In my fifth grade classroom, I have thought about using a blog for students to summarize novels they have been reading. My students are expected to read at home and during a short Silent Reading time during the school day. We discuss the many purposes for reading, but it still seems that there are many students who remain unmotivated to read on their own. I feel that, for most of my students, if they were allowed some time to share about what they have read with other students, perhaps in a blog format, they might be motivated to read. The benefits for the students may include; increased time spent reading, improved decoding and comprehension strategies, knowledge about different book titles, authors, and genres, improved writing skills, and positive social interaction. Blogs can give the students a chance to share work with their peers and provide them many opportunities to learn. (Laureate, 2008)
Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Program number 5. Understanding the impact of technology on education, work, and society [Motion Picture]. Spotlight on technology. Baltimore.
Erin,
ReplyDeleteI think using blogs in the fifth grade classroom to increase participation in reading is an excellent idea. I also teach fifth grade and it seems that I have two extreme groups in my class, those that love to read and those that hate it. Having students interacting and sharing responses on a blog is a great idea!
One thought I had is that you might have students accountable for their posts in some way. Perhaps a specific question(s) that students know ahead of time they will have to answer. Another idea might be to have students identify story elements like climax,conflict,etc. I know with my class I would have a number of students that would not complete the assigned reading but would be racing to work on a blog. If they know ahead of time they will be accountable for something it might motivate them to read.
Will every student in your class be reading the same novel? If so, it may not be so exciting to share a summary to others who read the same book. How about asking students to introduce a book they read and enjoyed to others, or being critics about a book they read. Also, they can become writers and create their own story using the assigned book as a resource.
ReplyDeleteYou can post variety of interesting books for students to gain interest in reading as well.
I love the idea of students being critics. I also believe they would enjoy creating their own story using the assigned book. Great idea!
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