Booktalks enable students to relate story events in sequence and increase comprehension. Students first select and read books, then fill out story sequence papers identifying the beginning, middle, and end. Students then locate three pictures portraying the story sequence from sources like Sumo Paint or online. Pictures are saved to a desktop folder created for the project. An example booktalk by a third grader is provided. Students can then make VoiceThreads by uploading a picture, recording an audio comment using the microphone, listening to their audio, and deciding whether to save or cancel. Creating a VoiceThread is described as being as easy as pushing an "Easy Button."

1. Lisa Durff, Flat Classroom® Coordinator

3. VoiceThread from Maureen Tumenas, slide 3
http://voicethread.com/#q.b2251900.i12076236

4. Why?
Booktalks enable students to relate story
events in sequence, to perceive structure in
literature, and increase comprehension of
the literature.

5. First have the students select and
read books.

6. Students fill out
the story
sequence papers
identifying the
beginning, middle,
and end of the
story. (You may
use any story
sequence chart
you like)

7. Students locate three pictures
that portray the story sequence.
They may create their own
pictures at Sumo Paint,
Dabbleboard, or Sketch & Paint,
scan their own pictures if you
have a scanner, or find pictures
online at Pics4Learning

8. Save pictures to computer's
desktop folder which you
create for this project. This
is an easy to locate folder
for all project items at your
fingertips. To create a folder
click on the desktop, click
New, click Folder. If you
don't like the name of the
folder, click rename.

9. http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1547106k1357750o1/sallie

10. http://voicethread.com/?#u1576629.b2048204.i10853685

11. Example by 3rd
grader Michelle
Z. in Mary Fran
Lynch's grade
class at Alta
Vista School, San
Jose, CA
http://voicethread.com/#q.b642394.i3400823

12. http://voicethread.com/?#q+BookTalks.b66636.i344590

13. Ready to try one?
We're gonna make a VoiceThread.
First Get A Picture (Smile for my picture!)
Retrieve your picture from where ever you keep them (I
keep mine on flickr)
Put it on your computer
Sign into VoiceThread
I made an account for us -> mrsdurff@yahoo.com //
4Broadfording
Upload your picture
Use the microphone to add an audio comment. (You can
type too if you have no mic)
Listen to your audio.
Decide whether to save or cancel
You're done!

14. Like the Easy Button!
• That is all there is to it.

15. The book is due in January 2012!
http://www.flatclassroombook.com/index.html
http://www.facebook.com/flatclassrooms