Hello. The topic of this episode of Speaking of History is reading in the junior high American History Classroom. We will discuss an online reading blog, graphic novels and SSR.
As part of a grant from the Liberty School District Foundation, I purchased 60 copies of The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood. I will be giving these copies out to my students and we will be discussing the book in the form of an online blog starting on March 6, 2006. We are inviting you to be a part of the book blog. The book is available in paperback for $6. It is a great historical novel with a twist - it is an alternate history book. In this novel the British have defeated the colonists in the Revolutionary War. Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson are in exile in New Orleans trying to figure out how to break George Washington out of prision where he is awaiting execution. A 15 year old British boy - Creighton Brown - is caught up in the middle of spying and relationships. His actions could impact the fate of two nations. If you are interested in joining us please e-mail speakingofhistory@gmail.com for more information. It could be a single student who likes to read or an entire class. We would love to hear from you!
The second topic of the show is graphic novels and my discovery of an adaptation of the Red Badge of Courage by Wayne Vansant. The entire novel is written in graphic format - like comic book for lack of a better term. It looks awesome. Check out the link below for more information on this new twist on an old classic. Please let me know if you have used graphic novels in the classroom.
The final segment takes a look at SSR and how just 20 minutes of reading at the start of each day has transformed the culture of our building into one of reading and literacy - for both teachers and students.
Please e-mail comments and questions to speakingofhistory@gmail.com
Direct link to Speaking of History Podcast #13 - Join Our Class in Reading "The Year of the Hangman" - MP3 Format (14 minutes)
Show Notes:
- The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood
- Review of the The Year of the Hangman
- Official site of author Gary Blackwood
- Liberty Public School Foundation Grant web site
- The Red Badge of Courage (Graphic Novel) adapted by Wayne Vansant
- The SSR Handbook by Janice L. Pilgreen
- Are They Really Reading - Expanding SSR in the Middle Grades by Jodi Crum Marshall
- Order Speaking of History Podcast items from Cafe Press
Good show. While I can't commit to student participation in your reading group, I'll definitely check out the book -- I have several students who might enjoy it. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteHey i think this book is already really good in the first chapter i cant wait till i find out more in the story and when the blog starts on march 6.
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