#5thchat Archive
#5thchat is for people interested in chatting about topics in education, especially as they relate to Grade 5. The goal is to connect people who enjoy learning & sharing, plus supporting & creating partnerships worldwide!
Tuesday October 4, 2016
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Hi Everyone. Welcome to 5thchat. My name is Dawn and I teach K-5 science in Indy. I am moderating our chat tonight.
Please introduce yourself. What's your name, where do you teach. and What is your favorite way to engage your students?
Our topic tonight is . Have you ever Mystery Skyped before? Heard of it? Want to do it but haven't yet??
Peg. Instruc Coach/Rdg Spec from MKE ready to !
Looking forward to learning how. Would like to explore with my ss.
Hi all! Dianne 4/5 T from soCal. PBL and tech fav ways to engage Ss!
My fav way to engage my Ss is with Hands on science and technology is very engaging and a great use of tech
Adam from central Wisconsin ready for some 5th grade Chat.
I'm Jennifer from WI. I'm very curious about Mystery Skype and can't wait to learn from you all. I engage my Ss thru storytelling.
Share your pics and ideas. We learn from each other!!
Hi . Lisa from OH. Love to /Number.
Hi all! Jon, a 5th grade teacher from Iowa. A great way to engage students is through online discussions
Lealye from Grand Forks, ND YES to Mystery Skype! Would love to schedule them once a week.
Hi Peg! I'm from just south of you - Kenosha!
I'm Ryan from NE. I am active on Mystery Skype but would like to grow my 5th grade network
I enjoy gamifying my classroom as a way to engage students.
Often times clues are given that can be answered with y/n, and the classes are trying to guess something like location of class
Q1:How do you inspire your students to think globally, learn about new cultures and geography?
is a way that T's are using Skype to communicate with Ss in another location.
How do you use Mystery Skype? Do tell!! https://t.co/IJujeuG2iX
Lealye from Grand Forks, ND YES to Mystery Skype! Would love to schedule them once a week.
I have seen Google Hangouts. Hoping Skype will be the same. Northern NY
A1:I did lots of activities with most of my elementary classes.Ss like meeting Ss of different ages and in places
A1: Used for couple yrs now, using blogging w/ Ss to get them to think more globally as well
But how does this work if your Ss are not strong with geography? https://t.co/MXkn7OdZCA
Often times clues are given that can be answered with y/n, and the classes are trying to guess something like location of class
A1 I tell them what I hear and the news. Then check the internet for more info.
Want to schedule one together?? Looking for people to work with this year
A1: I use to help students connect with others but have struggled expand globally. Need international connections
A1: I teach them the fifth grade history curriculum and let them explore, but mystery skpe sounds neat
I use Hangouts for those who don't have Skype. Works the same
Found my Ss get stronger as we go. Get faster at guessing other location w/practice in skill
Heard about mystery Skype...intrested to see how it works
If I can figure out how to do it, I'd love to try it with you! https://t.co/nSx1h1wr9v
Want to schedule one together?? Looking for people to work with this year
It is pretty easy. Toughest part is training your Ss
I am interested. Not sure I can access Skype in my district. Northern NY.
Sounds great! has great blog on roles and what to do
Do you have Google Hangouts?
OK....so how exactly does a Mystery Skype work?
Welcome, Jennifer!! Glad you made it!
Time difference with international seems to get in way. Want to try chat guessing instead of IRT
Thanks, Dianne! I will check out post. https://t.co/KfVJea2spC
Sounds great! has great blog on roles and what to do
Hope you learn a lot! Thanks for joining us!
A1: We connect with different countries using Skype or GHO. Talk about food, holidays, school, etc.
We are a Google school. Haven't tried it yet though.
Hi Diane! So glad you're here!
Q2:What is your favorite thing about ?
Thanks. Keep missing it. :( Glad to be finally on time. :)
Students help each other. start with big q like e/w of Miss River, near a coast, the kids catch on, and you can help
Another great idea! Thanks, Lisa! https://t.co/fBUzBJowLh
A1: We connect with different countries using Skype or GHO. Talk about food, holidays, school, etc.
IRT? Sorry, I'm guessing international. I agree but I feel like there are still options.
Hangouts work in the same way, just connect differently in the beginning
A2: Tonight it is learning about the program
Phil, 5th from NJ, jumping in and out of tonight. Lots to do tonight!
A2: Ss love . The excitement they have and I was so impressed with how engaged they were trying to figure out clues.
Hope you're getting lots of info tonight!
Sorry I am late! Natalie from Louisiana a first grade teacher! so excited for this on
That's so cool! Welcome Lisa!!
A2: My favorite thing is the collaboration, teamwork, and critical thinking that takes place.
I will know more than when I started!
A2: Watching Ss increase skills while being totally engaged. Also learning how schools are alike & different
Jordan from Princeton, NJ checking in a little late. Just took the online test!
That's great!! LEt's get one scheduled before the night is over!!
Tried to use last week for global collaboration project with OREO project, but it didn't work.
A2 Hi-Shauna from AZ. Love that Ss learn about geography in an engaging way through Mystery Skype
Our test run was great on Thursday then didn't work on Friday. Something about internet with other school.
is using skype to communicate with Ss in other areas. You give each other clues to guess something.
We talking about ? I'm in!
queen of mystery skype should be on this chat right now....
A2: Mystery Skype can be extended to research about one's own state to share at the end. Im in NE if anyone wants to connect after!
You rang! Yes, I love calls.
I never thought of as gamifying. Great connection, Ryan!
Hello! 5th grade teacher (all subjects except math) from TX
We need to reschedule our google hangout! Lets look at our schedule at please!
I have not done a Mystery Skype....But it sounds very engaging. https://t.co/dDth0Byrm3
A2 Hi-Shauna from AZ. Love that Ss learn about geography in an engaging way through Mystery Skype
A2: It is completely student driven. They love the challenge and want to know more about places they've never seen.
It's so engaging. The mystery can be anything you want, a location, number, animal, etc.. So much fun for the Ss.
That's the biggest stressor. Had that happen a few times last yr
Definitely, we will. We did an awesome GHO with the co-founders of today. My Ss impressed them for sure.
Hi Phillip! Glad you joined us!
our kiddos were so patient! Even had my admin in there waiting with us to work it out! :)
Hi Natalie!! So glad you're here!
Q3: What is your biggest limitation in using with your Ss?
That alone is a great skill for Ss to learn.
OMG! So awesome! :) I need to introduce it to them this week! :)
So glad you're jumping in!
A3: Classroom technology would be our problem. This could be solved with the help of our district tech guy
Yes, exactly. we would try again, but they are on break for 2 weeks now. Patience to 1st graders.
A3:1st time mysteryskyping,tech failed on us about 5 min in.We ended up typing on skype until it came back. The Ss still loved it!
A3: Biggest limitations are poor connections, scheduling, and sometimes language barriers.
Hi Shauna, So glad you joined us!
Her school was using to much internet or wifi or something. It was a busy time of day.
Couldn't see her or her kids, but could hear her. She could see us.
A3: Ss not knowing location of own state, prolongs wait time, wifi might limit, otherwise no limitations
A3: The biggest limitation is time. What works for me may not work for others. It is great to be flexible but it needs to work.
Bummer! Did you try tweeting them or just emailing? That happened to me my 1st time too.
A3 Biggest limitations is finding ways to engage all Ss simultaneously.
They are on fall break for 2 weeks... They had to go to library class. We will try to do a google doc?
Exactly how we handled it. Ss got bored that way though
I absolutely agree. They can't all be involved. I have had success in small numbers but feel like I'm leaving others out
What materials do you give your students for mystery Skype? World Atlas? Google Maps?
So glad you're here Amber! Hope you're learning a lot!
now I know for next time... Haha! You live you learn!
Found roles more helpful this year to keep them engaged. Hard w/35 Ss though
We've had issues where we couldn't connect. Once we did the chat on Skype w/o calling bc we couldn't connect.
Yes, that's what it's all about!
We use Google Docs, Maps, and Earth. We also have atlases and a dry-erase wall map
Awesome! Will try it out next time! :)
Yes; they love it! I was dancing the first time we did it, it was so engaging!
A3: Mine would be engaging all the students at the same time. We use roles/jobs. Feels like some jobs are more busy than others.
Wow! I have issues sometimes with 16!
Ale Martinez from San Antonio Texas. Cambridge elem my favorite way to engage students is technology
I use roles or jobs too. Can't imagine with 35 Ss. I'm juggling with 23 sometimes.
A2: My fav thing about calls is the critical thinking that happens to ask good ?’s during the game.
, is having a discussion on right now! :)
My Ss have various atlases. We research various states @ beginning of year to get them more sure of locations
is awesome and students love making the connections
Yes the skype factor defnitely add excitement!
My admin took my class today, said she was impressed I can do it daily :)
Any new roles you could share? I need a few more engaging ones.
Dinner time, friends! Will catch up later tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for all the good information and tips! :)
I'd like to give it a try! Anyone interested? We are in the central TZ & PM's work better.
I like giving my Ss jobs, so that everyone is engaged, like photography, runner, maps, computer, etc..
We have question trackers, a media team, and a relay team.
Q4: How did you get started mystery skyping?
U.S maps, atlas, books about state once they figure it out and we're doing towns, computers, ipads, globe
I think making a list of different students for each question that is asked would help.
Welcome!! So glad you're here!
A4: Last spring I was on a twitter chat and was mentioned. it sounded fun and I got a skype name, tried it with a T
A4: Learned about it on Twitter from . She taught me and was our first.
We have roles, too...sometimes even then they check out.
I am PT, Pm would work for me. Let's set one up!
A4: Overheard a teacher at a workshop. Checked her website out and saw that she was doing
A4: Twitter, resource for everything new and exciting!
currently through Global Read Aloud
Tell me about the media team. I do Researchers, Runners, Responders, NoteTakers, Photographer, and Questioners.
I also have each Ss take turns answering and asking Q, keeps them engaged.
I have similar problems. My Questioners and Answers are engaged, but my thinktank falls off sometimes.
Can you tell us more about Global Read Aloud? I don't know what this is or how you get involved.
questioners, answerers, sign holders, researchers, map demonstrators (cross out wrong states), greeters, closers
Just wondering, could some people tweet about some of the great locations they have connected their class to through Mystery Skype?
A3: Finding good times with other classes that fit into both of our schedules. Sometimes a lot of emails or tweets to set up.
Team of 3-4 Ss. Two take pictures, one takes video, one blogs. Upload to GDrive and create slideshows!
Does that make it chaotic? I had done that at first and the questions were all over the map (pun intended)
Does that make it chaotic? I had done that at first and the questions were all over the map (pun intended)
Added photogs this year, very popular role
Thanks for contributing Natalie!! ENjoy dinner!
I like how you have students take more responsibility in sharing learning.
Have a US map in a sleeve protector so they can mark on it and a good atlas. Eventually Google maps.
Me, me!! What time is best for you??
We have connected with Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Ireland, and Poland.
Depends on the day. Why don't you DM me and we can pick a date? YAY!! https://t.co/1xfNdCzxA3
Me, me!! What time is best for you??
R turn, Your turn, we're thinking, yes, no (Stole it from someone. very helpful
Q5: How do you find people to with?
What’s for supper tonight? Yes, I just realized I’m starving too. See you later.
Awesome! DM me and we can pick a date! Woohoo!! https://t.co/dCq5Wi7fCJ
I am PT, Pm would work for me. Let's set one up!
Ha!PUnny!It's not chaotic for my group.forces them to listen to each other and not repeat Q. also have to OK Q w/ me.
I must know the secrets to connecting internationally!
We have Thinking and Our Turn/Your Turn
A5: I watch my twitter feed, go to and look for people, put out requests and Ts will answer.
"We're thinking", Can you please repeat
Pancakes, hashbrowns, sausage, maybe eggs? Lol... We are having a feast over here at the Chustz house!
A5 I would love to with each and every one of you!
. A4: i started doing calls back in 2009 when doing . Now on GHO.
We met through Twitter and I signed up for global projects like .
A5: Twitter and Google + Communities.
A5 Once we Skype,the contacts are saved on skype so I just reach out randomly to people in my contacts. Also on chats like this one
A5: mostly people connect w/ on Twitter, tried microsoft site, but having sign in issues,
Yes, I did this after my 1st one, ways to narrow down states, etc. Ss need a little help sometimes
Me too! Want to set something up? DM me and we can give it a whirl! https://t.co/54I7jxXkVL
A5 I would love to with each and every one of you!
I also use Twitter. Never got any leads from MS site.
We did a practice 1 where I chose state for them to guess, got them to redo the ?s based on results
Make sure you get names and follow your friends. This is a great opportunity to set up some chats!
What an awesome opportunity for your students https://t.co/YpfgCHZT7T
We have connected with Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Ireland, and Poland.
It has been amazing! Because of time difference we exchange videos, but love the connections we made.
Yes, I think practicing with a group first time is a really good idea!
We do US in 5th, but have combo so it all gets covered
Ok, we'll get one together tonight.
I was just going to ask how that works with the time difference https://t.co/BLYCMNhyBh
It has been amazing! Because of time difference we exchange videos, but love the connections we made.
Q6:How do you integrate into your curriculum& other subject areas? What other skills do Ss aquire with mysteryskype?
I plan on practicing with someone in my building. Someone who knows a lot more than me.
I haven't done an int/n one yet.
Seeing them all over the tweet site, might be a good starting place.
A6: So far only used it for geography, but connection made created blogging buddies w/ class in another state
A6:Would like more ways to integrate with science, maybe landforms, animals, scientists- Tech is a great integration
A6 is tailor-made for 21st century skills practice. Collaboration, communication, problem solving, etc.
Thanks for sharing this Paula!!
A6: Teamwork, Critical Thinking, and Geography. I try to use it as an enrichment activity
So cool. How do you find these people? Do they speak english?
A6 Geography- but we also did an open mic and shared poetry, also math challenges, I'd love to connect to share GH project ideas
Checking out for the night. THANKS for the inspiration to start using Mystery Skype in my classroom!
So glad you were with us. Let me know if I can help you get started!
. Made all my connections on Twitter. We've done China, S. Korea, Australia, NZ, Honduras-all work w/ our AZ time
How do you find these people? Do they speak english? How do you work out the time difference?
with the picture you shared do your Ss work in small groups or do you just give out separate jobs?
Many international schools that speak English...we've Skyped with France and India!
Both. I have small classes, so it depends. Sometimes I have Ss work as a group. Sometimes individually.
Q7: What themes have you done?
What kind of camera is used?
Amazing opportunities for our students https://t.co/5qCHQMoWfN
. Made all my connections on Twitter. We've done China, S. Korea, Australia, NZ, Honduras-all work w/ our AZ time
Just the one on my laptop, not sure what kind it is??
A7: I've done mystery location. Want to try mystery landscapes, animals -any other ideas for science?
Yes, they usually speak English. Slow chats help with translation.
You made it!! Yay!!
Jump right in!!
A7: I am brand new to themes but would like to experiment with Field trips. Sea Turtles for reading this year.
Once I am comfortable I would like to try a breakout edu via skype. See who solves it first.
Would love to set up some dates. Have lots of availability at different times each day. Please DM me to set up.
Haven't done themes - just enjoyed the Geography problem solving and connections!
Love the Breakout Edu idea! Clues from the other classroom.... my mind is spinning!
I have truly just been trying to find time to organize a Breakout in my classroom and get the funds to put together a kit.
Same here! We did our first session of the year today!
Q8: What tips would you give our new mystery skypers?
. Search Twitter for international schools in a time zone that works for you. They speak English
A8: Train your class. Practice! You can pick a state randomly and have students try narrowing it down. Critique question quality
A8: Just try it!Jump in & Ts will help you. All you need is a computer with a projector and skype. You can do it!
A8: practice w/ class & come up with roles/?s beforehand, go over guidelines for behavior
A8 for practice, try a "mockstery skype" with a neighboring class...each pick a location and try to guess!
A8b: Do a dry run of your skype with a T w/o the class. Find Q on the internet to ask the other class, get resources from librarian
Practice withi your students and review "manners" so they can run a polite and productive Skype.
A8c: Make sure you check your time zones! Take pics of your experience.
A8 Brainstorm a list of possible questions so you're not thinking of them on the spot
Time zones can cause HUGE issues
Thank you for a great chat and all your participation and ideas!! You rock!! You can do it!!
I can't believe that time. It's always a pleasure sharing. Now it's time to jump in and get my feet wet.
My students are very new to this this year but would be willing to try one with them tomorrow at 2:15 CST.
Thanks for the chat. So excited to do with many of you!
A8 Give yourself enough time! Plan to guess city and school also. Designate jobs ahead of time- practice etiquette
