In this excerpt from Kathy Cassidy’s new book Connected From the Start, we hear an engaging tale of first graders who blog, skype and swap stories about snow clothes and stinky sharks with kindergarten kids in New Zealand. In an accompanying video, Kathy answers the question “Why Connect?”
1st Look: Skype Group Video Calls
Teacher Kathy Cassidy has used Skype for years to connect her primary-aged students with the world. So when the company offered free group video to educators, she jumped at the chance. Five classrooms and lots of Lucky Charms to count! Find out what happened and read her “lessons learned.”
Why Primary Kids Tweet
When Brisbane, Australia experienced floods in 2011, Kathy Cassidy’s connected grade-one students wondered if their seven year old skyping friends were safe. They tweeted them from Canada to find out. Result: meaningful and authentic writing and reading.
An Open Letter to School Leaders Now Manning the Firewalls of Education
In this open letter, “Connected Educator” offers a blunt appraisal of the consequences for teachers and students when leadership refuses to connect classrooms to the world via public social media.
English Learners & Public Blogging
Public blogging, says teacher Ann Michaelsen, has proven to be the best way for her Norwegian high school students to sharpen their English writing skills. “When I do something everyone can see,” says one student, “I make it as perfect as I can.” Assessment data: Eleven of her students are finalists for the 2012 EduBlog award for student blogging.
Four Ways Our Kindergarten Teacher Improved My Online Teaching
Online educator Smadar Goldstein introduces us to Ilana, the “fabulous” kindergarten teacher who taught each of her four children — and describes four ways she’s incorporated Ilana’s teaching methods into her own distance learning practice.




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