Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

     While reading Sarah, Plain and Tall students will create online journal entries or blog posts.  This technology, allows participants to type their thoughts and easily post them to the internet.  All postings will be teacher approved before appearing on the website.  Two fourth grade classes from Galloway Township will be partnered for the project, one from Reeds Road Elementary and one from Smithville School.  Students have been assigned team numbers and will read and respond to their partner’s entries.  Classroom teachers will also “highlight” postings within their classrooms and comment together as a class. 

     The goal of this project is to encourage students to increase their understanding of the novel and reflect on learning by “talking” with other students about the characters, predictions and connections.  With the use of technology, the students look forward to completing journal entries and their performance increases with the thought that other students will be reading their work.