Listening to

Literacy Grow
Research Based Green Literacy Enhancement Program

Nicole McFadden 2010

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 Preface
Listening to Literacy Grow is a program designed to provide parents and
educators with a user-friendly guide to utilize the audio technology
available in aiding their children’s literacy development. I have a
responsibility as an educator to introduce children’s books and illuminate
the young minds of readers.

Mission Statement:
Listening to Literacy Grow fosters each child’s young mind and their ability to be
captured by an authentic literature book and the audio devices that our
technological society has provided. May they be inspired to continue and grow as
readers to become powerful and literate citizens of our future. With a balance in
life, studies, preparation for the future and constant literacy happening all
around us we can all contribute to being aware of literacy and understanding its
evolving importance. The technology and resources that teachers, librarians,
parents and students utilize will contribute to the worldwide recycling efforts
while promoting the love of reading and success within language arts
curriculums.

It was always obvious that I wanted to teach children. It was rather

inspirational when I felt my educational ideas were needed to make a
difference in their lives!

This literacy program requires the utilization of iPod’s to help students

learn to read! I believe that using technology can help create students
interest in reading while enhancing their understanding of the goals and
standards we aim to teach daily. I will be collecting used iPod’s from my
friends and family as well as used children’s literature books. This is in an
important recycle effort I will make while designing the Listening to
Literacy Grow program.

My goal is to compliment the curriculum weekly themes or classroom

libraries and provide a listening resource that helps develop literacy skills
in young readers. This is a project that I want to see used in more
classrooms every year because I know that teachers everywhere have
been waiting for my how-to-guide in beginning this reinvention of the
common listening centers we were acquainted with as youth.

Your child will love the concept of real books and listening being added to
their reading responsibilities and success in the language arts curriculum.

This program and supporting documents is intended for the sole use of
reading and language acquisition and support to children. Not all students
learning styles are fully developed and utilized in our present day
curriculums in California.

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 About the Author

Nicole McFadden, is an educator and life-long learner who grew up in

Orange County, CA. She attended Arizona State University in Tempe,
AZ where she lived for four years. She graduated in 2003 with a B.A.
in Elementary Education and a focus in Multilingual and
Multicultural Curriculum. She moved to Granada, Spain for part of
2003 to master her second language, Spanish. Since returning home
to California, Nicole has been active throughout the educational
community in Orange County. She currently attends Chapman
University in Orange, CA where she will be graduating with her
Masters in Education May of 2010. This degree was specialized to
focus on Literacy and Reading as she is committed to raising
awareness and helping inspire children to love reading!

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 Contents

1. Introduction Letters

Teacher to Colleagues
Teacher to Parents

2. Ethics Plan

Participation
Donation Request
Donation Response
Plagiarism & Copyright

3. Procedure

Goals
Mini-Lessons
Materials

4. Preparation

Set-Up
Blog
Maintenance
Hygiene

5. Theoretical Foundations & Research

6. Findings & Conclusion

7. Challenges & Suggestions

Historical Perspective
Questionnaires
News & Outreach

8. Professional Development

9. Learning Reflection

10. References

11. Resources

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 Introduction Letters
Dear Friends and Colleges:

My name is Nicole McFadden. I am a graduate student at Chapman

University that is eager to follow through on an idea I had several years
ago in a friend’s elementary classroom. I will aim to utilize used or recycled
iPod’s and authentic children’s literature books to help students learn to
love reading!

My green literacy concept will be called, Listening to Literacy Grow. I

will be collecting used iPod’s from my friends and family and children’s
literature books I purchase. This a recycle effort I want to make in adding
technology with real books to not only classroom libraries, or to enhance
each students love for reading, but as an enhancement to the language arts
curriculums.

I believe that using technology can help create students’ interest in

reading while enhancing their understanding of the topics and standards
we aim to teach daily. I will be concurrently creating a how-to-guide for
teachers, curriculum on introducing this program to your class, collecting
supplies, and incorporating my Listening to Literacy Grow program in you
educational environment. By helping to building a love for reading I will in
turn be enhancing the language arts curriculum.

I intend to compliment the curriculum themes and grade levels with

the books I collect. The idea is that the students can pick a book, take the
iPod and identify the title in the menu of the iPod, listen while following
along in the book and then discuss with a peer or literature group once all
have completed.

To extend the use of technology beyond the classroom I want to

include you on the Listening to Literacy Grow blog I where I will be
documenting the progress of the program for the next several months.
This is a project that I hope to see used in more classrooms every year. I
am focusing on making it very user friendly for teachers and educators to
utilize and incorporate into their classrooms. My feedback on the program
has been very heartwarming thus far and I will continue to follow-through
on my idea! To the success of Listening to Literacy Grow by using real
books, technology and listening to enhance a student’s love for reading and
success in language arts.

Sincerely,
Nicole McFadden
nicole@nicolemcfadden.com
949.922.8148

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 DATE

Dear Parents:

I will be utilizing recycled iPod’s and authentic children’s literature

books to help students in our classroom learn to love reading!

By collecting used iPod’s from my friends and family, using children’s

literature books donated to our classroom and your help, I know this
project will help your student enjoy reading. This a recycle effort I want to
make in adding technology with real books to enhance each students love
for reading and enhance their progress in our classroom and language arts
curriculum.

Using technology can help create student’s interest in reading while

enhancing their understanding of the topics and standards I aim to teach
daily. I will be following a how-to-guide for teachers and the curriculum on
introducing this program to our classroom that was created by the
Listening to Literacy Grow program.

I intend to compliment the curriculum themes and each students

reading level with the books we include. I will be collecting previously
recorded audio as well as personally recording readings most books. I will
then download the audio stories onto the iPod’s by book title. The idea is
that the students can pick a book, take the iPod and identify the book’s title
in the menu of the iPod, independently listen while following along in the
book and then discuss with a peer or the literature group once all have
completed listing to the whole book.

I look forward to having you come in see how this program is helping the
students. If you want to help with collecting materials or recording stories
please see me after school or contact me.

Sincerely,

_________________________
EMAIL
PHONE

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 Ethics Plan:
Participation

While utilizing the technology resources available within the

educational community, it is extremely important to acknowledge the best
practices in doing so. The purposes and settings for utilizing the Listening
to Literacy Grow program may vary and therefore this information may
not pertain to all users. However, the privacy and rights of those who
participate should be honored with voluntary participation at all times. To
maintain confidentiality of those who choose to participate in this project
launch, I will ask for their voluntary participation and be using
pseudonyms for their names in documents and oral presentations.

There are multiple perspectives and people to remember to take into

account when you prepare your ethics plan. When beginning to draft the
participation letters, be sure to remember:

School setting: guardian or parent, students, district administrators,

principal, and campus aides you will be or are already working with.

Daycare Setting: guardian or parents, students, colleagues, and

administration.

Tutor Setting: guardian or parents and student.

Independently: monitor for grade level materials and proper usage.

Library Setting: participant, guardian or parent and colleagues.

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 Participation Letters
March 3, 2010

Dear Administrator,

My name is Nicole McFadden. I am a graduate student at Chapman

University that has been eager to follow through on an idea I had several
years ago in an elementary classroom. The utilization of iPod’s and
children’s literature books to help students learn to enjoy reading! This is
my thesis project that is grounded in research and will be professionally
presented to a panel of educators culminating my career as a graduate
student in May 2010.

I have a focus in literacy and reading in my masters program. I also

believe that using technology can help create student’s interest in reading
while enhancing their understanding to the topics and standards we aim to
teach daily. I am asking your permission to incorporate a Listening to
Literacy Grow program into a public school district classroom to enhance
their student’s reading development and language arts curriculum.

My listening center will be called, Listening to Literacy Grow. I will be

collecting used iPod’s from my friends and family as well as used and
donated children’s literature books. This a recycle effort I want to make in
adding technology with real books to classrooms. My goal is to compliment
the curriculum weekly themes and students reading levels with the books I
incorporate. I will record readings of these books and download the audio
stories I read onto the iPod’s by book title. The idea is that the students can
pick a book, take the iPod and identify the title in the menu of the iPod,
independently listen while following along in the book and then discuss
with a peer or literature group once all have completed.

To extend the use of technology beyond the classroom I will have an

online blog I will maintain to document the progress of the Listening to
Literacy Grow project. Full autonomy and privacy will be used when the
students or school I am visiting are noted. I know that teachers
everywhere are going to love the concept of real books and listening being
added to enhance their students love for reading and success in the
language arts curriculum and I hope you do too.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Sincerely,
Nicole McFadden
nicole@nicolemcfadden.com
949.922.8148
Page 1
2010 Listening to Literacy Grow
Nicole McFadden
PARTICIPATION APPROVAL

I acknowledge that my school and districts involvement in the Listening to

Literacy Grow program is voluntary. I am granting permission to allow
Nicole McFadden on campus to conduct and implement her Listening to
Literacy Grow program. I hereby grant Nicole McFadden the right to use a
camera in her research and create a blog that will be shared throughout
the educational community. I acknowledge that it is voluntary for each
student to participate in the Listening to Literacy Grow program and
understand that full autonomy and privacy of each student’s identity will
be honored. Only use of pseudonyms in any documents shared with or
provided to the educational community is necessary.

By: _____________________________________ Date: _____________

Principal or Administrator Signature

_____________________________________
Email

_____________________________________
Phone

Page 2

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 March 3, 2010

Dear Parents:

My name is Nicole McFadden. I am a graduate student at Chapman

University that is eager to follow through on an idea I had several years
ago in a friend’s elementary classroom. I will be using recycled iPod’s and
authentic children’s literature books to help your child learn to love
reading! I will be collecting used iPod’s from my friends and family as well
as children’s literature books donated. This recycle effort is important for
our community but also to my program. Adding technology with real books
to enhance each student’s love for reading and enhance their progress in
the language arts curriculum is very exciting for me.

Research shows that using technology can help create students’

interest in reading while enhancing their understanding of the topics and
standards we aim to teach daily. I will be concurrently creating a
curriculum/how-to-guide for teachers on introducing this program to their
classroom learning environments and incorporating my Listening to
Literacy Grow program in more children’s lives.

I intend to compliment the curriculum themes and grade level with

the books I collect. I will personally record readings of these books and
download the audio stories onto the iPod’s by title. The idea is that the
students can pick a book, take the iPod and identify the title in the menu of
the iPod, independently listen while following along in the book and then
discuss with a peer or literature group once all have completed.

I want to assure you that I have only the best intentions in sharing my
program with your student’s classroom and helping your child’s love for
reading grow! Thank you in advance for your understanding and support.

Sincerely,
Nicole McFadden
nicole@nicolemcfadden.com
949.922.8148

PARTICIPATION APPROVAL
I hereby acknowledge that it is voluntary for my child,
________________________, to participate in the Listening to Literacy Grow
program. I understand that full autonomy and privacy of my child’s
identity will be honored by use of pseudonyms in any documents shared
with or provided to the educational community.

By: _____________________________________ Date: _____________

Parent or Guardian Signature

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 March 3, 2010

Dear Students,

My name is Nicole McFadden. I am a college student at Chapman

University. I want to help your class learn to read and enjoy literature
books with my Listening to Literacy Grow project. I will have iPod’s that
you can listen to stories on while you follow along in the book. I will teach
you how to use the iPod, find the book you want, and pair and share with a
partner about your book after listening. Does that sound like fun?

With your help I will be able to share with other teachers how I created our
Listening to Literacy Grow program and they can put one in their
classroom. You will be helping other teachers when they see how
professional and smart you are in the Listening to Literacy Grow program.

To protect your privacy, I will be taking pictures and short videos of you
from behind while you are working together. I will also use a fake name for
you when I am writing my paper or presenting this program to others.

I am very excited to be in your classroom and work with you. I hope using
iPod’s and reading fun books sounds like something you want to do.

Sincerely,

Nicole McFadden

PERMISSION AGREEMENT

Miss. Nicole can take anonymous pictures and recordings of me,

_____________________________, for her program and paper. I grant Nicole
McFadden the right to use a camera, video camera in her research.

By: ________________________________________ Date: _____________________

Student Signature

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 Donation Request

March 1, 2010

Dear Friends & Family,

If you or someone you know is no longer using an iPod they have,

please read below for a great way to recycle it for a cause.

I am writing this letter to help explain my non-profit green

literacy program I will be developing and sharing throughout the
educational community here in Orange County. I have been eager to
follow through on an idea I had several years ago in a friend’s classroom,
utilizing iPod’s to help students learn to read! I have a focus on literacy
and reading in my masters program and will be completing my thesis this
semester.

My green literacy concept will be called, Listening to Literacy

Grow. I will be collecting used or donated iPod’s from my friends and
family as well as used children’s literature books I purchase. This a recycle
effort I want to make in adding technology with real books to not only
classroom libraries but as an enhancement to the language arts
curriculums. My goal is to compliment the curriculum themes with the
books I collect. I will personally record readings of these books, using a
highly animated voice, and download the stories I read onto the iPod’s.

Thank you for your response and understanding towards my

efforts in helping the love of reading grow! I can come collect the
donation or you can email me for my address.

Thank you,

Nicole McFadden
949.922.8148
nicole@nicolemcfadden.com

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 Donation Response

March 3, 2009

Dear Contributor,

Thank you for donating to the Listening to Literacy Grow project. I am

very excited to be working with students and educators locally to spread
the news of our progress and achievements over the next few months. You
can rest assured that your contribution will be enabling a child to master
their skills and love for reading.

You can continue to follow our progress that was made possible with your
donation through this link, http://listeningtoliteracygrow.blogspot.com.

Thank you,

Nicole McFadden
949.922.8148
nicole@nicolemcfadden.com

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 Plagiarism &Copyright

I have researched some general information regarding the fair use

and copyright provisions provided by law in the reproduction of literature
works in audio format. The general provisions as they pertain to my usage
for the Listening to Literacy Grow project fit within the guidelines for
reproduction by and for educators teaching at all levels. I only intend to
use audio records of the copyrighted works for purposes in teaching and
research and in no means for reproduction or profit.

The fair use component of U.S. copyright law allows limited use of
copyrighted material without having obtained written permission, having
purchased the work, or paid the creator a royalty. Typically, fair use
provides for the legal, non-licensed noting or incorporation of the
copyrighted material in another author's work. This applies to Listening to
Literacy Grow by our program only being used for scholarship and review.

The Listening to Literacy Grow project has sole intentions to honor

copyright law and the authors and publishers of them.

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 Procedure
Goals:
Program:
• Develop user-friendly how-to guide for program leaders.
• Introduce iPod technology to elementary classrooms.
• Use audio format concurrently with physical literature book to
reinforce state standards and language arts strategies and skills.

Students:
• Follow the steps and routine in order to complete and collaborate
successfully.
• Read Independently.
• Listen to a story and have a literature discussion following with a
peer.
• Use technology to support reading comprehension.
• Improve Fluency.
• Use phonemic awareness to improve fluency.
• Gain meaning through pictures, context clues and phonics.
• Make connections.
• Visualize.
• Explain the Author’s Purpose.
• Compare and Contrast.
• Identify Cause and Effect.
• Make Predictions.
• Make inferences.
• Identify Point of View.
• Ask questions.
• Monitor and Clarify.
• Identify plot, setting and characters.
• Identify the main idea.
• Identify beginning, middle and ending. (Sequence)
• Answer: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
• Draw conclusions.

Teachers:
• Use English Language Arts standards to align curriculum,
organization and instruction.
• Provide guidance to ensure understanding.
• Address a range of reading levels and learners utilizing the
resources.
• Reinforce curriculum goals and themes with content shared.
• Provide positive feedback.
• Emphasize the goal of students becoming fluent by 3rd grade.

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 Mini-Lessons:
Listening to Literacy Grow Program
Subject: Language Arts
Grade Level: 2nd
Prepared By: Nicole McFadden

Overview & Purpose:

Introduce the Listening to Literacy Grow program, how it works and its
goals to the student body.

Educational Standards Addressed:

• 1.0 Listening and Speaking Strategies
• 1.2 Ask for clarification and explanation of stories and ideas.
• 1.3 Paraphrase information that has been shared orally by others.

Materials:
• iPod
• Headphones
• Children’s Literature Books
• Literature Discussion Cards

Objectives:
(Skills & information learned)
• Introduce the program and myself by sharing the blog, goals and
introducing materials utilized during the project.

Resources:
(Book, web, Ect.)
• Materials

Information:
(Demonstrate necessary content)
• Introduce myself, the Listening to Literacy Grow project, sharing the
blog and introducing materials utilized during the project.

Verification:
(Steps to confirm understanding)
• Hand out Participant Letters.
Activity:
(Reinforce information independently or partnered)
• Design a logo for the Listening to Literacy Grow Project.

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden
 iPod Use & Care
Subject: Language Arts
Grade Level: 2nd
Prepared By: Nicole McFadden

Overview & Purpose:

Familiarize students with the buttons and functionality of an iPod.
Introduce the steps used to access audio and properly turn on and off. Use
sanitizing wipes to clean and buttons and headphones before putting away
in storage bag.

Educational Standards Addressed:

Objectives:
• Build familiarity with buttons of iPod.
• Learn and review steps for turning on and off.
• Clean all materials with a sanitizing wipe.

Materials:
• iPod • Storage Bag
• Headphones • Sanitizing wipes
• iPod Information Sheet

Resources:
• iPod Information Sheet • Materials

Information:
• iPod Information Sheet

Verification:
• Each student will have a few moments to utilize the iPod and review
steps and procedures first hand.
Activity:
• Orally review and ask questions about the steps and procedures
practiced.

2010 Listening to Literacy Grow

Nicole McFadden