##NZreadaloud One Book to Connect Kiwi Kids
My name is Kerri Thompson and I am a Year 7 teacher at Tamatea Intermediate in Napier.
WOW! Last year was an incredible ride!
#NZreadaloud was a big part of that.
Winning the Interface ‘Teaching with ICT’ award last year has provided me with the opportunity to write this article and share #NZreadaloud to a wider audience.
#NZreadaloud is a literacy initiative modelled on The Global Read Aloud (GRA). The purpose is to focus on New Zealand authors writing New Zealand stories with a mission of "One book to connect Kiwi kids".
Having involved myself in the GRA in Term 4 of 2014, I was left with a sense that this is where the future of literacy lies. ‘Flattening the walls’ of my classroom and connecting with teachers and kids around the world is an exciting and new way to have my learners share and build understanding with others about a story. As Pernille Ripp writes, “ the future of literacy “ will centre around these 5 themes:
(Global) collaboration
Meaningful integration of technology
Student voice and choice
Authentic purpose and audience
Personalising learning for the kids in front of us
Participating in #NZreadaloud is providing learners with all of these literacy opportunities and bringing the future of literacy into our classrooms.
Like Pernille Ripp said when she started the Global Read Aloud, "collaboration is necessary to show students that they are part of something bigger than them."
An idea which started by gaining interest from colleagues at my own school, rapidly developed into an exciting concept open to teachers with classes of Year 7 or 8 students around Aotearoa. It has been an amazing journey since its 'small beginnings' back in February last year when we kicked off with nine teachers and classes involved in #NZreadaloud1. By Term 3 we had 53 teachers and classes from Whangarei to Christchurch connecting and collaborating. Not only are students learning that ‘the world is bigger than them’ but they have an opportunity to build their understanding of a text collaboratively. It is really exciting.
The learning outcomes have been massive. You can read these under the pages "What the teachers say" and "What the kids say".
Students are sharing their understanding, ideas, opinions, and thoughts with others using digital platforms such as Edmodo and Twitter. They are co-constructing knowledge. Learners are contributing to literary discussions, extending their vocabulary, and developing their comprehension strategies. #NZreadaloud is providing authentic learning experiences such as connecting via Skype or Hangouts with the authors of the books we are reading. A Skype with Park Ranger Mel at Yellowstone Park in the United States was a highlight of #NZreadaloud2 (Wolf in the Wardrobe by Susan Brocker). Students are taking learning into their own hands by researching information which they find interesting as it comes up in the story; we are creating opportunities for truly authentic learning experiences for our students. Reluctant readers are showing interest in reading and choosing to read independently more often. Alongside all of this, students are learning the importance of digital citizenship.
This year has seen #NZreadaloud expand into ALL levels of the primary sector thanks to three dedicated and passionate colleagues who took on a level each (Kaehlah Dawson: Years 1 & 2, Stacey Carter: Years 3 & 4 and Jemma Thorogood: Years 5 & 6) Term 1 will hopefully see many more kiwi kids learn the power of connected literacy.
More recently is the expansion of #NZreadaloud into Years 9 & 10 thanks to another passionate educator Karen Wilson who teaches at a local boys’ high school who has spent time thoroughly organising #NZreadaloud for teachers at this level.
So with the planning for #NZreadaloud4 well underway, I will leave you with the address for the blog where you can go to find out everything about this initiative. Please feel free to contact me directly through email or Twitter if you have any further questions.
https://newzealandreadaloud.wordpress.com/
Kerri Thompson
@kerriattamatea
kerri.thompson@tamateaint.ac.nz
This article has also been published in NZ Interface Magazine.