Welcome to the ECC 2012-2013

It looks to be another exciting year in the Elementary Connected Classrooms (ECC)! This month marks the start of the project's fourth year and we continue to grow and evolve in new ways. Thank you to Brooke for the kind words in her last post - I am excited to be in my first official leadership role! While Aislinn and I are thrilled to welcome a new member (more information coming about her soon!), it was a sad day when Brooke Haller announced that she would be leaving the ECC last June. The Connected 8 project is lucky to have her and I am happy we can stay connected through her role as the District Technology Collaboration Teacher.

Once again we have the three classes full of early intermediate students. Cayoosh has a straight grade five class, and both Lytton and Ashcroft have grade 4/5 split classrooms. Each classroom has at least a few students that were in the ECC last year, and it's great to see those students stepping up as leaders already.

One thing the students in my class are talking about already is the inquiry project! Many students that were in the other class last year had heard about it and are eager to get started. Although we don't begin formal lessons until October, many students in my classroom went home on Friday thinking about topics of interest. I can't wait to see what topics the students will choose - that alone tells me a great deal about the students and offers a topic of discussion that is always sure to bring an excited tone to their voice! 

Ideas for future posts include the ECC Open House, the CES Fall Conference the team is presenting at this year, the inquiry project including the theory and academics behind it, and also, hopefully, an introduction to our newest member. The plan is to continue sharing in this space for students, families, colleagues and others to see all the great things happening in our connected classrooms.