ACTIVITY 1  SUMMARY  SITE     "Read,Read, Read"


LESSON PLAN FORMAT

OBJECTIVE :  The purpose of  the networking project "Read, Read, Read" is to inspire elementary school students to read by having teachers, authors, and students to share their favorite books and ideas. Students will create and share an original "face"book of their own favorite book to share.


MATERIALS :  The following materials were used in this project :
 1.Moodle -  
http://cterhost.ed.uiuc.edu/moodle/course/view.php?id=153    
   2.
  Blog spot.com  Blog on collaborative reading
  3. Global School Net registration
  4. E-mail
  5.UIC CTER Listserv
  6."Face" Books
  7.Digital camera


PROCEDURE FOLLOWED : The following is the step by step procedure followed :
   1. Moodle set
       a.First section
          1. Teachers share favorite books and ideas in blog.  http://aharty2blogspot.com
          2.  Link to web site listing the top 100 Childrens books according to NEA Educators.
        b.Second Section
           1. Students share their original "Face"book creation by having their teacher take a digital picture to post. Teachers forward pictures and will be posted on the moodle.
           2. Link to NEA list of top 100 Childrens books recommended by kids.
         c.Third Section
            1. Link to what favorite authors liked to read as children.
            2. Famous Authors share their favorite childhood books.
         d. Fourth Section
            1. Famous CTER students share their favorite childhood books via e-mail which is then posted on the moodle.
            2. Famous CTER students reflect on others book choices.
     
      2.  Project listed on the web
           a. Post on Blogspot asking for people to participate in collaborative reading project.
           b. Joined Global Network looking for  participants in collaborative reading project.
           c. Posted project on IECC - International listing for projects  
      

       3. E-mail
            a. E-mailed the specifics of projects to teachers .
                1. Purpose
                2. Contact Information of Project Coordinator
                    a.Name - Ann Harty
                    b.E-mail address- AHarty008@aol.com
                    c. School -  Pope John Paul II
                                       4325 s Richmmond
                                        Chicago, Il 60632
                                        773-523-6161
                    d. Grades-  Pk- 8th
                 3. Directions on how to create a "Face"book
                 4. Directions on size of digital pictures and where to e-mail same.
                 5. Explain Moodle format to be used to post results.
            b. Obtain list of teacher's e mails.

          4. Famous Authors
              a. Searched internet for contacts for famous authors.
              b. Sent e-mail  to authors requesting their favorite childhood book and explaining the project of trying to inspire kids to read. Responses will be posted on Moodle.


          5.  Famous CTER Students
               a. Use UIC Listserv to contact CTER students to send their favorite childhood books that will be posted in moodle.
               b. Famous CTER students post their comments on others choices.

OUTCOME
1. I found the e-mail response to be the most successful. I used the Archdiocese e-mail and my own local school e-mail. Most of the responses I received was through  e-mail .

2. Because of summer vacation, I was
lucky to involve  three classes in the project. The classes involved were a 7th  grade   Title 1 summer session, first and second grade  explorer class and a 5th grade special education class. These classes provided the feed back on the "face"books. The teachers of these classes said that the students were very excited about making these "face"books and sharing their choices. Because of time constraint the first and second graders chose one book that they liked "Miss Nelson Is Missing" and made a poster to share. On the whole the students and teachers liked this project and were looking forward to seeing their work on the finished moodle.        

3.The teachers liked using the direct link to the blog. I didn't receive the expected response probably because that it is summer vacation. To be able to blog directly was easier than e-mailing because the comments were there for everyone to see and reflect  on.

4.  The only response I received from Famous author section was from Stephen White. He sent a wikipedia page on his favorite childhood author. I am hoping to receive more responses to post.

5. Posting for participants on the networking sites did not have the success I thought it would. Part of the problem was that it was summer vacation. I also think that some educators are not aware of the wealth of collaborative projects that are available to create or join. When researching on such sites as Global Network I was surpised that many interesting projects existed. I think as technology is incorporated  into the classroom more  networking projects will expand and become more successful.

6. One of the principals that responded thought it was a viable project but she wanted to know the legalities.Would students names or pictures be used? Would the moodle be for the general population or password protected? Do we need a permission slip for the students to participate? Do the parents have to sign a release form? I didn't use students names. The moodle would need a password. The student's" face"book, covers their face so they
wouldn't be seen on the internet. The classes I dealt with in the project had received the principal's permission. The teachers that blogged did not use their names only initials. For future use,  I would have to research the legal issues.
 
7. The use of the UIC Listserv was very successful. Having an audience interested in a collaborative project is a plus for the project's success. I used this section because the very set up of our class is geared toward collaborative learning and sharing ideas with each other. A big thank you to those who helped.

 8. I will definitely continue the project in the fall.  When school is in session the response should be greater. I was encouraged by teachers responses that the students were very excited about creating their "face"books. I learned that networking involves many steps but it has a great potential for a positive learning experience.