I found a combination that is better than peanut butter and chocolate. We took our class wikipage and combined it with journals students write about fictional books. Then we added a table to log daily reading. When you put it together you have online book journals.
Each student has their own page. Each day after Sustained Silent Reading (SSR), they have a few minutes to write in their journal. On some days, they have an assigned topic. This usually relates to the topic of the day and will also be discussed during writing assignments, read aloud, and Study Island.
Recently we focused on making predictions. The assignment for students was to write about what they thought might happen in the future in their SSR book. Here are some examples of their work.
Sarah said
11/7/08 Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire
I predict that Harry will have to fight a Chinese fireball dragon for his first task in the torment because a lot of bad things have been happening to Harry. Like a reporter came to the school and said bad things about Harry in a really BIG newspaper. I think Ron and Harry will start talking to each other again because Hermione has tried to persuade them to try to talk to each other. I hope so. The book is really weird without Ron in the book. It's like he's not even there.
I predict that Harry will have to fight a Chinese fireball dragon for his first task in the torment because a lot of bad things have been happening to Harry. Like a reporter came to the school and said bad things about Harry in a really BIG newspaper. I think Ron and Harry will start talking to each other again because Hermione has tried to persuade them to try to talk to each other. I hope so. The book is really weird without Ron in the book. It's like he's not even there.
Desire' said
11/7/08 - Warriors
I predict that Rusty will get into many fights with the other Clans. I also think that Rusty will not have the Warrior blood to become a warrior in the Thunder Clan. But I am only on page 30. Rusty is just a kittypet who has lived in a Twoleg place his whole life and has never stepped foot off of his garden post. That is why I don't think Rusty would make a very good Warrior.
I predict that Rusty will get into many fights with the other Clans. I also think that Rusty will not have the Warrior blood to become a warrior in the Thunder Clan. But I am only on page 30. Rusty is just a kittypet who has lived in a Twoleg place his whole life and has never stepped foot off of his garden post. That is why I don't think Rusty would make a very good Warrior.
Makayla said
11/7/08-Something Upstairs is really a good book. What I read today is that Kenny is going to help Caleb find his murderer. Then he told Caleb that he is not real sure if he's going to help. I predict that he is going to help. Then they both can prevent Caleb's death from happening. I think that Kenny should help Caleb. Then I'm not real sure he should go back in time again. I think he should probably stick with the library. I don't think he will though. I would help Caleb just because he was a slave and if he helps he could prevent it all from happening. He could change Caleb's history. I also predict that Kenny won't move for a couple of years. He's probably going to live there for three or four years.
This online journal keeps a running record of what books students read, how long they read, how many pages they read, and their thoughts about books. It is also a great way for me to assess their comprehension of their book, read about their thoughts, ideas and opinions, and comment on them. Although we have just started this process, I am already seeing significant benefits.
Posts
38 comments:
Hey Mr.McGuire Laney here I just wanted to check out your blog. I am doing great here in the 7th grade it is hard but fun. So the book I am reading wright now is identity I am sure you know that book because you have read it to us well I hope I see you soon!!!!
laney
I like journalling on line because you get to tell how you felt in your book. Then you don't have to wait until you get home. If its really exiting just put in your journal so you don't have to wait all day.
Laney,
Thanks for checking back in with us. I am sure you are doing great in Jr. High. Identity is a good book.
Keep in touch!
I like it because it helps me under stand my book better and some times I forget what I read. With the book journals I can go back and read it. Then I remember what I have read the day before.
I think journaling on line is fun but I think we need to have a little more time to read.I think we need more time to read because we can get way more examples of what we need. Other than that I think journaling online is pretty cool but we need more time so we can get more info. out of the book besides no one likes to stop in the middle of a chapter especially if you're getting to a good part of the book.
I like journaling online. Its better than writing it out. I think it's easer to keep track of our reading. It's better because if we lose our reading log its a f. Now it's at school so we can't lose it or for get it.
I think journaling online is a better way to write predictions and other stuff. I like it because people can find the books you're reading and see if they would like to try them out. I also like it because we don't have to write because I like typing. I also like how we use the SSR time on the computer too. Its much better than having to keep track of it on a piece of paper.
I think that the book journal Wikipage is a good way to keep track of things. And if other people read about the book your reading then they probably want to read it.
I love the new online reading logs and the book journals so you can comment on our book journal. You could say "this is a good book" and "I have read it" so we can have something to talk about. It is so easy to just get on the blog and go to the part that says Book Jounal Wikipage then just click your name and you are there you can just start typing.It is just so easy. Thank you Mr.McGuire.
I think that we should have done that in the 5th grade. It really helps me understand it better. I also like how other people can post their opinions on here. I hope we do something like this in 7th grade.
I like journalling because You can talk about your book. I also like it because you can leave a suggestion for a book.
I really like the on line journals It can help kids get ideas for books and maybe they have that book but there not sure they want to read it or not. Also if your reading the same book as someone els on there you can write back and forth and talk about your books. So yes I think Its a good idea to have the on line journals. So thanks for lets us do this and it's a really good idea.
I think the online journal is very fun and helpful. I agree with you Mr. McGuire I think it helps because you can keep track of what you are reading without you having to carry a bunch of papers just to keep track and how long you have been reading. I think its a great idea to have a online journal.
I think online journaling is a good idea. You can read other people's journal without having to go through a bunch of papers. Also having to find people's names, then the journal in word. That stuff is all to confusing. I also like how you have us comment on each others journals. That's a good way for us to to come up with ideas on books to read or even things to write in are journals.
I think the book journals are really good for writing down thoughts because we can write whatever we want most of the time. I think you should do a writing prompt were we have to make a list of the five reasons why someone should read our book. Then we go around the room and look at other book journals and see why we should read their book.The only thing I don't like is that picture of me you put on my journal!
I like the book journal because when I go to write about my book I don't have to keep it locked up inside of me till next week or something. I also like the book journal because a can write out what happened in my book and what will probably happened next.
So far I really like the journal idea. It give teacher a chance to see if your really read or not. The journal is a cool way for you to really understand your book, plus you can look at other peoples writing and ask question, make comments, and even interact with kids in other classes. I really think it's a great Idea. By the way nothing is better than a peanut butter cup!!
I like the journal because then you have a better knowing if we are reading. You can also give us advise like if we should change our book.
I think the wikipage is a good thing for the people that just want to write how good their book is. It is nice being able to talk about a book.
I thank online journaling is going really good. I like it the way it is. Because you can read other people's Blog and see that have to say. I like it because you can find your name easy because it is highlight.
I think that the wikipage is really going great. I think that you came up with a really good idea. I think you could but a place were parents can post about the wikipage on the page were kids write about there books.
I like having the online journal because it is a better place to kept your information. The reason why I think that is because other people can actually see what your are reading and post comments on your journal. It is better then having to keep track of a piece of paper. Now you can't lose your paper because you have a journal. You can still lose your information if you don't save it.
I like the journal because you can put your thoughts down. I also like it because people can read what you read. A good thing to add is a places to talk to anything.
So far I like the book journal. it is great to be able to get our words out and on to paper. Another thing is that kids can what you are reading about. so I hop that we can keep doing this.
Kayla,
Parents can get on your book journal and comment at any time. I hope that some choose to do that.
It is nice being able to talk about a book.
Good point, James. It is also nice to be able to read about different books.:)
I like the reading log online because you get to talk about your book and how you feel about the book you are reading. I am reading a book called Mother, Help Me To Live it is a good book so far. I like that you can get on to others and comment on them too. I like it when people say that they would like to read on of the books that I have wrote about. It also helps you to be a better and faster typer too.
I think that the wikipage is really helping us get our feelings down on paper. Also the wikipage helps our parents know how were doing in school. I really think that this is helping us stay focused and on task. This is really making Language Arts even more funner than before.
I like the Wikipage because it is convenient from the blog. It is cool to because it can help you pick the necks t book you might read. It is like a chat room about books because no one is reading the same book. It is nice to so you can connect online because if you don't have internet you can go to the library .
I like the online journal. I like online journaling because you can express you thoughts and feelings about the book you are reading. People can also get on to your journal and see your comments and that might make the person read your book.
There are somethings I don't like. One thing I don't like is that people can get on to your journal and erase things.
I like the the Idea of us typing or writing about our stories every day. It's cool because we don't have to wait over the weekend to put stuff on the ''Book Journal Wikipage''.Nothing should be changed on it:)
Hi Mr. McGuire i think this is a great idea for us cause we can keep track on are book that we are reading . But i would like if we can get together lets all talk about our book what is going on in are book and have us tell them good details and bad details can we try that maybe it is all up to you cause i am not the teacher . I would like to do that if its thats all right to you . Just tell them about our book,or lets have fun doing it on our blog??? I love my book i am reading it is so cool the book i am reading is fear park the first scream.... Can we try my idea.
I think the book journal is a good idea. I like the book journal because it helps us get down our thoughts when we need to. The only thing that I do not like about it, is that we have to get on it everyday.
Having an online journal is a great idea. Now I have fun telling about my book's.
I like journaling because you can put down your thoughts. I also like that you don't have to write it on paper.
Desire' you said, "One thing I don't like is that people can get on to your journal and erase things."
This is true, but I can go back to the last time you saved your changes, and fix your journal. If something is missing, just let me know and I will fix it.
I think that having a online jounal on the blog is grate. I think this because it is nice to not have to save your work on Word. Then if you want to work on your writing at home, you just get online at home. No flash drives or anything! My mom also likes it because, she can get on and see what my class mates are working on.(Also to see if I am getting any smarter in school or just acting smart.)
I like the book Journal wikipage. I think that it is a chance to write about our book in our own place and to see if anyone really reads. I also think that it was a good idea to put that reading page in to. Now we don't have to worry about carrying a paper around.
Post a Comment