Letter+to+Teacher

Anyone looking for a low key distance collaboration project? In March my students are writing a series of “children’s books” for another school and we decided to practice writing one on our current unit the “War of 1812 – Star Spangled Banner.” Most basically tell how our flag became an important symbol because of this War and gives the background on the origins of the Star Spangled Banner. I was wondering if anyone would like to buddy up with us and let us send you the books in exchange for some written or audio constructive criticism by the students who read them. It would be easy to incorporate into your class : ) The books are all about twenty pages. Each page with a picture and 1-3 sentences. I could have each of my kids include a link to their wiki page and your kids could leave comments on it, or create a blog post on each student's blog and they can be left there, or do it live via a skype/ustream/yak pak sort of connection -- or they could just send their comments back to us on a piece of paper. Because of time constraints, these books would be more like an advanced copy, rather than a final draft totally and completely polished. We are just looking "Can an elementary student make sense of the story?" The kids would like to know if they are interesting, if there languge and drawings are appropriate, etc... Looking more for help from “editors” rather than “critics.” That sort of thing… Nothing complicated, just a few quick comments by the reader. I would probably have around 75 books. Would be happy to send them all to one school, one class and have each elementary student read a couple, split them amongst a few schools, or just send you one or as many as you would like. My guess is that they would be readable for 2nd grade and up.

Let me know! First come, first collaborate. Please respond to my email -- PBogush@wallingford.k12.ct.us

Paul Bogush 8th Grade Social Studies Moran Middle School Wallingford, CT

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