Hello one and all,
I just tried to post a message regarding a video conference which took place last night between my school and our partner school. The message did not post to this forum. This message is a second attempt. Bill Gilluly

Well this attempt did get through!!!!!!!!! I just attempted to type and do a happy dance all at the same time. I think I pulled something... I shall be completing reports on the prior conferences this weekend; God willing. Take care. Yours in divine technology,
Bill

Hello again!
On Thursday, February 1st, John C. Vanderburg Elemenary School and our partners at Nanakuni Elementary School in Hachioji enjoyed a great video conference. It was the first conference conducted from my outdoor portable classroom via a new wireless connection to the main server in the school. It worked like a charm! The video stream and sound were the best of the four conferences held to date, although I must admit I miss my ol' Carrier Pidgeon buddies!

This conference was between a sixth grade class at Hachioji and a group of third grade students from one of three classes of third grade GATE students I have here at Vanderburg. The theme of the sixth grade presentation centered on holidays and cultural celebrations. Small teams presented facinating presentations on ghosts in Japanese culture, the types of cakes used in several traditional celebrations, and a discription of the structure and design of two beautiful kimonos. Other students demonstrated traditional calligraphy spelling out the characters for Nanakuni Elementary school and a scaled model of ancient Samurai armor. Perhaps the high point for my third graders was an explaination of the dolls associated with Girls day celebrations. The students that participated in this conference from my school (all girls) agreed unanimously that celebrations of Boys and Girls in this country were long overdue!
In fourth grade, my students conduct an extensive thematic unit on the history and philosophy of the Samurai culture. The interdisciplinary unit includeds the creation of origami, the creation of Shinto rock gardens in small childrens wading pools, a simulation of warring factions of Samurai soldiers, a step-by-step training in the Samurai traditions, and the design of a lifesize kimono. I have begun to incorporate the caligraphy Mr. Nishiyama shared with my students and, beginning this year, will include Ichibana for the first time.
The five third graders who were able to attend this afterschool event, presented several artifacts from our Rainforest Biosphere. Two students demonstrated authentic musical instruments from indigenous rainforest cultures around the world and modeled jewelry made from seeds, beans and nuts which included several pieces given to us through an exchange my fourth grade GATE students conducted with fourth graders in Lemoncocha, Ecuador. A team presented on tradional textiles which included 'biography' cloth (woven fabric featuring symbols which document milestones in the wearers life) from Guatemala, a loincloth made from hand-dyed natural fibers from Baggio in the Phillipines and two dolls modeling authentic Mayan clothing from a weavers collective in Central America. Featured in this presentation was a childs' backstrap loom complete with a partially woven Mayan design. The final presentation shared paper and 'cloth' made with natural plant fibers including banana and coffee papers and Tapa cloth from American Samoa made from crushed coconut fibers.

Due to scheduling and technical problems for our November and December conferences, other arrangements have had to be made. We will be conducting our fifth and final video conference on the fifteenth. Another presentation will be conducted via a videotape exchange later this month. More to follow.