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=The Cricket in Times Square= Mrs. G's 4th Grade Class


 * Virginia Glatzer**
 * PLN 1**
 * April 30, 2012**
 * Final Project**

My final project for PLN 1 is an application of the PLN literacy strategies to a literature unit on __The Cricket in Times Square__ by George Selden. The focus of this project is to make connections between digital tools and literacy strategies in a unit that I taught in third and fourth grades. Using a before/during/after approach to reading the book, my goal is to incorporate digital tools in a manner that is above all, appropriate and engaging. At all times, I am aware never to use technology for the sake of using it. It must only be used where it makes sense. The tools enhance the students’ engagement with the content by building connections and relevance, invoking prior knowledge, and increasing their understanding of the setting. Digital tools include: Students will make meaning of the material by connecting events to their own lives and elaborating upon each other’s ideas. Digital tools include: At the conclusion of each chapter, comprehension will be checked. Choice will be given in regard to assessment. Students will re-visit the text while continuing the story beyond the pages of the book. Digital tools include:
 * BEFORE**
 * //Wikispaces// to build a collaborative team workspace
 * //Animoto// to make slide shows about the setting
 * //SkyDrive// to retrieve images
 * //Google Maps// to map a trip
 * //YouTube// to experience a subway ride
 * DURING**
 * //VoiceThread// to re-visit the text in the early chapters of the book and respond to it orally and in writing
 * //Wikispaces// discussion forums to journal about sounds that have meaning to them and to respond to each other’s ideas
 * //Amazon.com// to make connections between a News/Magazine stand and a virtual magazine stand
 * //Wikispaces// discussion forums to express their reasons for magazine selection in hopes of persuading others to purchase the same magazine and to comment on each other’s selections
 * AFTER**
 * Online comprehension quiz
 * Collaborative writing using a //Google Doc//
 * Choice of creating a video or podcast to persuade others to read the book