Tutorial #8: Use iPods for Reading Listening Centers
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One of the ways that we use technology to help out in the classroom is by utilizing iPods during reading centers. Picture a typical reading center with a CD player (or tape player!) and five students with headphones, listening to a story while following along with the book. Sometime last year a teammate of mine and I decided to modernize our reading centers by downloading stories into iTunes and customizing individual playlists for each student to read along with.
I found that many children's books are available at my local library as audiobooks. Setting up the iPods for students to listen to and practice their reading was quite simple, and the kids love being able to use the iPods!
In addition to using the iPods at school, I have a weekly checkout system where each student gets to take home the iPod one week out of the month. More info on that below.
Step 1: Get your hands on an iPod
We had to get creative to get our hands on 5-6 iPod's for our classroom. I had an old iPod of my own, so we started out with that one. My next step was sending home a note to parents to see if anyone would donate or let us borrow an iPod for the year. As newer technology continues to develop (i.e. iPhones, iPod Touch), people usually have old iPods around the house they don't use anymore.Unfortunately we did have to buy a few iPods out of our team budget, but there is good news! Apple offers refurbished used iPods for a discounted price from their online store. They also have an educator store that is worth checking out. We found the best deal was to buy refurbished iPods (for about $70/each) from the Apple store. Here are the links:
Of course you can always check out Craigslist...there are always used iPods there!Apple Refurbished iPod Store Apple Educator Store Public Apple Store
Step 2: Download iTunes
The software that helps you organize and put books on your iPod is called iTunes. This is free software available directly from Apple.
After you have downloaded the software, you want to register and sign up for an Apple account. This makes it much easier to organize iTunes, make purchases from the iTunes store, and download and subscribe to podcasts (online audio and video recordings) later.
Step 3: Find Audiobooks and accompanying texts
My public library has a huge selection of wonderful children's books that I have used for my iPod listening centers. They will also order titles for me that they have at other library branches or even from other libraries around the state. Here is a short list of some of the most popular titles that I have found. *Don't forget to check out the Scholastic Book Wizard to make sure your books are at an appropriate grade level. See Tutorial 14 for more on how to do this.There are hundreds of other titles available. Do a simple search for your favorite book or author at your local library and see if they have any audiobooks available.A to Z Mysteries (series) by Ron Roy Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo A Series of Unfortunate Events (series) by Lemony Snicket Cam Jansen (series) by David A. Adler Charlotte's Web by E. B. White Flat Stanley (series) by Jeff Brown Frindle by Andrew Clements Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos Judy Moody (series) by Megan McDonald June B. Jones (series) by Barbara Park Magic Tree House (series) by Mary Pope Osbourne Shredderman (series) by Wedelin Van Draanen Spongebob (series) by various authors Stink (series) by Megan McDonald Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
*The reading anthology that we use comes with grade level appropriate readers and audiobooks, so we use those in the classroom as well. I usually let the student pick out three readers from our anthology (appropriately leveled). Once they have completed these three, they can choose a "fun" book.
Step 4: Download your audiobooks into iTunes
This step is quick and easy. Follow these steps to download your books into iTunes:1. Open the iTunes program on your computer.
2. Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet. (iTunes has a feature where it will look up the title, author, chapter names, etc. of most audiobooks, but this will only work if you are online)
3. Insert the first CD into your CD drive.
4. ITunes will ask you if you want to import the disc onto your computer. Click yes.
Step 5: Organize your files in iTunes
There are a few different ways that I try to keep all of my books organized in iTunes.
New Playlist Folder - I have two playlist folders. There is one titled "Chapter Books", and then within that folder there is a folder titled "Students". To create a new playlist folder, go to the top menu in iTunes, click on "File" and then click "New Playlist Folder".
New Playlist - I have many different playlists. I have a playlist for each book (or series) within the "Chapter Books" folder. I also have a playlist for each student with the "Students" folder. I like to plan ahead and make a schedule for the iPod. With iTunes open, go to the top menu and click "File" and then "New Playlist".
Step 6: Prep each iPod for student use
Once you have downloaded your audiobooks, getting the iPod reading for use is very quick and easy. With iTunes open, connect your iPod to your computer with the included white USB cable. ITunes will automatically detect your iPod and will take you to a general screen where you have information about the contents on your iPod.Click on the "Music" tab in iTunes. Here you can choose to automatically "sync" your iPod with iTunes, or you can choose to do so manually. For the student iPods, I always choose to sync manually. That way you can scroll down the list of playlists on the screen, and choose just those that you need for the specific student using the iPod for that week. For example, if Billy is reading 3 tradebook readers, and Charlotte's Web, I can just select those four items from the list.
Another thing to consider if you decide to use your reading anthology readers, you may want to keep all of those readers on the iPod at all times. There is more than enough memory available on each iPod, and it just makes it easier to manage!
I make sure that the students and parents have signed an agreement to take care of the iPods while they are at home. I purchased soft iPod sock covers for the iPods, and then place them in a large freezer-sized Ziploc baggie lined with felt. I also send home this reminder card with each iPod:
iPod Reminder Card
I have noticed a huge increase in the interest level of students to read with the iPod listening centers. They love being able to use the technology, and the increased time spent with guided and modeled reading helps increase their vocabulary and reading fluency. I always try to pick books that are just slightly above their current reading level to challenge each student.
If you have any questions about iPods or iTunes, please e-mail me!