beautiful art helps writers to create stories quickly in a collaborative environment.  Use Storybird with small groups of students, or as a whole-class activity with the teacher.  This provides a wonderful opportunity to talk about storytelling with students and to share stories with the class.  Each story can be printed, viewed on-screen, or contributed to the Storybird library where students can read each other's work and share with their families at home.  Teachers may want to ask students to focus on classroom themes, on grade-level curriculum, or specific vocabulary as they invent characters and events. Reluctant writers may find this site engaging and easy to use. Take a look, then remember Storybird as you plan your next creative writing lesson.