Ideas for the Classroom

I know I'm a little behind in the reading because I just finished the "See Jane Read...See Johnny Write" and "Writing the Book on Online Literature Circles", but I need to comment on them because I was really impressed with the teachers in those articles! I felt both articles had great examples of incorporating technology into already existing literacy activities. I thought making children's books through Power Point was an awesome project. After reading that article, it makes me want to go find a high school class and ask them to write books for my students! I was really impressed with the online literature circle study. There were two things that I really liked. First of all, I thought it was great how they used preservice teachers in the study. What a great way for those preservice teachers to get practice working with students, using technology, and asking students higher level thinking questions. Plus the middle school students got one-on-one attention which below level readers need. I found that to be the second thing I liked. I agreed with what one of the students involved in the study said when she explained how she liked having one person to comment with and really get into a good discussion with. Having just one person's blog or journal entry or response to respond to at a time might be a great way to ease students into discussion circles, online or in person.