Colonnese,+Patricia

Dear Principal, I have been studying about blogs and wikis in school and think it is a wonderful opportunity to apply what I have learned with our students. I am taking the approach of do it first and ask forgiveness later. I have created a wiki for all of our students in 4th grade. I have collaborated with the fourth grade teachers on a project where the students will be participating in an author study. The children are very excited about doing the research in books, and on the internet, in particular using the author’s website. At this time, the students have selected their author. I recorded their initial author selection and posted it to the 4th grade author wiki. All the students in 4th grade will be able to share with each other what the students have learned about their author. It can be a valuable resource used for many years to come. Our next step is the research which the students are doing now during library period. The students will create a report on their author. Their report will be videotaped as they present it and posted to the wiki like a news cast of their favorite author. I presented this plan at the PTA meeting last week and the parents were all very receptive. If you would like to see how we are progressing, please take a look at our author wiki at http://4thgradeauthorstudy.wikispaces.com/ Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.


 * Unit Lesson Plan**


 * Library Media Specialist**
 * Audience 4th grade – 78 students -3 classes meet for 40 minutes each once a week. Class time includes about fifteen minutes to take out books. (Fixed schedule in the library)**
 * Unit Title: Podcasts, Wikis, Blogs and Videos with our author study**

[|**http://feslmc.blogspot.com/**]

**http://4thgradeauthorstudy.wikispaces.com/**

This unit was developed in collaboration with fourth grade teachers in order to learn research skills, in particular note taking and to improve their writing and presentation skills while using web 2.0 technologies to enhance their learning. The original plan was to create a report or poster board but with such interest in the podcasts got changed to blogs and wiki’s too. Students will gain research experience including note taking experience learning about their author. Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively. Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology 
 * Rationale:**
 * Objectives**:

Identifies a variety of potential sources of information. Develops and uses successful strategies for locating information. Evaluates information critically and competently. Selects information appropriate to the problem or question at hand. Uses information accurately and creatively Produces and communicates information and ideas in appropriate formats Pursues information related to personal interests. Appreciates literature and other creative expressions of information. Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
 * Standards:**

P**re-Assessment**: What do you know about Jeff Kinney or Rick Riordan? Do we know where they grew up or went to school? Do you think they always wanted to be an author or did they start out working as a marine biologist? What influenced them? What inspired them to be a writer? How did they develop the characters in their books? For example, “good evening, my name is John and I am here to talk to you about a great author. J. K. Rowling. She was born in England and ……. Students write report and type report into word processing. It is then copied and pasted to blog. Students come to library to be videotaped and post to wiki. (by arrangement) Student will record selection of author and reason for choosing author on podcast 10 pts Student will listen to podcast for entire class 5 pts Students will create 5 note cards with key words information needed 10 pts Student will use at least two resources to complete assignment 10 pts Student will write report using all information on note cards with correct punctuation and grammar. 10 pts Student will type report into word processing and spell check for accuracy 10 pts Student will copy and paste word document to FESLMC blog with report. 5 pts Student will be videotaped using same report for use in wiki. 10 pts Student will explore peer work on blog and wiki 10 pts Student will write reflection on their use of blogs, wikis, podcasts and videos in fourth grade 30 pts
 * Student Tasks** Students will choose their favorite author. Students will record selection of author which will be posted to wiki. Student will complete research including note taking about author, answering specific question on index cards. Students will research using at least two sources using book jackets and websites including the author website if available. Students will record information on index cards. Students will organize notes and write draft report of their findings. Final copy will be typed into word processing. Students will copy and paste to FESLMC blog. Students will videotape their broadcast report of author study. Video will be posted to wiki. Students will explore blogs and wikis for author information.
 * Unit Initiation**: I showed the student a picture of myself with Brian Selznick. I got some wows and some asking if he was my husband. I explained how I went to a town program called” One Book one Town” and Brian came to speak about his book “The invention of Hugo Cabret” I showed the picture of Brian in his gold pointy boots. I explained how I got their early and sat in the front seat and was able to shake his hand and was completely mesmerized for two hours as he talked about himself, his book, and inspiration and influence. It was the most fascinating event that I have been to in a while with an auditorium of over one thousand people young and old attending. I show the book to the students and booktalk the book. Who is your favorite author? Do you know anything about J. K. Rowling? Do you think she always had an easy life?
 * This unit is an author study for 4th grade students. The lessons are divided as follows**
 * Lesson 1** - Explain the author study and be prepared to record who they will study and record into podcast. Discuss outline for wiki which will be used to post videos and blog to post report. Show examples of blog and wiki. All directions for the author study will be posted weekly on the wiki.
 * Lesson 2** - Students record for podcast what author they selected and why they selected the author. Recordings are posted by teacher into a wiki and reviewed with the students the following week. Class develops questions and identifies key word for questions for note cards.
 * Lesson 3-5** Students research information on their author – details were posted on the wiki and explained as they record information on 4-5 index cards. This includes 1) life/background 2)/education, 3) inspiration/influence, 4) books/awards 5) other interesting facts 6) resources used.
 * At least one session is in the library using books and another session or two in the computer lab**
 * Students use at least two resources including books and author website.**
 * Lesson 6 Students** write report using all notes (notes are complete sentences) Their report is created as if a news broadcast for recording. It will be posted to the blog and also used for broadcast to video.
 * Lesson 8-9** Students are videotaped of broadcasts and all posted on the wiki by class for all students to share. Students can continue to comment on blog……. Additional time will be needed to work out the quirks and get the webcams set up for students in a very quiet environment.
 * Lesson 10** Final class - Show students how to access student work. The student work will be posted on the FESblog for sharing and available for viewing on the wiki.
 * Materials needed:** Computer, blog, wiki, webcam device, recorder for podcasts. Computers with word processing, overhead internet projection
 * Rubric**

On a scale of 1-5 circle the answer that best describes how you worked on this project My effort on the project was a 5 4 3 2 1 My enjoyment of the project was a 5 4 3 2 1 I learned a lot 5 4 3 2 1 What would I change?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What grade do you feel you deserve?
 * Self Evaluation:**
 * Students will answer the following question with 5 (high) to 1 (low**)


 * Differentiated Instruction**: In collaboration with the classroom teacher, it will be determined whether a report, posterboard or other materials is needed for special needs students . Support for typing per requested. Alternative presentation materials provided as needed.

Tricia Colonnese