QR Code Listening to Reading Library

QR Codes have completely changed my classroom in ways I never saw coming.  Once I started using them I couldn't stop.  Being in a combination classroom, differentiation is essential and QR codes leveled the playing field.  More on that some other time. (Gotta keep you coming back, right?)

Last year we came across this brilliant idea to use QR Codes for a Listening Library for Listening to Reading for D5.  I wish I could give credit to someone for this idea but I have no idea the source. Like pirates, we saw it, stole it, and ran with it.

Here's what we did:
1.) We used http://recordmp3.org to record our voices.  This website is phenomenal for quick voice recordings.  QUICK.  Not for recording the length of a book.  Use it for another purpose and you will love it.

2.) Failing forward, we tried again (the simpler, the better) and used our video option on our iPad, put it face down so the screen was black, and recorded ourselves reading the books.  We didn't show pictures because we wanted the students to follow along in the book. (If you are worried about making mistakes and not being able to edit the recording, the YouTube Capture app works well.)

3.) Then, we uploaded the finished video to YouTube.

4.) Copy the YouTube link and paste in ViewPure to get rid of advertisements and junk.

5.) Copy that link from ViewPure into this QR Code creation website. I know there are a bunch of places to create a QR code.  I found one I liked and stuck with it.  *Use the static option.*

5.) The QR Code automatically generates. Save it.

6.) Click on the QR code and drag it to a document.  LABEL it.  Begin again.

7.) When finished, cut around QR code and use clear book tape to tape it to the book.

I know there are new options to record voice out there.  Truth be told, I spent so many years hopping from next best thing to next best thing that I got burned out on 'the next best thing'.  This is quick and fast for me.  Takes about 4-5 minutes per book.  Unless I find something that drastically cuts that time down, I'm sticking with it.

Some great ideas to use for your Listening Library:

*Ask parents to record their voice while reading a book.  It is priceless to watch students' faces as they hear their mom reading from the iPad.

*Have advanced students record their voice, practicing fluency (rate AND expression).

*Ask older students to record their voices.  Our fourth and fifth graders completed the whole process for us and started bringing down books that were ready to toss in the bucket.  I heart free child
labor.

*Ask specials teachers or the principal to read.  It's always fun to 'guess the voice'!

*Share with your team.  Choose books that are common in a classroom library.

*If your school does Accelerated Reader testing, record LOTS of those books for your younger readers.

Here are some created QR Codes to get your Listening Library started! Happy listening!


March on,

Mindy
#leadwithtaillights
#proveemwrong
#indeed