The Virtual Exchange program has had a great start this week, with 9 different teachers from Seattle and from Retalhuleu meeting each other on Skype, and agreeing on a six month long classroom relationship. Teachers on both sides agreed on the topics they will exchange on, and when/how the exchanges will take place.

At Brier Elementary school, the students of 4th and 5th grade also prepared for their first exchange (it will take place at the end of the month). They practiced speaking in front of the camera, they tallied their favorite activities, reflected on whether they will be similar or different from their counterparts in Guatemala, and agreed on how they will present their classroom values and ground rules.

The students had lots of questions and are excited about this long term relationship. Here are some of the observations they wrote down, as they imagined their counterparts favorite activities and classroom values.

"I think both classrooms will like getting to know each other".

"I think they will like sports, because 10 people in our classroom liked sports".

"I think we have nothing in common"

"I wonder if they are as excited to communicate with us, as we are with them"

"I predict they might like to draw"

"I wonder if some can speak English there".

"I think there are going to be a lot of basketball players"

"I think they have a rule that if you make a mess, you have to clean it up"

"I think we will have similar classroom rules"

"I think we will both have rules about caring for others"

"I predict they will have totally different rules".

What a great start to a rich Virtual Exchange season.