There have been lots of brilliant end-of-year book lists floating about on Twitter – follow Simon Smith and read the threads that follow his recommendations – and I wondered whether these lists could be something parents could access.
Below is an interactive list made using the app ThingLink. It’s the most simple of apps – the user can place hotspots over an image that take them to videos, text or specific URLs.
Open in new window if above image is not interactive://www.thinglink.com/card/992160087386619906
I’ve put this one together fairly quickly (I’d not use 20 images again) but the links take the user to authors reading their book, reviews online, trailers, author websites and more. This (potentially) allows parents to find out more about recommended books without having to spend lots of time researching.
My thinking is that this could be shared with parents (Christmas is coming, after all) in order to share some of the brilliant books that have been released this year – a link directly to the ThingLink or blog post it is embedded in could be sent via text, ClassDojo or any other school social media channel. It could also be something put together by children at various points of the year to review and promote reading across school.
Other ideas:
Reviews
As a class, as a reading group or even as a whole school, videos and written reviews (on a blog or as an image) could be added and shared in one place.
Children reading
A great way to encourage reading with expression and reading for purpose, children could be filmed reading an extract from their favourite part of a book. This could be shared with parents and authors, and I’m thinking of asking my reading group to do this to recommend books to younger children.
Book-based work
If your class uses a text to support the wider curriculum, why not use ThingLink to share the range of work your children do, whether art, drama, writing or reading – it can all be shared in one place.
I’m sure many people will have more expansive ideas, but it’s a start. Please share if you can think of anything else!
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