Inquiry Question/ Assignment

It’s been a great couple of weeks getting to know my new classroom community. I have a small class this year, only fifteen 3^rd graders who range in age from 7-8 years old. They have a wide variety of strengths and weaknesses, and I can already envision the growth that many of them will make, specifically in the area of literacy development.

I’ve made initial assessments, and have discovered that I have a number of reluctant writers, mostly boys. Our district is in its second year of implementing the Lucy Calkins Units of Study, which focuses on 90 minutes of targeted instruction and independent practice through the Writing Workshop five days a week. That’s a lot of writing for this age, which had led me to my inquiry question.

Here is my question:

How will incorporating a variety of digital media opportunities enhance a “canned curriculum” for 3rd grade writers?

Plan of Action/Execution:

I plan to begin by gathering data on my 3^rd grade writers including the amount of time they are able to sustain their own writing, (right now it’s about 4 minutes) collect mentor text in order for them to immerse themselves in quality writing, identify topics/genres that my 3^rd graders are interested in writing about, explore what types of digital media programs we can use with ease, with a focus on peer to peer learning, and development of digital skills. I would then share samples of programs with the students, allowing them to select the digital media that interests them. I envision students working collaboratively in a variety of programs, sharing with each other the possibilities for social destinations for their writing, as well as creating a kind of mentorship community as they share technical skills with each other.

My goal is to improve the core competencies of reading and writing through a supportive digital community in the classroom. I hope that with improved stamina for writing, these young author’s will be engaged and self motivated to improve their writer’s craft.

Here is what I need for help at our next meeting:

1. Suggestions/feedback maybe to help narrow my inquiry/action research.

2. What programs would we use in 3^rd grade( 7 and 8 year olds) to offer students the opportunity to become independent as they create a digital library of their writing to include movies, digital storytelling, picture collage, keynote/power point, with a focus on quality social destinations?

3. What is the best way to receive and share feedback in order to cultivate full participation and a community of writers?