About the Project
Dr. Seuss's Birthday in March has been designated "Read Across America Day" by the National Education Association (NEA). Schools all over the country, and in New Hampshire, choose to celebrate with students in a variety of creative ways. Readers of all ages are encouraged to celebrate! The Granite State Distance Learning Network, is coordinating a special celebration of the national NEA event by providing students, teachers, and faculty in New Hampshire the unique opportunity to connect to readers using two-way interactive video.
Read Across New Hampshire will take place during the week of March 9-13, 2009.
How it Works
For 2009, GSDLN is offering two options: 'classroom to classroom matching' and 'GSDLN sponsored sessions.'
For classroom to classroom matching, the teacher submits on the registration form the required information and GSDLN will make every effort to match the school with another school in the state. The two classroom teachers are responsible for setting up a date and time for their session, for testing with the equipment, and for arranging the content of the session. Help will be available, if necessary.
For the GSDLN sponsored sessions, GSDLN will be arranging readers to provide an interactive reading session with students. Multiple classes may register to participate for the designated date and time of a session. The complete listing of GSDLN sponsored sessions will be available at a later date; check the GSDLN.org website and/or future announcements of this event.
Getting Started
Do you have the right equipment?
This activity is open to all K-12 and college students in public and private schools who have access to two-way interactive videoconferencing equipment (ISDN or IP). If you are unsure whether or not you have access to this type of equipment, or don't understand these terms, you should be working with your school's technology coordinator. This project does not work with a web cam hooked up to a computer. Your equipment should be able to do H.323 (IP) or H.320 (ISDN) videoconference connections.
Talk to your technology personnel.
Read Across New Hampshire days can be very time intensive. Planning ahead for support is essential. Talk to your local technology coordinator to see if they have time to assist you. Also, it is of utmost importance that you communicate with your technology coordinator to make sure that no changes are made to the network or equipment setup after successful test calls and before the actual connection.
Do you check your email?
Email is the main form of communication for this event. Please don’t sign up unless you can answer email within 36 hours. Because of the complexity of scheduling, it is essential that you be available via email to work out any scheduling issues.
How to Participate
Complete a registration form. REGISTER EARLY.
** Registration Deadline: February 11th, 2009 - Space is limited. Register early!
You will be contacted with details during the week of February 16th.
Please be considerate of limited space availability. If you register, you are making the commitment to participate. If you are unable to participate, notify Richard (below) so that we may invite a class from the waiting list to participate.
For additional information, contact:
Richard A. Baker, GSDLN Volunteer
rbaker@lin-wood.k12.nh.us
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Dr. Seuss's birthday is celebrated in a special way, |