Around the World with Books!

A Blackboard Collaborate Room would be a great venue for book discussions with students/teachers around the world.  As a Librarian, I have two ideas on how Blackboard Collaborate can enrich our school's teaching and learning, while helping our students make global connections, develop broader perspectives and create an ethic of empathy and reciprocity.

  • Global Book Club -- recruit students from around the world and organize a "global read" with monthly book discussions, booktalks and book reviews...using our BlackBoard Collaborate Room as our "Literary Cafe"
  • Travel the World with Books -- supplement our read-aloud novels by connecting and collaborating with students in the country/place the story is set in.  For example, I read "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry to our 4th graders.  The story is set during World War II in Copenhagen, Denmark when the Danes helped thousands of Jews escape -- it would be awesome for our students (in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) to connect with students in Copenhagen to discuss this time in their history.  A 50-seat Blackboard Collaborate Room would be a perfect venue for our 4th grade class to meet with theirs.  Another book we read together is "Kite Fighters" by Linda Sue Park, which is set in Korea -- another great cultural and collaborative opportunity!

Thanks for considering!

Rene

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Comment by Mary Brownell on August 10, 2011 at 3:00pm

I loved this idea, Rene!!! I can think of so many other novels in which the characters and settings would lead to global collaborationWell done!!!

Mary Brownell

Comment by Rene deBerardinis on July 20, 2011 at 1:25pm
Thanks, Carla, for the Google Lit Trip tip!
Comment by Carla Wimmersberger on July 19, 2011 at 10:21pm
Great idea! How cool would it be to talk to people from the part of he world in which a book is written or focused on. This is also a great way to incorporate cross curriculum approaches. Kids would learn so much about geography at the same time as enjoying reading! Cool! Have you ever looked at google lit trips. http://www.googlelittrips.org/ This would be a great addition to this wonderful idea. : )

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