Crocodiles travel to teach Sycamore students

Students at Sycamore Creek Elementary School have been learning 21st-century technology, critical thinking and information literacy skills with the help of Kyle Crocodile, a small, green, stuffed animal, and his crocodile siblings, Kirby, Katie and Carlyle.

The project takes advantage of the school's year-round schedule by sending the stuffed animals on trips with students, staff, and friends when they are tracked-out. The crocodiles' adventures are posted to a weblog (www.kylecrocodile.com) where students ask questions and write comments.

Since the project's kick-off in October 2008, the crocodiles have traveled to Europe and many places within in the United States.

Currently, Kirby Crocodile is in Iraq with Capt. Christopher Peterman of the Army Reserve National Guard. Katie Crocodile recently witnessed history first-hand while attending the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. Other crocodiles will be visiting Asia and Central America in upcoming weeks.

Sycamore Creek's technology specialist, Matthew Clobridge, works with teachers to integrate the use of technology into the curriculum through projects such as the Kyle Crocodile blog.