Did you know that right now Big Universe Learning has …..

145,690 members from 154 countries?

3,389 books read 1,350,725 times?

273,558 books in bookshelves?

80,104 bookshelves followed by members?

30,429 books created by members?

Teachers as Authors on Big Universe

Ever thought about writing your own book to demonstrate a skill, teach a concept or provide additional information in a content area?  Teachers can use their Big Universe accounts to write their own books, publish them to the site, and then assign the title to their class to enhance any lesson or unit.

• Writing Books to Meet Reading Levels

Many times, I have often looked for multiple books written about similar topics that could be used to address the variety of reading levels in my classroom.  Too often, I find books that are “just right” for the majority of my students, but fail to find a good fit book for perhaps struggling readers or more advanced readers.  Finding appropriate leveled books that have an adequate level of challenge is critical when differentiating instruction.  Then it hit me: Why not create my own book to meet those specific learning needs of my students?

• Highlighting Vocabulary, Key Concepts

When a teacher creates their own texts, they have the control to include the key concepts and vocabulary that are critical for students to learn during the unit.  Additionally, teachers can upload pictures that were taken during class, which will illustrate the learning process.  These photos will help students draw connections to their learning, and make learning more personal.

• Unlimited Home Access

The days of worrying if students will return curriculum books to school are over, thanks to Big Universe.  When creating an online curriculum text resource, teachers have provided students with access to the text at home as well.  Purchasing multiple copies of books are no longer needed since all students in the class have access to Big Universe at home or the local library.

• Calamity Days

Without fail, it seems just when my students are getting to the heart of their understanding, snow begins to fall and we are either delayed or canceled!  This year, I plan to create text on Big Universe so that my students have access to the material even during the unexpected time off.  I can assign the book to the student accounts, and assign critical thinking tasks to be completed even on those days off!

• Absent Students

Every year, it seems as though I have at least one student who misses a considerable amount of school due to illness.  I always try to replicate the lessons and material that they missed once they return, or try to send home paper copies whenever possible.  This is another way publishing books related to my current curriculum would be beneficial.  Those students could continue to further their understanding of the content while they are recovering at home, thus making their return to school that much easier!

Teachers never seem to have enough time, but in the end, this feature of Big Universe could save some valuable time.  Try it during your next unit… it might just bring out your inner author that you’ve been waiting to develop!

My First Impressions of Big Universe

Remember as a child, searching for “that” cookie in the cookie jar?  You know…that feeling of excitement and anticipation in the pit of your stomach grew as you kept searching for that one cookie.  And once you found that cookie, you enjoyed every bite of it!

Big Universe is “that” cookie to me!

If you haven’t already been impressed by Big Universe, then now is the perfect time to dig into the “cookie jar” to see what you are missing.  Recently, I fell upon this online company through a Twitter contact.  I was attracted to the company’s mission, “An engaging online Reading and Writing Community”.  This sparked my curiosity to learn more.

I am not going to go into lengthy detail covering Big Universe’s innovative features, but instead invite you to take a look yourself.  There are so many websites out there offering literacy services.  However, the uniqueness of Big Universe made powerful first impressions on me as a literacy teacher and mother of young children.  These are just a few features that grabbed my attention immediately and made lasting impressions:

•  A student can create their own personal, interactive online bookshelf.  This is a great opportunity for a student to feel a sense of ownership and pride of their literate life.
• Each student can create and share books with friends online.  When students are given opportunities to collaborate with peers, they accomplish meaningful learning and solve problems better than alone.
• Students learn how to navigate social media features.  Social networking is an engaging, real-life scenario that provides new ways to connect and share information.
• Each student can choose to read several online interactive books at their unique independent and guided reading level.  Students that read at their unique reading levels build fluency, increase vocabulary, and expand background knowledge.
• Students can accumulate AR points from reading the online books.  A teacher’s AR classroom program is strengthened with numerous online books children can read at school or at home.
• The online books are full of engaging content and age-appropriate.  Children given meaningful, connected text improve their overall reading achievement.
• The online books are written by various adult authors from several different publishing companies. Students introduced to the wide range of genres, authors, and topics become more proficient readers.
• Students can be an author of their own book choosing from several illustration features.  When students are given choices their intrinsic motivation increases and they become engaged learners.
• A student’s online bookshelf is carried over from grade to grade.  This is a wonderful opportunity for students to strengthen their self-concept as a reader and writer as their literate life grows over the years.

This Week’s Featured Publisher: Andersen Press

Andersen Press, founded in 1976, publishes some of the most well known and best loved names in the world of children’s books. These include David McKee, the creator of Elmer the patchwork elephant; Tony Ross, who has given us the Little Princess; Ruth Brown, whose books include classics such as A Dark Dark Tale and The Big Sneeze; Michael Foreman, creator of Jack’s Fantastic Voyage and One World; Max Velthuijs whose Frog series has sold in 25 languages; and Colin McNaughton, whose Preston Pig series are among Andersen’s bestselling titles worldwide.

Read these and other books by Andersen Press on BigUniverse.com:

Grandpa’s Boat

Baby Pie

The Quiet Woman and the Noisy Dog

The Grump

Why?

Out to change the world?

Did you know that ee publishing & productions (pronounced “double e”) is out to change the world?

From ee publishing & productions:
We create children’s books and toys with high play and imagination value because we believe that the world would be a happier place if kids got to be kids just a little bit longer and if grownups greeted each day with more of the wonder we love in our children. In our products, we tap into the tremendous capacity for goodness, generosity, and compassion that children possess (from http://www.biguniverse.com/readkidsbooks/publisher/eepp).

This publisher is deeply committed to inspiring children’s character for tomorrow. That sounds like some ideas that can be used for character development.

Here are books on Big Universe from this publisher:

• Chatterbox
• Nana Star
• Nana Star and the Moonman

Here is a bit of information about one of the stories: Chatterbox by Michael Uslan

A funny, spirited, and heart-felt bird’s tale about a lonely child who comes out of her shell when a very near-sighted, talking parakeet swoops into her life. Told in Dr. Suess-style rhyme, this story of a girl and her bird shows how very special the relationship between a pet and a child can be.

This Week’s Featured Book Publisher: ZooBooks

Zoobooks is the everything-you-wanted-to-know-but-didn’t-know-where-to-look children’s resource for animals. Each issue delves into topics such as anatomy, habitat, socialization, and reproduction-all on a single animal or animal group-in a vibrant, easy-to-understand way. The series is produced by Wildlife Education, Ltd., a company first established in 1980. Hardcover library editions of the series were first produced in 1983, and the first foreign language translation, in Japanese, appeared in 1985. Presently Zoobooks are available worldwide in any of nine different languages. Contact information: Wildlife Education, Ltd., 1123 Emerson, Suite 211, Evanston, IL 60201; (800) 992-5034, sales@zoobooks.com, www.zoobooks.com.

Here are some books on Big Universe from this publisher:

Zoobies – Animal Babies	Zoobies – Penguins	Critters Up Close! – Frogs
Critters Up Close! – Lions	Critters Up Close! – Elephants	Zoobies – Turtles

Big Universe on YouTube

Did you know that Big Universe has a channel on YouTube?

On this channel you can find:

• A Quick Tour of Big Universe Learning
• A testimonial from a Writing Teacher
• A testimonial from a 2nd Grade Teacher

We would love to hear more stories of how you are using Big Universe and what benefits you have seen from the use of Big Universe! You can leave a comment here on the blog. You can send us a link to your written story or video on twitter or facebook.

What ways do you see yourself using ebooks from Big Universe in the future?

Do you know about all the things Big Universe offers?

Just to find out what might be out there about Big Universe, I did a search on the internet. I was lucky enough to find these pages with lots of pictures, links, and great information. Please click on these links to find out even more (I have given some of the highlights under the links, but there is so much more.)

What they’re saying about Big Universe

• We’re honored to receive such high marks from our members and the press

Affordable Student-Centered Learning for PK-8

• Learn more about how this great resource can be used
• Take a tour
• Ways to encourage reading and writing using Big Universe
• Benefits of using Big Universe

How Big Universe Learning System is used in schools

• Reading
• Writing
• Learning
• Sharing

Content and Features of Big Universe Learning System

• Large Library of Books Online
• Reading Books Online
• Writing and Publishing Books
• Safe Sharing Community
• Account Management
• Assessment
• Reading Logs

image from Big Universe

Places Big Universe Learning is Showing Up

Have you seen Big Universe Learning mentioned anywhere?

Recently I have found it mentioned in a few places where I was not expecting to find it.

Kelly Tenkely is someone I have not met in person (yet anyway … I hope to). She writes an outstanding blog sharing technology resources and how to use them in the classroom called ilearntechnology.com. Kelly and I have gotten to know each other through our blogs and twitter.  Not too long ago in one of her blog posts, Kelly shared a table listing sources for people looking to expand their home or classroom libraries with ebook. It makes perfect sense that Big Universe Learning is included in this list.

On the School Library Journal, there was recently an article that caught my attention called “Are Ebooks Any Good?” As I was reading through this article, I came across a list of ebook options that included Big Universe!

This article talks about the definition of an ebook, while also addressing these questions:

Are electronic picture books good for kids, and can they get them hooked on reading by expanding access to engaging titles? Are digital books one more step down that slippery slope to less and less interaction with print just when children need it most?

The article goes on to share how ebooks work with early readers. The article even mentions how digital content and ebooks could be an  important way to increase access in disadvantaged communities.  It even mentions that one of the strengths of ebooks is that, unlike with print books, readers can pull up additional titles, at any time and in any place, as soon as a child says, “I want to read that one, too!” I know that when I enjoy reading a book, I like to go and find more title by the same author. That is so easy to do with ebooks.

One line that really stood out to me was: The most pressing question may be not if but how teachers and librarians should use ebooks.

How do you think we should be using ebooks? How are you using ebooks?

What ways do you see yourself using ebooks from Big Universe in the future?

Summer Reading Lists: Books in Spanish

Big Universe makes tackling a summer reading list easy and offers foreign language picture books to add diversity.

One of the things I love about Big Universe is its diversity. Readers are bound to find variety due to the sheer number of books offered – more than 3200 volumes of online picture books! However, Big Universe’s broad world view is more than happenstance. Diversity is one of the core principles upon which this educational resource was built.  

Inclusion of multi-language fiction and non-fiction, as well as books featuring a variety of cultures around the world make this a rich resource for teachers, students and parents. Picture books are offered in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak and Ukrainian. 

I have compiled a partial list of Spanish text picture books offered on Big Universe for children age 0-8. To find other foreign language books, go to the “Read” landing page and click on the “Foreign Language” tab for a drop-down list of options. Help raise broad-minded world citizens for tomorrow!

• Fútbol  (Soccer) – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• Gimnasia (Gymnastics) – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• Porristas (Cheerleading) – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• La Oscuridad (The Dark) – Interest Level: Age 0-5
• Arriba y Debajo (Under and Over) – Interest Level: Age 0-5
• Dentro y Fuera (In and Out) Interest Level: Age 0-8
• La Estampa de Béisbol (The Baseball Card) – Interest Level: Age 3-12
• Tudley No Sabía (Tudley Didn’t Know) – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• Tita y Ben (Tita and Ben) – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• Ronny – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• Qué nervios! (First Day Jitters) – Interest Level: Age 3-8
• Qué es Nuevo en el Zoológico? (What’s New in the Zoo)
• Tortillas – Interest Level: Age 0-8 (Read-aloud)
• Cinco de Mayo – Interest Level: Age 0-8 (Read-aloud)
• Le Cenicienta (Cinderella) – Interest Level: Age 0-8 (Read-aloud)
• El Libro de Pizza (The Pizza Book) – Interest Level: Age 0-8 (Read-aloud)
• La Tortuga y Liebre (The Tortoise and the Hare) – Interest Level: Age 0-8 (Read-aloud)

 “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela

 NOTE: Just in time for summer, Big Universe has compiled some age-leveled book lists, as well as assorted topical book lists that will make SUMMER READING easy to assign. Students can tackle one or more lists to complete, or they can pick and choose various featured Big Universe titles, logging books or reading minutes as they go. Simply go to Big Universe’s “Read” page, find the “Browse or Search for Books” sidebar, and click on the “Summer Reading Lists” tab to get a drop-down list. Themes include: Animals, Chapter Books, Cultures, Humor, Nature, Science and Sports.

UPDATE: (June 11, 2011) Check out the San Francisco Chronicle education article by Jessica Kwong, titled  “K-8 Foreign Language Demand Up.”