UDL Book Builder Project - "The New Kid"

http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view_print.php?book=83601

I was inspired to write this book by one of my students. He is a very polite and friendly boy but he doesn’t have any friends. He’s always excited when a new student comes to class and hopes he’ll finally have a friend. Being an ELA teacher myself, I thought about how creating a realistic fiction story that my students can relate to. I have taught many genres in my class and realistic fiction is one of the genres my students enjoy reading. My goal for this book was to teach a lesson about how to stand up for someone who is being bullied. I also wanted to bring my students’ attention to how it feels when someone has no friends at school.

ELA teachers can implement UDL Book Builders in their classroom by allowing students to read some of the books people have created. Students can also create their own stories as a writing project by going through the writing process and publishing their book to share with their peers. Teacher can have students share their books with younger grades to encourage them to become good writers. Parents can be invited to hear the students read their books to an audience. There are many possibilities in how an ELA teacher can use UDL Book Builders with their students.