Kindles in 3rd grade

[Tammy Anderson]

We are planning to use Kindles in a 3rd grade classroom this year for independent reading and at home reading. At this point we have 12 Kindles. Glacier Peak Elementary, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Brighton, CO

[Will DeLamater]

Tammy, are you finding the titles you want for your kids? Some of the teachers here have said that there aren't enough children's titles available. What is your experience?

[Tammy Anderson]

Yesterday I started to make a list of books 3rd grade students may be interested in and I was pleasantly surprised at home many titles have Kindle editions. Most of the titles are series books and students love to read the series. It looks like there are at least 24 different series 3rd graders could read. Some titles include Magic Tree House books, Horrible Harry, Junie B. Jones, Capital Mysteries, Encyclopedia Brown, Stink, Hunger Games, Time Warp Trio, and Nancy Drew. They are adding I Can Read nonfiction titles in the next 60 days and many of my students love nonfiction. There are also many Step Into Reading books from Level 1-3. I found at least 187 titles my students can choose from. I would love to use the Kindles with my striving 1st and 2nd graders, but I do not think at this point there are enough books at those reading levels.

WillD said:

Tammy, are you finding the titles you want for your kids? Some of the teachers here have said that there aren't enough children's titles available. What is your experience?

[Will DeLamater]

Great title ideas, Tammy! Please keep us all posted on your exciting project with the Kindles!

Tammy Anderson said:

Yesterday I started to make a list of books 3rd grade students may be interested in and I was pleasantly surprised at home many titles have Kindle editions. Most of the titles are series books and students love to read the series. It looks like there are at least 24 different series 3rd graders could read. Some titles include Magic Tree House books, Horrible Harry, Junie B. Jones, Capital Mysteries, Encyclopedia Brown, Stink, Hunger Games, Time Warp Trio, and Nancy Drew. They are adding I Can Read nonfiction titles in the next 60 days and many of my students love nonfiction. There are also many Step Into Reading books from Level 1-3. I found at least 187 titles my students can choose from. I would love to use the Kindles with my striving 1st and 2nd graders, but I do not think at this point there are enough books at those reading levels.

WillD said:

Tammy, are you finding the titles you want for your kids? Some of the teachers here have said that there aren't enough children's titles available. What is your experience?

[Sarah Kinder]

This is really helpful information - thanks so much for sharing it. We do not have any ereaders yet but are looking into them. Do you know if there are any resources that compare the number of titles for elementary books on the various ereaders?

[Tammy Anderson]

I have not found any resources that compare the number of titles for elementary books on the various e-readers. I have compiled a list for a grant I wrote if you would like me to send it to you for the Kindle. The reason I chose the Kindle is it has the text-to-speech option and for struggling readers this has been very helpful. Students are able to read the same book irregardless of their reading level. We have had rich book discussions with some students reading the text and some following along with the audio. Not all books have the text-to-speech option and I think the Kindle is the only e-reader with it right now.

Sarah Kinder said:

This is really helpful information - thanks so much for sharing it. We do not have any ereaders yet but are looking into them. Do you know if there are any resources that compare the number of titles for elementary books on the various ereaders?

[Sarah Kinder]

Tammy - I would love the information. My email is [e-mail] I did not realize that the Nook and others did not have text to speech. So - maybe the new color and touch screen features are really not the things to key in for younger students. Still weighing the options - and thanks for sharing on this Ning!
Sarah

Tammy Anderson said:

I have not found any resources that compare the number of titles for elementary books on the various e-readers. I have compiled a list for a grant I wrote if you would like me to send it to you for the Kindle. The reason I chose the Kindle is it has the text-to-speech option and for struggling readers this has been very helpful. Students are able to read the same book irregardless of their reading level. We have had rich book discussions with some students reading the text and some following along with the audio. Not all books have the text-to-speech option and I think the Kindle is the only e-reader with it right now.

Sarah Kinder said:

This is really helpful information - thanks so much for sharing it. We do not have any ereaders yet but are looking into them. Do you know if there are any resources that compare the number of titles for elementary books on the various ereaders?

[Melissa Becerra]

Hi Tammy,

I am researching Kindles to use in my 2nd grade classroom. I will be writing a grant soon, but wanted to get all of information straight. I was happy to read in your posts that you found many titles. Would you be willing to send me the list you compiled? How are your 3rd graders enjoying the Kindles?

Thanks so much, and happy Halloween!

[Tammy Anderson]

Melissa,
My third graders love to read on the Kindle. They are excited about choosing their own books and reading what they are interested in. One student really likes the text-to-speech option because she can access text she would not be able to read on her own. She is able to participate in our book discussions and is excited to contribute to the conversation. I just gave one of my striving 2nd graders a Kindle on Friday because she wanted to read The Lemonade Wars. She was thrilled. We are going to use it in first grade for a couple of higher readers next week. I am so excited about the possibilities. I attached the list for you. I'd love to hear how it goes.
Tammy

Melissa Becerra said:

Hi Tammy,

I am researching Kindles to use in my 2nd grade classroom. I will be writing a grant soon, but wanted to get all of information straight. I was happy to read in your posts that you found many titles. Would you be willing to send me the list you compiled? How are your 3rd graders enjoying the Kindles?

Thanks so much, and happy Halloween!

[Melissa Becerra]

Hi Tammy,

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate the list. It's great to hear what your students are saying about Kindles. I hope that mine can say the same soon! My plan is to write a grant for 6 and go on from there. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Thanks again for sharing!! :)

Bye,
Melissa




Tammy Anderson said:

Melissa,
My third graders love to read on the Kindle. They are excited about choosing their own books and reading what they are interested in. One student really likes the text-to-speech option because she can access text she would not be able to read on her own. She is able to participate in our book discussions and is excited to contribute to the conversation. I just gave one of my striving 2nd graders a Kindle on Friday because she wanted to read The Lemonade Wars. She was thrilled. We are going to use it in first grade for a couple of higher readers next week. I am so excited about the possibilities. I attached the list for you. I'd love to hear how it goes.
Tammy

Melissa Becerra said:

Hi Tammy,

I am researching Kindles to use in my 2nd grade classroom. I will be writing a grant soon, but wanted to get all of information straight. I was happy to read in your posts that you found many titles. Would you be willing to send me the list you compiled? How are your 3rd graders enjoying the Kindles?

Thanks so much, and happy Halloween!

[Michelle Burns Jurkiewicz]

Tammy, one of the things that I'm encountering with parents is some major resistance to reading on an ereader. Of course some have them and their kids use it, but others hate it. I find it understandable and a shame at the same time. What are your parents/faculty saying about this transition from book to ereader?

[Sarah Kinder]

HI all -I am wondering if anyone has created a permission slip for younger users to check out an ereader. There is the liability issue as well as the factor of resistance. How do you handle loaning out ereaders to children when the possible breakage could result in the parent having to pay for repairs or replacement. I'm guessing some parents would not want to take this on.

thanks!

[Tammy Anderson]

Sarah,
I have attached a copy of the permission slip I sent home with the students with whom I am conducting a pilot study on the Kindle. You could easily adapt it to fit your needs as I will when I send the Kindles home with various students beyond the study. If parents are unwilling to accept the responsibility to replace the Kindle if it is lost or damaged, then I am hoping they will not allow their child to bring it home. I also purchased insurance for each Kindle from Square Trade for 23.99 each for two years of coverage. It will replace damaged Kindles, but not lost Kindles. My students have been taking them home for 6 weeks and we have not had any problems.
Tammy


Sarah Kinder said:

HI all -I am wondering if anyone has created a permission slip for younger users to check out an ereader. There is the liability issue as well as the factor of resistance. How do you handle loaning out ereaders to children when the possible breakage could result in the parent having to pay for repairs or replacement. I'm guessing some parents would not want to take this on.

thanks!