Digital tools offer so many novel ways to connect classrooms. Even with limited technology at our elementary schools, there is still so much teachers can do with a classroom computer, an internet connection and a projector. The “Art Exchange Project” was an idea that came about during a recent conversation with friend and fellow Tech Integration Specialist @tbjansen. The idea was simple. Exchange artwork between two classrooms and use it as an inspiration for student writing. Host a Google Hangout and allow students to share their writing with students in both classes. This project tapped into multiple learning standards and literally had kids on the edges of their seats listening intently as their peers read aloud poems they created after viewing artwork from one another. For teachers who might want to give this a try, I thought I would share some of the behind-the-scene details.
Connecting classroom teachers
Classroom teachers could connect via Twitter or other social network much in the way educators find one another for Mystery Skypes or Mystery Hangouts. In our case, we approached teachers in our respective districts and paired them up based on grade level. As a result, in our first round of the Art Exchange Project, we had a 1st grade class from Wilmington, MA paired with a 1st grade class from Lynnfield, MA as well as a pairing of two 3rd grade classes. Teachers determined the learning goals for the project:
CCSS (Common Core State Standards) -Writing Standard
Write poems, descriptions, and stories in which figurative language and the sounds of words (e.g., alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhyme) are key elements.
CCSS (Common Core State Standards) – Speaking and Listening Standard
Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; add visual displays when appropriate to emphasize or enhance certain facts or details.
ISTE – NETS-S (National Educational Technology Standards for Students): Communication & Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
Determining a writing goal
We decided early on that the writing goal did not have to be the same. The idea is to integrate this project into work students are already doing in class. Both 3rd grade classes were learning about Poetry but created different types of poems: one class wrote Haiku, while the other class focused on rhyming poems.
Selecting & Exchanging Artwork
Artwork was not created for the purpose of the Art Exchange Project. As with the writing goal, the idea is to utilize work kids are doing, not to create new work just for the project. Classroom teachers consulted with the art teachers to determine which recent art project would be best to inspire poems. Each classroom chose different artwork: self-portraits, imaginary animals and landscapes. We exchanged the actual paper artwork, but if you were to work with a class that was far away, you could easily take digital photos of artwork to share. It works best if you can pair the kids together, in other words, if Sally has Bobby’s artwork, Bobby would be writing about Sally’s artwork. Pairing kids up this way helps when it’s time for the video call.
Preparing for Video Call
Teachers from the classrooms shared a list of the student pairs and distributed the artwork accordingly. They spoke with students about what to expect the day of the video call and reviewed audience etiquette. We attempted a “test” with both Skype and Google Hangout to work out any technology glitches before the day of the actual call. The video call was scheduled to take place on two different days, since a call longer than 20 minutes would be a challenge for young students to maintain focus. So that every student was invested in each video call, students were either presenting their poetry or hearing the poem created based on their artwork during each of the two video calls. Students had their hand-written poem along with a cue card on which they wrote “A poem by __ from __, Illustrated by __ from __.”
Executing the Video Call
The call was conducted as a Google Hangout on Air. The readers came up one at a time with the artwork in the background and a webcam mounted to a music stand so they had a place to rest their poem and wouldn’t be distracted by seeing themselves on live video. The call was projected so that the entire class could see. Each classroom allowed 5-6 students to speak before rotating back to the other classroom. Google Hangout allowed us to mute the microphone and video for the class that was not “reading”. The call went very smoothly and it was great to look around the classroom and see every single student fully engaged!
The students are anxious to have another experience that connects them with another classroom. After having such a positive response, we’re already begun planning a Mystery Skype (Mystery Hangout) next!
