Since my focus this year will be book clubs, there are several options for communicating globally with authors and others about books.
- With the addition of book clubs in our reading curriculum, The Skype An Author Network would be a resource that my team and other teachers could use. This would be an opportunity for students to connect with the author whose books they are reading. We recently had Carmen Deedy visit our school. It would be great to follow-up with her via Skype after the students have had an opportunity to read more of her books.
- Another opportunity to connect with others about books is the Scholastic STACKS blog. Students may comment or ask questions about a particular book that is posted on the blog. Comments must be approved by the moderator. They are also monitored for appropriateness (according to the site). In addition to commenting about books, there are writing prompts that may be used for writing.
- Communication has been a topic of discussion in our class for the past few weeks. As I searched for other options for communicating about book clubs, I came across eFilms on ePALS, a global community to connect learners. The topic of discussion this month is communication. Students are presented with questions about the eFilm they watch. Students may also contribute by creating their own video in response to the eFilm. Since we have Macs this year, I was especially interested in the eFilm on the evolution of the Apple computers. One means of communicating is storytelling.
- The storytelling portion of ePALS would be an opportunity for students to create their own stories after reading a book.
So many good ideas you present. I am never disappointed when I read your blogs, always inspiring. With regards to your eFilms concept, I think it is tops. Who knows how many kids this will reach who are not as well in tune with the 'reading crowd.' At that age it could be the difference between a child who never gets involved in reading and one whose interest is sparked leading to all new worlds. It's great that we can implement these kind of lessons with our student in a meaningful way.
ReplyDeleteHey Lady! I like your idea for Skyping with an author in your class... You probably know this, but you also have access to an online classroom with Blackboard Collaborate through our school. It might work out better than Skype, because you would just send a link instead of having to have Skype installed on the author's computer. Just a thought!
ReplyDeleteWould students keep the same site until the end of high school? That would be a cool idea. The "Skype-ing author" got me thinking - my brother wrote and published a book about a year ago and he came to my school to talk about the writing process. He lives in Florida and has four boys under the age of seven, so getting here can be a chore. That Skype idea may be something I'd try to see how it would go. Interesting. Kids definitely need to read more more more! Our kids took the ITBS last week, and some students told a co-worker of mine that they did not know ANY of the vocabulary words in the vocabulary section. An exaggeration, of course, but pretty true. Reading is fundamental. Keep at it, chick!
ReplyDelete-Angie
Linda, you have found great tools for telecommunication-based projects. All of them looks very interesting!I have one question about eFilms on ePALS. Who decides eFilm of the month? Is there any certain subject area associated with? I am curious of who mainly use this site and what serves to students.
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