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Finding time to learn new things for ourselves can be challenging. Today, I actually had some time to sit, read, and catch-up on some of my instructional technology blogs, tweets, articles, and newsletters that help me keep up-to-date with what is going on in the world of instructional and educational technology.

If you have not had a chance to check out Alice Keeler's website and use Google Apps in the classroom, I encourage you to check out a few interesting (and totally useful) blogs from her:

• For Science Teachers: Adding PhET Sims to Google Classroom
• For Any Subject or Teacher who uses Google Forms: Google Forms: One Form for All Periods
• For Teachers who use Google Classroom and have an Android Device: Google Classroom Student Chooser Feature
• I tried this one on my android phone. It is so cool! 😎
• For any class that writes: Google Slides Essay
• For Math Teachers: Open Middle: Equivalent Fractions Activity
• You can find out more about this website in our online newsletter.

Build a Story and Master Edition

Website Wednesday

I was looking at updates for Google and came across the Story Builder. Students do not have to create an account. It's easy. AND it is fun. Story Builder helps students develop basic writing skills. Students write a story by typing character dialogue.

1. Go to Story Builder. 

2. Add Character(s) by enter character names into the boxes on the left side.

3. Click the blue Write Story button to get started.
4. Once your story is complete, add a title and music.

*Story Builder offers up to seven different music selections. 

5. Click the blue Finish Up button to animate the completed conversation. 

6. Click the blue Get Share Link button. Students can copy and paste the link in to a padlet or google classroom or even email it to their teachers, families, and friends. 

Warning: I would recommend having a rough draft of the story/dialogue. The edit feature needs some work. Students can not go back to a previous character and edit. Because the dialogue does flow, the next character will need to revise and edit the dialogue. 

Here is a  quick example that I created in just 30 seconds. A Quick conversation: https://goo.gl/o3OyiR 

But wait, there's more.  Want to collaborate and compose a story with Edgar Allen Poe or William Shakespeare? Story Builder now offers a Master Edition. When you first open it will present you with a google doc look alike. Just start typing. Famous authors of the past will jump right in adding to or changing your story. It's a lot of fun. This tool is useful when teaching tone, syntax, diction, or voice.Once you are finished, click the Share your collaboration button, sign-in using your google account, name your document, and copy the link. It's that easy.  

Repost: Write About This

Mobile App Monday

Write About This is a visual writing prompt & creation platform. Students can select from hundreds of images and prompts to create that perfect writing passage. 

Write About This has three levels of prompts so students can start of with level one move up to level three. There is an option for voice, so the prompt can be read to the student. There's even a place to record your voice if that works best for students. Students can save their completed work to the Camera Roll on the device or share through email.

This app isn't free - it has a price tag of $3.99 for iPads and $2.99 for android devices, but it's well worth it. There is a free version you can download if you want to try it out first.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Website Wednesday

Fodey.com has a free, easy to use Newspaper Clipping Generator. 

It's as easy as 1-2-3. 

Go to fodey.com

Choose Create A Newspaper

Type in a title, date, headline, and story. 

Click Generate. And it's done!

Download the image to your classroom Facebook or Twitter. Place the image on your classroom webpage or blog! See my example below. 

Try it out and share with us how you and your students use it in your classroom.  

Did You Ever Wonder? - Wonderopolis.org

Wonderopolis is a website that encourages curiosity, exploration and discovery. Their Wonder of the Day helps to get students thinking and talking. Every day you are provided with a new Wonder. These can be used for short discussion, research and writing activities. You can subscribe to the Wonder of the Day it will be delivered right to your email or phone.

Don't miss out on another Wonder - go to Wonderopolis and subscribe today!

Tell a Story with Telestory

Telestory lets kids write, direct and star in their own television show. Students can select from various scenarios including a music video, newscast, an alien planet and more. 

Get started in just a few easy steps - 
1. Pick a theme.
2. Select the first shot to use in the story - students can have multiple shots in one story. 
2. Create a script from one of the cue cards provided or have students write their own.
3. Dress up in 50 different digital costumes with face tracking.
4. Perform and record your own show with animated settings and special effects.
5. Broadcast your show by exporting it to the camera roll.
6. The saved broadcast can be shared in the classroom or posted online. 

This app would be a great way to get students engaged in writing and then taking it to the next level by incorporating it with video and sharing it online. 

Write About This

Write About This is a visual writing prompt & creation platform. Students can select from hundreds of images and prompts to create that perfect writing passage. 

Write About This has three levels of prompts so students can start of with level one move up to level three. There is an option for voice, so the prompt can be read to the student. There's even a place to record your voice if that works best for students. Students can save their completed work to the Camera Roll on the device or share through email.

This app isn't free - it has a price tag of $3.99, but it's well worth it. There is a free version you can download if you want to try it out first. 

Get the Story Started with Story Dice

Sometimes the hardest part about writing a story is getting started - that's where Story Dice comes in. 

Story Dice is a creative writing prompt tool that helps students come up with ideas for plot, character and setting and the app can be used with all grade levels.

Just select the number of dice you want to roll and get started - there are 170 pictures included in the app. 


Several ideas for using the dice - 
1. Use the dice to create a character in a story that students have already started.
2. Create sentences.
3. Develop a skit.
4. Play charades.

And much more! Look at their app in app store to get more ideas on how to use Story Dice and let the stories begin!

NEWSELA

https://newsela.com/

Thank you Peggy Reimers, Director of Professional Development at TCEA, for sharing this website with me today during a lunch and learn webinar.

NEWSELA provides teachers with a database of relevant non-fiction articles. Each article can be adjusted by Lexile for up to five different reading levels. It also has quizzes built into each article.

It's free to use NEWSELA, but if you create an account you have access to all of the articles and quizzes as well as the option to create classes, add students and assignments. 

Article categories include war and peace, science, kids, money, law, health, arts and sports.