I love sharing the love of reading and books with my students. There is something beyond powerful in the written word. With the increase of technology and the ease of access to books, sharing with our students has never been better. But where to go? Here are some of my favorite selections based on the theme 'friendship' which can be used to study many different concepts in reading.
Enemy Pie
on www.storylineonline.net
This is a story about a boy who cannot stand the new kid in the neighborhood. His father convinces him to "trick" the new boy into thinking that he is his friend so that his son will spend time with the new boy. As the main character begins to get to know the new kid in town, he finds out he likes him and does not want to feed him "enemy pie". This story would be good to use with foreshadowing and predictions
The Wizard of Oz
(retrieved from http://www.read.gov/books/oz.html; there was a download PDF link that seemed to be unworking).
Instead of using strictly picture books, students need to learn to build their own mind movies as they listen or read a story. The few visuals in this version help to aide that process without taking away the students' opportunity to try. In this story, friends are the only way that Dorthy is able to return home.
Aesop's Fables
(retrieved from http://www.umass.edu/aesop/content.php?n=21&i=1 )
This is a traditional retelling of the Lion and the Mouse. In this story, the mouse is saved by the lion, and in the end, ends up saving the mighty king. The moral is that small friends can do great things. A fable is a great way to discuss themes as well. While the story may not be complex, it does provide examples of symbolism that even the students can relate to.
Recording of the Lion and the Mouse
(retrieved from http://librivox.org/aesops-fables-volume-1-fables-1-25/)
This is a recording of the story about the lion and the mouse. This could be a great way to provide visuals and auditory opportunities for students.
Koko's Kitten by Dr. Francine Patterson
(retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Kitten-Reading-Rainbow-Francine-Patterson/dp/0590444255/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1335487420&sr=8-13#reader_0590444255 )
Friendships can develop in a variety of ways. For example, Koko loved her kitten friend. This would be an excellent story for students to work on Point of View. The students could create thinking maps identifying how Koko felt before and after she friends. Also, this would be a a good example to use for Author's purpose. ( I would actually have this book in hardcopy form in addition to having access online.)
Friendship Photograph
(retrieved from http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/173251 )
This photograph would be an excellent way to preview vocabulary. Students could come up with all the words that they associate with friendship and place then on a bubble map. These vocabulary words could be added to as the students have more experience with the other sources. (This photo is downloaded locally as to assure access).
Letter from Ronald Regan to Michael Jackson
(retrieved from http://tumblr.chicagoreader.com/ )
Students are enamored with celebrities. These two celebrities are considered opposites, and yet, here we find a letter (a friendly one) between the two. This letter would be excellent to use in discussion with structure of a writing and also could be used as a writing prompt: If you could write a letter to any one, who would it be and why?" (This photo would be downloaded locally as to assure access for students).
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Elements of Interactivity
As teachers, we are always trying to find something that works for our students. We are constantly on the look out for the cutting edge of learning. Sometimes, we look too far. In some cases, we needn't look past our desks.
The ways that students interact with texts can affect their understanding. A simple way to help some of our struggling kiddos is to bring in color. It is a commonly held belief that changing up color draws attention to the important stuff. Uniball pens are a great way of helping our students to draw attention to their own learning.
Uniball pens also offer the added benefit of not being very wide and don't bleed too badly. Students can make simple lines or underline without the ink taking up half the line!
According to the Florida Department of Education ESE Accommodations (http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/accomm-educator.pdf), adding color is an acceptable accommodation for students with special needs. We often hear how if it is good for ESOL or ESE, it is pretty much good for everyone. I tend to agree.
We are programed to notice changes and color helps students to identify what they need to remember. By giving our students the opportunity to learn how to take notes by using color and drawing their attention, we are equipping them with a life long skill.
The ways that students interact with texts can affect their understanding. A simple way to help some of our struggling kiddos is to bring in color. It is a commonly held belief that changing up color draws attention to the important stuff. Uniball pens are a great way of helping our students to draw attention to their own learning.
Uniball pens also offer the added benefit of not being very wide and don't bleed too badly. Students can make simple lines or underline without the ink taking up half the line!
According to the Florida Department of Education ESE Accommodations (http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/accomm-educator.pdf), adding color is an acceptable accommodation for students with special needs. We often hear how if it is good for ESOL or ESE, it is pretty much good for everyone. I tend to agree.
We are programed to notice changes and color helps students to identify what they need to remember. By giving our students the opportunity to learn how to take notes by using color and drawing their attention, we are equipping them with a life long skill.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Reading an eBook: The Velventeen Rabbit
The value of the book for education.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco (http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11757)
As a child, I was effectively disheartened by the story The Velveteen Rabbit. I missed the end really, now I understand that.
In order to review this book, I chose to send it to my Kindle and view it in that format. I have to say, that the experience was very similar to being read to as a child. I downloaded the file with the pictures and found that they were just as colorful and vibrant as they would have been in the story. The only minor issues I had was a little bit of formatting issues (didn't really detract), and the idea that you can't judge how far you are in the book based on how many pages are being moved from the right side to the left side bothers me, but I doubt a student would care. Also, I am the kind of reader who remembers what part of the page a particular word or phrase is on (like the word "chartreuse" on the bottom left of the left page) which helps me find it later (especially with fictional works) when I need to show someone else. On a Kindle, you can't have that kind of information.
When I was browsing for a book to read, I found many selections for students. They are generally classic books, but books nonetheless. All for free! I teach students who do not have access to many books in their lives and I just could not get over the amount of books I could get into their hands if they had eReaders. Instead of buying individual class sets of novels (which can be costly) a class set of Kindles could hold HUNDREDS of novels for novel studies. My mother was once told that if there were a piano in our house, someone would learn how to play it. I spent most of my childhood reading (as it turns out, we had lots of books too), so the role of playing went to my little sister. I feel the same way about books. Give kids the access and the love will come (kind of like the theory behind arranged marriages :) ). Our students are at a disservice by not having access to these classics at no cost!
eTextbooks from CK12.org
Textbook publishers make a mint ripping out trees and printing textbooks for students to draw mustaches on monkeys. There is another way, however. Another way that involves no paper and no need to have students to lug fifty pounds of textbooks around in their backpacks to finish their homework. The era of the eBook is being (slowly) ushered in. While this movement meets resistance (shocking!), there are those who are bravely pioneering for our students.
The state of California has hired a group to create texts for them...online. These texts may be accessed by students and even us. Even better, they are FREE! They are also able to be downloaded in iPad, Kindle, and Android formats. That means textbooks on cell phones. No excuses! Additionally, these texts can be EASILY altered so that new and updated information can be added as needed.
The five that I found had the same quality as textbooks sitting in desks or on shelves in classrooms.
The first was Commonsense Composition (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2513). This book contained chapters on the different essays that students are to be capable of writing. Also, this book included chapters on other documents as well as rules for writing (parts of speech, grammar, etc.). Meant for high school students, there are some chapters that can be used for lower grades as well with some minor adaptations.
The next was Earth Science for Middle School (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2534). This text, given the title, is meant for the lower secondary crew. This book is set up where individual chapters can be clicked on (no shuffling around for page numbers).
Life Science for Middle School (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2536) is also designed for use with Middle School students, but with some alterations can also meet standards for lower grade levels.
Algebra Explorations, Pre-K through Grade 7 (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/13152) is more of a compilation of mini-texts for all of the grades listed. There is a chapter devoted to the exploration of algebra for each grade. I am looking forward to trying the fourth grade section with my own students!
Last, but never least, is CK-12 Middle School Math - Grade 6 (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2832). This text (meant for sixth graders) and covers multiple areas such as decimals, geometry, and fractions. Some of these topics are also studied in lower grades and could have potential uses in them as well.
As I said, free is good! These possibilities are revolutions in textbook history. Hopefully they pave the way for other states to do the same.
The state of California has hired a group to create texts for them...online. These texts may be accessed by students and even us. Even better, they are FREE! They are also able to be downloaded in iPad, Kindle, and Android formats. That means textbooks on cell phones. No excuses! Additionally, these texts can be EASILY altered so that new and updated information can be added as needed.
The five that I found had the same quality as textbooks sitting in desks or on shelves in classrooms.
The first was Commonsense Composition (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2513). This book contained chapters on the different essays that students are to be capable of writing. Also, this book included chapters on other documents as well as rules for writing (parts of speech, grammar, etc.). Meant for high school students, there are some chapters that can be used for lower grades as well with some minor adaptations.
The next was Earth Science for Middle School (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2534). This text, given the title, is meant for the lower secondary crew. This book is set up where individual chapters can be clicked on (no shuffling around for page numbers).
Life Science for Middle School (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2536) is also designed for use with Middle School students, but with some alterations can also meet standards for lower grade levels.
Algebra Explorations, Pre-K through Grade 7 (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/13152) is more of a compilation of mini-texts for all of the grades listed. There is a chapter devoted to the exploration of algebra for each grade. I am looking forward to trying the fourth grade section with my own students!
Last, but never least, is CK-12 Middle School Math - Grade 6 (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/book/2832). This text (meant for sixth graders) and covers multiple areas such as decimals, geometry, and fractions. Some of these topics are also studied in lower grades and could have potential uses in them as well.
As I said, free is good! These possibilities are revolutions in textbook history. Hopefully they pave the way for other states to do the same.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
I forget I was a kid too...
Sometimes, my predominately ten-year old class does things I just can no longer comprehend because I am old now. For example, last week, a student of mine asked me if I was alive when the world was black and white (he had seen photographs and assumed the world was black and white, not photography). Tonight, I began thinking about me as a kid and realized, I too, was once someone thinking outside the box. Even more embarrassing, my blunder involved technology. So, I confessed it to the digital world...
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