Ms. Richardson's Blog

The children in grade 5B had an exciting opportunity this week to learn about Mexico from someone in Mexico! Aunty Amy, a Hilo educator, skyped with us to tell us all about the wonderful things she is learning on her trip to Mexico.

We learned that Mexico’s official language is Spanish. But, there are 31 states in Mexico and in each area the people are trying very hard to keep their native languages, culture, and traditions alive. Aunty Amy showed us some Mexican money and told us about the yummy, and interesting, Mexican food she is trying. For one meal she even ate grasshoppers! We also were able to look at some beautiful Mexican art and Aunty Amy told us about the different natural resources Mexican weavers use to die their cloth.

It was an awesome experience and we can’t thank you enough for sharing with us Aunty Amy!

Here is a short glimpse into our skype session.

On Monday morning our time (Monday afternoon Baltimore time) Mrs. Ah Hee’s fifth graders met with their Baltimore friends once again.   This time, though, it was a little different!  This time the students were able to skype in small groups with their Baltimore group members.  With three small skypes going on at once in the computer lab you could feel the excitement in the air!

The students were skyping with their Baltimore friends to help prepare for the next project they will be doing.  Each small group of students will be creating a video for their friends in the other state.  The purpose of our skyping was to find out what our friends were interested in learning about!  We also had some “talk story” time to get to know one another better.

I was so proud of all our students, from Baltimore and Hawai’i.  You all did an awesome job talking together, thinking of questions, and leading your own discussions.  Mahalo nui!

Below are two videos of our small group skypes, one from their perspective, and one from ours!