Distance Learning Connections

Fifth and Sixth Grades Connect To Omaha’s Lied Jungle

bbednar — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:09:04 +0000

On Wednesday, January 18th, Pleasanton fifth and sixth graders connected live to the Henry Doorly Zoo’s Rain Forest. The live interactive discussion highlighted the animals and plant life of a typical rain forest. Students were introduced to “Skittles”, the zoo’s McCaw Ambassador. Henry Doorly Zoo has identified a variety of animals that are capable of being held by a zoo keeper, and introduced to an audience.

Pleasanton students learned about the habitat of Skittles, as well as several other species living in the Rain Forest. Some of the animals shown and discussed with the students were the Howler Monkey, the Three Toed and Two Toed Sloth, the Sokie Monkey, and Indian Fruit Bat. Students also learned about the research being conducted between Madagascar and the zoo.

Henry Doorly Zoo hosts 15,000 animals, among 750

Fourth Grade Connects to Homestead National Monument

bbednar — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:40:58 +0000

On Tuesday, January 17th, Pleasanton Fourth Graders connected to the Homestead National Monument with Park Ranger Jessie Bolli. Mr. Bolli discussed the history and influence of the Homestead Act.

First Grade Connects to Penguin Exhibit

bbednar — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:38:52 +0000

On Tuesday, January 17th, Pleasanton first graders connected by distance learning to the Henry Doorly Zoo’s Penguin Exhibit.

3rd Graders Connect to Author

bbednar — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:15:03 +0000

On Tuesday, December 13th, Pleasanton third graders connected by distance learning to author Margaret Willey. Author of several books, Ms. Willey discussed “A Clever Beatrice Christmas”, and “Clever Beatrice and The Best Little Pony.”

Mrs. Chizek read two of Ms. Willey’s books to the class, preparing students for the connection. Students were able to ask questions directly to the author, along with two schools in Michigan. Ms. Willey emphasized her growth as a writer and the fun she has as an author.

Students asked questions focusing on the characters in her book, her work as an author, the art work in each book, and new books that are being written.

4th Graders Connect to Homestead National Monument

bbednar — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:47:38 +0000

On Tuesday, December 13th, Pleasanton fourth graders connected to Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, Nebraska. U.S. Park Ranger, Jesse Bolli, gave a live interactive presentation, “Buffalo Tales”, discussing how Native Americans in Nebraska used the buffalo for their survival. Mr. Bolli showed a variety of Buffalo parts from a trunk in the museum, including a Buffalo hide, bones, bladder, stomach, and other parts.

Mr. Bolli shared that it took ten to twenty Buffalo hides to make a tepee, depending on the size of the tepee. Hides could be used for shields, doors, blankets, and rugs. The meat was readily consumed in a feast, but much of the meat was dried into jerky for later use.

Bones were used for weapons, scrapers, gardening tools, and even toys. The bladder was often used as a canteen, or for other types of pouches. Mr. Bolli showed a pouch made from a hide, but decorated with porcupine quills. The quills were boiled, flattened and woven into the hide.

Kindergarten Connection to North Pole

bbednar — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:19:30 +0000

The Pleasanton Kindergarten Class connected to Santa Claus at the North Pole on Tuesday, December 6th. Students previously sent Santa individual letters, stating what they wanted for Christmas. The live interactive discussion allowed Pleasanton students to ask Santa questions, while Santa responded to individual student’s letters. Santa also discussed his plans for Christmas Eve and what he had recently been feeding his reindeer. He also asked several students whether the students would have milk and cookies for him on Christmas Eve.

Pleasanton first graders and second graders also connected to Santa Claus on Thursday, December 8th. Students had sent Santa their letters, with him responding to individual students during the live interactive connection. With only a 25 minute connection to each grade, it was difficult for Santa to respond to each student’s letter. However, Santa reassured the students that he had read their letters, and would be visiting them on Christmas Eve.

PHS Connection to “Lest We Forget”

bbednar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:05:12 +0000

In honor of Pearl Harbor Day, Pleasanton students (grades 7,8,10 and 11) connected to the “Lest We Forget” panel discussion with World War II veterans. The panel discussion originated from a regional education agency in Michigan. The veterans discussed their own experiences in World War II, one from the Pacific Theater fighting Japan, and two representing the European Theater, fighting Nazi Germany. The live interactive conference allowed students from Pleasanton to ask questions directly to the veterans.

Topics in the discussion related to each veteran’s story regarding the war while other topics ranged from their view of how war decisions are made to the process of coming home and adjusting to a normal life.

This video clips is captures the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day:

5th Graders Connect to Author, Train To Midnight

bbednar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:59:56 +0000

On December 2nd, Pleasanton fifth graders connected by distance learning to the author of Train to Midnight, Janie Lynn Panagopoulos. The interactive live discussion with Mrs. Panagopoulos, allowed the students to ask questions about the book, the life of an author, and the research behind writing a book. Train to Midnight is a fiction book, based upon factual information about the Underground Railroad.

The following is from Mrs. Panapopoulos’ website at http://www.jlpanagopoulos.com/train-to-midnight.htm.
“Malaika and her brother Sammy have been arguing about the Underground Railroad when they are caught in an afternoon storm. The crash of a falling tree branch sweeps them back into the lives of Malaika and Samson who are escaping slavery along the Underground Railroad. Separated from their mother, the pair have made their way across the Ohio River to the home of a Quaker couple who introduces them to Daniel, a crude but warm-hearted abolitionist.

Reluctantly, Daniel agrees to accompany the youngsters on their journey through Indiana and Ohio to Detroit, Michigan, where they hope to rejoin their mother and take a boat to the safety of Canada. But the trip is fraught with danger as two slavecatchers chase the trio all the way to the border. In true Panagopoulos style, Train to Midnight creates the drama of a family’s separation and weaves it with historical detail, adventure, and unforgettable characters.”

Grades 10,11,12 Connect To Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame

bbednar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:57:42 +0000

Pleasanton High School students connected by distance learning to the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame (http://rockhall.com/) in Cleveland, Ohio on December 6th. The presentation, “Takin Care of Business” is described at http://rockhall.com/education/distance-learning/courses/takin/. The presentation simulates the decisions a rock band must make to be successful, including the process of recording music, producing, packaging, and marketing music. A short history of the music industry was included in the presentation, but a major focus of the presentation was how music is produced and marketed today. Students voted on a variety of issues during the presentation. Three levels of packages of producing music were presented, allowing students to vote how they wanted to produce music, imagining they were a rock band. A professional level, costing $7000, was explained to the group. Having music professionally produced for an album is rare that any group. Few can afford this package when beginning in the music industry. The basic production costs are approximately $3300, while an intermediate production package could cost $5000.
Pleasanton students voted to make several decisions, imagining they were members of a rock band. The presenter, John Groecke, discussed how decision making involves risk taking. Running a business has the risk of not doing enough and the risk of doing too much. Bands need to always look for sources of income, especially in a digital economy. figuring out who is your target audience, and how you will market your music is so important.

4th Graders Connect To Author, Traders in Time

bbednar — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:28:19 +0000

On December 5th, Pleasanton fourth graders connected by distance learning to the author of Traders in Time, Janie Lynn Panagopoulos. The interactive live discussion with Mrs. Panagopoulos, allowed the students to ask questions about the book, the life of an author, and the research behind writing a book.

Information from the Book’s Cover: “Chris scoffs at his younger brother’s enthusiasm for collecting rocks – particularly one Nick thinks is shaped like a turtle – and generally thinks that the eight year old is something of a wimp. But Chris’ attitude is dramatically changed as the brothers suddenly find themselves trapped at dusk in a deep forest with nineteenth century Metis fur traders. With the help of his turtle warrior rock and his new friends, Meggie La Framois and her assistant LeClaire, Nick saves Chris from the clutches of the evil trader named McDougal. But the boys’ adventures have only begun as they flee by canoe from McDougal to an Ottaw Indian camp along Lake Michigan and then on to Mackinac Island. Traders in Time vividly portrays the variety of people involved in the fur trade and brings to life the sights, smells, and drama taking place along the shores of Lake Michigan at For Mackinac in the early 1800′s.”

Students asked Mrs. Panagopoulos questions related to her research, experiences in writing, why she writes books, and where her ideas come from.