Throughout this school year my class has been focusing in on the topic of community. The class has engaged in learning activities related to building a positive classroom community of learners. We’ve co-created anchor charts and thoroughly discussed what our learning community looks like. While searching for new ideas, I came across a unique idea … a classroom was going to have a Skype session with many different schools across the world about the topic of community. I decided to sign up for this activity a few weeks ago.
Before the Skype, guiding questions were developed by the host.
I confirmed my class’s participating with Katy and my students were split into three groups. One group became the welcoming party. Students created signs and communicated the school’s demographic and geographical data. The second group was designated as the research group. This collection of students researched information about the local and school community. In doing so, the students also were reminded of how much of an emphasis we put on creating a positive learning community in the classroom. This group put together a small presentation for the 5A class (Katy’s class). The third group, the questioning group (still looking for a better name for this group), was directed to create at least 10 questions that the 5A school would answer. This group was also expected to answer the questions that were asked from the other school.
Today my class had a chance to Skype with Katy’s class from New York City. Katy’s tireless fifth grade class engaged in approximately 15 different Skype sessions in one day – that’s some perseverance.
The Skype session involved both schools discussing the topic of community. My class learned about 5A’s class community and they learned about ours. The total session lasted around 25 minutes. Afterwards, the class reviewed and compared the two communities. My class was especially intrigued that 5A had recess on the roof!
This method of comparing communities through Skype seemed to enhance the learning experience. Soon after the Skype session ended, my students wanted to research other communities around the world. This may be a kick-off to #geniushour projects in the fall.
What do you think? Have you tried Skyping with another class to learn about community?
Educational Aspirations 
Hi Matt,
I love your post! We had a great time doing our 9to9 Skype Marathon – thanks for being part of it! It was so interesting for my students to find so many similarities between how we build community and how other classrooms do, and how much community is valued. I was going through most of the tweets tonight and many of them include ‘just like us’ or ‘like we do’ or similar expressions. Skype is a great tool for connecting classrooms – I have done a lot of Mystery Skypes this year, and with the success of our 9to9 Skype Marathon am already thinking of how I can use it next year to collaborate with other classes on a longer lasting project where we might Skype multiple times through a semester.
I’m glad your kids enjoyed talking with mine – and the interest in roof recess was the same in almost every class! 🙂
Katy
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Katy,
My class had an amazing learning experience during the 9to9 Skype Marathon, thanks for hosting. My class also enjoyed watching your class tweets throughout the day. I’m hoping to use Twitter in a similar way next year. Keep us in mind when you start looking for classes to Skype with next year.
Matt
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