This document provides guidance for elementary school teachers participating in a Flat Classroom Project. It includes instructions on setting up accounts, posting reflections online, obtaining permission forms, creating classroom handshakes and avatars for the project platform Edmodo, filling in team grids to connect classes, and starting discussions around essential questions about similarities and differences among children around the world. Teachers are asked to work with students on creating a classroom handshake, choosing avatars or photos, and beginning discussions about assigned categories relating to topics like food, housing, and environment.

1. ‘A Week in the Life…’ 2012-1
A Flat Classroom® Project for Elementary School students
Grades 3-5, age 8-10
While you are waiting,
please go to “Tools”,
“Audio” to test the
“Audio Setup Wizard”

2. Insert a picture, your name and where you are from
Introductions

3. Already Done
Last Meeting Check list
Fill in the Teacher admin doc.
Post a pre-project teacher reflection on the teacher blog
Join Edmodo as a teacher http://www.edmodo.com/
Group: FCP AWL 12-1 Code: fbijrm
Create a separate group for your class (optional)
Do not add students yet!

4. Blog
http://elementaryflatclassroom.wordpress.com/
Post over the next week
pre-project ideas and organization challenges
an introduction to you and your class.
Login and PW are on the admin doc.
remember to add your name as a Category

5. Forms for Permission
Parent Information Letter
Photo Permission Slip

6. Edmodo/Handshakes
• If you have not yet done your classroom handshake, review
the ones already posted in Edmodo.
• Create a comment as a class for the handshake you watch.
• Brainstorm ways you can make your own handshake.
• Create your own handshake.
• Model Good Use of Edmodo as a Class
• Don’t want students using Edmodo until Teams Grids are
finalized so most of the work will be in the SubGroup

7. Ideas for Handshakes
Five Unique Things at Your School, ie special days,
classes, foods, places or favorite tech project
360 View of your World
Students telling three things about themselves in a
paragraph, slideshow or video

8. Avatar
•Students need to add avatar unless they have
permission to use photo.
•Avatars are fun to teach because you can teach
that they should keep their identity private.
•What avatar ideas do you have?

9. Appropriate Usage of Edmodo
Avatar should be school dress code.
What happens if you see something that is not
appropriate?
Take a snapshot
Delete the post
Alert the teachers
What is “not appropriate”?
If a student asks “is this appropriate?” I always say no.
In some cultures other things will be offensive.

10. Putting Students and Teachers onto Team Grid

11. Essential Questions
Food & Celebrations Housing & Transportation
Leisure Time
What are the similarities and differences among
children around the world?
How can we connect with each other through our
commonalities?
How does your geography where you live impact
your topic?
Environment School Time
Clothing & Language

12. Start the Discussion
Food & Celebrations Housing & Transportation
Leisure Time
What does this category mean to you?
What do you want to know about this category from
a student that is in your group?
How does your geography where you live impact
your category?
Environment School Time
Clothing & Language

13. Work For Teachers
Work on a Classroom Handshake to share on Edmodo
Fill in Team Grids with teachers and students
Review the Calendar

14. Working on WITH STUDENTS
Work on a Classroom Handshake to share on Edmodo
Avatar or Photo for use on Edmodo
Start Discussions about Categories
Classroom to Classroom Handshake
Skype: http://skype.com or
Eyejot: http://eyejot.com

15. Q and A