Mystery Skype

Today 3/4I participated in their first Mystery Skype session.  This involves students asking yes/no questions to try and determine where their mystery skype caller is from.  The video call today was from a friend of mine, a Canadian that I met while studying in England.  She has remained in London since our time there and happily offered her time to be our first mystery skype call.  Students used their critical thinking skills to narrow her location down to the following....
-she lives on an island
-her country has a coastline
-her country is small
-her country has mountains
-most people speak English as a first language
-her country does have snow...occasionally!
-her country is in Europe
Following these hints, students guessed Ireland, Iceland and finally the U.K.
Students got a glimpse of her 150 year old flat, saw an English black cab outside her window, discussed a few differences in types of transportation and talked about the fact that it was the evening in London while it was still early in the day in Winnipeg.

I have organized a few more mystery skype calls before winter holidays, there are even a few en francais!

Thanks so much Ms Martinez.  We look forward to talking with your reception (kindergarten) class as soon as we can!