Using the Internet to Facilitate Improved Reading Comprehension

Materials and Technology

Printouts

Websites

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Computers with Internet access
  
  
• LCD projector (optional)
  
  
• Chart paper displaying a T-chart, with the headings "Our Predictions" and "Correct or Incorrect"

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PRINTOUTS

• Student RSS Performance Rubric
  
  
• T-chart

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WEBSITES

• RSS in Plain English video
• Google Reader
• NewsGator
• BlogLines
• National Geographic Kids
• Global Bros
• Pandas, Kites, Acrobats & Other Cool Stuff...
• Experiencing Traditional Japan
• The Children's Museum of Houston
• Time for Kids

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PREPARATION

1.	Ensure that use of RSS readers and online videos does not violate your school district's acceptable use policy. If use of these websites is prohibited, consult with your school district's technology coordinator to gain temporary access to these Internet sites.
2.	To gain a better understanding of the use of RSS feeds, view the video "RSS in Plain English." Subscribe to one of the RSS readers listed in the Web resources section-either Google Reader, NewsGator, or BlogLines. Subscribing will create a model page for you to show in Session 1. Bookmark this page on your classroom or lab computers.
3.	Visit several websites that are applicable to recently taught lessons and are appropriate for your students. For example, after teaching a lesson regarding the culture of a different country, you might visit the website for National Geographic Kids. Other examples may include using the website for The Children's Museum of Houston to supplement a science lesson or visiting Time for Kids to locate information that corresponds to a recently taught lesson in history. Subscribe to the website's RSS feeds using the RSS icon located on the website or through the use of the "add feed" option on the RSS reader you chose in Step 1. Bookmark these and the other sites listed in the Web resources on your classroom or lab computers.
4.	If you do not have classroom computers with Internet access, reserve time in your school's computer lab for this lesson.  If you encounter technical difficulty during the lesson, an alternative way to utilize the lesson content would be to display printed screenshots of the RSS feeds to students through use of an overhead projector. Another option would include making handouts for students with screenshots of RSS feeds.
5.	Make one copy for each student of the T-chart.

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