Shelfari Book Reviews
Carrie Mitton
2008-2009
Objectives: Introduction (Day 1):
SWBAT write clear, concise Have students think of their two favorite books. In their
book reviews. journals, ask them to \"quick write\" about why they
• SWBAT participate in enjoyed those books so much.
discussion boards by • Ask the class: Have you ever finished a really great book,
explaining their opinions, but then had a hard time finding another book to read?
responding to others in a What strategies have you used to find another great
respectful manner, and book? Discuss their ideas.
including support from the • Introduce the concept of Shelfari.com. Explain to the
text to validate their ideas. students that the site allows readers to create their own
virtual bookshelf, write reviews, rate books, and get
Resources: recommendations from readers who like similar books.
www.shelfari.com • Show the Shelfari video podcast to the class. After the
• Book review rubric video, explain that each student will need parental
permission in order to participate in the project. Hand out
• Discussion board rubric permission slips.
• Parental permission form
• Student Acceptable Use
Policy Instruction & Development:
• Student journals Day 2 (after permission slips have been returned):
○ Guide the students through the process of creating
• SMART Board
their Shelfari account by following the on-screen
• Chart paper directions.
• SMART Notebook ○ Have students add books to their shelf that they have
already read this year, as well as their current book.
Standards: ○ Allow the students to rate the books on their shelf
(five being the highest score).
1.1 Learn to Read
• Days 3 - 4 (writing a good book review):
Independently
○ Give students time to browse the books on their shelf
1.3 Read, Analyze, &
and read some of the reviews written by others.
Interpret Literature
○ Working in groups of two, ask the students to screen
A.1.5/2.5 Retell the main
capture some of the reviews into Smart Notebook.
ideas/themes
Have the students sort the reviews onto three slides
A.1.6/B.1.6 Identify text
(Slide 1: not-so-helpful reviews; slide 2: somewhat
genre
helpful; slide 3: really helpful).
B.1.1 Analyze setting, char,
○ As a class, share some of the reviews the students
plot, theme, topic
found. Create a list of characteristics that describe
ISTE Nets 2:
each level of reviews.
Communication &
○ Introduce the class to the book review template they
Collaboration
will use for Shelfari. As a class, write a book review
ISTE Nets 5: Digital
for one of the books that has been read aloud so far
Citizenship
this year.
○ Have the students use the book review template to
Adaptations: draft, edit, and post their own book review to
Students who do not have Shelfari.com.
parental permission will • Day 5 (participating in a group discussion):
need to complete alternative ○ Guide students through the steps to join the class
assignments: group.
○ Turn in paper-pencil ○ Review the discussion board guidelines used for
book reviews for Moodle discussion boards, which will also be used for
teacher feedback. Shelfari discussions.
○ Respond in writing to Review the concept of \"thinker\" questions with the
The Role of the Reader Page 1

○ Respond in writing to ○ Review the concept of \"thinker\" questions with the
teacher-created open- students (questions that require more than \"yes\" or
ended questions \"no,\" and will spark a discussion).
related to the read- ○ Have students post thinker questions to the group
aloud text (similar to discussion board about the current read-aloud book
PSSA questions). and give them time to respond to the questions their
peers post.
Assessment: ○ Show students how to participate in a discussion with
their peers from around the world by looking on the
Use the book review rubric discussion tab for each book on their shelf.
to assess student reviews.
• Use the discussion board
rubric to assess student
comments on discussion Closure:
boards.
Day 7 (looking for book recommendations):
○ Show students how to click on the profile of a user
who posted a review or discussion comment about
one of their books. This will take students to
another users' bookshelf.
○ Model how to rate a bookshelf according to their
personal interests (5 being the highest--matches
many of my interests). Discuss how to safely add
users to \"friend\" lists, and review the SMART surfing
guidelines.
○ Give students time to peruse the bookshelves of
others, read their reviews, and add books to their
personal wish list.
○ Allow time to share student successes and
challenges on Shelfari.
The Role of the Reader Page 2