Make Reading Popular with Popplet
Make Reading Popular with Popplet
Make Reading Popular with Popplet
Students will be asked to use Popplet to create a concept map related to a work of fiction that they read as a free-reading assignment. This Popplet will be their way of both processing what they have read and sharing their reading with their classmates.
Keywords
concept map, literature, popplet, reading Grades
K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 >12 Objectives:
At the end of this scenario, students will be able to:
analyze a text based on its smaller units (chapters vs. the book as a whole)
construct a concept map as a means of organizing ones thoughts while reading
communicate their enjoyment and understanding of a text with others
Materials:
Free-reading selection; computer/tablet with Internet access
Cassandra Neace
About the author
I am a freelance writer, an adjunct English instructor, and a student in the EDMT program at Full Sail.
Procedure:
Prior to this assignment, the instructor should have modeled the use of Popplet by creating a Popplet that introduced a reading assignment. Ideally, the instructor has used images and multi-media when possible. The Popplet should be engaging, but it should not be as in-depth as what the students will be asked to do for their assignment. The instructor will make additions to this Popplet as a part of the class, so the students will be able to see just how easy it is to use.
Students will select a free-reading book that fits within the course guidelines. They will have 2 weeks to complete the reading of the book.
Before they begin reading, they will use the Internet to research the book, looking for publication information, an author bio, reviews, and related media, such as excerpts from audio and/or book trailers.
Students will then create a basic Popplet with this background information.
For each chapter or section of the book that the student completes, they will make at least one addition to their existing Popplet. This might be an image, a quote, a definition or a character sketch.
There is a great deal of flexibility when it comes to content, however.
Students will share their Popplet with a class member who is reading the same book or, at minimum, a book from the same genre. They will discuss what has happened so far and why they chose to make the additions that they did.
At the end of the two weeks, students will share their completed Popplets with the instructor and make them available to the class as a whole.
Over the next week, students will be asked to review the Popplets of at least 2 of their classmates. They will write a brief reflective essay that comments on the experience of both building and reviewing the Popplets.
Assessment:
Student included sufficient background elements, including information on the author, the book cover, and publication information. (10 points possible)
Student updated the Popplet at appropriate intervals, including information/media relevant to the text. (15 points)
Student participated in the daily discussion of the Popplet with team members, both giving and receiving feedback as appropriate. (10 points)
Student reviewed the Popplets of at least 2 classmates, other than their teammates, and completed the brief reflection essay. (15 points)
Total points possible: 50
Technology:
Popplet, a web-based tool used to create concept maps and share ideas with others.
Reflection:
Students will be completing an end-of-assignment reflection on the Popplet project, focusing on the experience as both the creator of a Popplet, and the reader who is using the Popplets to explore other possible titles to be read. The instructor will be able to reflect on the usefulness of the Popplet tool by evaluating the content that students included in their finished Popplets.
Audience:
College freshman/sophomores
Making Connections:
The learner will connect with:
Previous knowledge: students will take the concept map, introduced to them much earlier in their educations, and see how it can be adapted to a digital environment.
Relevance: students will find this assignment relevant because it is visually stimulating. Additionally, it is a tool that can be easily shared via the social media outlets that they are currently using, such as Facebook and Twitter.
Audience: students will be connecting with their classmates as their immediate audience. However, because of the sharing capabilities, they will be able to easily share what they have learned with readers in other forums, such as book blogs or sites like GoodReads.