How to Use the Book Blog as a Literacy Center

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Recently, a teacher asked me how to use this blog as a reading & writing center. First, I encourage teachers to browse the blog and experiment with some of the options before presenting it to your students. When you're ready to try it as an independent or guided center, here are some ways to use it in your classroom!

Primary:

• Locate books from your classroom library on the blog.
• Comment with one thing you know about the book.
• Summarize the plot in the comments section of a book post.
• Visit Book Adventure (see "Links for Readers"), create an account & take quizzes to earn rewards for books you've found & read from the blog.

Intermediate:

• For weekly homework, comment on at least one book & respond to at least one post of someone else's.
• Request your favorite books to be added.
• Reward fast finishers with time on the blog for browsing, reading summaries or commenting on posts.
• Ask students to write on the blog instead of writing a book report.
• Students can post graphic organizers (such as story maps) directly to the blog using bubbl.us (a free web version of Inspiration/Kidspiration).
• Use "Links for Readers" for creative project alternatives.

High School/College:

• Use the blog as a form of literary social media - encourage discussions, dissension, critiques, chatting (on topic, of course). Students can connect their comments to their other online profiles using OpenID or Google accounts.
• Use "Links for Readers" for creative project alternatives: try Glogster instead of a triboard for presentations, use Capzles to create more lively timelines, encourage peer and self-reflection with VoiceThread and allow students to report on books or events via Animoto.
• Request any book you need to complete a project or report & it will be added to the blog within 48 hours.

Thanks & enjoy!