It’s a small world after all

Foreign places can be nothing more than exotic, abstract names to students.

Library Media Specialist John Schick decided to use technology to connect his students to the real world. He joined several education listservs and posted this message:

“Northern Heights Elementary School in Bellingham, Washington, USA, is a brand new school. To demonstrate the power of the Internet and e-mail, we are hoping you will send us a greeting and let us know where you are. We will post a map in the library with your message.”

Schick’s students have heard from schools all over the USA, and from Guam, Italy, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, Korea and Azerbaijan. His Grade 6 class pinpointed each city on a map, and researched the area before replying to their new virtual friends.