Lesson Plan Integrating Social Networking

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin was a novel that my sixth graders and I read this last year. We really enjoyed reading it and following along with the characters. As we went, students took notes about the characters, setting, and plot on a website they each created. Looking back on it with the idea of integrating social networking into it, I now realize I could have done so much more! I'm leaving out the 8 week reading plan because that would really be something that would be teacher discretion. Here is my plan incorporating social media.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Goal:
Read the novel The Westing Game and participate in online discussions about the characters and storyline.
Objectives:
Students will participate in online discussions each time a section of the story is read.
Students will build a website evaluating characters, setting, and storyline.
Instructions:
Using Edmodo, create a group for students to join. Once all students have joined, post an introduction for students to practice responding to. Something as easy as a prediction about the book would be a great starting point. After reading each section of the book, students are required to respond to a discussion post about what they just read. Once a week, select students will post a question they have about the reading, to which the other students must respond. Continue this throughout the entirety of the book.
Evaluation:
Students receive points for each discussion post. If the student strays off topic, the teacher can step in and post a question or statement to redirect. Students also receive points for each section of their website that is accurate and well thought out. Fewer points are awarded for vague descriptions.