A couple of the teachers at my school have enlisted Lan Cao, the author of Monkey Bridge, to participate with their students in a Weblog discussion of the book. It’s along the lines of my Secret Life of Bees project last year. I still think this is one of the best classroom uses of Weblogs, bringing in authors and writers and experts from outside the class walls to work with students as everyone else gets to follow along. I know I haven’t written much about it, but my student who is working with the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist is having such a great experience. If you check out her site, click on the discuss links to see what he’s been writing. I’m learning a few things myself, and that is very, very cool.
This is terrific! I agree that weblog discussion of books is one of the best classroom uses of weblogs! Plus, the discussion betweeen Meredith and Scott Higham is the best. Just think, it we could find mentors like that for all our students! Wow! All your hard work (especially at the beach) is paying off! Keep it up!
Anne
Hey Will! I am sitting her with Kim Henry, a 4th grade teacher in Galloway Township, a nearby district. She contacted me about a possible blog collaboration with a school in Texas. Galloway wants to try Manilla – she has a tentative OK from their tech people – and we are sitting here talking about how to get started.
The book they are reading is called: “Sarah Plain and Tall.” She already has at least two possible partners, and we are pretty sure they are new to blogging also.
So … where do we begin? I’m guessing they should download and install the free trial and get busy.
Kim (and her team) is very excited about this technology and how they might replicate your Secret Life of Bees experience.
Are you still buried with the tech plan? Email me…
-kj-