US Collaborating Schools China Project Overview 1

Education is at the “ next ” frontier where the problems are complex and the solutions are new and many. Motivate Students : Globally aware Creative Collaborative Problem solvers Critical thinkers Communicators 教育是 “ 未来 ” 的前沿， 问题复杂多变， 解决方法既新且多。 2

Goals Collaborating with students from another country is engaging, educational and fun. Explore the culture topics as they represent America and China. Deepen the understanding of both cultures using a collaborative, explorative curriculum. Exchange s and PPTs as a class, and Skype (face-to-face communication). Students participate in a continuing dialogue about what’s new in their lives and ask questions about the culture topics. Start and build friendships with your ePals partner class through class generated s, PPTs, and two Skype sessions 3

Course Objectives To increase global awareness by learning about cultural topics in at least two parts of the world – your country and your ePals’ country. To have fun exchanging ideas and getting to know students in another country. To enhance technology and digital skills by writing and compiling class s, creating slides for class PPTs, and participating in Skype. To learn how to express and present in English using , PPT, and Skype. To create a cultural and global connection. To expand student horizons through collaboration and exploration. 4

Sharing Cultures

General Information Class Period (Time) – Recommended once weekly. 35 minutes (minimum) Elementary School (ES) 40 minutes (minimum) Middle School (MS) Session 1 (04NOV-08NOV) Introduction Week – How to Use the ePals website. Session 2 (11NOV-15NOV) Session 3 (18NOV-22NOV) Module 1 – Sharing Cultures Session 4 (25NOV-29NOV) Special Session – Thanksgiving (Chinese classes only) Session 5 (02DEC-06DEC) Skype Session 1 Session 6 (09DEC-13DEC) Session 7 (16DEC-20DEC) Module 2 – Culture Cuisine Session 8 (23DEC-27DEC) Special Session – Holiday Celebration (Chinese classes only) 6

Required equipment for all classes 1. Computer and Projector – for course curriculum PPT delivery. 2.Laptops or computer lab (one per student or group designated) for and PPT. 3.Internet access for questionnaires. Materials 1.Lesson Plans (PPT in workspace) 2.PPT decks – ePals Information, Sharing Culture, Culture, Skype. All materials will be available in the Workspace. Post all s and PPTs to the workspace. 7

Posting/Sharing student work 1.The teacher compiled s. 2.PPTs ready for sharing. Post in the class Workspace. 8

Culture Cuisine

Introduction – OVERVIEW Check List: Survey Gizmo Pre-Course Teacher Questionnaire Pre-Course-Teacher-Survey Pre-Course-Teacher-Survey Please complete prior to the start of the course. Non-Disclosure Agreement (Teachers) – agreement to use the provided curriculum for this class and this class only. The Non-Disclosure document is available in the workspace. Scan and or mail to ePals (address on the form). Media Release for Teacher and Students. The Media Release document is available in the workspace. Scan and or mail to ePals (address on the form). School forms are acceptable – please or send a copy of the school Media Release and Internet Usage. Deliverables: 1. Class List 2. Pre-course Teacher Questionnaire 3. Non-Disclosure Agreement (Teachers) 4. Media Release (Teachers and Students) 10

SESSION 1 (04NOV-08NOV) Session 1 – Overview Introductory Class – How to: Teachers and Students Use the ePals Tools. Program-Pre-Course-Teacher-Survey Check List: Survey Gizmo Pre-Course Student Questionnaire Please complete prior to the start of the course. Program-Pre-Course-Student-Survey Student and Teacher Media Release The Media Release document is available in the workspace. Scan and or mail to ePals (address on form). Deliverables: 1.Student Pre-Course Questionnaire. 2.Student and Teacher Media Release. 11

SESSION 2 (11NOV-15NOV) Module 1 Week 1 – Sharing Cultures Session 2 – Overview Sharing Cultures Module 1 Week 1 Highlights: 1. ebooks – show one or both Check List: Arrange Skype Sharing Session with Partner Class. Teacher compiles and sends to ePals class. Deliverables: 1. Write Introductory and share with your ePals partner class. 2. Contact ePals (Catherine Channell and let her know the schedules for the Skype 12

SESSION 3 (18NOV-22NOV) Module 1 Week 2 – Sharing Cultures Session 3 – Overview Sharing Cultures Module 1 Week 2 Highlights: 1. Receive Introductory from partner ePals class. 2. Create Sharing Cultures PPT slides to share with partner ePals class. Check List: Read and Discuss ePals Introductory . Students create slides for Sharing Cultures PPT. Present Ideas and Share. Teacher compiles Sharing Cultures slides and sends to ePals class. Deliverables: 1. Create Sharing Cultures PPT to share with partner class. 2. Share PPT in Workspace. 13

SESSION 4 (25NOV-29NOV) Special Session Thanksgiving Chinese classes only. 14

15 Skype Session (02DEC-06DEC) Face-to-Face Communication. Session 5 – Overview Skype Session Highlights: Skype Session Check List: Prepare students for Skype Session. Confirm with partner teacher.

SESSION 6 (09DEC-13DEC) Module 2 Week 1 – Culture Cuisine (Food) Session 5 – Overview Culture Cuisine Module 2 Week 1 Highlights: 1. Receive Sharing Cultures PPT from ePals partner class. 2. Create to send to ePals partner class. Check List: View and Discuss ePals Sharing Cultures PPT. Create response to ePals partner class. Teacher compiles and sends to ePals class. Deliverables: 1. Create and send to ePals partner class. 16

SESSION 7 (16DEC-20DEC) Module 2 Week 2 – Culture Cuisine (Food) Session 7 – Overview Culture Cuisine/Music and Dance Module 2 Week 2 Highlights: 1. Receive from ePals partner class. 2. Create Culture Cuisine PPT to share with ePals partner class. Check List: Read and Discuss from partner class. Create Culture Cuisine PPT to share with partner class. Present ideas and share. Teacher compiles Culture Cuisine slides and sends to ePals class. Deliverables: 1. Create Culture Cuisine PPT to share with ePals partner class. 2. Place PPT in Workspace for partner class. Deliverables: 3. Open Survey Gizmo for US Teachers, Students, Parents. Post-Course Teacher, Student, Parent Questionnaire Reminder and link to be sent by . 17

Understanding how cuisine is part of our culture.

StudentTeacherParent Pre-course questionnaire Session 1Teacher Training Post-course questionnaire Session 7 US - Open Survey Gizmo for US teachers, students and parents. Pre- and Post-Course Student, Teacher, and Parent Questionnaires US – Survey Gizmo (Open at designated times) We will remind you of the due dates. Help us understand the effectiveness of the Sharing Cultures course. 1. Teacher Pre-Course 2. Student Questionnaire – Pre-Course (Session 1) and Post (Session 7) 3. Parent Survey – Post Course (Session 7) 4. Please have all US surveys completed by the end of Session 7. We are collecting information from China and US students, teachers and parents before and after participation in the course. 19

Writing a Friendly – What is a friendly ? A friendly is a class-to-class note. It builds a written conversation with your ePals partner class. Include in a friendly Information and ideas relating this week’s topics to your culture. Questions about the week’s topics and questions about the ePals’ class. News about your class and your class members. Photos of your class with descriptions of the photos. The teacher compiles the from work done by students and shares with partner class. 21

Composing an through Shared Writing 1. Project the text on to a large screen. 2. Allow students to contribute their ideas. 3. Teacher acts as a scribe doing the typing so that students focus on thoughtful composition. 4. Teacher demonstrates the conventions of writing (spelling, grammar, punctuation). 5. Teacher asks questions of students to reinforce English language convention and to encourage thoughtful contributions. 6. Teacher pauses to reread – making sure it makes sense and demonstrates editing/revising while composing. Remember that their ePals partners in China are English language learners. Both ePals classes are following the same course structure. 22

Greeting: Greet your ePals and express your excitement about receiving your ePals’ letter. Class Update: Share what is happening in your class. Don’t forget to make it conversational by asking your ePals questions too. Answer any questions your ePals asked about your class. Information and Questions about the Cultural Topic: Share your thoughts about the topic of study as it relates to your culture. Ask your ePals questions to learn about their culture. Closing: Wrap up your letter. Thank your ePals for the letter you received. Our Photos: Describe any photos you have attached. Friendly Template: Dear__________________________, Closing____________________________________, Class Name _________________________________ 23

Sharing Cultures NeuPals

Skype Sessions – Face-to-Face Communication. The Skype sessions are very exciting. Because of the time difference between China and America teachers must pre-arrange a time for the face-to-face communication. communicate directly with your partner teacher to arrange a time when the students are available to chat. Make arrangements very early, we recommend within the first week. Be sure to confirm. California is 15 hours behind; New York is 12 hours behind China’s one time zone. Skype (Session 5) The teacher should prepare students in advance for questions to ask their Chinese ePals partner. Students may talk about the topics they have studied together asking questions and giving answers. Students then may ask questions that interest them. The Skype session ends with the students teaching each other simple greetings and daily use words. 25

Skype Sessions – Face-to-Face Communication. Tips for a Successful Skype Chat: 1. ePals will provide you with your partner teacher’s contact information. 2. Please communicate directly with your partner teacher to arrange a time when the students are available to chat. 3. Make these arrangements very early, we recommend within the first week, by and be sure to confirm. 4. Exchange Skype names with your partner teacher as soon as possible. 5. Make sure that your partner teacher is in your Skype contact list. 6. Test your video and sound before your scheduled start date. 7. Determine where/how your students will sit so that they can all see and hear (project on screen). 8. Decide which teacher will initiate the call. 9. Accept the call as a video call. 10. Remind students to speak clearly and loudly (and that their ePals China partner are English language learners) so that their questions and comment can be heard clearly. 26

Scheduling Skype Sessions your partner teacher and schedule BOTH Skype Sessions. Scheduling Skype sessions is one of the most challenging activities of the Sharing Cultures collaboration. To accommodate both classes, it may require a before school or after school meeting. 1. Ask your partner teacher what time and day their scheduled class meets. 2. Ask your partner teacher what time school begins and ends. 3. Ask when the students can be available (before or after school). Many Chinese schools have early morning, afternoon and evening study sessions. Most Chinese students either live at school or in the general area of the school. 4. Ask for at least three alternative times AND give the Chinese partner teacher at least three options when your class is available. 5. If necessary, notify the parents that this school activity will take place outside of school hours because of the time difference with China. Send a note home with your students explaining when the Skype Session is scheduled. 27

Scheduling Skype Sessions your partner teacher and schedule BOTH Skype Sessions. If you are unable to reach an agreed upon time please notify Catherine Channell, and she will work with our partner in China to resolve the scheduling If a live Skype Session is impossible to schedule and all avenues for resolution have been exhausted, a modified asynchronous communication (video), is possible. Please contact ePals, Catherine Channell, and request the guidelines for successful asynchronous Note that all of China is one time zone (-) = behind one day. Examples: West CA 3am5am7am2pm(-)4pm(-)5pm(-)6pm(-) Mountai n 4am6am8am3pm(-)5pm(-)6pm(-)7pm(-) Central IL, TX 5am7am9am4pm(-)6pm(-)7pm(-)8pm(-) Eastern NY, NJ 6am8am10am5pm(-)7pm(-)8pm(-)9pm(-) China6pm8pm10pm5am7am8am9am 28

By Anthony Montemurro (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 ( via Wikimedia Commons 29