Wikis for Literature Discussion

I just began using a classroom wiki in with my students as a place to do a literature discussion for a new book we are reading. Has anyone else done this before? What type of pages did you add?

So far this is what we have: https://msjensenclass.wikispaces.com/

Since I only have a class of 6 students (yes yes - I know that's crazy) ;-) I think they are doing a pretty good job of keeping up the discussion with each other.

Is there anything else you think I could add or change? Thank you!

Tags: literature, study, wiki

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Permalink Reply by Denise B on April 17, 2010 at 11:10am

Katie,
The wiki idea for literature discussion is great. I am sure your students are enjoying it. I like the fact that you posted and established the ground rules for your students about when and how to post., and included questions to guide them.

How did you communicate the wiki idea to parents---did they sign a permission slip, etc. first? I would be interested to learn more about how you and other teachers handle the communication about wikis and blogs to parents prior to establishing them.

As for adding content or pages to the wiki you have....
Characters' Thought Streams or Character's Insights----kids could post their ideas on specific character's thoughts on events/ other characters as they read. This would maybe get them to think more about each character's point-of-view.

Notable Quotables----have the kids tag and cite best lines from the book as they read....so they put the quote; character who said it; and cite page/chapter where they found it.

For April - Poetry Month Connection------have your students find poems that relate or connect to the novel's themes and/or the novel's main characters.....It may help to identify the themes first, then share a poem you found that connects or reflects the theme of the book, then have them post theirs.

I look forward to hearing more about how things are progressing with your class. Thanks for sharing your wikispace with us!

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Permalink Reply by Katie Lyon on April 17, 2010 at 6:03pm

Hello Denise,

Thank you for your feedback. My kids do seem to be having a lot of fun with it. There has been multiple posts today and as you know, it's Saturday! So I'm glad it's going well.

Regarding communicating with the parents about this wiki, in the beginning of the year I send home a web release form to let parents know that we may be participating in things like this. (I've attached it for you to use or tweak).

I love the ideas you gave - especially the poetry connection one! That will be a great way to tie into the poetry unit I want to do with my kids this year.

Thanks again for your help!!

Katie

Attachments:

WEBSITERELEASE2010.doc, 35 KB

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Permalink Reply by Marie G. on April 17, 2010 at 1:33pm

NIce! I also like the clear expectations on your home page. I like how you assigned students to take turns summarizing the chapters---it is a good review and a perfect study guide!

To turn up the challenge level you could assign your students to write reflections from the perspective of a character from the book. Students also can respond "in character". Students can also post a question that they wonder about to give the discussion a bit more direction and deepen their thinking. "I wonder" questions make great discussion questions. Post some yourself to model the process.

I love how your responses to the students prompt their thinking. I have been thinking of doing something like this, but I just haven't done it. You inspired me to get started!

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Permalink Reply by Katie Lyon on April 17, 2010 at 6:04pm

Thank you Marie!

Great idea on posting reflections from Character's POV. Perhaps I can do that for the two or three main characters and break it down by chapter.

When you get your wiki going, let me know - I would love to check it out!

Katie

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Permalink Reply by Grace Gorman on April 18, 2010 at 8:52am

I just started using a wiki with my class too and find that they love doing homework this way. I like the page where the students posted questions they would ask the author. ALso like the ground rules you set up. THank you for sharing this. One tiny note and not a criticism because when you mind is working quickly your fingers can't always keep up, the word participate on the home page is not spelled correctly.

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Permalink Reply by Katie Lyon on April 18, 2010 at 5:29pm

Thank you Grace! You're right - sometimes I hit save so fast I don't see the red line under the words! I appreciate you pointing it out to me. Want to practice proper spelling for my kids. haha