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Learning Circle  Your World Secondary - Rotterdam EYC

News 1: Introductions

Week: Monday March 2nd – Sunday March 08th 2009

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Dear participants,

This week is the opening of your learning circle, which is very exciting because you and your students will get to know the other teachers and classes participating in the learning circle.

It is great fun!

What are you supposed to do during the Introduction week?

You have 3 things to do:

1. Write and share a "teacher letter" to introduce yourself

2. Have your students write and share a "class introduction" letter

3. Take and share pictures of your class

Add all 3 elements in the introduction pages: >> right hand menu > Sidebar > introductions

   Click on the name of your school, and there’s a new page available for each of you.

More details about teachers' letters, class introductions and pictures:

Remember that first impressions are important and take good care of your introductions.

Don't wait till the end of the week to start. Everyone is eager to know you and your students!

1.       Teacher letters: That is all yours.

      Feel free to include information about your professional background, your class, the subject you teach, the access to computers and internet in your school, your hobbies, interests as well as your expectations from this learning circle and the time you will dedicate to work with your students.

2.       Class letters

      How can your students write an introduction page to reflect the class? Have them work in groups or maybe run a class survey then summarize the result and share them with the learning circle.

Students usually like to know how students in other locations are similar and different. Here are some suggestions:

Your students might want to include a list of what they like and do normally or make a list how they think their lives are the same as or maybe different from that of students from the other countries in this learning circle.

While it will be difficult to get to know students in all the locations by name, it is a good idea to make it personal and to include students' names in the letter. It's better NOT to include email addresses in the intro page

Students are eager to find out how schools in different locations compare with their own school. They are often interested in indicators of school size (number of students, classes at a grade level, number of classrooms), a general description of the school (number of buildings, recreation and sports facilities), markers of school spirit (flags, mascot, colors', songs), and information about special programs or rules.

Perhaps your students could include a description of things they think make their school unique. If your school has a homepage, add the link in your letter.

Your Learning Circle partners will enjoy visiting the website.

3.             Class pictures:

It is best if you can reduce the size of the pictures before you post them in the Wiki.

            If your pictures are too large, and you want some help? Ask your students or send them by email to:  r.kattevilder@ict-edu.nl