I work with three guided reading groups and many of the children ask me to recommend books to read. Sometimes they ask me where can they find a (put any noun, adjective, or verb here) book? I try to offer suggestions that fit their interests or personalities but once in a while my mind will blank. I can search the online catalog but I know it would be great for the children to know how to use the online catalog themselves. In addition, if they forget, a tutorial would be available that can assist them, even at home. Therefore, my learning project is teaching children to be self-sufficient in selecting their reading material.
My Essential Question is: How can I use technology to promote student reading and increase their background knowledge?
The Learning Project correlates with my essential through the promotion of student reading. When every book that a child reads is chosen or recommended for them by teachers or parents, children can lose the self-motivation to read. I want children to be able to view the availability of books in their area or areas of interest and the opportunity to select a book that they want to read. Choice is very important in the encouragement of independent reading.
The lesson and tutorial will be delivered initially to the 2nd grade students but the tutorial will be available for students of all ages. The lesson will occur in the elementary school media center.
The instructional objective will be for the 2nd grade students to become self-sufficient in using the online catalog for individual book selection.
Per the American Association of School Librarians, Standards for the 21st-Century Learner will be: 4.4.1 Identify own areas of interest.