Hi Pat,
Sorry it's been awhile. I've had computer problems. My home computer needed a makeover, and we're not quite there yet, but I'm back online. The web pal thing is going okay, I think. To tell you the truth, I'm not really monitoring it. I'm sort of letting it happen. I will know better when I get reports from Angelo's people about how it went. But I don't think they are very into technology or writing. It's a required class: Teaching of Writing--kind of a writing across the curriculum class that's required for preservice teachers. Some of my students are enjoying the correspondence; some are not. I guess that's normal.
Now about my science/U.S. history connection: I think CyberEnglish killed it actually. In order for all the ninth graders to share the laptop lab, we had to stagger the classes so that we don't have the block of time in the morning anymore. Also, there are other problems. There are transfer students in those classes or in mine that the others don't have. There are repeating sophomores sometimes, too. And, this semester, a whole section of kids went to a different teacher so my teammate could teach another section of psych. The one great thing we did do was an integrated semester exam, but we can't do that this year. I can send you information on that though, if you want. It was a web project.
We found it difficult to integrate no matter what the integration gurus say. I have "pushed" science and social studies, even health topics with my students for their multigenre web project. Some took the bait. So that's integration I guess.
I see my role as a teacher of skills more than content, which fits in well if you're going to integrate. Still, it's a raw deal for the English teacher to always be the one who has to evaluate for writing traits. I imagine if the teachers you're working with had some common planning time and you laid out your curriculums, you'd find some content commonalities. You can start there.
The web page is a wonderful integrating tool. Students can use technology to show what they know across the curriculum.
But to answer your question, no, we don't plan lessons together. Part of that is my fault. I'm too busy to meet with my people. Plus, they're not really into it, and I kind of feel like they want me to do all the imagining and planning. They're great guys, just not that into working hard. : )
BTW, I submitted an article for EJ in which I mentioned you and our cyber connections here. I imagine if they want to publish it, they will contact you to get permission to include your name. I wrote about modeling our approaches on Ted, you on me, etc. Also, I mentioned that we have this blog to communicate and keep record. Hope that's okay with you.
Hope all is well.
Spring break starts in only three days!!!!!! DH and I and some friends are headed to Florida.
Dawn