We are in our second year of creating a 'Culture where READERS are Reading' at Hopewell. Our students are familiar with the phrase and are definitely able to discuss with others what this means. They regularly look at the Hopewell Destiny Quest top 10 list. We are beginning to work together to talk about books that move us, change us and take us to different places in time.
However, I've been concerned that we are missing students. Some still get by with just checking out books, carrying them out of the library, returning them and repeating the process. I know that not all kids are finding what they need and want. As much as I hate to admit it, there isn't enough one-on-one time with students to help them.
I love my books, as well as technology, and I'm always on the lookout for tools that will advance thinking and collaboration. Hence…Adobe Voice. I discovered the app over the summer and fell in love. So many templates and options. You can easily incorporate music, images and text. The audio is outstanding. So, I started thinking…how can we use this app to help students?
When I promote books by reading out loud, it has always worked to find that cliffhanger part in the story that leaves them wondering "What will happen next?" Magically, the book always gets checked out. So I thought why not use Adobe Voice to promote these audio book trailers? I read a short passage from the book, added the book cover image, some background music and posted the 'adobe voice story' on our web site. The whole process took me less than 5 minutes.
After showing students what I'd posted, they were intrigued. A few kids started coming in on their own because they wanted to promote books they felt others should know about. It's taken off like wildfire. All 4th and 5th graders have been asked to share a great book by finding that perfect passage, and then recording it via Adobe Voice. It is so easy, and they are having a blast.
With the goal of helping others around the world find great books to read, I'm posting our students' work on the Hopewell Library website as well as tweeting to our followers. Our students are now motivated to finish their books and record, and I haven't seen this much enthusiasm in a long time.
I'm not sure why, but I believe this process has given students the opportunity to have a voice about what they are reading in a personal, yet powerful way. Through social media they've been able to connect with important people, with authors definitely at the top of the list, who are affirming their work. It is magical. I'm excited about where this might go, and how students continue to see the power of creating a Culture of Readers.
However, I've been concerned that we are missing students. Some still get by with just checking out books, carrying them out of the library, returning them and repeating the process. I know that not all kids are finding what they need and want. As much as I hate to admit it, there isn't enough one-on-one time with students to help them.
I love my books, as well as technology, and I'm always on the lookout for tools that will advance thinking and collaboration. Hence…Adobe Voice. I discovered the app over the summer and fell in love. So many templates and options. You can easily incorporate music, images and text. The audio is outstanding. So, I started thinking…how can we use this app to help students?
When I promote books by reading out loud, it has always worked to find that cliffhanger part in the story that leaves them wondering "What will happen next?" Magically, the book always gets checked out. So I thought why not use Adobe Voice to promote these audio book trailers? I read a short passage from the book, added the book cover image, some background music and posted the 'adobe voice story' on our web site. The whole process took me less than 5 minutes.
After showing students what I'd posted, they were intrigued. A few kids started coming in on their own because they wanted to promote books they felt others should know about. It's taken off like wildfire. All 4th and 5th graders have been asked to share a great book by finding that perfect passage, and then recording it via Adobe Voice. It is so easy, and they are having a blast.
With the goal of helping others around the world find great books to read, I'm posting our students' work on the Hopewell Library website as well as tweeting to our followers. Our students are now motivated to finish their books and record, and I haven't seen this much enthusiasm in a long time.
I'm not sure why, but I believe this process has given students the opportunity to have a voice about what they are reading in a personal, yet powerful way. Through social media they've been able to connect with important people, with authors definitely at the top of the list, who are affirming their work. It is magical. I'm excited about where this might go, and how students continue to see the power of creating a Culture of Readers.