Tamra Lanning's Comments

I should be able to skype sometime around 930 or so in the morning. If that is good with you just let me know.

i have ways around that. LOL

I will get it set up and get in touch with you and we can test it out maybe Tuesday.

so are you back in the classroom this year or could you do a test Skype sometime during the day?

Tamara I need some help with skype. How did your classroom to classroom skype session go and what all did you use. I have a chance to do a video skype with Dr. Donald Johansson the famous anthropologist and I do not want to mess it up.

So how did your school year go Tamra. I was told about this site by Dr. Obannon up at UTK did you ever have her.

I think the site could be helpful if you just show the children of the pictures. You might look at the Egypt site if you present Egypt as part of a class. Please let me know if you do that. Thank you so much for looking at the site!

I know what you mean about missing teaching... or I think I do. I sometimes wish I was off our enhancement schedule and had all flex time, so I could really work with the teachers as well as the students, but then I think how much I would miss seeing the kids regularly. I know its highly improbable to happen though, so no worries! I'm glad you see the value in what you are doing now. I'm sure you'll get used to it and find ways to make it more enjoyable as well as meaningful. :) I'm sure you are giving lots of ideas to the teachers you work with in hopes that they'll take some of your great plans back to their own kids too!
My year has started well! I had high hopes at the end of last year to jump into using Skype right away, but things have been so busy I've hardly had time to think about it. We'll get there sooner than last year though... I have no doubt there! :)

Hi!! I would LOVE to hear your suggestions for literature in the social studies classroom! This is my first year to teach 5th grade social studies (I have always taught reading/language arts and one math until now- I'm having a hard time finding a rhythm/routine with social studies). My class is made up of half my highest reading class and half special ed. kids-27 total. It's nice because everyone can have a study buddy, and there's an extra teacher with me. However, there is such a range of abilities that it can be overwhelming at times. I am extremely open to any ideas, suggestions, thoughts, etc., etc. that you may have. Thanks SOooooo much for leaving me a message!!

How is your new position going this year?

I graduated from Murray State University and wondered if you were in Benton, KY. I love that part of the country. What will your job be next year?

Hi Tamra, Where is Benton Elementary? I also teach at a Catholic School and I'd love to do some collaborating next year. This past year was my first year in the Tech Lab after 9 years in Second Grade. I loved it!!

No reason to be nervous :) Just keep up the awesome work!

Love your blog and all your vibrant blog flare! I'll be adding you to my blogroll!

I will share it (video) with my class. Their longest skype call was about 30 minutes. They love it. But it was great and I enjoyed it greatly. They had asked when can we do it again as they had so many questions, like what are your state tests called the "TSATS" since ours our ISATS (Illinois) was very cute and funny. Def. let me know if you'd like to SKYPE again, can be about a topic or a book or what not. Thanks again.

Tamra,
We had a great time doing a SKYPE call with your class, it lead to a very nice discussion. They were amazed about the differences btwn our two towns. It opened their eyes for sure. Thanks again and I'm glad it worked out to get the call in and I'm glad we realized about the time difference :-).

Great stuff Tamra, sorry I should have mentioned that Kidogo is the version of Rafi.ki for elementary schools. As you say a lot to get through! Have fun with the site though and if anything isn't clear though then do just drop me a line,

Cheers,

Thanks for the message, Tamra! Your class website looks great, too! We are a PC school but I'll soon be experimenting with the Mac world, as we will be using Macs to help with our collaborative project with our "online buddies" (who are a Mac school). The seamless integration of all the programs makes the mac look very appealing to a PC user. Is it easy to maintain your site? Are you lovin' your Promethean Board?

Hi,

I'd be more than happy to try and set something up with your students. I know one of my 5th grade classes would be up for it. I'll try and think of something we could do. Welcome to the Ning!