What's Your Passion?

Help your students find their passion by participating in global events that inspire creativity and innovation!

Global Education Conference 2014

I am looking forward to attending the Global Education Conference beginning on November 17th. The online conference schedule is full of keynote speakers and presenters who will enlighten and inspire. The highlight for me will be the launch of the Global Classroom Project on Nov. 21st at 6:00 am CST. We will officially launch our 5th year of global connections and projects. Please look over the information below to learn more about participating in this amazing event! 

Reform Symposium Free Web Conference July 11-13

Join 1000+ teachers online for an inspirting event showcasing "wow" learning worldwide! Featuring 2 plenaries, 60+ presentations, 11 keynotes, panel discussions, tech/app/lessons swaps, and more! 

I am looking forward to this weekend's Reform Symposium Free Web Conference. It will be 3 days packed with learning and inspiration from the educators from around the world. For more information please follow the #RSCON5 hashtag on Twitter and visit The Future of Education page for a complete listing of sessions, presenters, and times. 

I will be doing two sessions plus participating in an app smackdown where I will be talking about Write About This . Here is the information for my sessions:

The Global Classroom Project 

When: Friday July 11, 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm (central time)

Description: Learn how a great idea and a simple tweet turned into a dynamic network of international educators who collaborate and participate in global projects. This session will highlight some of our projects and how you can get involved.

Tech and App Swapalooza

When: Saturday July 12, 9:00 - 10:00 am (central time)

Desription: Anyone can join in with a 2 minute presentation of their favorite app or web tool.

Reduce the Paper! Student-Created Digital Portfolios

When: Saturday July 12, 10:00 - 10:30 am (central time)

Description: Discover how your students can document their learning and thinking while reducing the amount of paper used in your classroom. Learn how students can create digital portfolios using ipad apps and Kidblog.

Globally Connected at #ISTE2014

We started our journey to #ISTE2014 on Friday by driving from Texas to Alabama where we stayed with my dear #2ndchat friend Carol McLaughin. We have worked together for several years on #2ndchat and have collaborated on a few projects. It was so fun getting to sit on her couch and just chat!

Saturday morning we arrived, checked in, got our peach popcicle and got busy. What an exciting first day at #ISTE2014! We started out in the Bloggers Cafe where I met many new people as we shared our Networking Game Codes. It's pretty cool how the game "forces" you to talk to people and pulls you out of the comfort zone. I met so many great people today while exchanging codes. 

One of the highlights of my day was seeing Monte Tatom again (I met him last year at #ISTE13), Shelley Terrell, and John Spencer. I have participated in so many of Shelley's webinars and it was nice to finally meet her in person.

Monte Tatom and Shelley Terrell

 
I also met Brad Wilson - the creator of the Write About This app. This is a really great app for elementary-age students and I can't wait to see what else he comes up with. I love his Twitter handle: @dreambition. I think that many ISTE attendees have big dreams and lots of ambition for our classrooms. Entrpreneurs like Brad help make that happen.

Brad Wilson of www.21innovate.com

I finally met some of my #globalclassroom colleagues face-to-face and I loved how it we already felt so comfortable with each other because of the time we have spent working together virtually over the past several years.

Hugh MacDonald and Robyn Thiessen, and Karen Stadler

I attended the Global Education Conference Summit in the afternoon and enjoyed the round table discussions and ignite sessions. I actually got up there and presented an ignite session for the Global Classroom Project! Wow! Fun and scary all at the same time!

I also got to meet the amazing Kitty Tripp!

Listening to Aaron Brzowski explain Project Purus and how he brought clean water to the SAV School in Nepal. 

We went over to the CNN Center to grab a quick dinner before the keynote and because it was so busy we sat with a young man we didn't know, but was wearing an ISTE tag. We had a great time getting to know Edxavier from Puerto Rico and then Popy from Canada joined us! Wonder if we would ever do that at the mall at home?

Edxavier, Popy, and my hubby!

After the keynote, we worked together at the Global Classroom poster session sharing our amazing stories and encouraging others to get globally connected. It was also a great time to meet more people.

Preston Morgan, Anne Mirtschin, Theresa Allen, Karen Stadler, Robyn Thiessen, Louise Morgan, David Karnoscak

David Karnoscak and Elvira (Elle_Gifted)

Summer Diamond and Karen Stadler

Molly Risewick-Zeno

It was a long day, but truly memorable. Can't wait for tomorrow!

Fun Maps for Kids and Layar App

I just received my new personalized classroom Interactive Fun Map from Fun Maps for Kids!  I can't wait to hang it in a low spot in the classroom so my students can enjoy learning about the world using Layar - an augmented reality app.

I added a personalized title at no extra cost!

Using the Layar app on our iPads, the students will learn about the world's continents, landmarks, and animals. There are over 80 interactive objects on the map. When they click on an object, audio and video appear right on the screen! This map has arrived just in time for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. We will be talking about the athletes and the different countries they represent. This map will make an excellent companion to our class discussions. 

click on the 3-D images and learn! 

According to the Fun Maps For Kids website, new content will be introduced monthly so the map will constantly evolve and students will continue to learn new and exciting information about the world.



  *This map was purchased. All opinions are my own.

Our Global Classroom Projects

Since the beginning of school, my classroom has been busy with many global projects.  We started off September with International Peace Day and Dot Day.  In October, Siyanda the Traveling Rhino arrived along with Charlotte, a flat friend from Australia.  These projects have kept us busy, but it's a good busy. We are learning about the world around us, different cultures, and empathy. 

The Traveling Rhino Project 
Karen Stadler @ICT_Integrator

This Global Classroom Project was created by Karen Stadler in S. Africa after she visited Kruger National Park July 2012. Poachers are killing rhinos in large numbers for their horns and Karen wanted to bring awareness to the situation. She sent 5 Rhinos around the world and the project caught on. At this point, there is no end in sight for this project. 

This map shows a different color for each rhino and where they have been so far.

Educators are keen to participate because they see the value in the project:

• To educate the children of South Africa and the rest of the world about these beautiful creatures.

• To raise awareness among the children of the world as to the plight of these gentle giants. To unite the voices of the children of the world in asking the powers that be i.e. governments, organisations, institutions etc. to take IMMEDIATE action.

• To try to make a difference in our world and in the future existence of the rhinos, for the future of our children

• To promote and nurture empathy.

Flat Friends and Mascot Exchange 
Julie Simmons @BJacketsFan

I received an email from Jane Sloan at Roseville College Junior School in Australia asking if we would host a flat friend. I have never participated in this type of project so I agreed.  Charlotte arrived with her friend Koala and a book all about Australia and her school. My students loved learning about Australia and comparing our two schools. Charlotte accompanied us on a field trip to a local theater and inspired us to create a book all about Texas for her class.   

The value of this project includes:

• To share information about one’s own community and culture with students from other cultures and communities

• To learn about places around the world by monitoring the adventures of flat friends’ visits to participating classrooms.

• To develop an understanding of maps and to identify other places on a map

Mystery Location / Mystery Skype
A collaborative effort by HLW Skypers

This project can be something you do weekly throughout the year. It is a great way to meet and connect with new classrooms. So far, my students have participated in 6 mystery skype sessions.  It takes a while to teach them the map and communication skills needed to be successful for this activity, but it is fun and engaging. The Global Classroom Project currently has almost 200 classes on their list that you can connect with! 

The value of this project includes:

• Students will use map skills to find the location of the mystery classroom

• Students will use communication and critical thinking skills to ask questions to help them find the mystery location.

• Classes communicate with other classrooms via Skype or Google+ Hangouts.

• Students will learn to respect and appreciate the cultures and customs of others.

• Students will be able to see the differences and similarities between themselves and others around the world.

About the The Global Classroom Project

Currently the Global Classroom Project is hosting 17 projects. These projects were created by educators for educators who understand that 21st century learning means connecting and learning with classrooms around the world. 

Please join Michael Graffin for our official launch at the Global Education Conference. During his online presentations, you will have the opportunity to meet the project creators and participants and learn about each project. He will be doing two presentations to accomodate time zones:

Global Classroom 2013-14 Stories & Project Launch:

#1 - Global Education Conference (Nov 22 at 11:00GMT - Time converter)

6AM New York, 11AM London, 7PM Shanghai)

#2 - Saturday Nov 23 (20:00GMT, 3PM New York, sunday Nov 24 - 7AM Sydney, 9AM Auckland) (Time Converter)

#ISTE13 Reflection and a New Goal

Learning from and collaborating with like-minded educators: Karen Lirenman, Melvina Kurashige, and Paula Naugle

I have read some great reflection posts this week as I have been, as Paula Naugle calls it, "decompressing" from #ISTE13. What I have discovered is that so many of the educators who I encountered at ISTE were there for the same reasons: To follow their passion, to connect with like-minded educators, and to learn new things that they can use in their classroom to create learning environments that spark curiosity and imagination.

The overriding theme that I kept encountering was, while all of the technology and tools are important, the relationships we have with our students and finding ways to inspire and engage them are far more important than the technology itself. Many of us are in school districts with limited resources or where we are the "lone wolf'" on campus, but we are still able to connect globally and engage our students in new and innovative ways. Our hope is that our actions will inspire our colleagues to get on board.

For the past two years I have called my classroom a "global classroom" because of the connections we have made through blogging, Edmodo, Skype, and Twitter. My students have global awareness because they have communicated with students around the world.

My goal for this next year is to not only make connections, but to take it to the next level by teaching my students how collaborate and create with other students. I want them to be able to create, solve problems, innovate, and find their passion!

How will I do this? I am comfortable with the tools, now I have to change with way I teach by giving up some control and allowing for some messiness. My students will take the lead and I will challenge them find their passion.

It won't be easy...I like structure. I like calm and quiet. But I also like creativity and that can't always happen in a calm and structured environment. I will have to find time each week for this to happen.

There! I've put it in writing. Now I can't turn back!  In order to meet this goal, I will be actively learning from other educators this summer by staying connected through Twitter and other online professional communities.  

What goals have set for the summer and upcoming school year?

My First Day at #ISTE13

My first day at #ISTE13 was both overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time. So many familiar faces from around the world with whom I have conversed with via Twitter, Skype IM, and other social networks came to life today. It was so fun meeting everyone face to face!

The highlight of the day was the Global Education Conference Summit where breakout groups worked together to plan and discuss global collaboration. The Global Classroom Project was well represented with several participants including: Karen Lirenman, Anne Mirtschin, Melvina Kurashige, and Paula Naugle.

Louise Morgan, Karen Lirenman, Paula Naugle, Melvina Kurashige

Louise Morgan, Karen Lirenman, Anne Mirtschin, Preston Morgan

The plan for the session was to include some virtual participants via Google Hangouts, but the room was so loud - but it was a good loud with so much conversation going on about global collaboration. The discussion was rich and engaging. 

My take away from this session: Now that we all know how to connect and use the tools, how can we take it to the next level and make it more meaningful, ongoing, and part of our everyday classroom activities? The educators in this session are not interested in making one-time Skype connections. The consensus is that they want real, ongoing, and authentic collaboration between classrooms.  

The goal for this session was to brainstorm project ideas for the upcoming 2013-14 school year, but it was so fast and furious that we did not really get to that. If you would like to submit ideas for the Global Classroom Project please fill out this FORM.  You can also learn more about the Global Classroom Project by referring to this GOOGLE DOC that has a lot of great links and a place for you to ask questions or make comments.

I am looking forward to the next three days of learning and sharing. Follow my tweets on Twitter @mrsmorgansclass. You can also folllow the ISTE twitter feed by searching #ISTE13. 

#ISTE13 is Finally Here!

I am very excited to be attending my first ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Conference in San Antonio!  I have followed the Twitter hashtags for the past 3 years and always wished I was there. This year I am attending AND participating in the Global Education Summit at ISTE2013. During the summit I will do a brief pitch for The Global Classroom Project and then lead a group session where participants will brainstorm ideas for projects and activities for the 2013-14 school year. If you would like to join us virtually via Google + Hangout on Sunday June 23rd, please email me and I will send you the details.

Sunday June 23rd, Room 103(convention center), 2-5pm CST
Hangout will around 2:30-3:15

Please add your ideas to our GOOGLE FORM

Be sure and follow all of the action on Twitter: #ISTE13 AND #globaled13

Here is the presentation I will be using:

The Global Classroom Project from Wezie Morgan

Project Announcement: Mystery Skype

Mystery Skype!

 

Mystery Skype is becoming a popular activity now that more teachers are using Skype in the classroom.  Mystery Skype is a great ice-breaker for classrooms. Students can guess each other's locations and then share about their countries, cities, schools, cultures, etc.  These initial contacts can turn in to year-long classroom relationships that will promote sharing and collaboration.

Earlier this week, I was chatting with a group of educators on Skype Instant Messaging, and we came up with idea of creating a place where teachers can sign up to make connections. Teachers who are new to global collaboration and Skyping will be able to find contacts who are located world-wide. The list also includes experienced teachers who are willing to share their expertise. 

This project is a collaboration between members of The Global Classroom Project, Hello Little World Skypers, and the Global Virtual Classroom.  Please complete the form on any of these sites. 

Looking for a good read aloud?

My class is participating in the Global Read Aloud 2012. This is a month-long, worldwide project created by a teacher named Pernille Ripp. The purpose of this project is for classes to read the same book and then share their thoughts, ideas, and projects via blogging, Skype, Edmodo, Voicethread and other web 2.0 tools.  My class is part of a K-2 group. We are using blogging, Edmodo, and Skype to discuss and share our thoughts about the book.  We will start reading the book on October 1st and follow a set schedule so everyone will be literally "on the same page". We have selected The One and Only Ivan for our read aloud, but there is another group doing Charlotte's Web. Before we start our reading the students will make predictions. On Friday, I showed the book cover and the students wrote in their journals what they thought the book will be about. They will post their prediction on their blogs on Monday.  As the week progresses, I will create an assignment on Edmodo that they will respond to. I can also create quizzes and polls on Edmodo so I can monitor their comprehension and engagement in the book. We will also Skype with other classrooms and discuss the book.

It's not too late to join in. Check out the Global Read Aloud Wiki and find a class to connect with!

New School Year Resolutions

Here's a chance for you to set some goals for the upcoming school year and share them with the world! I am a big proponent of public goal-setting because it forces me to stick with them! Last year I set 3 goals and posted them on my blog. I also shared my goals with the entire staff at my school. Nothing like putting yourself under a lot of pressure...but that's how I roll best. So here's your opportunity to set some goals, share them with the rest of the world, and then go have an awesome year! 


Just write a blog post stating your goals and then click on the picture below to link up!

MY GOALS FOR 2012-2013

1.  IMPROVE UPON THE GOALS I SET LAST YEAR: Daily 5, Blogging, and connecting with the world. Last year I implemented some huge changes and the payoff was enormous! My students learned to be independent learners and thoroughly enjoyed The Daily 5. They also benefited from the the many contacts we made through Skyping and blogging. This year, my students will experience quad-blogging and more global interactions right from the start. I hope to do a "Skype Etiquette" session during the first week of school with another classroom. (Any takers?)

2.  LESS CLUTTER! I envy the teachers whose rooms look pristine all year long. When I look at my room in the afternoon, it looks like a tornado hit my desk because it tends to be the catch-all. My goal is to have a place for everything so that things don't just get thrown on my desk or on the floor behind my desk. I am skeptical about this goal, but I have seen a lot of great organization ideas on Pinterest that may help.

3.  BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH MY STUDENTS: I sometimes feel that I miss out on opportunities with my students because I am too focused on the tasks at hand instead of what the students need. Taking time to really listen to my students will go a long way in helping build mutual trust and motivating them to work to the best of their ability.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

Books for the First Weeks of School

As the new school year approaches, I am reviewing my plans from previous years and working on ways to improve my lessons. The Daily 5 has completely changed the way I teach and has allowed me more time to read to my students and teach through mini lessons.  Mini lessons are short periods of time where you focus on reading or writing skills and strategies. Mini lessons at the beginning of the year can also cover classroom procedures, rules, and behavior. Here are a few of my favorites for the first few weeks of school:

First Day Jitters 

This is a good book to help break the ice and let the students know that they are not the only ones who get nervous on the first day of school.

Chrysanthemum

I usually read this on the second day and do activities using the students' names.

What if Everybody Did That?

I already used this question a lot in my classroom and was thrilled to see that there was a book with the same title! I like this book because it shows the action and the consequence. It covers some good areas for discussion such as yelling out in class and littering.

No David!

Another book that shows the action and the consequence. My students and I make anchor charts with the classroom rules. These books helps generate ideas for setting our classroom guidelines.

My Mouth is a Volcano

Another good one to help generate discussion about waiting your turn to speak and being a good listener.

The Recess Queen

A fun book with lots of rhyming and a good message about playground behavior and bullying.

A Bad Case of the Stripes

A great book for getting the students to understand that it is o.k. to be different.

The Brand New Kid

A nice story about a new kid who looks and sounds different from the other students.  

Whoever You Are

I use this book to help introduce our involvement in The Global Classroom Project. Students see that there are kids all over the world just like them!

I hope this gives you some good ideas for the the start of school. What books do you read to your students during the first weeks?

Some New Additions to our Global Classroom map!

We're adding new heart pins and stars every week to our global classroom map! We're hoping to make more international connections to end out the school year!

Guest Blogger Kendal: Skype!

The following is a blog post one of my 2nd grade students put on our class blog about Skype:

In class we are doing skype.Skype is when you go on the computer and you talk to people aound the wold.It is so fun.Yesdirday we skyped with Mr.S he is a math teacher.I will tall you one of the math qustin he did to us:Ok,the sone and the father whent on a hunting trip.They found a bear the sone got skrached and the father died.The sone went to the hspital.The docter said I can"t operat on this boy he is my sone.Who is the docter?The anserw is the mom was the docter. Kendal - 2nd grade

Learning about Mardi Gras via Skype

My teaching partner (who is also  photographer), Ginny Limer, took some great pictures and made these collages of our recent Skype session with Ms. Naugle's 4th grade class in New Orleans. They taught us all about Mardi Gras by giving reports and using visuals. They even showed us a traditional dance!

Flattening the classroom walls through Skype and more!

Skyping with Mr. S of Living Maths in Cape Town, S. Africa

Since the beginning of the year, I have been working to incorporate technology into the classroom in many different ways.

• Blogging - We got started on this right away. The first few days on the portable laptop stations were quite challenging, but the payoff has been a classroom full of students who are motivated to write and post on their blogs on a weekly basis (more than I can say for myself ;-) Our blog is password protected, but we allow guest comments. The students are so proud when they get positive feedback on their work.
• Edmodo - We joined an Edmodo group through the Global Classroom. Students from all over share and ask questions about seasons, holidays, school, and their favorite things. This is a lot of fun and a nice extra for the kids to do in the computer lab or when they have free time in the classroom. 
• Voicethread - Again, through the Global Classroom we joined the "Seasons Around the World" project and "Kids Speak". My students have enjoyed adding slides and their voices to the Voicethread and hearing kids from other places tell about themselves.
• Skype - I intended to start much earlier, but this week I finally unwrapped the webcam I received through DonorsChoose and hooked it up! I immediately called Ms. Naugle's class in New Orleans to make sure we had a good connection since I have signed up to Skype with her this coming Friday. We were so excited when she answered and we got to say hello to all of her students. When we join them again on Friday they will be teaching us about Mardi Gras.

I have a feeling we will be adding a few more stars to our global project map now that we are Skyping. This afternoon I set up Skype sessions with Mr. S of Living Maths in Cape Town, S. Africa and another teacher in suburban Chicago. During these sessions, my students will be learning new things from students and teachers from far away places. How cool is that?

The Global Classroom Seasons Around the World Project

I am so proud to be part of this awesome project through the Global Classroom Project! 

Our Global Classroom Project Map

I just created this Global Classroom Project map on the wall outside our room. We are hoping to add more schools from other countries soon! 

Hoping to add a lot more stars!

So far we have one international contact - A cupcake greeting  from Mrs. Harrison's class in Belfast, Northern Ireland!  

Our contacts in the U.S. include students sharing on Edmodo in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York.  We are also working on a seasons project with a school on Long Island, NY and a Voice Thread project with a school in Ohio!