The Internet Curriculum-based Project of Book Raps is one of the oz-teachernet curriculum projects advertised on their web site from the RITE group at Queensland University of Technology. A Book Rap is a book discussion conducted via electronic mail. Individuals or groups of students from across the country or around the world can discuss the scheduled books.

The book discussion takes place on an email list set up for each book which each class, group or individual has to join. Teachers or teacher librarians can nominate a book for discussion by becoming a Book Rap Coordinator. The coordinator selects the book, prepares and guides the rap. The coordinator should join the list too and post the rap point to the email list. Groups who have joined the same email list get the rap points and each other's email messages. Students collect and read the rap point then write their response and send it to the email list. Replies can also be sent to other responses.
Current titles for discussion are listed on the Book Rap Calendar. Some Book Raps may include special events such as author involvement, illustrators online, access to content area experts and live chat sessions.

Each book rap has its own web pages. The first gives all the publishing details of the book, dates for the rap, suitability, coordinator's name, resource links often including a link to the author's page, and a link to the student email archive. The second gives a brief introduction to the book, dates and another link to the students email archive. Teachers and students can subscribe to a book rap from the first page or the second web page or by sending an email message.

Subject areas are English, Study of Society and Environment, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Science.

Age level - 5 years to 18 years

Through participation in a Book Rap project students develop the understandings, engage in experiences and identify issues, behaviors and concerns related to social and ethical issues.

Participating in a Book Rap

1.Check the Book Rap Calendar for titles and dates.

- Select the book rap you wish to join from the calendar.
- Read the book.
- JOIN THE E-MAIL LIST FOR THE BOOK that you are interested in discussing.

2. This is where the student mail will be sent.
3. Send a message of introduction with the name of the school, location and a little about the students.
4. Find a blank map of Australia or the World and copy it for the Book Rappers.
When you start reading the introductory messages, mark the other schools on the Rap Map.
Wait for the first Rap Point. Respond to the Rap Point via the e-mail list for this book.
5. E-mail comments and questions about other students' responses to the Rap Point via the e-mail list for this book.
6. Join the list for the current book or work out how to use the archive
Join the teachers e-mail list(br-teacher@rite.ed.qut.edu.au)
[http://rite.ed.qut.edu.au/oz-teachernet/projects/book-rap/index.html] for teachers.

How to Rap ( Directions for Students)
- Read the book and talk about it with your friends.
- Check the email on the advertised date for the first Rap Point message.
- Read the Rap Point and prepare a response.
- Mail your response to list.
- Check the mail daily and read other Rappers responses.
- Respond to other Rappers via the list.
- Look out for more Rap Points on the advertised dates.
- Look for the Rap Wrap Up to find some great follow up ideas.