Read Across Orleans

This year has been spent in a cross-curricular study of our community. My students have learned about the history of the town, the natural resources, goods and services available, and economic concepts, including producers and consumers. They have also worked on many academic basic skills in the areas of reading, language arts, and technology. This project will be an opportunity to utilize the many basic skills they have gained and the knowledge of the town to create a gift to the people of Orleans who have supported their learning throughout this year.

We will:

* Brainstorm the people in the community we have learned about and have met through our study about the town. They will include family, friends, school staff, and business people who have contributed to our learning this year.

* Each second grader will choose ten people to read to as part of their individual Read Across Orleans video. At least one family member and one Orleans Elementary School staff member must be included.

* The will choose and practice a favorite book to read following expectations for fluent oral reading.

* As a class, we will discuss the requirements for videotaping and will practice using the technology and oral speaking skills. Peer- and self-evaluation will be utilized to assess and improve their work using rubrics and checklists.

* Students will plan and organize the logistics of how to arrange the various reading/ recording sessions. These can take place within the school or within the community setting.

*We will collectively write informational letters, requests, press releases, thank you notes, and invitations as needed as the project progresses.

*Parental help will be needed as we venture into the community for recording. An informational meeting may be held to explain the project and the support needed.

* Once we have video clips, we will enlist the help of our technology staff to assist in the steps of editing and final production. Using an interactive whiteboard and a class set of laptops, they will instruct and assist the second graders in each finishing their individual video.

* As a class, we will then discuss, plan, and compile clips to create the one final class video that will be viewed at an evening event. Again, we will enlist technology help as needed.

* Family, friends, and community members will be invited to share in the screening of our Read Across Orleans video. We will also post it to the OES website.

* Students will be asked to reflect on the learning and the collaboration they experienced through this project.