Building Your Students' Vocabulary (part 4 in a series) #BookSnaps

Thanks for sticking with me through this series about vocabulary.

For those of you working with middle and high school students, 

this one is for YOU! 

We've all had them:

Students who turn their noses up at ELA assignments

Those who avoid participating in class 

The ones who don't or won't do assignments at all

Kids who are bored as can be in school

Students who just hate school in general 

Maybe it's time to....

If you're an SLP, you're likely working with students with language disorders - language is just plain hard for them. Do you like doing things you know you aren't good at? I know I don't.  I'm terrible at math so I avoid it like the plague. 

When anything is harder. students often dislike it- just like I dislike math. 

I hate cleaning, for example, but I have to do it as not to live in a pigpen.  

I trudge through by I fixing myself my favorite refreshing drink and putting on my favorite music while I get my chores on.

Why not use our students' favorite things in instruction, too?  

Motivated students work harder and are happier (good-bye behavior issues). 

Happy students = happy educators

YOU CAN TOTALLY DO THIS! 

Don't know Snapchat? Don't worry, you don't need to. 

Besides, your students can teach you anything you need to know.

Here's the good news - you don't even need a snapchat account to do this (but you're missing out on some fun); here's what you need to know:

1) I recommend this for high school students but middle school students would jump at the chance to do it, too! It will require you laying down some rules and expectations.

2) Your students use their account to take a photo of the text they are reading and create a snap (just getting to use their phone or other device in class will be a motivator in itself). They will undoubtedly be Snapchat saavy enough to work the app. The tricky part will be getting them to think about the skill assignment you've given them (citing evidence to support questions you pose, finding and describing unknown vocab words, identifying character traits, finding text that describes mood, and so on). The possibilities are endless!

3) Encourage them to be creative and use appropriate Snapchat captions and stickers. School should still be fun sometimes!

4) Let your kids know they do not have to snapchat the image at all (but they can) nor do they need to send it anyone. They just need to screenshot it, and email it directly to you from their device. 

5) Want to get them even more pumped about literacy? Print the booksnaps from your email (if you're lucky enough to have a hefty ink supply) and create a whole wall of booksnaps! Or a book!  Start a booksnap revolution! 

At least one educator, Tara Martin, actually uses her own Snapchat account to exchange booksnaps with her students. That makes me a little nervous, but you should check out how she uses Snapchat HERE. 

Want to know MORE about using Snapchat in instruction? 

Check out DITCH THAT TEXTBOOK

#BookSnaps