Skype Classroom Visit with 4th Graders from Spring Valley, New York

Getting reactions back from children that Frankie and I meet via Skype (and in person) is one of the most rewarding things about what I do.  I can’t even begin to describe how my heart feels when I hear back from kids… it is so priceless!  Tuesday we did a Skype call with Mrs. Gershenoff’s 4th grade class at Hempstead Elementary School in Spring Valley, NY .  They are studying nonfiction books and writing books of their own as part of their studies.  Their teacher sent me some of their reactions to us connecting with them via Skype which they put in their writer’s notebook.


Photo taken by Mrs. Gershenoff from view of the classroom while talking to me and Frankie on Skype!

By: Jonathan

Oh my gosh!  It was so cool!  This was my first time that I really saw an author.  My heart was beating so fast. I had butterflies in my stomach when I asked my question.  I didn’t know when we read the book that she was going to actually Skype with us.  I was so excited!  My brother is going to be jealous that I met and author.  So are my friends.

By: Christy

Skyping with Barbara Techel was amazing! We even got to see Frankie!  She was so cute.  Barbara even woke her up from her beauty sleep to  show her to us. She answered all of our questions.  She even said she would talk about us on TV, but only if she got back on TV.  Maybe if Mrs. Gershenoff gives me her email and Skype I can Skype her too.

By: Adelle

I really liked when the author showed us Frankie.  I would like to do it again! It was sooo cute Skyping with a real author.  I really wish Frankie and Mrs. Techel would visit us in person.  I also wish we had more time together on Skype.

By: Ryan

It was so overwhelming to see a real life character from a book!  I would love to do this again!

By: Lewis

OMG! Meeting Barbara Techel and Frankie was soooo exciting!  I was ready to hog the computer and talk to Barbara all day and not give the others a turn.

This is what they posted on their classroom website as well:

3.09.11 Wow!  Today we had an amazing experience!  We Skyped with an Award Winning Author, Barbara Techel, author of Frankie the Walk ‘n Roll Dog.  She taught us about writing our own nonfiction stories and gave us tips on what to do if we get stuck on writing a part of our story.  She also shared some of her own personal feelings and life events about her dog Frankie and her challenges.  Be sure to ask your child all about this incredible activity! Also, check out our class blog where we posted about the book.  We even received a blog post from Barbara Techel! I have also sent home a flier if you are intersted in purchasing an autographed copy of one of Ms. Techel’s books.