Skyping with Our Partner Class in New York!

Today our class Skyped with our partner class in New York! It was amazing, to say the least!

In preparation for the Skype call, we looked up their school using Google Maps. Using the street view and pictures, we were able to learn that their school was in an urban area of Lower Manhattan. This a lot different from our suburban neighborhood school! We compared and contrasted the difference between urban and suburban communities. Then we brainstormed the questions we wanted to ask them.  During the call, several students asked and answered questions about our schools as well as the book, Marty McGuire. Here were some of the things we learned about Mr. Water's class.

• If we drove to their school and didn't stop once, it would take us over 40 hours and almost 3,000 miles to get there.
• Their school is located in a building 12 stories high.
• They have a pool in the basement and they have swimming as part of their PE.
• The playground is on the roof!
• They have 15 students in their class and two teachers.
• They love to read Marty McGuire, too!

The Global Read Aloud - Marty McGuire

Today is the start of the Global Read Aloud! Our class is going to be reading the chapter book, Marty McGuire with many first, second, and third grade classes all over the world!  You can see who is participating in the map below:

View Marty McGuire Participants Map in a larger map

Our class is partnered with another first grade class in New York! We are going to be collaborating with them as we read the book together! We are so excited!