“ULTIMATE Reading List”
Teenreads.com is a site designed for teenagers to learn about and discuss their favorite books, authors, poets, and characters. The site allows students to filter the many reviews, previews, blogs, videos, and reading guides in a variety of ways to find the kind of literature that they are interested in or explore new genres. Website visitors have the opportunity to share their opinions on works that they have read and get recommendations from other young readers. For individuals who do not want to read through the reviews, video reviews and previews are also available for viewing. The following is an example of a video posted on the site; author Harlan Coben discussing his book Shelter.
In the classroom, I can imagine using teenreads.com to encourage students to find independent reading books that interest them and to provide students access to study guides that accompany books. Students are more likely to read and enjoy reading if they find books that spark their interest and curiosity; watching the videos or reading the reviews and blogs may be enough to motivate students to dive into a book. The study guides can give students access to books that they may not be able to access without the aid.
TeenInk.com is the website portion of a national magazine and book series for teens. The website and magazine are designed to provide a place for students to publish their creative work, including poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and art. In addition to publishing the work of teens, teenink.com also provides information on young adult literature and an opportunity for students to comment on the writing of peers and professionals. A great feature of the website is the section of teen-submitted videos, like the following:
In the classroom, teenink.com could be used to help students brainstorm before creative writing, to help students choose independent reading books, to inspire students to submit work of their own, and to get students talking about and responding to peer writing. Students could visit the site if they finish classwork early, in the computer lab as a class for the purpose of brainstorming, or on the SMART Board to bring the work of teenagers into instruction. Getting students thinking and talking about writing can be a challenge, but the work of peers could prove to be inspiring.
I hereby affirm that I have neither given nor received help on this work.
I hereby affirm that I have neither given nor received help on this work.
I think students will like using this site because it is interactive and in a video format. They love to use anything remotely connected to You Tube. It gives them real world reviews and helps them sort out all the unecessary info that you may get on other sites. Sounds like a good choice to me.
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