More Videoletters

3/18/2015

Thank you all so much for your collaboration.

We are really running at a great pace. Here is a completely new project again:
Julia's students in Russia send us this cute letter "Let's be friends", and we responded right away.

I thought you might like to hear a little Japanese, so I had them sing the Jump rope chant in Japanese.

Thank you also for your comments here on the blog and per mail.
Everyone's been asking me, how I found my contacts. I think it is easy. Look at the GE website (best on the VIP Forum), and get in touch with one of the thousands of teachers there. The choice of countries is big. And right now there is a thread of people looking for video exchange schools.

Well, do have a look at this new video letter.

And, please let us know what you think of these amazing jump rope skills. I have been watching Japanese kids for 20 years now, but I still don't know how they do this.
My eyes just cannot follow.

13 コメント

Dacha

3/18/2015 09:58:06 am

Hello Margit,
thank you for initiative! I was so excited this morning, I was jumping up and down- my kids thought I was crazy! Ok, so now you think so too- but it's just that I'm so happy for these new opportunities for my students (and my own kids)! Also a bit too much coffee perhaps ;). Anyhow...I have a video ready of my older students presenting themselves. However one of the parents -even though she finds the video letter exchange to be a great idea- doesn't want the videos to be uploaded on Youtube. I was wondering if I could send the first- presentation- video simply by mail. This way the students can see this girl's face for the first time. In the following videos I will not be showing her face ( a bit tricky but I'll manage!) so I'll upload them on Youtube? Also I'll be showing your video of "jumping rope" students to my group of 8-9 year olds ( we'll be making a video next week)- if you don't mind of course! Could you please write down (maybe here in the comments) the names of the kids? I wasn't able to hear them very well and I'd like to say them without mistakes to my own students! Thank you so much!
Dacha

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Margit link

3/18/2015 02:15:57 pm

Hello Dacha,

thank you very much for your comment.

First about the video:
I'm not sure how a video per mail will work. iphone videos usually just work if they are very very short.
And if you make a file, the problem often is that I have a mac, and it is pretty troublesome to get the files converted.
Considering that maybe different teachers with different technical options will join, you tube in fact is the easiest and least of work for every one.
(The key for projects like this, to continue, is to be as simple as possible)

However, try to send it to me, and we'll see.

To not show her face, later on, might bring you in trouble, too. I had a case like this, and though I had ideas how to do it practically, this kid did not fully understand his moms wish, that he is not on there.
So, with every video we took he tried to get in there, or disturb; finally it was not possible to continue.
Well, see how you go with them.

The names:
Karin, Mao, Mao, Tina (said: China), Shunske, Kotoha, Taichi, Manato

BTW: Dacha, where are you from?

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Ken link

3/22/2015 10:43:12 am

You can save a short video to Dropbox then share it via a download link from there. Go to the video file in Dropbox then right click and choose 'share Dropbox link'. paste the link into an email and send it.

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Dacha

3/23/2015 02:09:07 pm

Hello Margit
To answer your quesion I was born in Russia ( about 25 years ago;)) nah!!). More seriously: born in Russia I lived there until I was 14, then I left for an exchange program in the US- that became a much longer stay. Finally, for the last 18 years I've been living in France, in a suburb of Paris!
Today I'll be showing your kids' video to my 9- 10 year olds. With this group I have no "image rights"problems, so Youtube it'll be!
Ken, thank you! I've already scribbled Dropbox on my list of things to check out! I'm just always nervous when approaching something new that has to do with a computer - but I'll get on it;

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Margit

3/26/2015 02:11:49 pm

Dacha,

thanks a lot for this video. It is interesting to have so many different things here. I loved the gymnastics in the grass, the fencing and judo.

Let me think what to do~if I can I want to attach this to another group of mine.

I'll have a short break now, but I'll be in touch about this.

Thanks a lot!

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Ken link

3/30/2015 02:45:08 am

Hi Dacha, I have a small group of children around age 8 and 9 here in Japan and I'd be interested in doing a video share project with you. Just simple stuff self introductions etc in the classroom (I can't take them outside).I also have a group of 7 year olds. Let me know if you're interested.

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Dacha

3/31/2015 06:55:24 am

Hi Ken,
That sounds great! Here is a link of my 8-9 year olds! They are very motivated and very curious! (We filmed outside- but it's in the garden of my appartment building, so we didn't go far ;)) Even though one day I'd like to film a video near the / on top of the Tour Eiffel - but it's a big entreprise!))
Anyhow - yes to the 8-9 year olds !
I'll see my 7 year olds on Thursday and I'll try a first video with them! It's a bit of a special class because I also have 2 younger girls ( 5 year olds- they are younger sisters of two of the kids) but let me see how it goes!
Hope to hear from you and your kids soon!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFCYwpDJW1U
PS You can also contact me at [email protected]
Dacha

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Ken link

4/1/2015 05:22:21 am

Hi Dacha,
I just read your message. I'm teaching my class today,unfortunately only two are coming today because it's the Spring holiday and the others are going somewhere with their parents. So today I want to take the two girls out just outside the class (I think it's OK) and film by the Cherry blossom (sakura). I'll have to wait until next Wednesday when the other children come in order to finish the video. Have a great day!

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Dacha

3/31/2015 07:16:33 am

Hi,
we'd love to see pictures/videos of what spring looks like in your country! Sakura in bloom in Japan? I'm preparing a video of an Easter tradition here in France as well!
I'd love to be able to show to my kids how in different countries we celebrate spring ( if it's possible for anyone of course!)
Have a great vacation Margit!
Could you please tell me which town in Japan you live in?
Thank you and have a wonderful Easter!
Dacha

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Margit

3/31/2015 09:46:19 am

Ken,

great to hear~ please share the videos> I'd love to see Kamakura and your kids!

Dacha~ I love the spring topic idea. Sososo unfortunately the cherry blossoms are about to bloom, (we had our first picknick today), and from tomorrow it will be a period of rain, so most probably when I'm back from vacation they are all gone.

Well, we'll see.

I am in Otsu city.

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Ken link

4/8/2015 07:33:17 am

The video should be ready later today. I'll share it as soon as I can.

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Ken link

4/8/2015 02:26:22 pm

Done!

https://youtu.be/aXdsXysBG8k

Margit

5/1/2015 01:02:41 am

and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COkObf82EW8

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