How many 13 year olds write this to a teacher?
"I have written a book and Georgie is starting one (Sian is our helpful editor) so we all came up with an idea to make a website about writing and reading since we realised that not many people have set up sites where young writers can join and read other peoples work and put up their own. We added a Review page because we want people to be inspired by famous authors. We want everyone to be inspired by the heap of work people have put up. Hence the name Exploded..
The website was created out of pure self interest. We also want students to gain knowledge about writing paragraphs correctly, hence the reason we will be adding a Paragraphs page where people can see how to write a paragraph using the structure TEE."
(The emphasis is mine)
Every so often you get to see something that makes this teaching lark just all the more worthwhile. These instances are always student centred. This is the story of one of those.
I received an email from a Year 9 student, sent during her Art class. It read
"Hello,
Mrs xxxx saw our website that we put together and wanted you to have a look at it.
The site is targeted at young writers and readers and it includes forums on different topics to do with books and movies, tips for young writers and ways to gather ideas. It also has a book of the day page, reviews and advice from famous authors. And lots more!
Its up and running, with 34 members on last count. Many of them are Dio girls, but there are 3 from Sydney and many others from around Auckland.
Here is the link: www.explodedbookshelf.webs.com
We created our site using Webs.com- which was quite simple and easy to use- though perhaps limited in options for the site.
We hope you enjoy browsing."
So - I went and had a look - WOW! I continue to be blown away with what students can do!!!
And immediately I had a number of questions: So I emailed back the student with a few questions - have a read and enjoy the students' responses!
1. Why did you create the site in the first place? Was it part of an English project? Or an ICT project?
"Thank you for emailing us back! We have discussed and read your questions and have some answers!
1. I have written a book and Georgie is starting one (Sian is our helpful editor) so we all came up with an idea to make a website about writing and reading since we realised that not many people have set up sites where young writers can join and read other peoples work and put up their own. We added a Review page because we want people to be inspired by famous authors. We want everyone to be inspired by the heap of work people have put up. Hence the name Exploded..
The website was created out of pure self interest. We also want students to gain knowledge about writing paragraphs correctly, hence the reason we will be adding a Paragraphs page where people can see how to write a paragraph using the structure TEE.
2. How long did it take you to do it?
Georgie and I came up with the idea during art whilst talking about our novels. Sian agreed and gave us some tips. It was just an idea until that night I figured might as well give it a go. I found Webs.com over the internet and then created the website in less than 90 minutes. But considering I made a couple of mistakes and had to restart probably about 2 hours. However ExplodedBookshelf.com is continuously growing.
3. Why did you choose webs.com as your hosting site? What other ones are you aware of?
I am not sure of many hosting sites but I did search up ‘make a website’ over Google and Web’s looked like the best one. From the easiness to the creativeness. I thought it would help us make something amazing.
4. Did you enjoy it?
Yes! ExplodedBookshelf has become one of our biggest hobbies, you could call it an obsession! It’s lots of fun and we get the opportunity to meet other young writers. Sian is our editor and her job apart from the site is to help go over Georgie and my writing to spot mistakes that we have missed
5. What are your plans for ongoing development of the site?
We check it every-day! Updates and new discussions get submitted at least once a day and we plan to keep developing it in the future – to take it from a amateur website to a full-thrown international site!
Thank you so much! This is extremely appreciated by us all.
If only they knew how much it is me that appreciates what they have done.
Now - there are some key points this little episode has highlighted - wonder if you picked them up?
1. most of the discussion around this little venture happened in art class. Not english, not ICT. Art. Highlights yet again to me the folly of a secondary timetable - you simply can't dictate what people will think by ringing the period bell.
2. Created out of pure self interest. So, not a teacher in sight? How much powerful learning has been going on during this little exercise? Plenty.
3. One of their biggest hobbies. An obsession! I wonder how many students say their regular learning is an obsession! They yearn to see the site used and built on.
4. No experience building web sites of any kind before. Shows how great some of the free tools are these days.
5. If the web wasn't around - just where would these girls go to try and realise their passion?
I suspect that if they persist, they may find some issues around managing their site, moderating comments and dealing with unwanted members - but I hope they get some traction on what they are aiming for.
The joy of writing. By young people who have a passion, and want to share it. Visit their site and give them some encouragement. They deserve it.
http://www.explodedbookshelf.webs.com/
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