Thing #3 - Skype

Skype is basically an online video conferencing tool that allows parties to make audio and video connections over long distances for free! It would be a real money saver for coordinating author visits or setting up "web" pals for students to share their unique cultural differences with students in other states or even countries (as long as the time zones aligned!). I've used Skype once already to facilitate a book study between one of my 3rd grade bilingual classes and a comparable class at another Srping Branch school. It was great and the kids really enjoyed it - they said they felt like they were on TV! Both classes had read the same book and prepared comprehension questions in advance of the Skype call to ask each other. Each student got a chance to be on-screen to ask their question and then students from the other class got to pick someone to answer the question. Skype helps the students work on their verbal skills as well as boosts their confidence as a "presenter".