Материалы международного проекта Sister-Schools

Middle school № 25 (Perm, Russia) and Mission Trail Middle School (Olathe, Kansas, USA):

Sister-Schools Contest

This spring, 6th grade students at School No. 25 in Perm, Russia and Mission Trail Middle School in Olathe, Kansas ventured into the world of global collaboration. 8 students from Mission Trail and 13 students from School No 25 were selected to participate in the project. Having little or no background knowledge about each others` home regions, the students worked hard to research, collaborate and compile information in a variety of formats. The Russian students were intended to make individual and collective projects about Kansas and the U.S. students to make a collective project about Permskiy Kray.

After creating a list of topics, from A-Z, that the students would like to learn about each others` regions, they divided up the letters of the alphabet and began their research. They exchanged email letters on the EPals Global Community web site and utilized a special Padlet wall created for collaboration. Here students found a schedule for the project, greeted one another, shared web links, posed questions, shared news and offered help! This valuable tool aided our students in the creation of their A-Z Power Point projects. ru.padlet.com/Oksanach/2z67op7sqe

In an effort to establish a theme for the project, both Russian and American students entered our Sister-School "logo" contest. Each student designed an original logo by hand or on the computer. All students did an excellent job illustrating the concept of global friendship and peace. All designs were placed on our Padlet wall. Russian students voted on the US winner and vice versa. The winners received a special certificate signed by both teachers and are featured in our Power Point presentations.

This project taught our students about different aspects of culture including the food. Both US and Russian students had "Food Parties". Mission Trail students made several Russian dishes and baked Sharlotka for a Russian "potluck" party. ru.calameo.com/books/0032376468cc5225de630

Students from Perm had an "American Apple Pie" Party. ru.calameo.com/books/0032376463b4e501b1f9a

They all were enthralled with the events!

Not only the participants of the project group, but all 6^th grade students from school No 25 were involved in studying the topic "Kansas" throughout EPals emailing with MT School. There were two additional contests: an "Interpretation Contest" where all the students could show their poetical translation of the anthem of Kansas "Home on the Range" and a Quiz about KS. The winners will be awarded at the final School Meeting at the end of the school year. Besides, on May, 14 there was a conference at school where the participants of the project presented the results of their research. All their works together with their collective PPpresentation about KS and the US students` collective Power Point about Permskiy Kray can be found on our project page as electronic books on the Calameo web site: ru.calameo.com/groups/8245/books/

After communicating online for over a month, our students finally had the opportunity to "virtually" meet one another over Skype. Mission Trail students arrived to school almost one hour early, and School No. 25 stayed late, to accommodate our 11 hour time difference. Shy at first, the students soon warmed up and began asking questions readily! Both groups sang special songs, danced and enjoyed the laughter of their peers. The time flew by and soon we had been talking for over an hour. The students are eager to continue the friendships they formed.

In our culminating activity, the students created a notecard video to share what they learned and express their feelings about the project: youtube.com/watch?v=yQFMoX410tE

The purpose of our Sister-School project was to form and enhance friendly relations between Russia and the United States. In the end, our students did more than that. They gained so much more than factual knowledge. Our students expanded their worldview, built genuine friendships and created memories to last a lifetime.

Overview of Project (USA)

• EPals letters

• Padlet Wall collaboration

• A-Z Power Point research & creation

• Logo contest

• International Food Party

• Skype session

• Quiz

• Notecard conclusion video

Overview of Project (Russia)

• EPals letters (March-May)

• Padlet Wall collaboration (March-May)

• A-Z Power Point research & creation (April)

• International Food Party (April,26)

• Questionnaire

• Logo contest (May,5)

• Interpretation Contest (May,8)

• Skype session (May,12)

• Notecard conclusion video (May,12)

• Quiz (May,13)

• Conference (May,14)

May,15. 2014

O.Y. Chuchumova Mrs. Ashley Azeltine