Year Round Learning 2.0

On Thursday, I was in Borders Book Store searching for a good read for my train ride to Boston. (SIDE NOTE PLUG: I went with Arika Okrent's In the Land of Invented Languages). I went upstairs to find my book and here is the sign I came across...

While this seems like a very efficient and kind offer from Borders Book Store, I was still troubled by this sign. Why? Let's break it down.

1. The sign is directed at students. "Ask your teacher to email a copy to us" Really! I would love to live in a world where students flock to Borders Book Store, actually have the energy to go upstairs in a book store - send 8 text messages on the way up to the second floor - and get excited about a sign that asks them, the student, to address their teacher about sending them a summer reading list. I know that is a very cynical mind set, but I just don't see #1 on this sign working.

2. The main problem I have with this though is not about student's apathy, it is with the entire book exchange process. Last time I checked we were in some sort of an economic downturn. Families are cutting back on vacations, unnecessary expenditures, etc. That said, why doesn't Borders offer a book exchange program for local schools? Here is my method:

1. Instead of having students provide their reading lists, every school district will e-mail borders a copy. Borders will then set up various kiosks for each local school.

2. Students who read the book last year will have the opportunity to return the book - if they so choose to do so - and get a credit for their next summer reading book.

EXAMPLE:

John is in 9th grade. Last year he read "Things Fall Apart" for his summer reading. This year he needs to read "A Brave New World". He goes to Borders this year and returns "Things Fall Apart". Borders gives John half of his money back for "Things Fall Apart". John finds a used copy of "Brave New World" and buys it at half price.

Kate is going into 9th grade and needs to read "Things Fall Apart" This summer. She goes to Borders and finds a used copy for half price. On the inside cover is the name John.

With emerging technology on the verge of creating devices to replace books, bookstores need to adjust, and make it appealing and practical for students to come in and purchase a book. Promote the content, not the cover!

Part II: Year Round Learning 2.0

School districts need to rethink summer reading and ways to promote learning through the summer. As an English teacher I was always bothered that we were the only department giving out summer assignments. And I realize that it one of the primary components of the English classroom, but why limit reading to one discipline? I also understand that teachers and students need time to “recharge” from a long year, however, recharging, does not mean halting the learning process.

Students and teachers have the opportunity to communicate and learn throughout the summer months. This can be done through many different forums. The process doesn’t require much and should promote learning and engage students when they have plenty of time on their hands.

Here are ways to rethink and promote summer reading or simply "Year Round Learning 2.0"

1. Let's have our students read a broad array of fiction and non fiction throughout the summer.

A. English - Read selected literature given by your teacher

B. History - Read Newsweek or Time every week and post on one article. Or better yet,read the newspaper!

C. Math - Utilize this great forum set up through Drexel University and post one or several math problems a week for your students to complete, post and discuss on the wiki.

D. Art - Go to this site (Every Photo Tells A Story Blog) every week and post a comment or set up your on blog/wiki like this and create a discussion forum where your students post an image and discuss it! Actually, this site can be used for creative writing as well and works well in many English classrooms. It is a great way to get your students free writing and into the composing groove.

E. Gym - Yes, gym! This marks the first time I am covering gym! Have your students not only exercising their mind, but dropping the remote or mouse and get outside to stay in shape throughout the summer! Show them how to use Run Keeper if they have an iPhone or iPod Touch. Or have them track their running throughout the summer by using Google Maps Pedometer.

2. Let's get a GoodReads or Shelfari school account set up and make students accountable by requiring them to post once a week on the literature they are reading. Make this happen!!!

3. Create a summer reading wiki for your class. Link it to Goodreads or Shelfari or simply use it to facilitate discussion over the summer. This makes that first day of class ice breaker seem very unnecessary.

Learning is ubiquitous and it should not just be limited to reading literature; it should be open to all disciplines. If we promote the idea of social networks and getting our students to be independent learners, we will have a much easier transition every September. The world is flat and therefore the classroom should be as well. As the "off - time" of the school year commences, let's really use our time to promote these new technologies and create the year round classroom. It can happen, it will happen and we need it to happen now!

Discussion Forum: How are you getting your students ready for the summer? How do you plan on promoting "Year Round Learning 2.0"?