Very interesting use of the Literature Circles. I especially like that you incorporated that the students, working in groups collaboratively, wrote a letter to the author based on 6 traits, and that there will be a follow-up video conference should the author accept. Brilliant! It expands the students' world. Well designed unit.

Kavita, If you have yet to implement this idea of a VoiceThread Portfolio for the students to share with their parents, I would like to know how it goes. Did the students enjoy creating the portfolios? Did the parents learn more about what their children studied and did it feel more personal? So, if you already did this with them and they led the conferences, I would like to know more. If you are yet to do this, if you remember, please drop me a line. Thanks.

Courtney, I enjoyed your unit. It was well thought out and used several constructivist and ONLE strategies. A good use of Web 2.0 Tools and social networking. I especially thought that the separate Science Tab for the science gadgets would be useful for the students. As there are new theories and discoveries in science, this is a perfect format and subject matter for students in this class and future classes to share, add, and enlighten in a "community-community" learning environment.