Book Punch
The e-learning resource Book Punch is recommended as a resource to support curriculum delivery in the areas of reading and writing for Grades 3 to 5.
Description
Merit Software
, 2008
This resource is available online at: www.bookpunch.com
Grades : 3-5
Concepts : Literature activity, reading activity, writing activity, reading and writing, literature lessons
Subject : Language
CSC Evaluation
Curriculum Correlation
Book Punch supports curriculum delivery in the areas of reading and writing for Grades 3 to 5.
Content
The e-resource effectively guides a student through the writing process using interactive prompts to focus his or her thinking about a particular book. The student uses the e-resource to gather ideas, organize his or her thinking, compose sentences, revise, edit, and publish responses to a work of literature. All the novels in the Book Punch series are either award winners or noted for being high-quality children's literature
Methodology
The e-resource requires the student to read and respond to popular children's books commonly taught in schools. It has prompts for 28 novels, with prompts for nine more novels under development (http://www.bookpunch.com/books.php). The novels on which the resource depends represent a wide range of cultural backgrounds, experiences, and community environments. For each novel, the e-resource provides seven writing topics to practise and reinforce how to write an organized response to literature through a structured, linear, 14-step writing process. Writing activities require the student to demonstrate knowledge of the novel and make connections between one's life and the text. They engage the student in a relevant and personal way. The open-ended response allows for a wide range of expression by students of varied intellectual strengths and capabilities.
Assessment
Online feedback provides many opportunities for constructive self-assessment of learning and allows the student to demonstrate specific skills. Answer keys are available for the crosswords. A five-level rubric for assessing student writing is provided (see page 14 of Book Punch Series Manual, Grade 3-5). Detailed class management via Merit Online Learning management tools enables teachers to track students' progress, view student writing at each stage, and intervene at points of difficulty.
Format
The e-resource capitalizes on the strengths of the medium to help the student connect working with words on paper to using a word processor to brainstorm, compose, revise, and edit text. The interactive element supports learning by providing both immediate direction for the next step and many opportunities for instant feedback. The student must follow the writing process step-by-step. The student's work is saved, and, when the student returns to a writing activity in progress, an option to start over is provided. The e-resource downloads quickly and operates efficiently. The student may choose one of several unobtrusive colours for the application background and each page provides the ability to change the size of the text.
Bias
The e-resource is free of discriminatory, exclusionary and inappropriately value-laden language.
Review Recommendation
The e-learning resource Book Punch is recommended as a resource to support curriculum delivery in the areas of reading and writing for Grades 3 to 5.
Contact Information
Adam Saunders
Merit Software
121 West 27 Street
New York, NY 10001
212-675-8567
Toll Free: 800-753-6488
Fax: 212-675-8607
e-mail: adam@meritsoftware.com
Tiffany Rodriguez
Merit Software
121 West 27 Street
New York, NY 10001
212-675-8567
Toll Free: 800-753-6488
Fax: 212-675-8607
e-mail: tiffanyr@meritsoftware.com
Ben Weintraub
Merit Software
121 West 27 Street
New York, NY 10001
212-675-8567
Toll Free: 800-753-6488
Fax: 212-675-8607
e-mail: benw@meritsoftware.com
Read the publisher's description of this resource
Note: These learning resources are recommended by Curriculum Services Canada. However, such a recommendation is of the resource only and should not be construed as a general recommendation of the developer of such a resource or the developer's business or related activities. While CSC recommends a resource on pedagogical grounds, the end user is fully responsible for its use.