Global Read Aloud Overview - Zombie Edition #GRA2013

Last year, I created a video overview on the Global Read Aloud for the teachers in my school and this year is no different.  Except this year, I added some Zombies from Nugget Head Studioz.  I suggest that you go to their site and download your own Zombie images if wanted.  Use them for your own presentations with students.  The Zombies were my hook to the content and there really isn't any connection between them and the GRA.  I just used them with this simple FAQ presentation.  But, feel free to create your own connections.

By Nugget Head Studioz

I used this presentation last week to introduce the GRA to the teachers within my district, and now I am writing my post to share this resource with everyone that couldn't make it to Indiana for my inspiring presentation.  Like Jem, it was truly outrageous!

Here is the YouTube video and the SlideShare like for those that would like to advance through the slides at their own speed.

Gra overview from Dan Gibson

Ivan's Katherine Applegate

Pernille Ripp did such an outstanding job with the Global Read Aloud project, and Katherine Applegate--author of The One and Only Ivan--noticed her hard work.  Katherine Applegate answered several student questions about Ivan.  Take a look at this video and see if it something you would want to share with your students.  

She makes some good points.  I like what she says about being a writing.  She doesn't lie when she states, "It's difficult!"  I think students should hear this from an author.  Writing isn't about completing an assignment and being "done."  It's a long thoughtful process that develops the perfect message for an audience.  I cannot count how many times students just did not want to rewrite a "final" draft.  After the second time, students always grabbed the standard operating comment--"but, I've already written the final copy"--and threw it in my face.  Students don't "own" or see value in the writing.  Instead, they are merely completing an assignment.  

Once I had my students create blog posts, this started to change as students relied on an audience to motivate them to produce better work.  At first, writing is limited but it soon starts to grow into a well-thought-out message.   Have students blog!  Use Kidblog, EduBlogs, Wordpress, or Blogger.  Create writers not second copy completers.