KCH kindergartners take virtual video journey

KCH kindergarten teacher Suzanne Alexander leads a video-
conference conversation with a school in Windham, N.Y.

Twenty-two kindergartners at K.C. Heffernan Elementary recently traveled to New York’s Catskills region without ever leaving their seats in Marcellus.

The “journey” was made possible by a video conference that connected a large-screen TV in the KCH library with one in Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School in Windham, N.Y. During the virtual meet-and-greet, students talked about the picture book, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle.



To prepare for the conference, students in both schools selected, colored and cut out their favorite animal from the book (white dog, brown bear, blue horse, red bird, etc.). Then, when one of the teachers asked for a show of hands for each animal, the children held their creations toward the camera.

Students also took turns standing up and describing attractions in their respective towns.

“Rather than just having the students discuss this book, we were able to take the concept of "What Do You See?" and use Google Maps to ‘walk’ around Marcellus,” KCH kindergarten teacher Suzanne Alexander said. “We were able teach students in the other school about our village and all that it has to offer.”

Robert H. shows his drawing to the camera.

The exercise incorporated lessons about social studies, the community, data collection, fine motor skills and math, by requiring students to keep a vote tally for each animal. The children also were able to work on their speaking skills by introducing themselves and speaking clearly enough for the camera microphone to pick up their voices.

“My hope is to bring the world into my classroom,” Ms. Alexander explained. “We can remain safely in our school and yet 'venture out,' meeting people from different parts of our state and hopefully throughout the world, safely. Think of the learning that will take place!

“We can video-conference with people from other countries and teach our students about other people, cultures, places, etc.,” Ms. Alexander continued. “The sky is the limit.”