Global Read Aloud

GRA Connections:

Ottawa - use of Flipgrid

We are now on Chapter 14 in our novel. So far, we have made connections with a Grade 3 class from St. Emily. The students have been using Flipgrid to respond and make connections to ideas in the text. They use Flipgrid to post their thoughts and listen to the thoughts of other students in different classes as well.

Worldwide - use of Padlet

Every week, our class posts to the global Padlet created for our novel. Classrooms and students from all over the world posts their thoughts and wonders on this central board. It is a online version of a cork board with sticky notes. It's a great way to see what others are saying about the book!

Ottawa - use of Google Meet (hangout)

This Thursday, we are scheduled to have a Google Meeting (similar to Skype) with a grade 4/5 class from St. Michael. Our class prepared questions/wonders in advance to prepare for the meeting. We have also discussed accountable talk and hope that through our practice of talking circles we can have an engaging discussion with another class about our novel.

 Why GRA?

"Global collaboration is necessary to show students that they are part of something bigger than them. That the world needs to be protected and that we need to care for all people. You can show them pictures of kids in other countries but why not have them speak to each other? Then the caring can begin." Quote from: https://theglobalreadaloud.com/blog/ 

This year, our class will be participating in the 9th Global Read Aloud. The idea connects to the 6 Global Competencies of a 21st century learner and provides an opportunity for students to develop these skills. This is a Global idea where over 1.5 million children will be read to and make connections with others about what they are reading. For more information check out the GRA blog.

Our class has chosen the early reader selection of "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold. Yesterday, we started with examining the cover to make predications about the story and record our wonders. After reading the first 3 chapters, many of our predictions were confirmed but we were left wondering even more!