Slide1 : Yaodong Chen: Guangxi University of Technology in China Candace Pauchnick: Patrick Henry High School in U.S.A. Spring 2005 E-Pal Connections Uniting the World!
Slide2 : Students:
Learn about world cultures & traditions.
Become more aware of own culture.
Develop interest in geography & world events.
Build understanding & tolerance of others.
Practice “Netiquette” skills in writing letters.
Inspire positive attitudes within self and others.
Create friendships promoting world peace.
Improve proper letter-writing skills.
Become proficient with email computer skills. Purpose:
Slide3 : English: Students write e-mail letters that demonstrate coherent & focused writing skills with awareness of the audience & purpose. Social Studies: Students learn about cultural diversity from their epals including family life & traditions. They also do research on geographical, political, and economic topics of their e-pal’s country. Math: Students compute the currency exchange rate of the country in which their e-pal lives. They also compute their height & weight in the metric system. They complete a WebQuest concerning the global career issues. They compute how our culture’s economic system would be different if all people, in all countries, earned the same salary for the same type of jobs or careers. Technology: Students become experts in using computers to write emails and to communicate with their epals through blogs. They also make a PowerPoint presentation of themself to share with their e-pal. Student Activities & Benefits:
Slide4 : Students at the Guangxi University of Technology in China Connecting:
Slide5 : Students at Patrick Henry High School in U.S.A. Connecting:
Slide6 : Uniting people of the World. Hi E-PAL,
I am, (your name), and I am from Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, California, U.S.A. I am…… (share about yourself: age, subjects you take in school, interests, etc.) Ask questions about your e-pal’s interests, school activities, etc., as you share about yourself. (Example: “I enjoy my art and history classes. Which classes do you enjoy? I have 1 brother who is 18 years old and no sisters. Do you have any brothers or sisters? I have a job after school so I don’t have much free time. What do you do after school?) On the weekends I enjoy going to movies. Some of the movies that are out now are…….. I’ve enjoyed seeing the movie called……………… Do you ever go to movies? What type of movies are popular there? Are there ever American movies there and if so are they in English or have they changed the movies to be in your own language? Do you have any pets? I have a pet and it is………
Please write back and share about yourself and your country. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Bye,
Your name
write your email address here: _____________________
Patrick Henry High School
San Diego, California, U.S.A. This is a sample introductory E-Pal letter.
Students were to follow E-Pal Netiquette & Politeness Rules. Connecting:
Slide7 : Hello Sandy,
My name is Sarah, and I am from Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, California, U.S.A. I am seventeen years old. How old are you? I am in the Eleventh grade. What grade are you in? I enjoy my math class the most because I am very good at that subject. What subject are you the best at? After school I love to go to my friend's house and watch movies. We just watched the movie called
Freddy versus Jason. It is a horror movie. Have you seen that movie? Do you get to watch American movies? We get to watch foreign movies in America, but I don't watch them much. I have three brothers and one sister. My brother's names are Jacob, Jared and Austin. Jacob is 15 years old, Jared is 15 years old and Austin is 10 years old. Today is Austin's birthday. My sister's name is Emily she is 4 years old. Do you have any brothers and sisters?
Please write back and share about yourself and your country. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Bye,
Sarah
Patrick Henry High School
San Diego, California, U.S.A.
Hi Sarah,
I am Sandy and I am from GXTU Liuzhou, China. I am 21 years old, and I am an English major. I am in Grade 2 now, in university. My favorite hobby is listening to music. What is your favorite music? Please tell me more about yourself? Please write back soon. I am also looking forward to hearing from you. Talk to you soon.
Sandy
Liuzhou,Guangxi 545006. P.R.CHINA These are letters from one of our E-Pal partners.
Slide8 : Vance was the main person who was instrumental in making this web conference happen. With his leadership, dedication, and his many colleagues who supported us, we were able to have success. Thank you, Vance, and all you wonderful teachers who were there and helped us. Organizing & Set-up for Conference.
Slide9 : This was a practice session before our official conference. Thank you Vance! Thank you Vinny! Thank you Cindy!
Slide10 : Our Web Conference! I’m a little nervous
and I don’t know
what to say. I have a list of topics for some ideas to get us going.
Slide11 : What grade level or class are you in?
What is your favorite subject?
What is your most difficult subject?
How many grade levels does your school have?
How many hours and days do you attend school?
Does all your education cost money or is some of if free?
What are your goals after graduation?
Now you can take off with ideas about school..... Here are some ideas. See school pictures on the next pages. Education & Goals:
Slide12 : Here’s a statue
of Patrick Henry,
the Patriot. Patrick Henry High School.
Slide13 : A beautiful
university! Guangxi Polytechnic
University in China More photos.
Slide14 : Now, let’s see Liuzhou City! Our city in China!
Slide15 : Great city! Now let’s see San Diego. Liuzhou!
Slide16 : San Diego is here. Map of southern California, U.S.A.
Slide17 : Keep going. San Diego students,
what can you tell your
e-pals about this
photo?
Slide18 : Describe your favorite types of food?
What are some traditional foods served during special holidays?
What types of fast food restaurants are in your city?
Do you eat at home more often or do you eat out at fast food restaurants? Well, I think we have given
the students ideas of
what to talk about! Yes, now they can
take off with talking
about anything. More topics to share.