On-line Curriculum...The New Frontier.

Next year the sixth grade language arts and social studies teachers in the Snoqualmie Valley will be using a new curriculum. After reviewing it, one of the features that struck me the most is it's online component; it seems to have endless avenues to engage students in reading, writing, and critical thinking. Not has curriculum gone digital, the makers of curriculum are forced to make their content interactive. Technology is moving fast, at times it seems overwhelming, however, the beat of the tech drum will continue on. As a teacher we have to learn to dance, or be in danger of being "out of touch" with our pupils. With that said, I do plan to continue to incorporate paperback novels, if only for nostalgic purposes.    

Book Trailers



Has anyone ever done student book trailers?  I was thinking of trying to create an assignment next year that incorporates having students create a book trailer in video format.  The idea is for students to read a book and create a book trailer video on the book...kinda like a review.  I'm wondering if there are any good apps available that would be useful and also wondering if for 6th grade, this might be better done in small groups.  Please chime in on thoughts...would this be something we could do at the end of the year with our literature circles maybe?

E-Readers





Teacher seeking wisdom...please comment.


With our new LA curriculum adoption and the novels that will be needed to go along with it, I am wondering if E-Readers would be worth looking into?  I'm not one that enjoys reading on an electronic device, but I know most of my students have books on their phones or other electronic devices.  Not sure if it would save money in the long run or not...but am wondering if we made it a requirement for each student to have as a middle school student, would it reduce costs for book purchases in the long run and also be more user friendly for the student?
Just wondering....