Starting next week, my AP English Language students are tackling a cooperative lesson (one I adapted from a lesson by Deborah Louis, an AP English consultant) on The Awakening by Kate Chopin. I will create six groups and assign each group a paragraph of chapter six. I’m tackling the first paragraph, creating a model. Each paragraph is only one to two sentences. The groups will tear apart the paragraph, analyzing diction, detail, allusions, figurative language, rhetorical/literary devices, and imagery. To present their analysis, they’ll create a voicethread that will include documents, video, and a hand-drawn picture representing the paragraph.
I’d love to collaborate with other AP English students in either or both of these ways:
- Either do the project with us, having your students create their own voicethreads that we can then compare, and/or
- Add your comments to my students’ voicethreads.
The real motivation will come from students having a real audience, having their peers and other adults read and respond to their work.
I have supporting documents–some I’m still currently creating–(graphic organizers, project description, rubrics, voicethread instructions) I’d love to share.
Anyone interested? Leave a comment if you’d be willing to view our work and comment or join us and create projects of your own. I’d love to have adults and students alike.
JustRead! 
Jen
October 29, 2008
Lisa,
I just read your post. I’m interested. My English 11 Honors students just finished reading the book, and though I’m not sure exactly how I’ll fit in the assignment, I’m excited to try. I’ll be chaperoning a field trip Thursday after school through Sunday, but if I don’t hear from you tomorrow, I’ll check in at that point. One issue: I’ve never created/used/experienced a voicethread, so I’ll need some coaching . . . if that’s a little more work than you’re planning on right now, I understand.
Thanks for the opportunity! I’m excited to see if we can work something out. (Sorry for the duplicate message–I posted it via “Contact Me” as well!)
lhuff
October 29, 2008
@Jen: Wonderful! voicethread is simple: you’ll love it. You might begin by nosing around voicethread’s educator site. I’ll try to post–by the end of the week–the supporting materials I have for the project. Are you interested in having your students make their own voicethreads or in simply viewing and commenting on my students’ voicethreads?
Jen
October 30, 2008
Lisa–Since I haven’t used voicethreads before, why don’t we just start (if it’s okay with you) with having my students view and comment on your students’ voicethreads. I’ll have limited access to our computer labs next week, so that’s probably the “safer” option. I created an account at voicethreads and had the chance to look around a little: I’m intrigued. I’m getting ready to leave for our field trip, but I’ll touch base with you on Monday.
lhuff
October 30, 2008
@Jen: Wonderful! We won’t finish until the end of next week or possible the first of the following week. I can’t wait to tell my students they have a “real” audience awaiting their analyses!
Anyone else interested in joining us?
Karl Fisch
October 30, 2008
I shared this with my Language Arts folks and we do have 4 sections of Honors American Literature (sophomores) that read this. Unfortunately, they don’t read it until the spring, but they’re intrigued by the idea so are going to kick it around. We’ll let you know if we decide to do anything with it in the fall.
lhuff
October 31, 2008
@Karl: Thanks, Karl. I’d love to have you guys join us. I’m hoping to post the supporting documents for the project today, which will hopefully give teachers a better feel for the project.
Amanda
November 10, 2008
This is my first year teaching AP and I am very interested in this strategy. Unfortunately we won’t be reading The Awakening until later this semester, but if possible I would like to review the materials you post and potentially incorporate your ideas.
I would love to know what you find works best and what you might change next time.
Thanks!