Student Websites 3

Teens @ Random

http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/

Students will be able to use this website in many different ways. It is a website from the publishing company Random House, so any books that they publish is displayed on the screen. The website gives students to have opportunities to look up or check out really good books and books that are in the buzz. On the site there is a place for students to be able to chat and look up different authors. Students are also able to subscribe to free updates on books that can potentially be sent to their mobile device or an email account. On the right side of the site students can read Twitter posts on upcoming author meet and greets and things that are happening in the young adult literature world. I think this would be a great way for students to independently get a new way to look at new release books that they could read. It seems as though the website is very easy to use and students would be able to maneuver around the site. This website might be used to grab the students’ interest of literature in a different approach. In the fun section of the website students are able to play games that relate to the books being “displayed.” Overall, I think students might actually be able to gain some interest from the website and young adult literature.

Time for Kids

http://www.timeforkids.com/

Time for Kids could be used in many different ways. This website is a tool for students to catch-up and research current events. The website has many things the students can do. There are photos and videos the students can watch. The videos and photos that are in this section of the website relates to what is happening in that part of the year. For instance, it is the month of October so there are articles and photos on Halloween around the world, Halloween history, and other videos that relate to campaigns students could potentially help with. Personally, what I like about this website is that has a section on around the world. This section gives students a particular “subject” they can read about. In the classroom I might use this for student to start a research project. Or I might use it to have student complete a current event project. I would use it to start an interest in the topic and they could use the website independently to access. I like that Time offers students a place for homework help too.

            

Inquiry Question 2

Can social medium boost literacy skills in young adult readers?

It is evident young children are aware of the different types of social media. I think most people would agree that children 7-16 at least have heard of Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, blogs, emails, and text messages. All these mediums seem to play an effect on students and literacy. In the article, Can Social Networking Boost Literacy Skills? Written by the Alberta Teacher Association it talks about how there have been many studies indicating that students read more social mediums than they read text while in the classroom. More that 50 per cent of the young adults studied admitted to reading a social medium outside of school on a daily basis. It is important to understand that there is an interest with students reading literature from technology. It does raise another question, are we then worried about what students are reading on these different mediums.

The article also raises the point that with literacy increasing in with social media the involvement of the writing process has also increase. Students who are reading more are feeling more confident in the area of writing. If a student is fluent in reading than the chances of their writing ability is increased. Students are no longer writing long written reports when asked to do so they are now writing emails, forums, texts, and or blogs. The study also showed that students enjoy writing on these networks and there were an increased percentage of students who participated in the classes whom had blogs or some sort of response to make via technology.

After reading the article it was pleasant to see that there is actual data on the amount and increase of students who use social media outside of the classroom. Granted students are no blogging about shoes or how their day was, but in order to have someone follow them they definitely have to read the post before they can correctly relate and leave a message. I also believe students have a boost of literacy due to these different social mediums. Whether this is the way we wanted our future leaders to develop their literacy skills it seems we should embrace the social networking world to help our student become better readers and writers.

Alberto Teacher Association (2010). Can Social Networking Booster Literacy Skills? Retrieved from http://www.teachers.ab.ca/Publications/The%20Learning%20Team/Volume-14/Number-1/Pages/Can-social-networking-boost-literacy-skills.aspx on October 20, 20011.

I have not given nor recieved help on this project.

Student Websites 2

A. Grammar
2. Guide to Grammer and Writing (Capital Community College)
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar
3. This website would be a good resource for students because it gives examples of different aspects of grammar students tend to struggle with. Threre are different choices the students can make in order to look up what they are having difficulty; such as clauses, pronouns, puncuation etc. On the website students are given the definition, example, and how its used. Also, on this website is a section on research and essay writing and paragraph level. There is also a quiz section at the end of each area of English. After reading the information the student is looking up a short quiz is offered. Overall, students would be able to use this website as a resource for when they come across something and they need a quick and easy way to look it up. The way the information on the website is set-up is easy to manuever and students would be able to independently use this website.

                                                       

A. Grammar
2. Info Please- Homework Center
http://www.infoplease.com/homework/english-grammar-spelling.html
3. Students would use this website as a reference. There are different parts of English students can look up. When students make a choice on the  part of English they are looking up there is a definition and then examples. The website is geared toward grammar, but it gives a guide to style and parts of speech. The website is easy to use and student friendly. There are quizzes on the website for students to "test" what they read and learned. The information on the website is a great tool for students to use when they are unaware of the meaning or usage of grammar. A great tool when peer editing or writing a draft.

Inquiry Post- Discussion Topics

Katie- Affects of society and social media on YAL

Beth- Use of YAL outside the content area

Matt- Use of YAL inside the content area

Inquiry Project Question 1

The question that I want to pose is: Does society effect young adult literature being read?


I personally believe over the years the way adolescents look at life has changed dramatically. It seems as though teens no longer see the world as wholesome, but more in a darker view. Teens are no longer worried about what Ma and Pa think, but now looking towards social media for advice and answers. It seems as though over time adolescents have donned to be darker in the way of their thinking. As a means of escape they turn to literature of fantasy and gore, books like Twilight by Stephanie Meyer, Harry Potter by J. K. Rowlings , and Lord of the Rings J.R.R. Tolkien. Although, the literature may be "dark" and full of fantasy it is allowing adolescents the chance to read literature that is not assigned in school.

Meghan Cox Gurdon discusses this in the Wall Street Journal article, "Darkness too Visible". Gurdon evaluates how authors have changed their persona as well as placing this dark view on adolescent readers. The literature being read by the reader should validate the readers experience. Gurdon mentions how parents have started to realize that the literature their children are reading may be the cause of their dark views toward life and society. Gurdon states, "Whether you care if adolescents spend their time immersed in ugliness probably depends on your philosophical outlook." (www.wallstreet.com, 2011) Often times, parents are unaware of what their children are reading. Adolescents that cut themselves or depressed are more likely to read about some one who is feeling the same way that they do. Would it be healthier for authors to write books that students could actually relate to instead of filling their heads with things that will never be? One could argue that their really isn't a controversy because it is, after all, just business.   

Gurdon, Meghan Cox (2011). Darkness Too Visible. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303657404576357622592697038.html?KEYWORDS=Gurdon on 29 September 2011.  

Annotated Bibliography Prospectus

                       

The books that I have chosen are for a sixth grade English class. They would be used to supplement a unit on Self-Discovery.

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Wild Girl. New York: Wendy Lamb Books, 2009.

Park, Linda Sue. A Long Walk to Water. Boston: Clarion Books, 2010.

Zimmer, Tracie Vaugh. 42 Miles New York: Clarion Books, 2008.