Friday, March 10, 2006

Henny Penny visits Avon East and LaForgeville New York


Mrs. Edgille’s first grade class from Avon East Elementary School shared an interactive story of Henny Penny and performed a readers theatre presentation of the story as part of our Read Across America collaboration with LaForgeville Schools in New York. This program was one of fourteen connections with LaForgeville as part of a building match in the Read Across America. Due to testing and teachers schedules the RAA week has been extended through March.

The program was started with Mrs. Edgille reading the story Heny Penny to both classes using a document camera to display the pictures engaged the sites by having the students to predict ending of the story when Foxy Loxy offered to give Henny Penny and her friends a shortcut. This story was followed by a reader’s theatre presentation of the story. Where masks made from paper plates the students read parts of their version of Henny Penny to our friends in New York. The students did a great job reading their parts and the students from LaForgeville enjoyed the story and were able to contrast the story and the presentation.

The students from LaForgeville shared their blogs that contained stories written by their students. The class picked their favorite stories which were read by the students. Each student read their favorite story entered in their blog. Mrs. Edgille and her class look forward to revisiting their partners blogs and to send comments to their class. We were impressed with the stories and the students reading. We were impressed!

Way to go Avon East and LaForgeville New York!

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

The Foolish Little Hare does Read Across America


Miss Schneider’s 2nd grade class from Avon East Elementary School performed the Fable “The Foolish Little Hare” to a 1st grade class in New York. The students dressed as rabbits, lions, elephants and monkeys performed a reader’s theater presentation from their reading series. The students did a great job reading their parts and the acting was first rate.

The program was followed my students from LaForgeville reading reports on animals researched in their library time. The reports were well done and each student had a picture to go with their reports.

After each school presented their sessions that students were able to ask questions about each others schools and communities which the students enjoyed. Avon and LaForgeville schools are very different. LaForgeville is a K-12 building with only two classes for each grade level. Avon East Elementary School is a 1st and 2nd grade school building with 10 sections of each grade. The students enjoyed hearing about each other schools and after the call we discussed how similar our schools were even though we were miles apart.

The connections with LaForgeville are part of a building match for the Read Across America program designed and managed by the twice consortium. This was the second of 14 connections that will occur between our schools.

Thanks again LaForgeville and GO RED KNIGHTS!

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Avon Heritage North Students visit the Wetlands with the Old Women Creek Reservation


Mrs. Meikle’s 5th grade students discussed the important role that wetlands play in Lorain County and throughout the world. The students discussed the animals that live in local wetlands and how this habitat prevents flooding. The students enjoyed the comparison of a wetlands to a sponge.

Using materials from the nature center, a video clip of Bill Nye the Science Guy and pictures taken on the grounds of Old Women Creek the students have a better understanding of the importance of wetlands. With the recent development in the community of Avon the students have a better understanding of why housing and retail development of local wetlands have led to increased flooding.

Thanks Old Women Creek!

Monday, March 06, 2006

LCDLC Updates & Opportunities


Don’t have time to read our Videoconferencing Opportunities. Get the highlights via a streaming Video HERE!!

http://lcdlc.lorainesc.k12.oh.us/streaming.htm


1) LCDLC EXISTING TEACHER MEETING CHANGE
2) WVIZ/PBS CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAMS
3) HARD CHOICES – FEDERAL BUDGET SIMULATION PROGRAM DEMONSTRATION
4) THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
5) THIRD GRADE CLASS NEEDED FOR READ ACROSS AMERICA CONNECTION
6) AP MIXER PROJECT 2006
7) IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN (THE METAMORPHOSIS OF THE FROG)
8) WESTERN SWING MUSIC VIDEOCONFERENCING OPPORTUNITY
9) HIGH SCHOOL SPANISH CLASS WANTED
10) ELEMENTARY AUDIENCE FOR A SIXTH GRADE WAX MUSEUM PRESENTATION
11) FREE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO THE ENVIRONMENT
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1) LCDLC Existing Teachers Meeting - Change in Meeting Date

Existing LCDLC Teachers – Several of you have notified us that our original meeting date for our second in-service scheduled for Thursday, March 9th conflicts with proficiency testing. As a result, we are CHANGING your scheduled in-service date to Thursday, March 23rd, 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. We will meet once again at the Lorain County JVS in the lower wing as we did at our first meeting.

At our meeting, we’ll be finalizing your three lessons or projects. If you’ll be applying for graduate credit, you’ll need to complete your three lessons and have the three lessons documented on our website by Monday, April 3rd. At our in-service, we will give you the majority of the day to complete your three projects. You should plan to record your video promo during the day, as well as complete the lesson plans.

Finally, we’re gearing up for our year end showcase scheduled tentatively for May 16th, 2006. Last year we had 18 presenters with clips. We’ll want to showcase some of our best projects again this year, including some of our new projects this group has been creating. At our meeting, we’ll discuss how we’ll be showcasing a few of your projects, as well as other IVDL uses you may have participated in this year that you’d like to share. We’ll need video footage of these sessions, so be sure to tape any sessions that you think might be good to share at this year-end meeting.

*Please RSVP your attendance so we can reserve you a lunch. I look forward to hearing from you.

Dave Miller
Director of Distance Learning
Lorain County Distance Learning Consortium
ESC of Lorain County
1885 Lake Avenue
Elyria, OH 44035
440 324-5777 ext 195 Office
440 610-0782 Mobile
dave.miller@leeca.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2) WVIZ/PBS Career Exploration Programs Via Distance Learning

Please share the attached information with your teachers and students regarding our next Career Exploration programs.
Schools interested in participating in these programs should contact my office prior to the date indicated on each flyer.
In addition to connecting via NOTA and the ATM networks, we will also connect to three IP sites during each of the programs.
IP connectivity is based upon first come, first schedule basis.
Thank you.
John <> <>
John R. Ramicone Director of Distance Learning Services-WVIZ/NOTA 1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 phone: 216-916-6360 fax: 216-916-6361 email: jramicone@ideastream.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Hard choices – A Federal budget simulation program demonstration

The LCDLC and the NOECA distance learning consortium will be connecting with presenters from the University of Akron on Tuesday March 7th at 3:30pm to discuss their budget simulation activity and to provide interested teachers to ask questions about the program.

Interested schools can still join the discussion. Please contact Paul Hieronymus to have your site added to the call.

To learn more about the Hard Choices program check out the attached file or watch a sample of the program at http://video.uakron.edu:81/ramgen/hard_choices/hard_choices_overview.rm

Paul HieronymusHieronymusP@Avon.k12.oh.us
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4) The Civil Rights Movement

Please join Columbiana County ESC via distance learning for a presentation on Civil Rights Movement


Speaker: Makesha West
President of the NAACP in Wellsville and East Liverpool, OH

Date: March 22nd
Time: 9:00 – 10:00

This will be an ATM connection.
To register please contact:

Katrina Dieringer
Columbiana County ESC Distance Learning
kdieringer@ccesc.k12.oh.us
office: 330.424.9591
cell: 216.346.2651
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5) Read Across America Partner Wanted

Our third grade class in New York is looking for a Read Across America videoconference partner. We hope to do the videoconference on March 24 at 2:05 EST. If you are interested but unavailable at this time, we will gladly find another convenient time for all.
Thanks
Debbie Fallon
dfallon@plainedgeschools.org <mailto:dfallon@plainedgeschools.org>
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6) AP Mixer 2006MAGPI is very pleased to announce the 2006 AP Mixer Project. Please forward this information to AP teachers that may be interested. Note that this is an Internet2 project and participants must have Internet2 connectivity and the ability to do H.323 (IP) videoconferencing. Registration closes on March 15.AP Mixers 2006 Join other teachers across the nation to plan interactive videoconference AP Mixers! Projects take place during the week of May 22-26, 2006.Description Since AP tests are administered in early May and students are in school through June, there is often a period of "down" time for students. What will you do with students for the rest of the school year? Join the AP Mixers Project and work with other interested AP teachers to design an interactive videoconference project that will keep your students engaged and excited throughout the rest of the school year! Guided by an experienced videoconference mentor, your Mixer Planning team will create a student-driven, interactive project that involves schools across the nation. We're looking for enthusiastic and innovative teachers to join the following AP Mixer Planning Teams:
AP US Government
AP English (Literature and Language)
AP US History
AP Biology
Team members will be required to attend a team organizational meeting and work with their team via email, online forum and videoconference to create a project. All projects will take place during the week of May 22-26. The exact time(s) and date(s) of the videoconference events will be determined by the planning team. Creativity is encouraged!! Only teachers who join the planning teams will be able to have their students participate in the AP Mixers project. Requirements for ParticipationThis is an Internet2 project; therefore, participating schools/teachers must have Internet2 connectivity and the ability to do H.323 (IP) videoconferencing. More Information/Registration:Please see the project website: www.magpi.net/apmixers.html Registration for this project closes on March 15, 2006.Questions:Please contact Heather Weisse, MAGPI Applications Coordinator, at hweisse@magpi.net or 215-573-6417.HeatherHeather WeisseMAGPI, Applications Coordinator3401 Walnut Street, Suite 233APhiladelphia, PA 19104email: hweisse@magpi.netphone: 215-573-6417http://www.magpi.net/

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7) It’s Not Easy Being Green! (the metamorphosis of the frog)

It’s Not Easy Being Green! (the metamorphosis of the frog)
Grades: K-4
Cost: $50.00

Description:
Hop into Spring with a new interactive distance learning session from the Muskingum Valley ESC. Students will plunge into the life cycle of a frog and explore amphibian facts and fun! This lesson incorporates Literature, Science, and Art. Students will conclude this interactive lesson with a face paced review game. Topics explored during this session include:
Metamorphosis
Amphibian Facts
Carnivores
Vertebrates/Invertebrates
Water Pollution (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
Hibernation

Leslie Charles
Distance Learning Manager

Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center
205 North 7th Street
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
740.452.4518 ext 133
lcharles@mvesc.k12.oh.us
www.mvesc.k12.oh.us/tap/
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8) Western Swing Music Videoconference Thursday, March 9
The "Let the Music Move You" series continues every Thursday in the Vanderbilt Virtual School. Remaining videoconferences in the "Let the Music Move You" series include WESTERN SWING; GOSPEL; OPERA; JAZZ; and BLUES. Two videoconference sessions at 9:00 and 10:00 CST are scheduled every Thursday for each specific music genre. Register for any or all of these videoconferences at: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/virtualschool/registration.htm

Come hear Joel Reese with his upright bass, along with a sax/guitarist and percussionist as they perform Western Swing music in a videoconference next week from the Vanderbilt Virtual School. This music, known as Country Swing or Western Swing, is DANCE music with an up-tempo beat and a decidedly Southwestern US regional flavor. It consists of an eclectic combination of country, cowboy, polka, and folk music, blended with a jazzy "swing", with a tip of the hat to New Orleans jazz and Delta blues, and played by a hot string band often augmented with drums, saxophones, pianos and, the pedal steel guitar. Bands and artists of the genre or influenced by it include Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys; Buck Owens; Asleep at the Wheel; Merle Haggard; Willie Nelson; Waylon Jennings; and Riders in the Sky.

There are two videoconference sessions for Western Swing on THURSDAY, MARCH 9 at 9:00 and 10:00 CST. Register today at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/virtualschool/registration.htm <http://www.vanderbilt.edu/virtualschool/registration.htm>

Patsy Partin, M.Ed
Vanderbilt University
Virtual School
2007 Terrace Place
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 322-6384

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9) Spanish HS Class wanted!

Audience: Education: Grade(s): 11, 12
Objective of Collaboration: I have a Spanish Level 4 class that would like to practice their conversational skills with another class preferably in another area outside of New England if possible. Lynne Jacksonljackson@londonderry.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) Sixth Grade Wax Museum
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 3, 4, 5, 6 Objective of Collaboration: My sixth grade students presented a Wax museum to our school and community. In the museum sixth grade students portrayed an historical character by dressing in costume, preparing an appropriate background, and giving a first person two minute speech. We will present about 20 of our characters in a Distance Learning program for interested schools on March 15. Students will present their speeches and answer questions about doing their research and preparing for Wax Museum. Students will also act as tour guides and run the camera equipment. Deb Coleman dcoleman@swell.k12.in.us
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11) FREE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Overview:
This program is based on Ohio’s Academic Content Standards and uses problem-based learning strategies to teach students about the concept of Sustainable Development. The program includes a series of 10 videoconferences and a companion online course. Students will work through a chapter of the online course before each videoconference. Steve Eshbaugh, an environment educator from Bozeman, Montana.

Dates For 2006 Topics (See enclosure for alignment to Ohio’s Standards)

March 29 Teacher Training , 3:00– 4:00 Via Videoconference

Videoconferences for Students : 10:00 - 11:00 AM (EST)
March 30 What is Sustainable Development ?
April 6 Getting Back to Basics; Ecosystems
April 25 Water Quality and Protection
April 27 Population Growth & Sustainability
May 2 Climate Change & Global Warming
May 4 Biodiversity
May 9 Agriculture: Globalization & Conservation
May 11 Forest Depletion
May 16 Green Business : Economics, Analysis & Accountability
May 18 Energy