Video Book Talk: Icefall, By Matthew J. Kirby

A video book talk celebrates reading, language arts skills, information skills and technology skills.  Skills involved in the first phase include reading the book, passing the Accelerated Reader quiz, and creating their own script.  The higher order information skill is synthesizing what they read into an effective summary of the book with their own recommendation with brief views included. Next, students learn and practice good speaking and presentation skills within a time limit before going to the studio.  In the Media Center and Broadcast Studio, students receive an orientation to the studio, the key roles a production crew play, and information about the uses of the equipment and safety rules.

Students then arrive in groups to tape their video book talk.  Footage is then viewed within their classrooms, with a few samples placed on the district website.