Social Networking and Community Building
4th Grade Library
The following is an example of activities that could be used for an author Skype visit. In this example, I have picked a specific author, but these activities could be performed for any author Skype visit. These activities would take place after the class had read one-two books by the author and performed various activities and projects related to the books. The Skype an Author Network is a great resource for locating authors who will take part in a Skype visit.
Great news students! Through the generosity of our PTO, we are going to be able to take part in an author visit via Skype with the author, Bobbie Pyron. She wrote one of our favorite read-alouds: A Dog’s Way Home. Before we can take part in this author visit, we need to prepare ourselves for a great conversation.
We will be using online tools to help us prepare for our author visit.
Part 1: Edmodo
I would like you to join our 4th Grade Library group in Edmodo. The code to join our group is 2nw5yc.
You can also use the following invite link: https://www.edmodo.com/home#/join/5d8uw4
Once you have joined the group, I will assign you to a small group within our Library group. There will be five people in each small group.
Part 2: The Skype Visit: https://web.skype.com/en/
Before the Skype visit, we will coordinate who will initiate the call and when the call will take place. A sound, video, and lighting check will be performed with the author at least a week to one day before the visit. Technical difficulties sometimes occur with video calls, so we will be prepared and possibly have a technology coordinator available during the visit.
Our class will meet in the library for our Skype visit. The visit will be projected on the SmartBoard in the library. Students will sit on the floor in front of the SmartBoard.
During Skype Visit
Great news students! Through the generosity of our PTO, we are going to be able to take part in an author visit via Skype with the author, Bobbie Pyron. She wrote one of our favorite read-alouds: A Dog’s Way Home. Before we can take part in this author visit, we need to prepare ourselves for a great conversation.
We will be using online tools to help us prepare for our author visit.
Part 1: Edmodo
I would like you to join our 4th Grade Library group in Edmodo. The code to join our group is 2nw5yc.
- Visit www.edmodo.com from your computer or phone
- Click (or tap) on the button "Join a Group"
- Enter your Group Code and follow instructions.
You can also use the following invite link: https://www.edmodo.com/home#/join/5d8uw4
Once you have joined the group, I will assign you to a small group within our Library group. There will be five people in each small group.
- I want each of you to come up with 5 discussion questions that you think would be questions you would like to ask our author. They can be questions about the book plot, the characters, the setting, the book’s message, how the author connected with the book, etc. You can learn more about our author by visiting her website: http://www.bobbiepyron.com/books/
- Before our next library class, click on your small group’s name and type your five questions.
- Check back on the post. Once everyone has posted their questions, constructively comment on and discuss with your group members the questions and decide from there which five questions are the best and would be the most interesting for our author visit. They do not have to all come from the same person.
- Choose one person to be the group leader. The group leader will type the 5 questions your group decided on and who came up with them in the 4th grade library discussion area.
- From there, as a class we will discuss these questions, decide on if there are any duplicates, and develop a master list of questions for our Skype visit. That way we should have about 25 questions to ask our author.
- Please understand that we may not have time to ask all our questions during the visit, but it does not hurt to be over-prepared!
- We will write each question on index cards and be ready to ask them on the big day by rehearsing how to speak loudly, clearly, and slowly.
Part 2: The Skype Visit: https://web.skype.com/en/
Before the Skype visit, we will coordinate who will initiate the call and when the call will take place. A sound, video, and lighting check will be performed with the author at least a week to one day before the visit. Technical difficulties sometimes occur with video calls, so we will be prepared and possibly have a technology coordinator available during the visit.
Our class will meet in the library for our Skype visit. The visit will be projected on the SmartBoard in the library. Students will sit on the floor in front of the SmartBoard.
During Skype Visit
- Students will be reminded to be on their best behavior and the proper way to interact during this author visit.
- If there is time for questions, the students will be invited to stand and read one of our questions using a microphone.
- Before reading the question, the students will introduce themselves and then ask their question.
Part 3: Blogging After the Skype Visit
Let’s blog about our author visit.
Once you have completed your post and performed a spelling and grammar check, click Publish.
After your post is approved, read at least 3 other classmates posts and make constructive comments. Remember our guidelines for making comments. Your eighth grade prayer buddies also follow your blog and are excited to read and comment on your experiences too!
Let’s blog about our author visit.
- Go to the following link: https://kidblog.org/class/4th-grade-library1/enter-code
- Type in the join code: tq7kej7.
- Set up your blog by choosing an avatar from the avatar library.
- Click on New Post and choose a header picture from the header library.
- Create a blog post about our author visit experience. Address the following questions:
- What were some of the inside stories or ideas behind the book, “A Dog’s Way Home.”
- What did you learn about Ms. Pyron and how she became an author?
- Name something new that you learned about A Dog’s Way Home from the author visit.
- What was your favorite part about the author visit?
- If you could visit with Ms. Pyron again, what questions would you ask her?
Once you have completed your post and performed a spelling and grammar check, click Publish.
After your post is approved, read at least 3 other classmates posts and make constructive comments. Remember our guidelines for making comments. Your eighth grade prayer buddies also follow your blog and are excited to read and comment on your experiences too!