Newport PD: Wikis and Blogs (11-4-08)

Here are some resources for later reference:

Create a wiki:
http://www.wikispaces.com/site/for/teachers Free wikis for teachers (no ads!)
http://pbwiki.com/academic.wiki Free

Browse Blogs:
http://www.bloglines.com

Create a blog:
http://www.blogger.com
http://edublogs.org

Learn more about wikis:
http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2007/09/12/02wiki.h01.html Article on using wikis in education – great article

http://www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis-plain-english Online video- Wikis in Plain English

Examples of great wikis and blogs:

http://scienceinquirer.wikispaces.com/freestuff For all high school Science Teachers to share with each other

http://dorman-data-digest.wikispaces.com/ High School Social Studies

http://bishopblogs.wikispaces.com/page/diff/home/6816195 High School Wiki

http://room2-wiki6.wikispaces.com/ Elementary (gr.1-2) Dinosaur Wiki

http://bobsprankle.com/blog/ Elementary Classroom Blog

http://roosterreaders.blogspot.com/ Elementary- RI Children's Book Award Blog

http://westwood.wikispaces.com/ Westwood Schools District Wiki (detailed)

For a copy of today's handout, click this link

March Into Reading: May the Learning March On

A bit of background for those outside Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth: Yesterday and today, our island participated in "March Into Reading", a celebration of literacy. Friday, many authors and illustrators traversed the island, speaking to students in schools all over Aquidneck Island. The students' enthusiasm for the visitors was palpable (one author told me she felt like a rock star), and the talented professionals shared their love of literacy, through the writing and illustrating processes. Today (Saturday), local families were encouraged to attend the free "March Into Reading" event at Salve Regina University, featuring six of the authors/illustrators who visited schools on Friday. All six writers/artists also had books to sell, and signed books and other items. Three of them gave presentations in a lecture hall as well.

My question: How can we keep this momentum going?

At Sullivan, the reading specialists approached me and asked if we could use Jerry Pallotta's presentation as a launching pad for a school-wide nonfiction unit. Hooray! Using his numerous alphabet books as examples, we'll read to classes and motivate students in each class to create alphabet books on a curriculum-related topic. Of course, we will be collaborating with classroom teachers in this regard. We have yet to determine the format (PowerPoint, paper books, illustrations done during art class?) and might differentiate the format per grade level, or even within classrooms. The books will be shared in some sort of community assembly or forum, also yet to be determined. While we have some work to do before we start the unit next week, we are inspired!