by Julie Coiro

Do you have a classroom blog with lots of active writers, but wish there were more visitors outside of your local community? If so, Quadblogging might be just what you’re looking for! 

David Mitchell, a Google certified teacher and Deputy Head Teacher at the Heathfield Primary School in the United Kingdom created QuadBlogging two years ago after realizing that writers are so much more motivated to write when they know people are listening.

What is QuadBlogging? 

QuadBlogging (see http://quadblogging.net/) involves four schools from around the world that work in a partnership during a four-week cycle. Each week focuses on the blog at one of the four schools, and students from the other three schools visit virtually to ask questions, post comments, and share ideas. After that week, another one of the four schools becomes the focus and this is then repeated for the four-week cycle.  At the beginning of the fifth week, the quad can begin the cycle again with the same four schools, or jump back into the “pot” of other quad schools to join a different group.

In 2010, over 20,000 students from classes in 18 countries participated, and since September 2011, more than 40,000 students (ages 3 to 19) have become involved in this exciting collaboration.  Teachers have found that this unique blogging experience provides an authentic audience and a purpose for writing that motivates student writers of all ages.  In the process, children also learn about diverse cultures, religions, school practices, and daily life around the globe. The positive energy generated from the QuadBuddies, as they have come to be known, is impressive, and the website also features success stories, video clips, and tips for making the most of your own QuadBlogging experience.

The best part is that a new round of QuadBlogging was begun in January of 2012 and registration is still open–if you have a class blog already, simply fill in the form at the homepage and get started! The website also provides a link to Feb 29th–The World’s Biggest Blogging project at http://feb29th.net/–which will celebrate Leap Year with one day of posts from all over the planet. Don’t pass up these exciting writing opportunities for your students–join today and get involved!

Julie Coiro teaches in the School of Education at the University of Rhode Island. 

This article is part of a series from the Technology in Literacy Education Special Interest Group (TILE-SIG).

Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, and the cast of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax will co-chair the 15th annual National Education Association (NEA)’s Read Across America Day—the nationwide program that helps children discover the joy of reading—with 45 million participants on Friday, March 2. 

This year the book The Lorax by Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, will take center stage with its message of the importance of preserving the environment. Global superstars Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Betty White, Danny DeVito, and Ed Helms lend their vocal talents to Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment and are all co-chairs of this year’s Read Across America, a first for the NEA program. Zac Efron will also serve as a celebrity guest reader at a national reading event at the New York Public Library on NEA’s Read Across America Day, March 2. The actors also recorded Read Across America PSAs encouraging people to pick up a book and read to a child.

“Every year on NEA’s Read Across America Day, the imaginations of children across the country are ignited when they open up a good book,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “The Lorax is not only entertaining to read, but it also highlights the importance of protecting our air, land and water. Our students deserve to grow and learn in a safe, healthy environment.”

The book The Lorax was first published in 1971 and foretold the desolation and emptiness created when nature is consumed without regard for its preservation or restoration. Many say the book was ahead of its time. Readings of The Lorax book and its environmental messages will be prominent in this year’s Read Across America celebrations happening in schools and libraries around the nation. The event coincides with the March 2 release of Dr. Suess’ The Lorax, a CG-3D film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. 

NEA will also rev up its engines for the first ever “NEA’s Lorax Reading Tour – Driven by Mazda”—a cross-country tour to visit public schools, Mazda dealerships, and other stops to bring the gift of reading to thousands of public school students. The tour will visit more than 15 cities across the country and will also highlight some student-led school and community based environmental projects. For each test drive of a Mazda vehicle between February 20 through April 2, 2012,  Mazda will donate $25, up to $1 million in total, to benefit public school libraries in need across the United States.

NEA’s Read Across America is co-sponsored by Dr. Seuss Enterprises (“Cat in the Hat” is the Read Across America Day mascot) and 50 national partners, including the American Library Association, PTA, NFL Players Association, RIF, Screen Actors Guild Foundation, Random House Children’s Books, Reading Rockets, United Through Reading, Heart of America Foundation, First Books, and Youth Service America. Every March 2, Dr. Seuss’ birthday, NEA members nationwide host school and community events designed to pay homage to the beloved children’s book author and to get the nation’s young people excited about reading.

Since 1997, NEA’s Read Across America has attracted some of the biggest names in politics, entertainment and sports to help children discover the joy of reading. In addition to First Lady Michelle Obama, past celebrity participants have included Jessica Alba, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver, Mehcad Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alex Rodriguez, Serena Williams, Selena Gomez, Shaquille O’Neal, and many others.

For more information, visit www.nea.org/readacross. 

Throughout my 28 years as an educator, I have worked with students in rural, urban, and suburban environments from preschool to college level. Regardless of the instructional setting or age group, one of the most challenging aspects of teaching has been supporting the learning of students with special needs. Students with learning challenges often arrive at the classroom door with needs that require educators to think carefully about the ways they plan instruction. Teachers must ensure all students have access to rich, engaging content as well as appropriate means for demonstrating their learning. With such great variability among learners, how can the classroom teacher keep up-to-date with the best ways to support student learning?

The Virginia Department of Education Training and Technical Assistance Center (T/TAC) Assistive Technology Blog has just the answer! This blog, which has been active since 2006, offers a plethora of assistive technology information for educators at every level! Assistive Technology (AT) is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (29 U.S.C. Sec 2202(2))” (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2011). Although designed with students with disabilities in mind, some assistive technology tools can also support the learning of students in the regular education program.

Every weekday, T/TAC staff members post information on the latest tools, methods and technologies available for supporting student learning through assistive technology. The site’s consistent, organized design makes information easy to find. Tool bars allow the reader to search for specific keywords, view material by date posted, or look for entries related to broad categories like AT for Reading. Queries submitted in the search bar produce multiple entries on virtually every keyword one uses. The blog offers an RSS feed to keep readers informed of new entries that can be customized to focus on specific topics of interest. For example, selecting an RSS feed for the term “word study” will allow the reader to receive updated information on that topic whenever it is posted. Additionally, T/TAC encourages readers to email specific questions to the site so answers can be posted for the entire community’s benefit. 

Encouraging students of all learning abilities, particularly those with special needs, to engage in instruction can be challenging for any teacher. By visiting the Assistive Technology Blog, educators are guaranteed to find many creative solutions to meeting student’s needs while increasing their own knowledge of the latest assistive technology tools. Using the insight gained from this blog, teachers may be better able to utilize instructional methods and tools that benefit all learners.

National Institute of Standards and Technology. (July, 2011). What is assistive technology? Retrieved from: http://standards.gov/assistivetechnology.cfm

Joan Rhodes is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Reading Program group at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

The Pearson Foundation recently announced “Read for My School,” a special We Give Books program that launched on February 14 and continues through March 14. Through this campaign, We Give Books is donating 150,000 new children’s books to public elementary schools across the country. 

We Give Books asks school groups to register as “readers” by visiting their website at www.wegivebooks.org. The readers then choose a book to read and a school’s “campaign” to support. Readers click on "Give a Book" at the end of the story to be counted toward their school’s reading total.

For every book read on behalf of a school, that school will receive one new book. After a school has earned 500 books, readers can assist other schools in meeting their goal. Books can be given to any public elementary school in the United States and its territories.

We Give Books is a digital initiative that enables anyone with access to the Internet to put books in the hands of children who don't have them, simply by reading online. For each book members read in the We Give Books online library, they donate a book to a literacy organization or school that you choose. There are over 150 books in their growing online library. 

For more information, visit the We Give Books website.

The Kids In Need Foundation announces the second year of a teacher grants program sponsored by Elmer’s Products Inc. As a result of this educational partnership, teachers nationwide can visit the Kids In Need Foundation website to apply for an Elmer’s Teacher Tool Kit grant that can range from $100 to $500.

The grants will be given to teachers who wish to conduct classroom projects selected from a catalog of more than 500 projects currently in the Kids In Need Guide to Award Winning Projects during the 2012-2013 school year. Applications will be available online at www.kinf.org. This year, approximately 250 grants sponsored by Elmer’s will be provided to teachers nationwide. These grant awards are based on financial need, number of children who will benefit, and the teacher's commitment to complete the project. Special consideration is given to first year teachers. The deadline for online submissions is April 30, 2012.

“The Kids In Need Foundation recognizes the creativity of teachers through our Teacher Grants Program. Our library of projects showcases dynamic classroom activities, but they all require funds,” said Dave Smith, executive director of the Foundation. “We want to alleviate the need for teachers to reach into their own pockets to fund these projects, and we are thrilled to partner again with Elmer’s to provide teachers with the tools they need to strengthen imagination and critical thinking skills and abilities among their students.”

“Elmer’s has a deep commitment to the education of young people and those who help to mold them,” said Terri Brown, senior manager marketing services and communications at Elmer’s. “Together, with the Kids In Need Foundation, we will provide teachers with tools that help strengthen critical thinking, creativity and innovation among their students. The Teacher Grants Program is just one way Elmer’s provides educators with the resources they need to be successful.”

As part of the Elmer’s-Kids In Need partnership, Elmer’s will also donate product to the Foundation’s national network of free stores for teachers. The Kids In Need National Network of Resource Centers, 27 facilities across the country where teachers from low income schools can obtain free school supplies for their students and classrooms, will feature an area called Elmer’s Tools for Teachers stocked with such items as Elmer’s School Glue and Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, art materials, scrapbooking supplies, and other Elmer’s products.

For more information about Elmer’s Teacher Tool Kit grant and this educational partnership with the Kids in Need Foundation, visit Elmers.com.