Free Digital StoryTelling Tools

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone's week went well and you are getting ready for a relaxing weekend.    A few teachers have commented to me about the online stories and programs I use in class to support digital storytelling.   I decided to search the web for some sites that you may be able to use in your classroom for projects, presentations, etc. in the upcoming months.     Thanks to Ross Crockett via Educatorstechnology.com, here is a list of free digital storytelling tools.  Enjoy! :)

Here is the list of some of the best free digital storytelling tools.

1- ZimmerTwins

It is all about creative storytelling. ZimmerTwins is a web2.0 tool that allows students to give vent to their imaginative powers and exercise their storytelling skills from early stages to advanced ones.

2- Digital Story Telling in The Classroom

This section provides resources and materials for teachers to use with their students in storytelling. It helps students personalize their learning and  perfom better. Students can use these materails to create a movie or interactive slideshow to tell their stories.

3- Story Bird

This is an awesome website that allows students and teachers to create short art inspired stories to read, share or print out.

4- Someries

Someries is a fantastic  storytelling site . It has  a continuous flow of new stories, read aloud by kids . The stories are all made by kids and for kids,  learners of English can benefit a lot from this site too . Some of the videos in Someries are subtitled so that kids can both read and listen to what they read .

5- PicLits

This is another awesome website where students can choose a picture and start drawing or writing a text on it to create a story.

6- Generator

This is a creative studio space where students explore the moving image and create their own digital stories to share with others.

7- Capzles

This is where you and your students can create rich multimedia stories with videos, photos, music, blogs and documents. It is really awesome.

8- Slidestory

This is a free digital story telling tool that students can use to combine sharing pictures and narration to create awesome presentations and stories to share with others.

9- Domo Animate

This is one of the best tools online for digital story telling. It allows students to create animated stories and provides them with a wide variety of background and characters to use.

10- Animoto

This is also a very popular tool but its paid versions offer much more than its free basic plan that only allows for creating 30 second videos. These videos can combine images, songs, and text.

11- Smilebox

This is a great website that provides hundreds of customizable designs for students and teachers to create their own stories that can comprise photos, videos, words and music.

12- Make Belief Comix

As its name suggests, this tool allows users to create stories out of comic strips and share them with others The process is very easy to use and above all student friendly

13- Creaza

Creaza has a nice tool called Cartoonist where students can create their own stories using cartoonic characters. Watch the video in there to learn how to use it.

14- Pixton

This is a tool that lets users create stories out of cartoons and provided characters. It is so much fun and students will definitely love it.

15- Voice Thread

This is a collaborative, multimedia slide show that holds images, documents, and videos and allows users to navigate slides and create their own stories.

16- Comic master

This is a great website that allows users to create graphic novels and stories to share with others. It provides everything from templates to sharing tools, you just put in your ideas and creativity.

17- Picture Book Maker

As its name suggests, this tools lets you create your very own children’s book using a set of beautiful templates and pages.

18- Bubblr

This is a tool to help you create comic strips using photos from Flickr.com. Just search for the pictures you want and then add your bubbles.

19- Pinball

This is another great website for students and teachers to create digital stories. It has a set of tools to fire out ideas, mix them, and make quick decisions.

20- Mapskip

This website features several stories based on locations on  Google map. The purpose is to create a weave of stories about the places in our lives. Users can join in for free and start marking up places in Google Maps with their own stories and photos. They can also browse each others’ stories and can rate and discuss them.

21- ZooBurst

This is another great digital storytelling tool that lets anyone easily create his or her own 3D pop-up books. It has two plans one is basic and free and the other is paid and has more advanced features. 

Dr. Seuss Online Resources, Games, Printables, and Lessons

Hello Everyone,

With Dr. Seuss Week rapidly approaching, I wanted to post some online Dr. Seuss activities and games that you can use with your students.    Enjoy!

http://pbskids.org/catinthehat/index.html - PBS Kids has so many great games and activities.   This is another one about Dr. Seuss's famous book "The Cat in the Hat"

http://www.seussville.com/ -  A famous and great website.   Many fun games and activities.

http://gamequarium.com/seuss.html - Different fun games and activities from Gamequarium.

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/dr-seuss-birthday/games/index2.html - More games and activities.

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/unit/dr-seuss - Printables, lesson plans, mini units, games, activities and more from Scholastic.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/dr-seuss-apps - Apps that you can load on your iPhone or Android device.   Each app has a Dr. Seuss book or story.

Hopefully all of you can use at least one of these resources in next week for Dr. Seuss' birthday. :)

MORE PSSA RESOURCES - (Things for K-2 too. :)

Hello Everyone,

As the end of February approaches, we find ourselves knocking on the door of PSSA testing.   Here are some more resources, many from school districts, that you can use to help you reinforce strategies and skills that have taught students since the beginning of the year.  Some tests within these resources repeat but there are many different sample items .    Also, refer back to the January post for PSSA Jeopardy games, sample items, and other activities and the December post for even more resources!

Testing Resources

https://www.mcsdk12.org/pssa.htm - Sample Tests and Resources

http://www.chsd1.org/domain/71 - Tons of Reading and Math resources.   Sample Tests, Activities, Games, and more.

http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/f/fitler/news--events/pssa-information - More Sample Tests. 

http://www.jabernethy.com/portfolio/PSSA.htm - This is a great resource that has all of the PSSA Reading anchors that students will encounter on the test.   K-2 can you use many of these games and activities too! :)

http://www.mca.k12.pa.us/elementary/pssaresources.html - Check out the "Online Study Resources" at the bottom of the page for neat online activities and games.

http://www.slsd.org/academics.cfm?subpage=273358 - Resources just for 3rd Grade.

Hopefully these resources will help everyone in the next few weeks before PSSA's.  Please let me know if I can help you in anyway.  Have a great week.

Math Resources - Geometry

Hello Everyone,

For the second half of the year, I thought some of you might be introducing or re-teaching geometry. 

Online Resources

www.math-play.com/Geometry-Math-Games.html - Great Geometry Resources, many games and activities.  Please use. :)

http://www.homeschoolmath.net/online/geometry.php - Tons and tons of geometry resources and games.  USE! :)

Promethean Activities – Remember many of you have the promethean software on your computers which will allow you to view these lessons and interact with them using your mouse.  You will just not be able to have students interact with the lesson by having them go to the white board but you can still use them. 

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/55839/perimeter-and-area#.UvA7qMKA0Yw - Perimeter and Area (3-5)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/81177/lines-of-symmetry#.UvA8nsKA0Yw - Line of Symmetry (1-3)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/26050/ordered-pairs#.UvA8xMKA0Yw - Ordered Pairs (2-4)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/25932/classifying-shapes#.UvA8_sKA0Yx - Classifying 2D shapes - polygons (2-4)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/67124/shapes#.UvA9MMKA0Yw - Classifying 2D Shapes (K)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/42315/solid-figures#.UvA-N8KA0Yw - Solid/ 3D Figures  (2-4)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/42077/geometric-solids#.UvA-fcKA0Yw -
Solid/ 3D Figures  (3-5)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/157550/angles#.UvA_esKA0Yw - Angles (3-5)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/31415/angles#.UvBArMKA0Yw - Angles (3-5)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/39503/angles-angles-angles#.UvBAycKA0Yw - Angles (3-5)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/81176/types-lines-angles#.UvBA8cKA0Yw - Lines and Angles (3-5)

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/105178/lines-and-angles#.UvBBJsKA0Yw - Lines and Angles (3-5)

 http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/32514/plane-and-solid-figures#.UvA9yMKA0Yw - A Little bit of everything, 2D shapes, 3D shapes, angles, etc. (2-5)
 

I hope that many of you can use at least some of these resources and activities.  As always, let me know if I can help you in anyway. :)

Great PSSA Testing Resource - Jeopardy Games *K-2 can use as well!*

Hey Everyone,

I found this really great PSSA Jeopardy Review Game website.   I think it will be a great tool to use over the next few months to help your students practice and strengthen their testing skills and strategies.     You do not need a Promethean Board to play these games, just a projector.

This is a link to the home site.   If you would like, you can create your own PSSA Jeopardy review game, or any subject area review/practice game that you would like really.   K-2, you can create or search for a Jeopardy review game too! :)  Sight word Jeopardy, etc.

https://jeopardylabs.com/

Here is links to a bunch of premade Jeopardy Games concerning the PSSA reading exam, the PSSA math exam, and on PSSA testing terms and strategies.    Split students into teams using whiteboards and markers or paper and pencil to show there work.  Have fun!

Reading Terms - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/pssa-reading-terms

More Reading Terms - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/pssa-reading-terms

3rd Grade Reading Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/grade-3-pssa-reading-challenge

3rd Grade Reading Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/3rd-grade-pssa-prep

3rd and 4th Grade Reading Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/3rd-grade-pssa-reading-jeopardy

4th Grade Reading Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/4th-grade-reading-pssa-skills

4th Grade Reading Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/4th-grade-pssa-reading-review-mrs-shawver

4th Grade Reading Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/4th-grade-pssa-reading-jeopardy2

4th and 5th Grade Reading Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/4th-grade-pssa-reading-jeopardy

5th Grade Reading Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/5th-grade-reading-review8

3rd Grade Math Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/pssa-math-review-game2

3rd Grade Math Review (North Carolina End of Grade Test but still relevant) - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/3rd-grade-math-eog-prep

4th Grade Math Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/pssa-math-review-grade-4

4th Grade Math Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/4th-grade10

5th Grade Math Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/5th-grade-pssa-math-review

More 5th Grade Math Review - https://jeopardylabs.com/play/5th-grade-pssa-math-2

I hope you find these Jeopardy Games helpful!  As always, let me know if I can help you in your classroom in any way. :)

Standardized Testing Resources :)

            As the second semester rolls around, PSSA’s begin to creep closer and closer.   Many of you have been preparing students with the skills and strategies that they will need to be successful on these state assessments.   Here are some online and technological resources that you may be able to use with your students to strengthen testing skills and strategies.   Take a look over them during Christmas Break and think about incorporating some of these resources and activities into weekly lessons, centers, small group instruction etc. J  Remember,  many times for those “bubble” students the difference between a proficient and basic score is not how much content they know going into a standardized test but if they know how to take the test through the repetition and mastery of proper testing strategies.

K–5 - Testing Resources - http://www.internet4classrooms.com/assistance.htm - Please, Please, Please use this resource.   Provided from Internet4Classrooms.net, there are practice tests, test questions, timed tests, and more! 

3 -5 - Testing Resources - http://www.montroseareasd.k12.pa.us/pssa/ - Great resources with sample testing items for 3, 4, 5 grade reading and math.   Also 5^th grade writing.

3-5 Testing Resources -  http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/state_assessment_system/20965/pennsylvania_system_of_school_assessment_%28pssa%29/1190526 -  Believe it or not the PA Dept. of Ed. provides great resources to prepare students to take the PSSA.   Find sample tests and even a “Getting Ready for the 2014 State Assessments”  PowerPoint and webinar (online video).  

1-6 – Math Testing Resources - http://www.eduplace.com/kids/mhm/ - Great testing practice and testing strategy practice for Math.

K-5 - Elementary Language Arts Resources - http://www.internet4classrooms.com/lang_elem_index.htm - This one is a goldmine.   Internet4Classrooms.com provides hundreds of English Language Arts activities.  Choose from printables, computer resources, and online resources.    Provides resources organized by grade level toward the bottom.

K-5 - Elementary Mathematics Resources -http://www.internet4classrooms.com/math_elem_index.htm -  Same as above but with math.

3-5 Testing Strategies PowerPoint - http://www.woodland.k12.mo.us/faculty/professional%20development%20committee/Test-Taking%20Strategies-I%20really%20like%20this%20one!!.ppt – Great PowerPoint Presentation on strategies children need to use to be successful while testing. 

Classrrom Timers, Behavior Managment, and Lunch Count/Attendance Resources

I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving Break.  

Before break  I was thinking about what to blog because I know you all look forward to it soooo much (especially Bill Heasley at Grandview.  He’s a true blogger).  We all know that daily routines and transitions are a big part of a teacher’s effectiveness in establishing a safe and productive classroom environment.  Here are some websites and promethean activities to use in your classroom.

Online Activities

Classroom Timers

http://www.online-stopwatch.com/classroom-timers/ - This site has tones of great timers.  It is easy to use and displays well on the board.

http://timer.onlineclock.net/ - Simple timer to display with your projector.

http://www.timeme.com/timer-stopwatch.htm - Another online timer.  The noise it makes when the time runs out is hilarious.

Promethean Activities

Lunch Count and Attendance

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/43338/lunch-count - This flipchart is a simplified way to handle morning lunch count without ever having to say a word. Simply reset the page after the count is complete.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/67216/attendance-lunch-count  - Tool for lunch count and attendance.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/225725/daily-lunch-count - Another tool for lunch count and attendance.

Behavior Management

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/42556/behavior-chart - The maximum amount of students is 32. I made the color scheme as neutral as possible. Feel free to edit it and modify to suit your own tastes.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/41643/behavior-management-chart - Change the color next to the number of the student.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/68566/rewarding-good-behavior - Set classroom and group goals for your students. Each time they follow directions or exhibit a desired behaviour they earn points on their reward chart. When the specified goal is met students erase to find a fantastic prize!