What are #BookSnaps?

BookSnaps is an original idea I founded in August of 2016. Initially, I was searching for a way to use Snapchat for EDU-Awesomeness, and it worked. Later, I realized that many different apps would aid in providing access to this incredibly effective comprehension strategy for students. A BookSnap is simply a digital, visual representation used to annotate and share reflections of any excerpt of a book or text.

#BookSnaps are now implemented in nine countries from kindergarten to graduate students. There is truly no age limit, nor is there a content restriction.

In fact, #BookSnaps has many cousins-- #mathsnaps, #labsnaps, #GratitudeSnaps, etc! There is even a teacher in Oregon, Tisha Richmond, who uses #foodsnaps with her culinary students--the list is endless.

Educators and students are finding ways to create a digital visual representation of their learning with their content and sharing it out to an authentic audience.

To me, the best part of #BookSnaps is the unique REALness the strategy reveals about the creator. Therefore, #BookSnaps need not be ruled by a rubric to produce what we want, but rather allow the students to draw connections based on what’s meaningful and relevant to them.

Why Use #BookSnaps in the Classroom?

There are countless reasons to integrate #BookSnaps into your classroom. Here are just a few:

• Enhance Comprehension: Create a visual representation of text to solidify understanding and improve recall.
• Analyze Literary Elements: Use #BookSnaps to diagram plot structure, highlight figurative language, or discuss character development.
• Personalize Learning: Students can connect personally with the text, making reading more engaging and relevant.
• Easy and Fun: With just a few simple steps—snap, annotate, and share—#BookSnaps offer a creative and easy-to-use tool for students of all ages.

Don’t forget to explore the #BookSnaps hashtag on Twitter to see how educators and students around the world are using this powerful tool!

Now, I’ll turn it over to April Padalino, who guest-hosted on my YouTube Channel, R.E.A.L Talk with Tara Martin, to explain how her students are using #BookSnaps with the Book Creator app.

You can watch the video and/or then read her explanation below.

Using Book Creator for #BookSnaps

The idea to use Book Creator for making #BookSnaps dawned on me after my students finished reading How to Make a Comic Book, by Micheal Sanders. The kids were enjoying the features the Book Creator app provides especially through the comic layouts. They found it to be a user friendly tool.

I really liked how the comic panels turned out which lead me to think about the kids creating #BookSnaps and being able to collect them all in one place. Students reading longer books were actually using the #BookSnaps like notes about the books. I do the same thing with my professional development books, so I have all my notes in one place.

A student explores how to create a comic book using the Book Creator app after reading 'How a Comic Book Is Made' by Michael Sandler. This collage showcases the process, from handwritten drafts to digital comic panels, highlighting the engaging and creative potential of Book Creator in the classroom.

What I Learned from Using Book Creator for #BookSnaps

The idea of using #BookSnaps was to provide a creative and engaging way for all students to be able to express ideas and show understanding. Here are some things I learned along the way:

• My English language learners can show their understanding through the creation of a visual representation of what they are thinking.
• It was a way to add micro-writing about reading that is fun and motivating.
• #BookSnaps became a springboard for conversations and conferencing about thinking, writing, and spelling.
• By creating a visual, students remembered more about the books.
• Teachers can guide students in learning to use Book Creator by asking questions. Teacher feedback should not tell students what to do, but allow / empower students to reflect on their work.
• Students need TIME to be creative and learn to use this tool to reflect their thinking.

A creative BookSnap showcasing a scene from 'The Scream' by Susan Blackaby, using annotations, emojis, and speech bubbles to highlight key moments in the story. A fun way to engage with the text and explore its themes.

How to Create #BookSnaps with Book Creator

Follow these steps to create your own #BookSnaps:

1. 1. Read and Reflect: Find a passage that resonates with you.
   2. Annotate: Highlight, underline, or box the part of the text you're connecting with.
   3. Create a Visual: Use Book Creator’s features like emojis, stickers, and speech bubbles to create a visual that represents your thoughts.
   4. Give Credit: Be sure to include the book title, author, and/or book cover.