Bringing SSR into the Classroom for Seminar

You do not have to be ELA teachers. Your job is not to instruct the students how to make an inference, your job simply is this... Turn Kids On to Reading. Your job is to encourage them to fall in love with reading again. This should be FUN, not an assignment to dread, on the contrary, something to look forward to. We must change our attitude towards reading. Changing a culture is difficult. But I believe in this whole-heartedly. I would be happy to share some stats from Kelly Gallagher’s book, Readicide, that supports the overwhelming benefits of allowing the students to choose what they read: SAT scored are directly impacted, their stamina increases, something they sorely need before heading off to college. There is no magic bullet. This sounds ground breaking, but the best way to become a better reader is to read, to put miles on the page. To paraphrase Nancy Atwell: a good teacher will move heaven and Earth in order to put just the right book into student hands.

I highlighted some instrumental names in BOLD.  I first encountered Self-Selected Reading (SSR) in "Reading Apprenticeship" and excellent school wide initiative. Nothing to concern yourself with now, but if you are interested, they have great stuff. 

HELPFUL Pedagogical Videos

• Penny Kittle - Why Students are Not Reading
• Nancy Atwell - sample of in class book talk, notice the entire class is engaged in SSR. Let the students know what the room sounds like, looks like, what you will be doing during SSR
• IF YOU SHOW ONLY TWO, START WITH THE ABOVE for STUDENTS
• John Green - Importance of Reading - Good student video as well as he is a highly respected YA author
• Kelly Gallagher - Readicide (2 prts) - this one would be more for the teacher.

We need to have impart our expectations during SSR as a staff. I created a Thinking Map that does just that. It is crucial; the students know full well what is expected of them during SSR. It is also imperative the know what to expect from you the teacher. This will take time, it will be a gradual release for many. Teachers model what to do, what is expected. Then, we do it together as a class, finally the students take ownership of SSR.

THINGS TO DO during SSR - TEACHERS

• Model - when students read, you read something you like. Escape into a book.
• Walk around the room, quietly discuss your book with a student or vice-versa, aka a book talk
• book talks - share what is being read
• this can be achieved one-on-one, small groups, or directly in front of the class
• Ideas for book talks – what to discuss
• Rate it on a scale of 1 -10
• Who would you recommend it to? Why? Boys? Girls? What age?
• Give a 5 sentence summary.
• Can you make any connections? 
• What kind of writing is it? Genre?
• Even read a quote or the back of the book.
• Have them write about what they are reading for 5 minutes, then pass the paper to the next person, they read and respond, and keep it going... Great way for kids to quickly learn what others are reading without pressure of having to speak in front of the class.
• I have laminated cards with LOADS of other great literature starter questions to get the dialogue rolling. I would be happy to lend.f
• While I do have a template I have my students eventually fill out for a final book talk project, for Seminar, I would suggest keeping it brief and fun. The whole purpose is to expose students to books them might not have otherwise discovered
• Monitor / Engage Readers
• Walk around the room, see that they are engaged, if not, help them seek out a book. SHOW them this is important.
• The goal is not to "bust" them, but to then find the book that is right for them.
• If they are day dreaming, constantly getting to the bottom of the page and having no idea what was read, maybe it is time for a new book’
• The 5 finger rule is another quick formative assessment a student can use to see if the book is right for them
•             Open a random page, read, every time you encounter an unknown word, hold up a finger. If you reach five fingers before the end of the page, chances are you wan to find an easier read.
• When that one book is located, when they have that one special book, that will transform them, the rest falls into place, and you are set.  For me, that book was Slaughter-House Five
• Have the kids see you get excited about this.
• Sell it to them.
• I usually begin each class with about 10 minutes SSR, feel free o stop by and check it out anytime.
• Finding just the right book
• John Green - If You Like This, Then You May Enjoy... Again, very famous YA author, he suggests books based on ones you may have previously read and liked. 
• See what other peers have read on the Book Talks DHS page - I have been slowly creating this, I am behind, I still have lots to put up, but basically DHS students do recorded book talks.
• Reading Tips and Lists - great for reading strategies and quick suggestions and a resource to find books.
• Good Reads - Teen Books List - excellent list for finding cool books and discussing them on line. Literature 2.0
• Reading List Flow chart - Do yourself a favor and just check this one out.
• Kelly Gallagher - article of the Week - informational article options
• Banned Book Week from the American Library Association. End of Sept. Reverse Psychology at its finest.
• Bring in periodicals, sports magazines, graphic novels, comics, etc. There is nothing like having a handful of go-to books in the room just in case.
• TEACHER – ONE-ON-ONEs w/ students
• Asking book specific questions
• So what is going on in the story so far?
• Who is your favorite character and why?
• Do you see any similarities between your world and this book?
• To me, making connection is the most poignant of all reading strategies. How can this book make YOUR life better?
• Do you like the writing style?
• If you could pick a character to hang out with in DeWitt who would it be, what would you do and why?
• If you were the main character, what would you do different
• If you were inside the story, how would you feel?
• Do any characters remind you of any one you know?

TEACHERS - THINGS TO AVOID

• Emailing
• Grading Papers
• Poor attitude - sell it - this is something cool, who doesn’t like curling up to a good book and escape?
• Allowing them to do homework, or "read" their History book. Yes this is indeed reading, but not SELF SELECTED READING. They need to plan ahead, they will know that they cannot procrastinate homework before a specified SSR day. This is time for escape, leaving the pressures of high school and parents behind if only for a little while.
• They can become a King, a Queen, an explorer, a pirate, run from the law, save the day, and travel through time all from the safety of their seminar classroom.

ACCOUNTABILITY

· You can have them fill out a self rubric although be careful, remember, this is NOT designed as work, we want them to ENJOY this.

· Generally, I provide 5 pts. I have a roster, if students are engaged and reading in the first 5 minutes, they receive a check, I randomly do another check roughly 15-20 minutes in. If a student receives 2 out of 2, the get the full 5, 1 out of 2 they get 2.5 out of 5.

· If a student is absence I allow two make up options. Parents can email me and vouch that their student as spend 20 minutes reading a self selected book of their choice, in essence, they have read for FUN.

·  OR - they can go on to Good Read, (link above) and leave a "book review" Essentially, they locate a book they have read, and upload a brief review. They then print the review and submit to me, 7-10 sentences. 

· Phones/tablets/Devices - This is up to your personal comfort level. I will say, there is a great deal of literature available with the use of tablets. You can tell if a student is reading. Are they scrolling from time to time as they approach the bottom of a page (the correct way) or are the click clacking away as required for a game or texting? You can very easily approach and use "Asking Book specific Questions" I previously highlighted. It becomes painfully obvious if a student cannot tell you the name of a character they just supposedly read, or even easier, ask them to read aloud to you, the most recent passage, then, have them explain what it means to them.

·       This is NOT a GOTCHA – you are simply  guide trying to put the right book in student hands

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, It Will Be Tweeted!

I am currently working on my thesis for my Master’s in Education. Essentially, I am examining web 2.0 technologies inside the classroom. Moodle is a primary example. It contains and utilizes almost all aspects of web 2.0 technologies. (Essentially, web 2.0 refers to internet users going beyond just consuming information. They are now uploading, creating, and even revising information that is already there. Not only do they add to it, they book mark, blog, attach videos, even rate and review content.)  However, when utilizing it in the classroom, many teachers are not instructing their students in a new type of literacy that goes hand in hand with web 2.0. This new way of using the internet brings about a new type of literacy all together, a new way of reading and processing information. Social Networks such as wackwall can easily be used in the classroom in progressive ways that challenge and engage our students in this new type of critical literacy.

Essentially, students need to think critically about where something comes from. Ownership and authenticity exist in a whole new realm. For example, on a typical wiki, if several users update an entry, to whom do the words belong? Is the original publisher still to be cited if numerous users have added to their original post? Is a sources validity judged solely on where it comes from? For example, what if Diig has a post from a news source, but users have reviewed it unfavorably time and time again, does the validity suffer for quantity of negative reviews? To further exemplify the issue, does the quality of those doing the reviews come into play?


In 2009, this issue was examined by Marlene Asselin and Maryam Moayeri in their examination of this new literacy in their research article “The Participatory classroom: Web 2.0 in the classroom”.* They found 76% of K-12 teachers use digital media inside the classroom. However, this number is misleading. For example, over 50% of respondents said the use was primarily looking at information passively. This is NOT in keeping with the true notion of web 2.0, that is, an interactive relationship where users are creating and uploading content, users comment on, rearrange, add to items on the internet, many of the educators surveyed (under 30%) said they encouraged this type of usage in the classroom. Under 30% had students actively blogging, participating in social networks, in other words, actively contributing to websites. (2009, p. 2)

All of these new aspects of digital texts should be at the forefront of educational conversations. Sadly, they are not. Far too many teachers feel they are “capitalizing” on technology if they read a blog post in class. We need to instruct students how to be critical viewers as well as users of content. We need to capitalize on their Facebook skills, but provide a context in which to use them, a lens from which to view the world around them.

Social networking is moving well beyond an entertainment technology primarily used by today’s youth. The sooner we bring it into the classroom and provide a context for our students to critically interact with the world around them, the sooner they will benefit from such web 2.0 technologies. These technologies will most assuredly be waiting for them in the professional world in various ways not yet realized.

Do we really understand the potential of such web 2.0 technologies? Most schools frown upon, if not ban the use of many of these technologies. Take Twitter for example, why has this technology not been embraced and discussed in the classroom? Look at how Twitter alone has revolutionized the world in which we live(Libya,  or Egypt) . The revolution will not be televised, it will be Tweeted.

*Asselin, M., & Moayeri, M. (2011). The participatory classroom: Web 2.0 in the classroom. Australian Journal of Language & Literacy, 34(2), 45-45.

Is the Way We Read Changing?

The above video gives a quick run-down and comparison of many of today's E-Readers. Personally, I believe the Ipad is the best, although as stated towards the end, it is more than double the price of the others. As for the versatility, the amount of apps and OTHER cool features, it is worth it.

My point is to not rate one over the other, rather, investigate the way in which we read altogether. For me, there is something tactile about reading. My students always make fun of me, all of my books are filled with highlighted sections, footnotes, scribbles in the margins. For me, reading is a very interactive process. With the E Readers, I just do not feel the same personal connection. Yes you can find ways to edit and highlight the texts and in some cases even make notes for yourself later, it just isn't the same. Of course, unlike my students, I was not born into this technological world. There will come a day soon, when schools will figure out the greener, more economical way of doing business. Rather than spend thousands of dollars every few years upgrading classroom textbooks, they will simply provide an E Reader and download whatever they need. The options are endless. No more hunched back children laboring down the bus aisle from the weight of their backpacks. They can carry every subject, their notebooks, their comic books, and literature books all on a E Reader. While you can't argue with the convenience, environmental benefits, and eventual financial savings, what about the way in which we read? The way in which our brain's process the information?

This will be an interesting trend to watch. Stay tuned dear readers, I have just begun an RSS search for any scholarly peer reviewed articles on the subject. I will keep you posted. For now, my feel is that E Readers will grow in use and popularity. The toll and effect on the eyes and the brain... All I know is, I love spending time in book stores. There is something aesthetically pleasing about casting your eyes on a well stocked book shelf, the colors of the covers, the varying print, being able to physically take one down and peruse. Are we to loose such colloquialisms as "turn the page", you know what they say about books and covers. Like the television, "don't touch that dial", no problem, they no longer exist.

Still want to learn more, here is a quick link to browse the top ten ereaders for the christmas season.

Book Review, Author Interview: Murder, Mystery, & Mascara

I occasionally do book reviews for The Grand Rapids Press. I have not done so recently due to all of the time constraints placed on a first year teacher (soon to be second). However, there is one that I would like to point out for you. The book review was very enjoyable, but ultimately it was the lesson learned that sticks in my mind. I took the initiative to contact the publisher and requested an interview the Turkish author Mehmet Murat Somer. The novel is entitled The Kiss Murder, and is part of a successful series. It was the first one to be released to the United States. I conducted the interview via email.

So, when I mention the lesson I learned, of course, I refer in large part to the interview itself. For example, it was critical to do research ahead of time. In fact, at one point, the author commented on this. Also, when you are taking part in an interview through email instead of instant messaging or some form of real time communication, you must play out the questions posed in your mind. You have to anticipate possible variations of answers to the questions asked, a pre-follow up if you will.
the Turkish author
Upon further reflection, the true lesson had to do with publication rights. I posted the question and answer interview with the author PRIOR to my article's publication. The newspaper, and I am sure this is true of almost every news publication, has the rights to the printed material. By publishing the interview on my old blog before the article in the newspaper, I forfeited the interview. In other words, the newspaper did not publish the interview simply because I put it up on my blog first. The grand Rapids Press boasts the second largest newspaper distribution in the state of Michigan. My blog ,at the time, was more or less the classroom blog I established during my student teaching. In essence, my 12th grade composition class was privy to the interview instead of The Press subscribers.

I am reminded of those old cartoons on Rocky and Bullwinkle that resembled Aesop's Fables. Upon conclusion of the short cartoon, two morals were given. In my case, the moral was either, Investigate all personal legal issues ahead of time, or honesty sometimes has it's price.

Learn more about the Turkish author on his Facebook site.

Research Will Never be the Same: Thank You RSS

As a second year English teacher and Graduate student, I am actively involved in research. For today's modern student. This usually means logging onto their school's online library where a database is found. Within this database, a number of archives can be found where scholarly journals and peer reviewed articles are found. However, a great deal of hunting and pecking then takes place in this time consuming educational practice. The crazy thing, is every time a paper needs to be written, this process begins anew. It needn't be so.

Friends and readers, RSS (really simple syndication) is here. I am sure many of you probably do not even know what this is, although undoubtedly you have seen the emblem, on this very blog. I have included two videos that will help, first an explanation of what RSS is, and second a look at Google Reader. If RSS is a web 2.0 tool, Reader is one of the programs or applications you use to access it. Think of it like this, email is to Hotmail as RSS is to Google Reader.

RSS VIDEO

GOOGLE READER

I explained it to my Senior Literature class when I was student teaching as this: Think of it as owning your own newspaper, you are William Randolph Hearst in the information age. You can not only include the sections you want, but you can tell what stories your reporters are to look for. Then, you kick back, put your feet up and wait for the stories, the ones you want to hear, are found and delivered to you.

I love google news for this. Where as many websites have an rss link, with Google news, you can specify what information gets relayed to you when a new story comes out. Well, many databases are now not only offering RSS, they are as customizable as Google News. For example, if I log onto to a supporting database, or even Google News, I can specify what I want it to look for, 'blogging classrooms' let's say. Then, any story or article that comes through that has anything to do with classrooms that are using blogs, gets saved and sent to my Google Reader account.

I realize this is all a bit much. My advice, watch the videos, then proceed to this website and watch the tutorial. Then, sign up and start subscribing to feeds. Depending on what website you are on, subscribing may vary. Usually, you simply right click on the RSS symbol, select copy shortcut and then log onto your Reader, click 'add subscription' and then paste the shortcut. Other times you may simply left click on the emblem, and then copy and paste the URL of the page that opens into the Reader subscription box. I swear its worth it. When you find yourself with time on your hands, you know, instead of hunting and searching through databases, you can whittle a likeness of me, situate it in a place of honor.

Hatchet Projects

Reading is more than just words. My 8th grade English students have demonstrated this by bringing the classic Gary Paulsen novel, Hatchet, to life.

The project is called a Jackdaw. Essentially, any aspect of the story can be examined and represented in a tangible form. Some choose to create a diorama of the setting, others focused on the rising actions of the story.

In fact, many went beyond the page. For example, the main character, Brian, undergoes many challenges. Although a diary was not kept by the protagonist, some students used a creative license and wrote Brain's would-be journal based on his trials and tribulations. In doing so, his character was explored.

This examination allowed for a deeper understanding of themselves and the story. I found that many students who are not normally academically motivated, excelled at this project. By allowing for ownership and creative control, the students feel empowered and driven in new, exciting ways. My role was simply to encourage and coax them along the way. Although they were at the proverbial wheel, I was able to steer them in many directions that lead to learning.

Sexting, Does Anyone Know Why?

This post was originally published on March 9, 2009

I have been noticing the term in the headlines more and more. S E X T I N G  Rarely do I see interest, or thoughtful inquiry as to the cause. More often than not, stories on the topic tend to be lawsuits and criminal charges. Without knowledge or understanding as to why teens might be toying with this new form of… expression, the powers that be are all too eager just to file child pornography charges. Heck, I would be interested to see the causes as to why that is, but let’s stick to one root cause at a time.

So, why are kids interested in sending titillating snaps of themselves via their phone. Really, this form of expression is just bounding down the evolutionary path. Texting and IM’ing are changes the landscape of language. KWIM.

Carlo Longino’s article asks some very interesting questions. Again, I see opportunity for education, a learning moment. As the article mentions, you could address the boy who was hurt and sexted just to get back at his girlfriend. We need to look at these things with educator’s eyes. Rather than over react, as is often the case with sexting, a lesson of web-responsibility could be addressed. Really, the point of the article is that in most cases, malicious, devious, intentions are not the cause. Not even immaturity, as shown by the boy in the article who did not know how to handle a break up. But the real reason kids text… It is exciting. What else do we expect. They see as much in the check out at the Safe Way from Paris, Lindsay, and Brittany. We live in a world where sex is glamorized and coupled within educational taboo. This is a dangerous mix. I say, open up the dialogue with our kids. Model positive forms of expression. Encourage thoughtful discussions. Mainly, react in an appropriate manner. Every situation can be learned from, if viewed in the right way.

Ref:

Longino, Carlo . “When Does It Stop Being ‘Sexting’ And Start Being Something More Serious?.” Tech Dirt. 9 Apr. 2009. IBM. 9 Apr. 2009 .