Connected Classroom Hangout: Danny the Champion the World with Lucy Dahl

I'm posting a little bit earlier this week to share a very cool activity that just took place at Roosevelt School.  Today, Mrs. Filipiak's 3rd grade classroom had a very unique opportunity.   Before Thanksgiving, they were sent copies of the book, Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl.  Over Thanksgiving Break the third grade students read the book and when they returned, submitted questions in preparation for today's Connected Classroom Hangout with Lucy Dahl, Roald Dahl's daughter, and with Elizabeth Findley who works with Matilda, the Musical, on Broadway.  It was a BEYOND amazing experience for the students who personally got to interact with both Lucy in Los Angeles and Elizabeth in New York.   Lucy had some amazing information to share about her father and the kids and adults involved learned a lot!    Some students even were able to make some very unique and interesting connections with Roald Dahl.   As a big "Oprah type" surprise at the end, the students received the book, Matilda, as a thanks for participating gift.  They were beyond thrilled. Check out the video of the entire experience in the YouTube Video below.  Thank you to +Matilda The Musical Broadway and +Connor Swenson for such an amazing opportunity!   

Virtual Field Trips

What is a Virtual Field Trip?

A Virtual Field Trip is when we a class can connect with an expert on a topic via a Google+ Hangout, a Google product similar to Skype allowing you to connect with various experts and/or classrooms at the same time.   Last year we participated in quite a few Virtual Field Trips, and this year, we are hoping to do the same.   Many of the institutions that offer Virtual Field Trips are Zoos, Aquariums, and Museums around the country.   This is a great free way to bring experts into the classroom, and give students an interactive experience not only with experts, but other students around the country.   Today, Mrs. Kulnig's 4th grade class participated in a Virtual Field Trip to the Atlanta Zoo called Myths and Misconceptions.    

It’s that time of year when everything seems a bit spooky! Are your fears of spiders, snakes and other creepy-crawlies based on facts or fiction? Cozy up to some of Zoo Atlanta’s “creepiest” creatures to find out how you might be giving some of the world’s most important animals a bad rap.  

On the Virtual Field Trip today, we met Quincy the Eurasian eagle owl, Maize the corn snake and Georgette the Tarantula.    Our Roosevelt 4th graders did an awesome job asking questions and participating in the Virtual Field Trip.   I'm hoping that we'll be able to have many classes participating in these Virtual Field Trips this school year.    If you'd like to see the field trip, watch the video above!

Up close and personal with Georgette, the tarantula at Zoo Atlanta.

"Hanging Out" with Quincy the Owl.