Chatting Across the USA is a video conferencing project that connects classrooms around the country.

1. Chatting Across the USA
A Video Conferencing Project by Cherrie MacInnes

3. How the Journey Began…
• The Minnesota
Project with IT
Jennifer Skalski from
Egan, Minnesota
• A seed was planted…

4. • Dear Administrators and Third Grade Teachers,
• The 3rd graders at Washington Street School in Brewer, Maine are
on a quest to video chat with a third grade classroom from every
state in our country. Students from W.S.S. would share interesting
facts about Maine and your students would reciprocate with some
interesting facts about your state. The conference would be a one • To contact
time lesson lasting between 20 - 30 minutes. My class will record
the date of our video conference on a large map of the United educators, I
States and keep a journal of facts as well. We will learn a lot about
the USA and meet a lot of great 3rd graders along the way! emailed this letter
• All that is needed is a computer with a built in or attached camera
and an internet connection. Video chats can include an entire 3rd to every email
grade class, a small group or individuals. We want this to be
convenient and easy for you! address I could
• If you are interested in helping us to reach our goal, please contact
Mrs. MacInnes at cmacinnes@breweredu.org. We look forward to find on school
hearing from you.
• Thank you, Cherrie MacInnes
websites in every
• Washington Street School state.
• 100 Washington Street
• Brewer, Maine 04412
• 207-989-8660
• Please send this email to anyone you think might be interested in
participating in our project.

5. Prior to Conferencing
• Students researched
the state of Maine,
its mammals and
birds. As a group,
students decided
which facts and trivia
were most important
and interesting to
teach.

6. Recording Information
• Students wrote in their
‘Chatting Across the USA’
journals for each
conference.
• A large USA map was
also used to examine
each location and to
track states completed.

7. Sample Journal Entry

9. Weekly Reader
• We were very excited to
have a story about our
project published in the
May 7th issue of Weekly
Reader.

10. It took 1 month of contacting teachers and 3
months of conferencing to video chat with all
50 states.

11. Some Favorite Conferences

12. Mrs. MacInnes Visits NJ Classroom
• Mrs. Anderson’s • PS12 Principal, Mr.
Students Montes

13. Mrs. Anderson Visits Maine

14. Cool Waves Saxophone Quartet
Concert Series

15. Other Video Conferencing
Opportunities During Our First Year
• In addition to the 50
3rd grade classrooms,
we also conferenced
with the Governor and
First Lady of Maine, the
graduating class of
education majors at the
University of Maine and
teachers at a workshop
in Bolles, Florida.

16. Video Conferencing
Unlimited Opportunities!
• Guest speakers, all of
whom shared the
importance of working
hard in school to achieve
your goals and dreams.
• Former First Lady, Barbara
Bush was one of our
favorites.
• http://mediamaine.org/Ch
attingAcrossUSA/

18. Collaboration
• Sharing special guest
musicians with N.J.
• Reading Lessons with
students in Arizona.
• 5 State Collaborative
Video: Hawaii, New
Jersey, North Dakota,
Arizona, Maine
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8l
Uo11Chyc

19. Learning About Technology
http://youtu.be/IDlcVppgEpA

20. Mission Statement
We, the teachers within the Chatting Across the USA
community, are committed to modeling digital citizenship by
forming a cooperative learning community among students
that will empower them to play an active role in their learning
process through unique experiences and opportunities. Our
project is driven by the following set of core values:
1. Respect for self
2. Respect for diversity in others
3. Building strong connections
4. Promoting peace as agents of change
5. Engendering a healthy sense of self-pride in our students
6. Fostering critical thinking
7. Stimulating an interest in learning

21. Extended Benefits
• Professional
Support Group
• Friendships

22. PBS New Jersey
A segment on Digital Citizenship
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpi
d616303324001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAj36EGjE~,w
53r2XdUtII0XxxdqYeLp1bOxUXrsIg0&bctid=147
8839046001

23. Resources
• Make Connections
outside of the USA: • https://sites.google.com/sit
• epals.com e/chattingacrosstheusa/
• (Met students in England and Pen Friends in
Belarus)
• http://mediamaine.org/Cha
• education.skype.com ttingAcrossUSA/
• http://www.classchats.co • https://kindredcommunitie
m/connections/ s.wikispaces.com/