Digital Booktalks

Elements and ideas

What it is.

● A book “trailer” ● Uses multimedia such as photos, videos,

music and audio ● “sells” the book to readers

Why use it.

● gets kids reading● provides choice ● understand story elements - mood, setting,

theme, characters, etc..● creative process● digital tools ● digital citizenship● global audience

Three key elements:

● The hook● The content ● The cliffhanger

The Hook - grab the listener’s attention

● Read a gory, scary or exciting section (keep it short)

● Ask a question● Relate the events/feelings in the book to

current events/feeling in the listener’s lives (https://multcolib.org/single-shard)

● Use effective visuals, text, music

The Content - tell about the characters and/or plot

● Provide facts, then move to something shocking or surprising

● Know a secret, talk about it, don’t reveal it● Copy dialogue to read ● Tie the plot into a historical event or time period● Get into character - use voice● Show a great visual● Tell something interesting about the author,

especially when the book is an autobiography

The Cliffhanger

● End your talk with something unresolved● Leave them wanting more● You want the listener to want to read the

book.

How to create a book talk

● Read the book ● Take notes/use sticky notes● Look for the hook● Decide what you want to share● create a storyboard● Write down your book talk● Practice

Storyboard

Creating the digital book talk

● Make a folder in your documents titled ‘Book talk’

● Search creativecommons.org for pictures, music and media

● Save media to your folder● Use iMovie (mac) or Movie Maker (PC), or

Voicethread to create your digital book talk

http://search.creativecommons.org/

Points to remember for a good digital book talk

● Use photos (high res), music and other media that create impact

● Be creative (photo collages, digital manipulation)● Minimal text● Clear voice (practice)● Appropriate music - think about mood● Avoid using images from the movie version of the

book.● Keep it short: 1 1/2 to 2 minutes

Sharing

● post student booktalks on school Youtube channel

● create QR codes and put around the school, library and share with public library

● start a digital booktalk club● host an Academy Awards

Resources

Assessment Rubric - http://bit.ly/1g0vJweQR Code generator - http://www.qrstuff.com/RSS digital booktalks - http://bit.ly/1uSPzxuVoicethread - http://bit.ly/1sjk7og