Always Learning: Reform Symposium

Summer is a time for having fun, and that is certainly what Mrs. Yollis has been doing! 

She swam with turtles, observed Moray eels, and many other fish!

Summer, like anytime, is also a time for learning! 

At the end of July, Mrs. Yollis was an online learner at the Reform Symposium e-Conference!

This FREE online conferences had  80 presenters and 12 keynote speakers! Mrs. Yollis was thrilled to be able to learn from incredible teachers located all over the world, and she did it all  

on her laptop computer in her home!

Each online classroom was an elluminate room and looked very similar to this:

Used with permission from @ShellTerrell

Mrs. Yollis attended many session and learned about new innovations and tools that she can use in her own classroom. Because it was an international conference, some of the sessions were scheduled in the middle of the night, Los Angeles time! In addition, there were so many interesting speakers, Mrs. Yollis had to make some tough choices about which sessions to attend.  Luckily, the half hour presentations were recorded and are available for learning to anyone!

 Here is a link to all the sessions!

         

Not only is it important to learn from other people, it is also important to help others. Mrs. Yollis volunteered to be a moderator for her good friend and quad blogging buddy, Mrs. Morris!

Mrs. Morris lives in Australia and has a fantastic class blog called 2KM and 2KJ. In addition, she also has a professional blog called Integrating Technology in the Primary Classroom where she shares information for educators.

Mrs. Morris' presentation was called Connecting With Global Blogging Buddies. 

Here is a link to her presenation.

Besides being in the classroom, where are some places that you learn?

What is something you discovered this summer?

A Visit From Ryley in 2KM/2KJ Australia!

Educational blogging has many magical moments and one occurred today!

Mrs. Yollis, who lives in Los Angeles, is a friend of Mrs. Morris, who lives in Australia.

They have worked together on some some incredible projects, but the two have never met. 

Today, a student from 2KM/2KJ who is vacationing in Los Angeles, came to visit Mrs. Yollis and her students! It was a wonderful time!

Ryley and his family

Panda welcomes Ryley and Darby.

First, Ryley and his family talked about their big adventure in the United States.

Then the class connected via Skype with Mrs. and Mr. Morris! It was 7:00 A.M. on Friday in Australia.

It was 2:00 P.M. on Thursday in Los Angeles.

We talked about some of the differences between the United States and Australia.

Mrs. Ranney and her class came over to meet their friend from 2KM/2KJ!

Wonderful souvenirs were exchanged!

Some of the kids wanted  Ryley to sign their Australian souvenirs!

Panda and Mrs. Yollis love making new friends!

What did you think of the visit?

Do you have any questions for Ryley and his family?

Would you like to travel to Australia one day?

Mrs. Yollis and her class wish Ryley and his family a wonderful experience in America! We will be excited to hear the details of the thrilling American journey!