Global Read Aloud ~ Week 5 Review

This week marked the end of the Global Read Aloud 2012 and the conclusion of our Charlotte's Web activities. This week we finished reading the adapted book and completed our comprehension book. As a concluding activity, we incorporated a science lesson about spider webs into the mix. (Thanks to Mrs. Pence for sharing her scholastic science sheets with us. It provided a great literature connection.)

We learned:

• how a spider web needs to have specific components in the web structure (bridge lines, anchor points, and the spirals)
• that the web starts out a liquid and turns into a solid
• that although spider webs look fragile, they are actually quite strong

To illustrate and reinforce the concepts of the spider webs, we created our own spider webs using wax paper and liquid glue (such as Elmer's). This hands on activity allowed the students to create their own webs while reinforcing the parts of the web. With assistance, the students first created the bridge lines, then we attached the anchor points. Next we created the spirals. Lastly, we labeled the parts of the web while the glue was wet so that they would stay in place. Some students even chose to draw and add their own "Charlotte". Some students completed this activity within their 2nd grade class. Other students completed this activity while in our classroom. See below for the of our great student spider webs.

In addition to the "glue" webs, we also took some time and encouraged students to draw his/her own spider web on the SMARTBoard using the same structure as mentioned above - creating a web with bridge lines, anchor point, spirals, and maybe even a spider! Check out the examples below.

Global Read Aloud ~ Week 4 Review

This week, like last, was quite a busy one! We had our Harvest Parties and Costume Parade  as well as a new student start this week.

We did read severe more chapters from our adapted version of Charlotte's Web and we completed the comprehension sheets. We reviewed all the "webs" that Charlotte had made for Wilbur. To compliment the "word webs", we created our own. We used this as an opportunity for the students to practice spelling and typing his/her name. (See below for our work - versions have been altered to keep names private) For this project, we used an app called SKITCH. This app allows you to take any photo and annotate it (which is basically a fancy word for add things to it or draw on it). I searched and saved a couple different types of web pictures. The students were able to choose which web they wanted to use. With varying degrees of assistance, the students then types his/her name onto the web. The students also had the option to change color of font and/or resize name.

This is the last week for the Read Aloud so we will be wrapping up Charlotte's Web by completing our comprehension books as well as creating our favorite setting from the story to complete the story web outside of our classroom.

I hope you enjoyed Charlotte's Web as much as I did. Even though the book was a little above our reading level, the students did a great job of identifying the characters by animal name and some, even by character name. They also were able to recall the various settings of the story. Looking forward to #GLRead13 already!

Global Read Aloud ~ Week 3 Review

This week was quite a busy one! 

Although we read and completed our comprehension sheets for a couple chapters, we did not get very far on our extra projects this week. One reason for this was that we were invited to a "going away" party for a student. We made a trip up to Ms. Henry's class to wish him well....and enjoy decorating and eating pumpkin cookies!

This week we will continue to read and discuss the characters and setting as well as create our own spider webs displaying the students names similar to the webs that Charlotte made for Wilbur. Check back next weekend to see our creations!

Global Read Aloud ~ Week 2 Review

Week 2 of Charlotte's Web

This week we continued reviewing favorite characters and the different settings. We continued reading chapters from book as well as reviewing chapters using the adapted version of the story and our comprehension notebook. The students used an iPad app called TypeDrawing to create a visual representation of their favorite character. Check out there work below.

This past week was also busy with conferences. We used our class projects to begin constructing a story web outside of our classroom. Check out In Pictures ~ Room 220 (our class photoblog) to check out a snapshot of our web. We also took some time to do a "free draw" of our own webs on the SMARTBoard.

KB creating her web.

KB and her finished web with spider in the middle.

AH creating her web (after some help with drawing Charlotte first).

IH creating his web.

This week we will be constructing our own webs using various iPad apps as well as craft materials. We will also be creating visual representations of the 4 main settings from the story: barn, Arable's Farm, Zuckerman's Farm, and the county fair.

On a side note, today Charlotte's Web turns 60!! "Sixty years ago, the book Charlotte's Web first appeared in print. This children's classic is often seen as a story of a spider and a pig. But when E.B. White recorded a narration of the book, he said something different: "This is a story of the barn. I wrote it for children, and to amuse myself." NPR Staff 10/15/2012

Global Read Aloud ~ Week 1 Review

Abilipad screenshot

This past week was the official beginning of the Global Read Aloud event. We reviewed Chapters 1-4 as we had started reading the book a little ahead of schedule. As we reviewed the chapters, we also discussed the characters and settings again. The students then chose their favorite character from the first four chapters. On Wednesday, the students colored in their favorite character and practiced reading the sentence "My favorite character in Charlotte's Web is [insert character]." using a variety of AAC options to read the sentence. The students had the option of using a Big Mack (single message voice output device) and an iPad using 2 voice output apps: Answers Yes/No and Abilipad. 

Answers Yes/No screenshot

On Friday (after an initial Skype malfunction on Thursday), Room 220 was about to video conference with our Room 5 Friends from Cleveland. This was the first time we were successful at "Skyping" another classroom. I think the students were a little taken back by the fact that we were looking into another classroom on the SmartBoard, but on the whole they did well. Each student had a chance to tell their favorite character and we also exchanged a couple of other questions, such as if we were enjoying the book and what's the weather like.


Who is your favorite character in Charlotte's Web?? Please leave your answer in the comments section! It would be also great if you left your location so that we can see who has been visiting and reading our posts.


Check out our pictures of your favorite characters. 

HM chose Wilbur, KB chose the goose

DJ chose Wilbur, AH chose Mr. Arable, IH chose the goose

Ready, Set....READ!

Tomorrow is the beginning of the Global Read Aloud project. Our classroom will be participating in activities relating to the book Charlotte's Web. If you would like to know more about the Global Read Aloud, search this blog or click on the #GLRead12 tags for previous posts about the project.

In preparation for the Global Read Aloud, we have already started reading the book. We will continue to read on with the book, but we will be reviewing the chapters to follow the Global Read Aloud schedule. This week we will focus on Chapters 1-4 and discussing characters and setting for these chapters. The students will choose their favorite character and prepare for a Skype event with our Room 5 Friends from Cleveland, a classroom very similar to ours.

As part of this global event, we will also be sharing some of our projects on twitter to allow our audience to reach outside of Cincinnati. If you are on twitter, follow me @teachwtechbrox.  We will tweet from my account using #EVRM220 and #GLRead12 to share projects, blog posts, and our connections as we participate in this project.

Additional information about the Global Read Aloud will be sent home this week along with a copy of Charlotte's Web, visuals from class, and a "Read and Respond" homework to be completed nightly. Lesson information can be found on the lesson plan page.

Thanks in advance for supporting this project!! The students have already done very well with identifying characters and setting!! If you have any questions, let me know!

#GLRead12 ~ The Global Read Aloud 2012

Here is a quick video that provides a brief history of The Global Read Aloud 2012 and well as shows the books begin read aloud this year: Charlotte's Web and The One and Only Ivan.

We made it!!

We made it through the first full week of school!! 

The students (and teachers) handled the change in classroom routine well. I think the half day Kindergarteners are still trying to figure out while they are at school so long; however, they are getting used to the day. The request of "go to the bus" is getting a little later each day. We will be starting individual schedules as well as a class schedule this week so that should help with transitions.

In the afternoons this week, we will be starting our "rotation" schedule. For those of you who could not attend the curriculum night, the students will be a part of a rotation schedule where they will visit different classrooms for reading, fine motor, and gross motor activities. This is the first time that we have tried something like this so bear with us as we tweak the schedule. I think it has the possibility to create some great learning opportunities for the students! I am pretty excited about it!

Keep a lookout for homework! Please send homework back by the due date (sometimes the next day) so that students get their homework points.

This week, we will be starting to read Charlotte's Web in preparation for the Global Read Aloud event in October. Keep an eye out for activities relating to Charlotte's Web as well as homework to review our reading for the day. I will also be adding a Charlotte's Web tab at the top of the blog which will be the "go to" place for information about the book.

Lastly, I ask that your child wear gym shoes each day. We do a lot of gross motor activities within the classroom and in motor room. Gym shoes provide better support as well as are safer options during gross motor activities. We will also be going outside to work on safely accessing the playground equipment. Gyms shoes are a MUST on the playground due to the uneven surfaces and the mulch. Thanks for your cooperation with this matter!

If you have any questions, please call or email!!
Thanks!
~Melanie

Global Read Aloud 2012

Global Read Aloud 2012 ~ featuring Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Photo Credit ~ Wikispaces

I am very excited to have the class signed up to participate in our first Global Read Aloud. 

Now, I know what you are thinking, 

What is the Global Read Aloud?? 

The Global Read Aloud was founded a few years ago by Mrs. Ripp. It is an international literacy project in it’s third year. On her blog, Mrs. Ripp describes the reason behind this project: 

“I founded the project because I believe books are powerful. Books, by themselves, spellbind people, particularly children and allow them to travel to new places. Books become such a personal experience that to take a book and have children listen to it around the world at the same time, could open up the world. They would understand that the experience they were having with the book was perhaps the same experience as another child in another place was having. My students understand through this project that they are part of something bigger, that other kids were just like them even if they were so far apart. Even if the sun didn’t rise at the same time or the seasons were opposite, they were the same because they loved the same book.”

I was intrigued to be a part this project after a fellow teacher, Ms. Kolis (@Room5Friends), told me about the experience with her classroom last year. I am very excited to have the students participate in an event that will allow them to showcase the great things we do here at Evendale. I am also excited to get our classroom connected to students from across the globe. Last year, we connected with students from New Zealand and the student enjoyed learning about the culture of the students. The Global Read Aloud will provide us with yet another opportunity to learn from and about others.

Photo Credit ~ Coloring Pages for Kids

Here are the specifics about The Global Read Aloud. This year’s book selection for the younger elementary students is Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. The project officially begins October 1st and will run 4-7 weeks. An international group of teachers are currently in the planning process for the 4 weeks of lessons. I will modify the lessons and the timeline to fit the need and abilities of the class as well as organize additional resources as needed. During this project, we will use a variety of technology tools to engage in the book, collaborate with other classes, participate in discussions, and create projects revolving around the book. Some of the websites/technology tools that we will be using for this project will be the classroom blog, edmodo, twitter, and wikispaces.

Most of the project will take place at school; however, I will also be asking you to complete some activities at home. I will be posting information to the class blog about our activities as well as the Global Read Aloud in general. I encourage you review the blog posting and engage your child in discussions about the book. It would be a great idea to get a copy of the book to also read at home with your child. As I create modified curriculum materials for the book (such as visuals, flashcards), I can also provide you with copies for home as well. When checking out the classroom blog, you can easily find the Global Read Aloud postings by searching the tags “Global Read Aloud”, “#GLRead12”, or “Charlotte’s Web”.

Photo Credit ~ Coloring Pages for Kids

Thanks in advance for your support and cooperation as we take part in this amazing international literacy project! If you have any questions, please feel free to email or post a comment. If you are interested in volunteering to help with part of the project, let me know that as well. I’m sure we can find a way to help you get involved.


Are you a special education teacher participating in the #GLRead12? I would love to connect our classrooms. Leave a comment or find me on twitter (@teachwtechbrox).

~Melanie