Using Book Rap in the Classroom 
What is a book rap?
Well, a book rap is an online discussion for students
about a particular book. Book Raps are suitable for all age groups. Each
book rap has a coordinator who prepares, then starts the rap at a particular
time and looks after it while the discussion takes place.
The children send email messages and this takes
place on an email list set up for the book rap co-ordinator by the staff
at oz-TeacherNet. Each particular book has its own email list. Each school
or group has to join this list so they can send and receive messages.
The co-ordinator posts a Rap Point (discussion point/s) approximately one per week. The students (with guidance from their teacher) respond to these Rap Points and then they respond to other children's letters . Each book rap usually has three or four rap points and a "rap rap wrap up" which closes the discussion.
Guests for the book rap can sometimes involve
authors, illustrators and content experts depending on the content and
themes in the book.
Why do you need to do a book rap?
There are many reasons why you need to do a book rap. I will go through the ones which I think are important.
Global
Community
Book raps allow you to be part of a global community.
The structure of the book rap internet project means that the coordinator
is doing some of your work for you by providing you with some stepping
stones ( the rap and the discussion points) for your program and often
resources for you and your students.
Safety
As more and more classrooms are connected to
the internet across the world there is increasing pressure for teachers
to use the internet. At the same time parents do not want their children
to be exposed to anything considered unsafe. Book raps are set up to provide
a safe and secure environment for children to use the internet.
Teacher
skill development
Education departments in a lot of countries are
introducing learning technology competencies for teachers. By participating
in a book rap you will develop these competencies.
Literacy
development
As our job is to develop children's literacy
skills book raps provide many opportunities for reading, writing and discussion
often using higher order thinking skills. Book raps give a real purpose
for reading and writing as the children are now sharing experiences with
a larger group outside their classroom. This then makes reading and writing
a real world experience.
Enhance
student interaction
There is also the opportunity for students to
discuss and understand the author and illustrator's work as they can be
part of the book rap. Experts can come online too and they can provide
a detailed knowledge and answer childrens' questions better possibly than
you can.
Interest
and motivation
Besides your students using the internet safely
and developing their computer skills, book raps add variety, interest and
often excitement to their school program.
Cater
to individual needs
It allows students of different abilities, especially
gifted children, to respond at different levels. The structure of a book
rap encourages everyone to participate. Students are no longer isolated
as they can join in regardless of where they live. The use and speed of
email makes everyone seem close and maintains their interest.
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