While one of the natural roles of the Learning Resources Teacher is as librarian, it does extends beyond that. In addition to encouraging and supporting young children as readers, helping them become familiar with how to access, and use a variety of digital resources is also part of what I get to do.
So on Tuesday I had some eager Grade two students when they heard that creating a book together was planned for their Library period.
I first modelled how I used the app Bookabi (more on that in "Apps and Such") to put together a short story using images already in my camera roll in the IPad along with the features of the app... a pose-able character and speech balloons. (They clapped...how thoughtful!)
Both classes were full of ideas for their book and insisted that the setting be in the Resource Center. : ) From there we planned together what the main story line would be and what pictures would be necessary to support the text.
Outlining a story with a clear purpose, organizing the piece from beginning to end and choosing how to present visually are integrated differently when working in a digital medium rather than writing on paper. This digital writing is a skill that is included in our Language Arts curriculum and throughout the subject areas. Learning how to be successful with the composing features of different types of technology is essential for future success. And it engages our students in the learning process to boot!
I first modelled how I used the app Bookabi (more on that in "Apps and Such") to put together a short story using images already in my camera roll in the IPad along with the features of the app... a pose-able character and speech balloons. (They clapped...how thoughtful!)
Both classes were full of ideas for their book and insisted that the setting be in the Resource Center. : ) From there we planned together what the main story line would be and what pictures would be necessary to support the text.
Outlining a story with a clear purpose, organizing the piece from beginning to end and choosing how to present visually are integrated differently when working in a digital medium rather than writing on paper. This digital writing is a skill that is included in our Language Arts curriculum and throughout the subject areas. Learning how to be successful with the composing features of different types of technology is essential for future success. And it engages our students in the learning process to boot!
The results? Mrs. Callahan's class came up with a delightful short story called "Don't Judge the Book by its Cover", a message I try to impart when they are selecting something to read! The book created with Mrs. Short's class, "The Library Book" centered around what would happen if a student accidentally tore a book. Hopefully the tape in the young main character's hands hints at how it ends!