From Web 1.0 to Web 2.0

So...this week's focus is on changing a lesson that was originally made using Web 1.0 , or internet activity based on hyperlinks to using Web 2.0, focusing on collaboration and information sharing.

The point of the lesson is to get students more involved and excited about reading.  The original lesson was as follows:

Project Title: Read Me, I'll Read to You!
Category and type: Interpersonal Exchange--Question and Answer Activity
Appropriate Grade Levels: K-5
Brief Description:
At the beginning of March (Read Across America Month) each grade level will choose one children's author to focus on during the month from a set list of authors (This is important as prior approval/permission will be needed).  Throughout the month they will read and discuss a variety of books by that author in read-alouds, small group instruction, and independent reading times. They will also study the author himself (herself).  They will keep track of the books they have read and what they liked/disliked about each one.  At the end of the month the students in each grade level will vote on their favorite book and describe why it was their favorite.  As a culminating activity the author chosen  by each grade level will Skype in to an assembly with all the students in that grade.  He (she) will read an exerpt from the childrens' favorite book and tell them about life as an author.  He (she) will then answer questions children had about the book and about the person.  The students will then write a biography on that author, which will be e-mailed to the author.


To make it more of a web 2.0 project, the school would create a wiki of favorite authors.  Each class would choose a favorite author and do an author study on that person throughout the month of March.  In their wiki students could include biographical information about the author, summaries of the books read, small video clips advertising the books to others (using software such as Frames), character posters (using software such as Pixie), and reading excerpts by creating podcasts of their favorite sections of the books.   Such a project would be an invaluable resource to the school.  It would also really engage students and draw them into the world of reading.