So I just finished a project with my 5th graders that they really loved. I called it the book suggestion project. I set aside $250 of my spring book budget and let the 5th graders tell me what to buy. They had to work in small groups or individually and create a persuasive video about a book they thought I should buy for the library. Some choose books they had already read, some chose ones they had not. They had to research their book using the NoveList database, amazon, and GoodReads and then write a 30 second speech. Then they used an App called ChatterKid to create their video. ChatterKid is an App where you take a picture of something and then you can draw a line across it to make a mouth and then record yourself to make the picture talk. Kids love the App, but I loved listening to their persuasive speeches and they did a really good job too! Here are the links to two of my favorites:
Roller Girl
Auggie and Me
Laugh out Loud Jokes
I spent about 3 hours watching all of their videos and then creating the book order. I did this at the same time as my normal book order so I was able to put it all in together. I have started telling the classes what books I bought and they are so excited. Its hard sometimes to get 5th graders excited about books in the elementary library (they think they are too cool for elementary school by February here). I can't wait for the books to come and for them to actually get to read them!
Roller Girl
Auggie and Me
Laugh out Loud Jokes
I spent about 3 hours watching all of their videos and then creating the book order. I did this at the same time as my normal book order so I was able to put it all in together. I have started telling the classes what books I bought and they are so excited. Its hard sometimes to get 5th graders excited about books in the elementary library (they think they are too cool for elementary school by February here). I can't wait for the books to come and for them to actually get to read them!