Teens @ Random
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
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.
Great websites, Katie! I like the way the Random House site connects readers and authors and that the Time for Kids offers both homework help and current events. Have you ever used a UK website called Bibliomania that offers books, plays, poems, study guides,literary criticism, etc. http://www.bibliomania.com/bibliomania-static/index.html
ReplyDeleteBoth these websites are great finds. I would never have thought to send students to a publisher's website but clearly Random House has made a very appealing site for students. I think the use of Twitter would draw the students in, as would the "question of the week" section where they would have the chance to have their thoughts broadcaster to the world. Time for kids is a great resource in any classroom, no matter the subject. I have seen the magazine and videos from the website used very effectively by teachers to lead interesting discussion and practice reading comprehension. I think the website would be a great way to entice students who don't like to read to incorporate some quick, interesting outside reading into their daily lives.
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