Building A Community of Readers with ThingLink

Have you used ThingLink?  Oh my goodness...it is the coolest and easiest tool for teachers. I just started playing around with it this summer and I have fallen in love. I'm still learning, but I wanted to share one project that I can't wait to use in my classroom.

What is ThingLink?

• ThingLink is an interactive media platform that allows YOU to make an image interactive by adding video, links, comments, images, and more!
• ThingLink works on the computer, iPads, iPhones, and Androids.
• ThingLink offers free education accounts for teachers and students!

 

Why do I love ThingLink?

• It is super easy to use and fast!
• You can create your own image in PowerPoint, upload, and add media anyway you want.
• Teachers can quickly create an image embedded with all kinds of links and media clips. 
• It's perfect for activities in Google Classroom. Just add your ThingLink and let kids click away.
• Kids can explore a topic online in a safe (already approved by you) and fun way.
• Easily embeds on webpages and blogs.  :)

When you log in to your account, there are a ton of tutorial videos right at your fingertips. Literally, they are scrolling across the bottom of the screen.  There are, of course, endless possibilities for using this in the classroom, however, I want to focus on building my classroom reading community!

Building a community of readers is a top priority for me each year. One of the best ways to build a community of readers is to talk, share, and be excited about books in general. And what better way to get kids excited about books then incorporating a little bit of technology.

The librarian at my school does an incredible job promoting the Texas Bluebonnet Books each year and I love to jump on board. One of the things I love about this program is the variety of books that make the list. Because the list includes picture books, graphic novels, and chapter books on a range of levels, there really is a good for everyone.

To help my students learn more about the books, I created my first ThingLink. I linked each book to the book trailer.  This way students can watch 1-2 minute video to see if they are interested in reading that book.

I plan on making this one of my first assignments in Google Classroom. Students will be given some time to watch trailers and find 2-3 Bluebonnet Books they would be interested in reading.  I may even let them vote on one for a read aloud.

You could do this for any list of award books, your personal favorites, or have your students create a ThingLink with their favorite books and their reviews. You could add video, a 1-2 sentence summary, or quick review of the book. You could include videos from the author or a link to the author's website. Endless possibilities. All of which will spark conversation and sharing of books in your classroom.

Now that I am familiar with ThingLink, I can't wait to incorporate it in my classroom.

I've also used it to streamline my Fiction Friday Archive.



Do already use ThingLink in your classroom?  I would love to compare notes. It not, How might you use ThingLink in the classroom?

Teacher only creations or student creations too?  I'm sticking with teacher creations right now. Baby steps.

In addition to promoting reading and talking books, I have plans for a poetry Thinglink, an Alamo Thinglink, and an Author's Study Thinglink and some kind of biography project Thinglink. :)

Check out the ThingLink blog to learn more.

Oh...the possibilities...