Monday, September 5, 2016

"You can always speak up!"

Skypping with Author/Illustrator, Erik Brooks!

Alyson attended ILA this summer and was lucky enough to meet author/illustrator, Erik Brooks. We were blown away on August 31, when our two classes had the opportunity to Skype with Mr. Brooks. 
Not only was this an extraordinary opportunity for our classes, but educational as well. 

In 2nd grade, we were already studying continents and oceans, so we added a little polar bear study to the mix this year.  We read books about their habitats, life cycles, and climate change.  We used BrainPopJr and Pebble Go (both phenomenal resources for primary researchers). We also reviewed Erik Brook's website and discussed his Polar Bear Postcard Project with our students. If you are looking for a writing and science connection, this is it

To say our students were excited to see and speak with a FAMOUS author/illustrator, is a HUGE understatement.  One little student even said, "This will be my first time speaking with a famous person!" They knew this was a BIG deal. It was our first time to Skype with students, and to be honest, we weren't prepared for all the glitches (time lag, real time video not loading), but we rolled with it, our students rolled with it, and Erik Brooks was cool, calm, and collected the whole time.  Mr. Brooks, you created a room full of fans that day! When it was over, I asked one of my kiddos, who adores art, if he loved watching Mr. Brooks draw.  He said, "Yes, but the best part was all of the learning!" WOW! What an impact, what a difference. 

One of the best take aways from our chat with Mr. Brooks was, "We can always speak up." As educators, that hit at just the right time for us. Speaking up is a simple, global message, that makes a difference right in our neighborhoods, right in our classrooms.  May we always remember to be advocates for our students!

After Skypping, our students had the opportunity to illustrate and write postcards to President Obama as well. For only the first month of school, their handwriting and effort were perfect! (Maybe I should always say the President is reading their work...)

We hope you enjoy a few of the pictures we snapped during this awesome day!


Whale bones?!?!?!?




Erik and his lovely wife!
     
It took Erik about 30 seconds to draw this. #talent
      
                    It took me about 4 mins to draw this. Practically the same, right???#thepowerofyet

Brace yourself...the student work samples are coming.











He included our fox mascot on one of his daily postcards to President Obama!


For more information about Erik Brooks, follow him on Twitter @erikbrooksbooks or check out his work on Amazon.

No comments:

Post a Comment