By: Tracey Hill
Literacy Tools
Two virtual literacy tools that my school used were Epic Books and Flipgrid. We used
Microsoft Teams as our classroom platform where we conducted virtual meetings and
where students and parents could access assignments, videos, spelling words and links
to resources and websites.
Books
Epic Books is a free website for teachers that offers thousands of books for students grade 6
and under to read at school or home. Teachers can track what students are reading as well
as length of time spent reading. Teachers can assign books to read from a variety of fiction
and nonfiction titles. It also offers extra support with Read to Me and Dictionary Look-up
options. Can also assign books for at home literacy stations or research projects.
Flipgrid is a free video discussion experience for pre-K and up. I created a Flipgrid tab on my
Teams page or you can access it on your web browser. This can be used for any subject but is
really fun and easy to get students engaged in a topic. Another great aspect is teachers don't
have to come up with all the video challenges themselves, but can explore or discover topics
already created by educators. For literacy, teachers can challenge students to explore
literature by sharing a book talk, make book recommendations, connect with Booksnaps, or
go Book Speed Dating. Authors also have little videos to share either reading a bit of their
first chapter or sharing writing or drawing skills. There is a 5 minute time limit (or less) so
students have to be concise with their responses. They can add a video recording of
themselves with added images, stickers, drawings, etc. or an image with audio of themselves
talking.
Another way is to have students practice sight words by watching the word of the day/week
and submitting video of them using the word. A great tool for practicing communication
skills, sharing ideas as well as the ability to be concise in their answers/responses. A great
tool for library too, can have students share/explain how they made homemade creations,
E.g., Lego candy dispenser, bike jump, windmill, etc. at home. Kids can get inspired to create
at home or in the library!
References
Brooksie Kramer Flipgrid, 2021. Book Speed Dating. [image] Available at:
<https://admin.flipgrid.com/manage/discovery/details/3196?ns&search=speed+dating+books>
[Accessed 5 April 2021].
Flipgrid Author Connections, 2021. Christine I - Thirst for Home. [image] Available at:
<https://flipgrid.com/authorconnection> [Accessed 5 April 2021].
Epic - Books for Kids. 2021. Free for educators! Give students unlimited in-class access to the best
books & videos on Epic. [online] Available at: <https://www.getepic.com/educators> [Accessed 6
April 2021].
Flipgrid Help Center. 2021. Literacy with Flipgrid. [online] Available at:
<https://help.flipgrid.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052558974-Literacy-with-Flipgrid> [Accessed 5
April 2021].
Mr. Clown & Friends, 2021. Word of the Day and Sight Word "of". [image] Available at:
<https://admin.flipgrid.com/manage/discovery/details/53397?ns&search=book+talks> [Accessed 6
April 2021].
