Blog Entry: Bringing Charlotte’s Web to Life with Technology

    Teaching Charlotte’s Web was very fun to do, but adding technology makes it even more exciting and meaningful (Hood 2020). In this updated lesson, third graders will dive into the world of Wilbur, Charlotte, and Templeton in creative, hands-on ways. By incorporating digital tools, we can engage all learners while also connecting the story to bigger cultural ideas (Moody & Morrow, 2017). Students that I work with are below grade level by incorporating technology it gives students a break from the typical close read and annotate lesson and promotes more engagement and individuality in the lesson. My struggling readers benefit from Realwordify. it was a great technology tool that read the text to students in a simplistic way for them to understand (Tech & Learning, n.d). 

Exploring Character Traits

    We’ll start by introducing character traits with a digital mind-mapping tool using Popplet. In small groups, students will brainstorm traits for the characters, linking them to specific story events. For example, they might connect Charlotte’s kindness to her selfless actions to save Wilbur. The visual format helps students see how these traits drive the plot and affect the characters’ relationships. To add a global perspective, students will also compare these traits to those of animals in folktales from different cultures, like Anansi the spider or the tortoise in African folklore. It’s a fun way to explore how values like bravery and kindness are celebrated worldwide. This also allow students to practice another benchmark Text Structures.

Day 2: Collaborative Discussions
    Instead of traditional group discussions, students will use digital whiteboards like Jamboard. Each group will annotate a specific passage from Charlotte’s Web, highlighting evidence of character traits. They can add sticky notes, draw connections, and even insert images to bring their ideas to life. This tool makes discussions more interactive and ensures every student has a voice, even if they’re usually shy (Moody & Morrow, 2017). Prompts like, “How does Charlotte’s kindness reflect values we see in other cultures?” encourage critical thinking and help students connect the story to universal themes.

Day 3: Creative Digital Posters
To wrap things up, students will create digital character posters using Canva for Education. This is where students can really collaborate and show their understanding of the text(Tech & Learning, n.d). They’ll include text, visuals, and even multimedia elements like audio or video to showcase their chosen character’s traits. For an added layer of cultural awareness, students can compare their character’s traits to those admired in other cultures, such as selflessness in traditional Chinese stories or teamwork in Indigenous tales. In Benchmark students are introduced to many stories from different countries.

    The beauty of this lesson lies in how it engages students at multiple levels. Using technology not only makes learning more interactive but also fosters collaboration and creativity (Hood,2020). By weaving in global perspectives, students gain a deeper understanding of the story and the world around them. Watching them connect with the material in such personal and imaginative ways is a reminder of why I love teaching. This lesson is truly a blend of fun, learning, and discovery.


References:

Hood, L. Discussion: 7 strategies to use with struggling readers. Edutopia. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://www.edutopia.org/article/discussion-7-strategies-use-struggling-readers/

Moody, L., & Morrow, J. (2017). DIFFERENTIATED AND MEANINGFUL INSTRUCTION: Turning around districtwide performance by immersing students in an engaging, literacy-rich environment. Literacy Today (2411-7862), 35(1), 18–19.


Tech & Learning. (n.d.).15 sites for differentiated instruction. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https
















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