This document describes a collaboration between two 6th grade classes to discuss a novel, Where the Red Fern Grows, using various digital tools. Students were put into random groups between the classes on Edmodo to discuss prompts about the novel. They also created vocabulary presentations using iPads that were shared on SchoolTube. The process involved guidelines, lessons on the tools, student responses and reflections, and a celebration where they viewed each other's videos. The teacher notes things they would do differently like spending more time on digital communication skills and including more self-assessment.

1. A Novel Experience
(Collaboration between classes within a school)
How can you connect conflicts and problems from a
classic novel (Where the Red Fern Grows) to current
issues in your personal life today? How are these
problems still relevant? How can you connect with
others using the novel?

2. Prerequisites/Planning
Meetings with fellow 6th Technology:
grade staff member: Limited access to
 Determine purpose technology – schedule
 Learn technology use
 Discuss digital Learning curve for
citizenship and Chromebooks
netiquette Ipad /Facetime lessons
 Set up random groups Upload files and links to
between 2 classes Edmodo
 (collaborated in
evenings via Facetime)

3. Tools Used
Edmodo: Ipad/Facetime:
Chromebooks:
1.Easy to use Lessons between
2.Students liked look classes
1.Edmodo worked well
of it – like Facebook
except for videos
3.Created avatars and School Tube:
2.Faster start up
completed personal Hosted student
3.Assigned numbers on
information videos
Chromebooks
4.Several lessons on
use of Edmodo IRubric:
Google Sites:
5.Set up chat area for Hosted rubrics
Hosted videos and links
students embedded on
6.Groups of 10 Google Site
students

4. Google Site

5. Edmodo

6. Guidelines
Discussed with both groups using Facetime
Edmodo Guidelines - Posting Messages
1.Post a note to the whole group if your question is about something the whole group
should know (assignments, instructions, dates etc.)
2.Send a note only to your teacher if you want to talk about something that doesn’t relate
to everyone.
3.Don’t post personal questions to the group.
4.Keep conversations on topic.
5.If you’re not sure if a word or joke is okay, then it’s probably not. Refrain from posts
that tease, bully, annoy, spam, or gossip about any other member.
Groups
If you think there is something inappropriate posted in an Edmodo group, tell a teacher
immediately.
Punctuation & Grammar
1.No txting lingo. We r ur teachers…show us that u have learned how 2 spell.
2.DO NOT PUT SENTENCES IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.
3.Do not end sentences with more than one exclamation mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or question
mark????????????
4.Please please please do not repeat a word more than necessary.

7. Code of Conduct
Edmodo Code of Conduct
1.I will use one of the avatars included with Edmodo for my profile
picture or use one that I have appropriate legal permission to use (i.e. in
the public domain).
2.I will use posts to discuss school-related content only.
3.I will use a respectful tone of voice when posting. All school rules and
consequences related to harassment apply.
4.I will use appropriate grammar instead of texting language.
5.I will limit my use of sarcasm to avoid misinterpretations.
6.I will not reveal any personal information on Edmodo. This includes
telephone numbers, addresses, emails, etc.
7.I will not post photos or videos showing myself or classmates without
permission.
Student signature:____________________________________

8. Rubric for Response

9. Prompts
#1 Explain how you have a character trait like Billy and why? Give examples from the book to
support your reason. 2. Read and reflect on another student's response. Remember to follow the
rubric guidelines and proper netiquette. * Put your response for #1 in the box at the top that
says "type your note here...".
#2 (Determination - loyalty - family - sacrifice - unconditional love - willpower)
Select one of the words above and explain why it is the overall theme for the novel. Give
examples from the book to prove your point. Put your answer in a post so others can respond.
#3 CHANGE- Characters are constantly changing in books. This is not different than how you
have changed and grown so far this year. Describe in a new entry how you feel Billy has changed
as a character and why you feel that way? What evidence can you give me to prove your point?
#4 CONFLICT/PROBLEM: Throughout the book, Billy encounters many conflicts and
problems. Describe one of these conflicts and compare it to your own life. Do you have similar
conflicts as Billy? Be sure to answer completely.
#5 Evaluate and reflect back on the posts you have made on Edmodo. What did you do well?
What do you need to work on? Evaluate your experience so far working with Edmodo. Be
specific, please.

10. Response Examples
“I think I did very well on my posts because I answered the questions thoroughly
with words that described what I said. When I replied on people's posts I said one
good thing about their post and a thing they could add on. I saw that I used the
same ideas in most of my posts so I need to work on that. I don't like Edmodo
because I think that pencil and paper is easier to use, and you can't cheat.”
“I can relate to one of the conflicts in the story. When Old Dan climbed up the
tree, Billy was afraid he was going to jump off and break his legs. One time my
dog jumped off the porch and couldn't get up so we thought he broke one of his
legs. He was finally able to get up, but still had a limp in his stride, he is fine now.
Billy and I both made a connection that our dog's leg could have been broken.”
“I am like Billy because we are both determined to do things in life. An example in
the book was that Billy knew that his parents wouldn't buy him his two hounds, so
he was determined to get his wish of the hounds and he did just that. The reason
why we are both determined is that I am determined to do certain things in life or
I have set high goals in life, like one of my goals is to go to colleges and graduate
college, and that is how Billy and I are alike.”

11. Process
1. Groups were set up between 2 classes within a building in
Edmodo
2. Guidelines were reviewed and rubrics for scoring
discussed
3. Initial lessons were taught using Facetime (synchronous)
4. Students were taught the tools
5. Chat room was set up in Edmodo for “handshake” time
(synchronous)

12. Process
6. Prompts were given weekly - students reflected and
responded to others (asynchronous)
7. Groups in classrooms created vocabulary presentations
(rap/skit/comic strip) that were videotaped using Ipad
and shared on SchoolTube with other class. Links were
found on Google Site
8. Students viewed videos between classes/celebration
9. Self-assessment

13. Videos Choices
Google Site-https://sites.google.com/a/ripon.k12.wi.us/mrs-wisneski
Rap Comic/Cartoon Skit

14. What would I do differently?
1. Spend more time teaching how to communicate
digitally. Even with Facetime lessons, consistency was
not always evident.
2. Work with staff members that had more expertise with
technology.
3. Include more self-assessment in each step of the
process.