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Elementary School Grade  Project 15 weeks

Beanstack Bonanza: Readers Unite Expo!

Jessica S
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.7
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.7
Productive Collaborator
Critical Thinker
+ 1 more
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Purpose

The purpose of this learning experience is to cultivate a vibrant culture of reading within the school community by engaging students, families, and staff in collaborative and innovative reading initiatives. Through student-led book clubs and creative digital arts projects, learners will explore their passion for reading while developing critical thinking and collaboration skills. By partnering with local bookstores and showcasing their achievements in an expo, students will connect with authentic audiences, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their learning journey.

Learning goals

The learning goals for this experience include fostering a collaborative culture of reading by engaging students in student-led book clubs and creative digital arts projects. Students will develop skills in productive collaboration, critical thinking, and effective communication through discussions and shared research activities. They will also create digital projects that reflect their understanding and motivation for reading, culminating in a showcase that involves community partners, such as a local bookstore, to celebrate their achievements.
Standards
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1 - Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.7 - Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of "how-to" books on a given topic and use them to write a sequence of instructions).
  • [Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.7 - Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).
Competencies
  • Productive Collaborator - Engages with others to achieve a common goal through building positive relationships, actively listening, showing empathy, and making individual contributions to a larger group.
  • Critical Thinker - Thinks deeply and makes informed decisions to create solutions or new understanding supported by relevant and reliable evidence.
  • Empowered Learner - Demonstrates mastery and application of academic competencies. Develops the skills and dispositions to persist through difficulties and plan for a future of self-improvement.

Products

Students will create Creative Digital Arts (CDA) projects that showcase their reading journeys and motivations, which will be submitted for the Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP). These projects will include multimedia presentations, digital storytelling, and interactive book reviews. Additionally, students will organize and participate in a school-wide reading expo, where they will present their projects to peers, families, and community members, fostering a vibrant culture of reading.

Launch

Kick off the reading initiative with a school-wide "Reading Carnival" where students, families, and staff participate in interactive reading stations, storytelling sessions, and a book swap. Collaborate with local authors and community partners to host engaging workshops and discussions that spark excitement about reading. Use this event to introduce the Beanstack app, set reading goals, and highlight the upcoming student-led book clubs and digital arts projects.

Exhibition

Host a vibrant Reading Motivation Expo where students present their Creative Digital Arts projects to peers, families, and community members, including representatives from a local bookstore. Create interactive stations where students from all grades can showcase their work, engage in discussions, and teach younger students about their projects and reading experiences. Incorporate a digital gallery for remote viewing, ensuring that all students have a platform to share their creativity and insights with an authentic audience.