Internet Literacy Activities

Spend 35 minutes exploring the sites in your section. In general, the first few sites are articles that talk about the method being incorporated. Then there are example sites for you to explore. You will then have 10 minutes to share information learned during your exploration. Please use this worksheet as you explore.

Method One
The Inquiry Method and the Internet
Internet Workshop: Making Time for Literacy
Dr. Leu talks about the need to incorporate the Internet in the teaching of literacy. He illustrates an Internet activity that not only builds reading and writing literacy but also improves Internet skills.
Using the Web to Support Inquiry-Based Literacy Development
An article that talks about the Inquiry process.
    Ms. Fields’ Internet Workshop on the Titanic--An example of a Internet Workshop talked about in Dr. Leu's article.
    ABC Gulp--Dr. Leu developed an Internet Workshop at this site to use with Kindergarten children.
    Cyberguides--Internet activites developed around children's literature books that can be used as excellent Internet Workshops.
    Authors and Illustrators on the Web--Develop Internet workshops about authors of  books that you are reading.

Method Two
Online Literature Circles
Theory to Practice: Literature Circles-Annette Lamb's overview of Literature Circles. Be sure to read the paragraph on Technology-Rich Literature Circles.
Literature Circles Build Excitement for Books!-An article talking about the effectiveness of literature circles. Contains links to other resources.
Literature Ladders--A variation of Literature Circles developed by Annette Lamb.
Literature Circles Resource Center
Literature Circle Questioning Strategies
Literature Circle Projects
    Mukilteo School District's Literature Circle-this school has a online discussion group for Literature Circles.
    Culture Clash: Two Sides to Every Story-an example of how you could incorporate the Internet with your Literature Circles.
    Reading Scene-Houghton Mifflin provides students an opportunity to discuss literature.

Method Three
Student Publishing
Encourage Student Writing - Publish on the Web
Gaining a New, Wider Audience: Publishing Student Work on the Internet
This article provides an overview of publishing student work.
Writing Resources
An article that talks about the importance of developing a quality writing program. Internet resouces are included.
Opportunities for Teenagers to Share Their Writing Online
An article that talks about the benefits to reading and writing literacy of having students publish their writing online. Ideas are explored plus various student publishing sites are included.
    Reading and Language Arts Projects-a variety of Internet projects.
    Cicada-students read online works. They can also submit their own writing and critique other's writing.
    TeenLit.com-a place for teens to share their writing.
    Book Hooks--A place to publish book reports online.
    Story Book 2002-allows students to publish, stories, poems, journals and play scripts.
    Kids Who Read - a book club for students to nominate and discuss their favorite books.
    Kidnews.com-a children's online magazine that gives children a chance to write in many different forms.
    KidLit-provides an opportunity for students to publish their work online.
    Writing with Writers - a Scholastic site that has students work with writers, editors, and illustrators to develop a variety of writing types and then post them to the Internet.
    Writing Workshop - Scholastic provides interactive lessons for writing on oral history. It provides a mini lesson and information on prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, reviewing, and publishing.
   Folktale Writers Workshop - students learn from two authors about writing folktales.  The students learn how to write folk tales, brainstorm ideas and can publish their folk tales on the web.
   Houghton Mifflin Reading Scene: Online Book Reading Group - provides several books with information and activities and allows students to post answers to questions that others can read.
   Houghton Mifflin Current Events - provides a news article, quiz, word game, and a place for students to share their feelings on news topics.