This document provides an overview of the US Collaborating Schools China Project, which aims to increase cultural awareness and digital skills through international collaboration. The goals are for students from the US and China to explore each other's cultures through email exchanges, PowerPoint presentations, and two Skype sessions. Over eight sessions, students will share cultural topics from their countries and discuss cuisine as part of their cultures. Teachers are provided guidelines for activities, assignments, and use of the collaboration tools. Surveys will collect feedback from students, teachers, and parents in both countries before and after the program.

1. US Collaborating Schools
China Project Overview
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2. Education is at the “next” frontier
where the problems are complex
and the solutions are new and many.
Motivate Students :
Globally aware
Creative
Collaborative
Problem solvers
Critical thinkers
Communicators
教育是“未来”的前沿，
问题复杂多变，
解决方法既新且多。
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3. Goals
•Collaborating with students from another country is engaging,
educational and fun.
•Explore the culture topics as they represent America and China.
•Deepen the understanding of both cultures using a collaborative,
explorative curriculum.
•Exchange emails and PPTs as a class, and Skype (face-to-face
communication).
•Students participate in a continuing dialogue about what’s new in their
lives and ask questions about the culture topics.
•Start and build friendships with your ePals
partner class through class generated emails,
PPTs, and two Skype sessions
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4. Course Objectives
•To increase global awareness by learning about cultural topics in at
least two parts of the world – your country and your ePals’ country.
•To have fun exchanging ideas and getting to know students in another
country.
•To enhance technology and digital skills by writing and compiling
class emails, creating slides for class PPTs, and participating in Skype.
•To learn how to express and present in English using email, PPT, and
Skype.
•To create a cultural and global connection.
•To expand student horizons through
collaboration and exploration.
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5. Sharing Cultures

6. General Information
Class Period (Time) – Recommended once weekly.
35 minutes (minimum) Elementary School (ES)
40 minutes (minimum) Middle School (MS)
Session 1 (04NOV-08NOV)
Introduction Week – How to Use the ePals website.
Session 2 (11NOV-15NOV)
Session 3 (18NOV-22NOV)
Module 1 – Sharing Cultures
Session 4 (25NOV-29NOV)
Special Session – Thanksgiving (Chinese classes only)
Session 5 (02DEC-06DEC) Skype Session 1
Session 6 (09DEC-13DEC)
Session 7 (16DEC-20DEC)
Module 2 – Culture Cuisine
Session 8 (23DEC-27DEC)
Special Session – Holiday Celebration (Chinese classes only)
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7. Required equipment for all classes
1. Computer and Projector – for course curriculum PPT
delivery.
2. Laptops or computer lab (one per student or group
designated) for email and PPT.
3. Internet access for questionnaires.
Materials
1. Lesson Plans (PPT in workspace)
2. PPT decks – ePals Information, Sharing Culture,
Culture, Skype.
All materials will be available in the Workspace.
Post all emails and PPTs to the workspace.
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8. Posting/Sharing student work
1. The teacher compiled emails.
2. PPTs ready for sharing.
Post in the class Workspace.
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9. Culture Cuisine

10. Introduction – OVERVIEW
Check List:
•Survey Gizmo Pre-Course Teacher Questionnaire
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1408706/ePals-2013-Fall-China-Collaboration-ProgramPre-Course-Teacher-Survey
Please complete prior to the start of the course.
•Non-Disclosure Agreement (Teachers) – agreement to use the provided curriculum for this
class and this class only.
The Non-Disclosure document is available in the workspace. Scan and email or mail to
ePals (address on the form).
•Media Release for Teacher and Students.
The Media Release document is available in the workspace. Scan and email or mail to ePals
(address on the form). School forms are acceptable – please email or send a copy of the
school Media Release and Internet Usage.
Deliverables:
1. Class List
2. Pre-course Teacher Questionnaire
3. Non-Disclosure Agreement (Teachers)
4. Media Release (Teachers and Students)
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11. SESSION 1 (04NOV-08NOV)
Session 1 – Overview
Introductory Class – How to: Teachers and Students Use the ePals Tools.
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1408706/ePals-2013-Fall-China-CollaborationProgram-Pre-Course-Teacher-Survey
Check List:
•Survey Gizmo Pre-Course Student Questionnaire
Please complete prior to the start of the course.
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1408750/ePals-2013-Fall-China-CollaborationProgram-Pre-Course-Student-Survey
•Student and Teacher Media Release
The Media Release document is available in the workspace. Scan and email or
mail to ePals (address on form).
Deliverables:
1. Student Pre-Course Questionnaire.
2. Student and Teacher Media Release.
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12. SESSION 2 (11NOV-15NOV)
Module 1 Week 1 – Sharing Cultures
Session 2 – Overview
Sharing Cultures Module 1 Week 1
Highlights:
1. ebooks – show one or both
http://wws.peacecorps.gov/wws/multimedia/ebooks/bbyl-culture/
http://wws.peacecorps.gov/wws/multimedia/ebooks/bbyl-self/
Check List:
•Arrange Skype Sharing Session with Partner Class.
•Teacher compiles email and sends to ePals class.
Deliverables:
1. Write Introductory email and share with your ePals partner class.
2. Contact ePals (Catherine Channell cchannell@corp.epals.com and let her know
the schedules for the Skype sessions.
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13. SESSION 3 (18NOV-22NOV)
Module 1 Week 2 – Sharing Cultures
Session 3 – Overview
Sharing Cultures Module 1 Week 2
Highlights:
1. Receive Introductory Email from partner ePals class.
2. Create Sharing Cultures PPT slides to share with partner ePals class.
Check List:
•Read and Discuss ePals Introductory Email.
•Students create slides for Sharing Cultures PPT.
•Present Ideas and Share.
•Teacher compiles Sharing Cultures slides and sends to ePals class.
Deliverables:
1. Create Sharing Cultures PPT to share with partner class.
2. Share PPT in Workspace.
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14. SESSION 4 (25NOV-29NOV)
Special Session
Thanksgiving
Chinese classes only.
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15. Skype Session (02DEC-06DEC)
Face-to-Face Communication.
Session 5 – Overview
Skype Session
Highlights:
Skype Session
Check List:
•Prepare students for Skype Session.
•Confirm with partner teacher.
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16. SESSION 6 (09DEC-13DEC)
Module 2 Week 1 – Culture Cuisine (Food)
Session 5 – Overview
Culture Cuisine Module 2 Week 1
Highlights:
1. Receive Sharing Cultures PPT from ePals partner class.
2. Create Email to send to ePals partner class.
Check List:
•View and Discuss ePals Sharing Cultures PPT.
•Create email response to ePals partner class.
•Teacher compiles email and sends to ePals class.
Deliverables:
1. Create email and send to ePals partner class.
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17. SESSION 7 (16DEC-20DEC)
Module 2 Week 2 – Culture Cuisine (Food)
Session 7 – Overview
Culture Cuisine/Music and Dance Module 2 Week 2
Highlights:
1. Receive Email from ePals partner class.
2. Create Culture Cuisine PPT to share with ePals partner class.
Check List:
•Read and Discuss email from partner class.
•Create Culture Cuisine PPT to share with partner class.
•Present ideas and share.
•Teacher compiles Culture Cuisine slides and sends to ePals class.
Deliverables:
1. Create Culture Cuisine PPT to share with ePals partner class.
2. Place PPT in Workspace for partner class. Deliverables:
3. Open Survey Gizmo for US Teachers, Students, Parents.
•Post-Course Teacher, Student, Parent Questionnaire
Reminder and link to be sent by email.
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18. Understanding how cuisine
is part of our culture.

19. Pre- and Post-Course Student, Teacher, and Parent Questionnaires
US – Survey Gizmo (Open at designated times)
We will remind you of the due dates.
Help us understand the effectiveness of the Sharing Cultures course.
1. Teacher Pre-Course
2. Student Questionnaire – Pre-Course (Session 1) and Post (Session 7)
3. Parent Survey – Post Course (Session 7)
4. Please have all US surveys completed by the end of Session 7.
We are collecting information from China and US students, teachers and
parents before and after participation in the course.
Pre-course
questionnaire
Post-course
questionnaire
Student
Session 1
Teacher
Teacher Training
Parent
Session 7
Session 7
Session 7
US - Open Survey
Gizmo for US
teachers, students and
parents.
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21. Writing a Friendly Email –
What is a friendly email?
A friendly email is a class-to-class note.
It builds a written conversation with your ePals partner class.
Include in a friendly email:
•Information and ideas relating this week’s topics to your culture.
•Questions about the week’s topics and questions about the ePals’ class.
•News about your class and your class members.
•Photos of your class with descriptions of the photos.
The teacher compiles the email from work done by
students and shares with partner class.
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22. Composing an email through Shared Writing
1. Project the text on to a large screen.
2. Allow students to contribute their ideas.
3. Teacher acts as a scribe doing the typing so that students focus on
thoughtful composition.
4. Teacher demonstrates the conventions of writing (spelling, grammar,
punctuation).
5. Teacher asks questions of students to reinforce English language
convention and to encourage thoughtful contributions.
6. Teacher pauses to reread email – making sure it makes sense and
demonstrates editing/revising while composing.
•Remember that their ePals partners in China are English language learners.
•Both ePals classes are following the same course structure.
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23. Friendly Email Template:
Dear__________________________,
Greeting: Greet your ePals and express your excitement about receiving
your ePals’ letter.
Class Update: Share what is happening in your class. Don’t forget to
make it conversational by asking your ePals questions too. Answer any
questions your ePals asked about your class.
Information and Questions about the Cultural Topic: Share your
thoughts about the topic of study as it relates to your culture. Ask your
ePals questions to learn about their culture.
Closing: Wrap up your letter. Thank your ePals for the letter you
received.
Our Photos: Describe any photos you have attached.
Closing____________________________________,
Class Name _________________________________
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24. Sharing Cultures
NeuPals

25. Skype Sessions – Face-to-Face Communication.
The Skype sessions are very exciting.
Because of the time difference between China and America
• teachers must pre-arrange a time for the face-to-face communication.
• communicate directly with your partner teacher to arrange a time when the
students are available to chat.
• Make arrangements very early, we recommend within the first week.
•Be sure to confirm.
California is 15 hours behind; New York is 12 hours behind China’s one time
zone.
Skype (Session 5)
• The teacher should prepare students in advance for questions to ask their
Chinese ePals partner.
• Students may talk about the topics they have studied together asking questions
and giving answers.
• Students then may ask questions that interest them.
• The Skype session ends with the students teaching each other simple greetings
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and daily use words.

26. Skype Sessions – Face-to-Face Communication.
Tips for a Successful Skype Chat:
1. ePals will provide you with your partner teacher’s contact information.
2. Please communicate directly with your partner teacher to arrange a time when
the students are available to chat.
3. Make these arrangements very early, we recommend within the first week, by
email and be sure to confirm.
4. Exchange Skype names with your partner teacher as soon as possible.
5. Make sure that your partner teacher is in your Skype contact list.
6. Test your video and sound before your scheduled start date.
7. Determine where/how your students will sit so that they can all see and hear
(project on screen).
8. Decide which teacher will initiate the call.
9. Accept the call as a video call.
10. Remind students to speak clearly and loudly (and that their ePals China partner
are English language learners) so that their questions and comment can be heard
clearly.
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27. Scheduling Skype Sessions
Email your partner teacher and schedule BOTH Skype Sessions.
Scheduling Skype sessions is one of the most challenging activities of the
Sharing Cultures collaboration. To accommodate both classes, it may require a
before school or after school meeting.
1. Ask your partner teacher what time and day their scheduled class meets.
2. Ask your partner teacher what time school begins and ends.
3. Ask when the students can be available (before or after school). Many
Chinese schools have early morning, afternoon and evening study sessions.
Most Chinese students either live at school or in the general area of the school.
4. Ask for at least three alternative times AND give the Chinese partner
teacher at least three options when your class is available.
5. If necessary, notify the parents that this school activity will take place
outside of school hours because of the time difference with China. Send a note
home with your students explaining when the Skype Session is scheduled.
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28. Scheduling Skype Sessions
Email your partner teacher and schedule BOTH Skype Sessions.
If you are unable to reach an agreed upon time please notify Catherine
Channell, cchannell@corp.epals.com, and she will work with our partner in China
to resolve the scheduling issues.
If a live Skype Session is impossible to schedule and all avenues for resolution
have been exhausted, a modified asynchronous communication (video), is possible.
Please contact ePals, Catherine Channell, cchannell@corp.epals.com, and request
the guidelines for successful asynchronous communication.
Note that all of China is one time zone (-) = behind one day. Examples:
West
CA
3am
5am
7am
2pm(-)
4pm(-)
5pm(-)
6pm(-)
Mountai
n
4am
6am
8am
3pm(-)
5pm(-)
6pm(-)
7pm(-)
Central
IL, TX
5am
7am
9am
4pm(-)
6pm(-)
7pm(-)
8pm(-)
Eastern
NY, NJ
6am
8am
10am
5pm(-)
7pm(-)
8pm(-)
9pm(-)
China
6pm
8pm
10pm
5am
7am
8am
9am
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29. By Anthony Montemurro (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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