Carolina Connections

Year Completed - What's Next?

2010-07-20T05:41:00.000-07:00

Our two fourth classes that videoconferenced during the 2009-10 school year were successful in several areas. The class that connected by Skype (using a laptop computer and data projector so all students could see) met six times and shared what they were working on at the moment in social studies. On two occasions, the classes were studying the exact same thing so it was quite interesting to see how they presented the information. Some students memorized their information while most read reports, shared pictures, charts, and graphs. These students, unknowingly, used presentation skills, learned more about communicating over time and space, and gained confidence in their efforts as 21st century students.

One class met by h.323 videoconference. The teachers met first for a planning session after school one day. The two videoconferences that resulted went well and could be improved only by making connections earlier in the year so more connections could be made.

In our five years of experience in our "Carolina Connections" and "Carolina Journey", I have seen that these particular students do a better job the next year in fifth grade beginning the school news (live news program). They enter with more confidence and experience. Although, by lengthening the weeks from one to two, have seen that almost all students achieve the confidence and "presence" to do a great job on the news. Either way, students progress in their oral presentation skills and build on their personal learning.

Thumbs up!

Ms. Throckmorton's 4th Grade & Ms. Gill's 4th Grade

2010-02-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

Students from Rural Hall School in the piedmont region of NC and students from Ms. Gill's 4th grade class in Swan Quarter met via H.323 on Friday, February 26 to share information about the state. The students introduced themselves and then shared about their city and county areas.

February 16, 2010

2010-02-16T08:08:00.000-08:00

Today, Ms. Richardson's class at Smith Elementary met with Ms. Howard's class at Rural Hall and they shared information about the agriculture, manufacturing, and top industries in the state. Did you know that pigs, tobacco, and Christmas trees are at the top of the list? The other exciting topic of discussion was snow. Craven County had 8-10 inches of snow -- imagine living at the beach and having that much snow! Wow!

Smith Elementary & Rural Hall Elementary - Dec. 15, 2009

2009-12-15T08:39:00.000-08:00

Students from Smith Elementary shared with students from Rural Hall today about NC. Smith Elementary is in Craven County and they are close to New Bern, which is celebrating it's 300th Anniversary in 2010. Rural Hall students shared about Pitt, Durham, and Haywood counties and also some "Christmas Around the World" activities they have been doing in class. Good job, students!

November 10 skype conference

2009-11-10T09:46:00.001-08:00

Questions between these two fourth-grade classes that were asked and answered:
1. Where is your school located? (region, country, and closest town/city)
2. What is the approximate population of your community?
3. What is the size of your school? (number of studnets and teachers)
4. Is your community located near a body of water? If so, which one?
5. What is the weather like in your area today?
6. What outdoor activities are popular in your region?
7. What are the major ways that people in your community make a living?
8. Are there any cultural characteristics in your area that are celebrated?

3 NC Regions Meet November - March

2009-10-08T17:27:00.000-07:00

Fourth graders meet once a month to share information about our state that they are learning and studying. Ms. Richardson's class is located in the coastal plains at Smith Elementary in Craven County. Ms. Howard's class is located in the piedmont at Rural Hall Elementary in Forsyth County. These classes are using skype video to meet and share information. The meeting dates are planned for:
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 - local communities - landmarks, population, jobs
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009
Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Ms. Throckmorton's class meets with D.F. Walker Elementary in Edenton, NC, also in the coastal plains.

Carolina Connections - Fall 2009

2009-09-07T03:55:00.000-07:00

Ms. Throckmorton continues to work with her 4th grade class in Carolina Connections and is joined this year by Ms. Howard. These two fourth grade teachers will share with partner schools as they study and learn and share our state.
Ms. Throckmorton -
Ms. Howard -

Beginning, Growing, Still Learning & Having Fun

2009-08-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

Our equipment when we began videoconferencing. A Polycom Viewstation FX and two televisions.

Sharing state region research.

Students share "piedmont region" information with class and partners in the mountains.

More sharing. The students met every two weeks for a 30 minute videoconference. They shared region information, favorite things to do, had an exercise game for "EOG stress relief", played a North Carolina Trivial game, and generally enjoyed learning together.

More Photos from Carolina Journey

2009-08-03T09:53:00.001-07:00

Now that's a rock! Actually a core sample from the local rock quarry.

Students share the "Piedmont" weather with their mountain partners.

Students take turns sharing information about our region of the state with partner classes.

This is the original map used in 2004 for beginning Carolina Journey. Three schools connecting to study our state.

2009

2009-07-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

Update - three fourth grade teachers and the school technologist are at NC Teacher Academy (tech camp). Today's adventure is on geocaching. This would be a great addition to the videoconferences and wiki collaboration. We can put "caches" at our state historical sites to share. How about it North Carolina 4th graders! Let's go have fun learning about our state!

In the fall of 2009 we hope to have a Carolina Connection partner for all 4th grade classes. Each class will share every other week for 30 minutes with another 4th grade class in North Carolina. We will share our reading, writing, and information about the state and our region.
Ms. Howard - partner class to videoconference
Ms. Leonard - post on blog or wiki
Ms. McLelland - post on blog or wiki
Ms. Throckmorton - partner class to videoconference

Coastal Plains

2009-04-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

Another new partner is D.F. Walker Elementary School in Edenton, NC. They are located in the coastal plains region. Ms. Howard and Ms. Throckmorton will be videoconferencing after testing this year and into next year.

Piedmont

2009-03-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Carolina Connections! Our school is beginning a new "connection" after loosing a great one when a teacher retired from Saluda School. Formerly Carolina Journey, we participated in a blog and videoconference connection every two weeks for three years with a class in the mountain region of NC. Our school is on the western side of the piedmont region.

Our "new beginning" connects Forsyth County (4th graders at Rural Hall School) with 4th graders in Franklin County, at the eastern end of the piedmont region. Look for student activities and sharing and news here.

Rural Hall School - Ms. Howard's -------
Rural Hall School - Ms. Throckmorton --- Franklinton School - Ms. Bishop

Ms. Throckmorton's & Ms. BIshop's Conferences
Tuesday, April 7 - 11:15-11:45 AM