My name is Mary Ellen Lynch and I am a grade one/ two teacher at an English School in Quebec, Canada. We loop at our school so keep classes for two years. Being a passionate Mac user for many years I have used technology in my classroom on a limited basis. I would take photographs and videos throughout the year and then make a dvd for my students at the end of the year.
In September 2007 I was asked to be part of a Province LEARN-Cefrio technology project. I jumped at the chance. My first project was with Alphabet Adventure Gallery. Through group meetings and online classrooms we learned about web 2.0 tools – voicethread, flickr, social bookmarking, wikis, etc. In the Spring of 2008 when my class was learning about Folk Tales we decided to do animal projects. We used voicethread as a way to share our projects. Next, I decided to try a classroom blog as a way to share with the parents all the activities and learning that happens in our classroom. Once I started, I was hooked.
Now I love blogging. I learn so much from reading other blogs and following the links. I’ve met/made connections with some wonderful teachers all over the globe. My class skyped with a class in Portland, Oregon last year because we were both learning about butterflies. I met Jane Kraus on Classroom 2.0. My class was so excited to skype with her and some grade one classes in Portland. Recently, I started hearing about “Twitter” and so I am trying figure out how to use it as a personal learning network tool.
I also enjoy skiing and biking. I love Children’s Literature, watching movies and I must confess t.v. I am originally from the United States. I went to High School in La Jolla, California, and then went to San Diego State University. I completed my M.S. degree in Education at S.U.N.Y. Geneseo in upstate New York and then moved to the Boston area in Massachusetts where I taught for the Natick Public Schools for 13 years. I married my husband, Michel (a french canadian) in 1992 and we eventually settled back in his home area in the south shore of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Welcome to the 2009 student blogging challenge. I hope both you and your students enjoy the weekly challenges. Check out the other classes and students who are mentioned on the participation list PAGE on my class blog. http://wyatt67.edublogs.org
Love the avatar and what a great way to introduce your class by using a voicethread.
Hi Miss W.
You have a great avatar, too!
Hello from Ottawa. Thank you so much for leaving a comment on Adrianna’s blog at 56js.ca I am very proud of my grade 5/6 class. The work that you have done on your blog with your students is very impressive. I will visit it often. I notice that you have Nathan Toft’s name in the blogging challenge links. He is my colleague across the hall at A. Lorne Cassidy School. The link that you have given him is not to his blog. His blog address is 5nt.ca or http://grade5nt.edublogs.org/
I hope to bring more students by your blog this week.
Jane Smith
Hi Mary Ellen,
I just read the comment you left on 2KM’s blog about Spelling City. I had never heard of it, and now I have added it to my website. Thank you!
I teach third grade in Calabasas, California, and started blogging with them in November. I’m hooked on it too!
Linda Yollis
Hi Mary Ellen,
Great blog! I am envious. We will have to share skills while we do our projects together.
Regards
Mags
Your class blog is awesome. I teach third grade in West Des Moines, Iowa. My class has a lot to learn from your blog. We will be visiting it during Tech Buddies. You can visit our blog at mrnidey3b.edublogs.org. We are in the blog challenge and are excited about meeting new friends around the world.
Mr. Nidey
great site. i am just trying to learn about blogs
Hi Luc and Louis,
You guys are getting good with this technology – leaving a video comment!!! You have a great day, too!
Mrs. Lynch
What a wonderful model of introducing your class to the world, while exposing them to 2.0 tools. I saw your name on Jen Wagner’s Where the Wild Things Went, and decided to contact you to see if you’re interested in collaborating with a 2nd grade teacher in the states, who is going to participate in the project. We have access to Safari Live and the other person only needs a web cam to be a part of the video conference. You may already be connected with a class, but thought I ask. My name is Sandy Beck and I’m an Instructional Technology Spec. in an elementary school in Georgia.
Hi Mrs Lynch,
I’m a teacher of The Smarties, in Western Australia.
My class is wanting to find out about Easter traditions around the world.
Would your class be interested in sharing what they do at Easter? I have a wiki where information/photos/drawings etc can be posted, if you’re interested.
Thanks,
Mrs N
Hi Mary Ellen. I have nominated your class blog for an award. Please visit our class blog to receive the award and for instructions to pass on the award to your favourite 10 blogs.
I couldn’t find you on twitter so thought I’d post a comment on your blog instead.
Pam
Hello Mrs Lynch- from one Mrs Lynch to another Mrs Lynch,
I am visiting your blog for the first time-its not only the names that are similar -you have a similar theme as our Middle Unit Blog.
I have only been blogging for one term but we are all hooked. Have a wonderful holiday. We are having a winter holiday in Victoria, Australia.
Regards, Mrs Lynch and MLY
Hello Mrs. Lynch,
Wow! What fun to hear from another Mrs. Lynch. I am visiting San Diego, California right now – which is on the opposite coast and in the U.S. I am having a bit of trouble with the wireless here so will try to respond. I will definitely visit your blog. Have a great day.
Mrs. Lynch
I have a first grade teacher who would love to collaborate/connect with your classes. If you are interested, please email. We are in Claysville, PA, USA.
Hello Mrs. Jacob,
We would like to meet/connect with you, too. We are doing report cards now and Parent interviews but I will email you soon.
Mrs. Lynch
Hi Mary Ellen,
It’s me, Margie…I was so excited to see your amazing classroom blog! I’m still teaching 1st grade in Huntington Beach. I’m going to show my students the darling Folk Tales your kids read on your blog. We are not allowed to put our students photos on our websites, but maybe we can put avatars!! Anyway, it was great to find you and I will keep in touch. Mark says hi too…..Love, Margie
Dear Margie,
What a happy surprise to find a comment from such a dear old friend. How long has it been? What an amazing bonus to having a blog – finding a long lost friend (college roommate). I have become a Patricia Polacco fan since you had her sign some books for me long ago. And you teach grade 1!! We will definitely have to keep in touch.
love,
Mary Ellen
Dear Mrs.Lynch
you have a great blog!!!
Dear Magalie,
What a surprise to see a comment for my dear former student. Thanks. Do you go back to the blog and see photos of you and your class? It is fun to get to see you at recess on Tuesdays and find out how you are doing. I hope you have a great summer.
love,
Mrs. Lynch
Hello again Mrs Lynch,
Your blogs continue to be a great source of sharing for teachers all over the world. We ( Yr 3 and 4) call by every now and then to check what life is like on the other side of the world. MLY like the way we have the same name and we also have such similar blogs.
From Mrs Lynch and MLY
Hi Mrs. Lynch,
From one Mrs. Lynch to another. It is really fun to meet people around the world with similar ideas and backgrounds. I wonder if we could be related somehow – way back. I tried to go on your blog just now but I couldn’t for some reason. I will try again.
from,
Mrs. Lynch in Quebec