This week we were busy with a whole LOAD of fabulous things, but maybe our favorite was when we did a Mystery Skype with Ms. Turken on Thursday! She is a beloved teacher who used to work at our school, but who has taken a year away to teach English in Ecuador. That’s pretty amazing, right?
Well, when we had an opportunity to chat with her, we were beyond excited! The best part, though, in my mind, was that most kiddos in my class didn’t know that she was where she was, so we decided to do a Mystery Skype with her.
It started in much the same way as the ones we’ve done previously this year–with us asking questions, using the computer and our big world map to figure out clues related to the answers, and then narrowing in on the location of our Mystery Skyper.
Sammy uses Google to help us figure out Ms. Turken’s location. I think at this point we’re even trying to zoom in as far as her town–Riobamba.
This map has been a very busy place in our classroom lately!
This was a special Mystery Skype, though, for a couple of reasons. First of all, Mr. Kieschnick’s class came to sit in with us, so that they could learn how to do Mystery Skype, too. That meant that we had 40 heads to help us figure out the clues instead of just our 20! We kept talking, too, once we knew Ms. Turken’s location, since, of course, the real reason we called was to visit with our old friend. She told us all about her life in Ecuador, including the food, her classroom where she teaches English, and she even gave us a little tour of the house where she’s living. We learned many things about her (which I think I will leave for my students to tell you in the comments!), and had a great conversation.
So many kids in the room for this one! That’s Mr. Kieschnick in the corner of this picture.
And then, something very cool–and unexpected–happened. Since Ms. Turken teaches English, but has to know how to both speak and understand Spanish to do that, someone asked that she speak to us in Spanish so we could hear what they sounds like. Well, that’s a little bit weird unless you have a reason to be saying something, or someone to speak to in Spanish. Remember how I told you that Mr. K’s class was there? Well, a friend of his, Andres, piped up and offered to have a quick conversation with Ms. Turken in Spanish while we all watched and listened. Perfect!
Ms. Turken began by asking him about school (escuela). They went back and forth, and I know enough Spanish that I could figure out they were talking about math (mathematicas) and books (libras). So while I couldn’t join in on the conversation, I could at least follow along. Sophia, whose dad is from Peru, was also helpful in translating much of it to those sitting by her. It was so cool to see the looks on everyone’s faces while Ms. Turken and Andres rattled away in another language–I know I heard “How do they do that?” several times and definitely saw big smiles and wide eyes on the faces of many.
Thank you, Ms. Turken, for a great morning, getting to know more about you and the adventures you are having in Ecuador! We’re excited to learn more (she sent us questions to research) and to speak to you again soon!
Adios!
20somethingkids and 1kookyteacher 
I learned that in Ecuador there are different kinds of foods but they are similar to american foods.
I learned what kind of food that Ms.Turken eats in Ecuador. I also learned what some words in spanish meant.
One thing I learned about Ecuador is that in Ecuador there are different kinds of food. According to MS. Turken they were all delicious.
I don’t think that I was here for it.
I learned that Ecuador could be delicious. Well the food is. And the you have to learn Spanish, which is hard, cause you have study.
Mrs. Turken taught us all about life where she is. There where a lot of different kinds of food where she is. And speaking of food, in Ecuador, ketchup comes in a pack! Like those little apple sauce packs. Ecuador is so cool!
We had a Mystery Skype with Ms.Turken. I learned that lunch was the biggest meal of the day !
I learned that in Riobamba you don’t need a car that you can walkevery where you go!!!
I learned of a new place every day. That day I learned of Riobamba.
Well, I learned more about her then I already knew, which was really cool. She was my first grade teacher, and when I was younger she was very generous. I remember when she went to somewhere to help out for a couple months. I learned about Ecuador and what they eat. They do a lot of walking, son people don’t really need cars. She is studying Spanish.
I never knew she was teaching english, I thought she was doing something else.
One thing I learned about Ecuador is that in Ecuador there are different kinds of food. According to MS. Turken they were all delicious. Yum
I learned that in Ecuador the most important meal of the day is lunch instead of dinner like it is hear. I learned that in Ecuador they have their ketchup in bags instead of bottles. Another thing learned is that Ms. Turken still teaches but she just teaches English.
I learned that in Ecuador the ketchup bottles are not actually bottles. they are in bags.
Just amazing, Mrs. Bearden! I can’t wait to show this to Marin and Jadyn, both of whom had Ms. Turken as their first grade teacher.
What a fun way to learn about Ecuador!!
Yay–Hi, Jan! So glad that you were able to see this post. Can’t wait to hear what Marin and Jadyn thought of it! I am sure they’ll love it. Hope you all are well. 🙂
Are you familiar with “mystery class” from Journey North? It is a great project for my 5 and 6th graders. Sara
Sent from my iPhone
You know, what, I am! I had forgotten all about it, though. I’ve done a modified version of Journey North’s tulip project, but had totally forgotten about Mystery Class. Can you tell me more about how you use it?
Pingback: Lisa Campbell Ernst Visits Robinson! | 20somethingkidsand1kookyteacher
One thing I learned about Ecuador is it is near a volcano.
That was really nice to Skype with Ms. Turken.
Also I learned to speak Spanish as a world language in 6th grade
Pingback: Mystery Skype–INSIDE of Robinson? | 20somethingkids and 1kookyteacher