Listen to Reading Centers
August 18, 2016
For those of you wishing to add listening centers to your reading rotations – or those of you looking to spice up the ones you already have – I wanted to share that there is a collection of task cards that will link your students to sites where stories are read aloud. All you need is an iPad with a QR code reader. (If you don’t have one, please see me about which app to ask for. Some are much easier than others and I definitely have a preference!) You’ll find the cards in the Book Room on rings. You can sign out the rings with your clothespin. I clipped them in small-ish groups for several reasons. First, I wanted to maximize the number of people who could use them. Second, I didn’t want the kids to get so many at once they were overwhelmed or felt like they had to look at a little bit of each one before they could settle in and actually listen to one. And finally, not to wish any harm on the cards, but in the event that something unforeseen happens to the cards you borrowed, only a few cards will be out of service.
I’m happy to demonstrate the cards for you if you would like some guidance. I’ve tried to include a variety so there should be something for everyone.
PS – no worries if anything happens. I can print another set easily. Just let me know.
My Secret Plan
August 18, 2016
It’s probably not much of a secret that I love QR codes. My secret plan for this year is to make some Listen to Reading Center cards of our own. I’m not sure how that will work out, but at some point I would like to “borrow” some older, more experienced readers, have them practice reading a book until they’re experts at the expressions, speed, and everything else, then record them reading the book. I can turn that into a card with a QR code that students can scan and enjoy in no time!
So, if you teach older students, please know that there will come a time when I ask to borrow some of your students for a reading project.
If you teach beginning readers (or readers who are striving to build skills), please think about books you’d like to have recorded. You can choose regular trade books, or you can choose the readers that came with your reading series – whatever would be the most help to you. When I close my eyes, I picture students holding the real book you selected and following along as they listen to the recording they access through the QR code.
