Student Video: E-Reader! E-Reader!
If you feel attached to your e-reader, you’ll relate to “E-Reader! E-Reader!”, our 2025 Third Place STEAM Poetry Video Winner! This lighthearted ode to technology by Samantha Miller, a student at Texas Women’s University, explores the device’s reading options, travel-friendly size, and more! Click the “Activity Tab” to download free classroom resources featuring Former Poet Laureate, Kenn Nesbitt.
 | CATEGORY:technology | GRADE LEVEL:primary and middle grade |
DOWNLOADS:
ACTIVITIES:
Digital Book Club Discussions
Assign an eBook such as When the Teacher Isn't Looking: And Other Funny School Poems by Kenn Nesbitt. Have students use features like highlighting or note-taking to mark favorite poems. Students can then meet in small groups (in-person or via a discussion board like Padlet ) to share their favorite poems. This promotes comprehension and expands vocabulary while integrating tech. https://www.amazon.com/When-Teacher-Isnt-Looking-School/dp/0684031280
Create Interactive Author Profiles
After reading an author’s book, students can research the author and design a digital “About the Author” page using Canva or Adobe Express . They can embed favorite quotes, summarize themes, and include virtual “interview” questions. This blends literary analysis with creativity and presentation skills.
Decoding Worksheets
Kenn Nesbitt’s site offers poetry worksheets in creative codes or formats that students decode and interpret using keys or guides. On iPads or e-readers, they can rewrite the poems in standard text and answer comprehension questions. These activities boost problem-solving, critical thinking, and reading comprehension. Poetry4Kids .
Explore Rhyme and Vocabulary
Students can use their iPads to explore online rhyming dictionaries, such as Kenn Nesbitt’s Rhyming Dictionary for Kids. https://poetry4kids.com/rhymes/ They can also use their devices—or an e-reader’s built-in dictionary—to look up unfamiliar words while reading. Encourage them to log new vocabulary in a shared Google Doc. This activity supports reading comprehension and builds vocabulary confidence.
Digital Poetry Notebooks and Reading Journals
Have students keep a poetry notebook or reading journal in Google Docs, Slides, or a tool like Book Creator. They can write their own poems or jot down thoughts about books they’ve read. They can also insert images or sketches and even record audio summaries or background music. This promotes engagement and accommodates diverse learning styles.
CRAFT:
Doodle Lou's "No Sew E-Reader Cover"
Protect your e-reader in style! This easy, no-sew Do-It-Yourself cover is made of soft felt and Velcro closures. Kids can personalize it with doodles, stickers, or fabric markers, making it both functional and creative. To download the free instructions, click the blue rectangle CRAFT tab.
