The Virtual Travel Agency, NMEC's agent for video conferencing, electronic and virtual field trips! After Our
Read Across America Teleconference Project - 2003

Finally, at last! From that speck on that clover
Their voices were heard! They rang out clear and clean.
And the elephant smiled. "Do you see what I mean?...
They've proved they ARE persons, no matter how small.
And their whole world was saved by the Smallest of All!"

 
2003 was the first year NMEC schools participated in this nationwide project via videoconferencing.
We had
14 classes participate!

Green Eggs and Ham

What is Read Across America?

Read Across America is an annual nationwide collaborative developed to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday (March 2, 1904) and reading. Students read their favorite books or other activities for other students located in the United States. The TWICE collaborative incorporates technology into the project by connecting the classes with Interactive Television.
   

Classes from Alpena, Crawford-AuSable, Gerrish-Higgins, West Branch-Rose City, Fairview and St. Joseph Catholic School districts participated. Our participants ranged from 1st to 10th grades.

Each class was paired with another class somewhere in America by TWICE (Two-Way Interactive Connections in Education). Our classes were assigned partner classes in Missouri, New York, Ohio, Illinois, and even Michigan.

"Their voices were heard!" - Horton Hears A Who

Comments From Participating Consortium Teachers

Communication between the cooperating teachers is essential. - B. Ross, Fairview

The project was an enriching experience for all of us. - A. Blumenthal, Alpena

Great experience. Students enjoyed meeting others and performing! Q & A session was a bonus. Excellent all around experience. - M. Woznicki-Likavec, Rose City

The students had a great time once they got over the stage fright! - K. Splan, West Branch

Very educational experience - Our partner school was very different demographically and culturally. The students were very proud of their production and sharing it with others. - C. Neff, Fairview

This idea was excellent. I believe for our children, especially coming from a small community, this is an important tool to expose them to different cultures and classrooms. - B. Handrich, Fairview

...the children enjoyed the experience, and it was good technology for them too. - J. Stander, St. Joseph School

Although the students enjoyed participating in RAA Project it was hard to appreciate the effort put into preparing due to the connection. It was a bit disappointing. - S. Mires, Gerrish-Higgins

Photos from 2003

Photos From Prior Years

 

What fun it was to present our Dr. Seuss play for a 3rd grade class in Missouri! It tied in perfectly with our curriculum (learning about St. Louis) as we were currently learning about the MW Region. The presentation of The Butter Battle by Dr. Seuss provided for meaningful conversation about diversity and the happenings in the Middle East. - A. Blumenthal, Alpena
My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz. It's the letter I use to spell yuzz-a-ma-tuzz. You'll be sort of surprised what there is to be found once you go beyond 'Z' and start poking around!
Dr. Seuss

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Updated April 14, 2003