Exciting Writing with Exciting Writing with Technology ToolsTechnology Tools

Fran MauneyFran Mauney

First Things FirstFirst Things First

"Emotion drives attention which drives "Emotion drives attention which drives learning, memory, problem solving, and learning, memory, problem solving, and just about everything else." just about everything else."                                                               --                                                              --Robert SylwesterRobert Sylwester

Students learn by creating.Students learn by creating.

According to brain research, students According to brain research, students learn by being actively involvedlearn by being actively involved..

Technology is a great tool that motivates Technology is a great tool that motivates students and peaks their interests. It students and peaks their interests. It allows students creative ways to allows students creative ways to demonstrate their knowledge. demonstrate their knowledge.

It’s FUN!It’s FUN!

Alternate ColorsAlternate Colors, , Add PicturesAdd Pictures

Brain research shows that students will Brain research shows that students will remember what they read if the sentences remember what they read if the sentences are written in alternating colors.are written in alternating colors.

Students will also remember what they Students will also remember what they read if a picture is attached to it.read if a picture is attached to it.

Use this strategy for Procedures, it Use this strategy for Procedures, it improves behavior: Guaranteedimproves behavior: Guaranteed

Promethean Board ActivitiesPromethean Board Activities

ActivPrimary Edition: Easy for K-3 students to ActivPrimary Edition: Easy for K-3 students to use. use.

ActivStudio Professional: Better design ActivStudio Professional: Better design features, little harder controls, suited for grade 3 features, little harder controls, suited for grade 3 and up.and up.

Sample of my flipchartsSample of my flipcharts www.prometheanplanet.comwww.prometheanplanet.com examples examples Use as a center.Use as a center. Use Activotes with board to assess, and review.Use Activotes with board to assess, and review.

Adding Your Own PhotosAdding Your Own Photos

Easy to do! You must resize your photos, Easy to do! You must resize your photos, so your files won’t be too large.so your files won’t be too large.

Farm StoryFarm Story Writing Class Stories: Printing and making Writing Class Stories: Printing and making

books for the classroom and for students books for the classroom and for students to take hometo take home. .

Multiple IntelligencesMultiple Intelligences How do I design lessons to meet my How do I design lessons to meet my

students’ needs and build upon their students’ needs and build upon their strengths?strengths?

Use their multiple intelligences and plan Use their multiple intelligences and plan menus that will build upon their strengths.menus that will build upon their strengths.

Research shows when you build your Research shows when you build your strongest intelligence you are also building strongest intelligence you are also building the other 7 intelligences at the same timethe other 7 intelligences at the same time!!

See Hand-Outs Show Smarts See Hand-Outs Show Smarts

Writing MenusWriting Menus

Why design menus? It allows students the Why design menus? It allows students the opportunity to make choices about how opportunity to make choices about how they’d like to present their knowledge.they’d like to present their knowledge.

Step 1: Look at your standards.Step 1: Look at your standards. Step 2: Decide what your students have Step 2: Decide what your students have

to learn for this unit.to learn for this unit. Step 3: Use the multiple intelligence verbs Step 3: Use the multiple intelligence verbs

to design projects.to design projects.

Technology ToysTechnology Toys

Promethean BoardPromethean Board Intel MicroscopeIntel Microscope Kidpix, Kidspiration,Photo FantasyKidpix, Kidspiration,Photo Fantasy Interactive lessons Interactive lessons www.internet4classrooms.comwww.internet4classrooms.com LaptopsLaptops Karaoke MachineKaraoke Machine CD Player or iPod (Energizers)CD Player or iPod (Energizers) Digital cameras –record storiesDigital cameras –record stories MovieMakerMovieMaker Document camerasDocument cameras

Making BooksMaking Books

Students will write, write and write, if they are Students will write, write and write, if they are given time to make their own books.given time to make their own books.

Have plenty of construction paper, white paper, Have plenty of construction paper, white paper, stamps, stickers, stencils, staplers, available for stamps, stickers, stencils, staplers, available for the students to work independently.the students to work independently.

Use the Ellison Die Cutter to have pre-made Use the Ellison Die Cutter to have pre-made books available.books available.

Use for Reflection, assessment, in the content Use for Reflection, assessment, in the content areas.areas.

Publishing on the ComputerPublishing on the Computer First, teach the steps using the Promethean First, teach the steps using the Promethean

Board or LCD Projector.Board or LCD Projector. Use Word to insert photos and write stories.Use Word to insert photos and write stories. Working with partners is helpful.Working with partners is helpful. Use laptops to publish stories.Use laptops to publish stories. Use Kidpix to publish stories.Use Kidpix to publish stories. Use Power Point to present researchUse Power Point to present research.. Show examples of Historical Project.Show examples of Historical Project. Go the media center or computer lab to work on Go the media center or computer lab to work on

writing.writing.

Video CamerasVideo Cameras

Use video cameras to record students Use video cameras to record students working on projects in class.working on projects in class.

Publish videos on your web-site.Publish videos on your web-site. Record student performances: poems, Record student performances: poems,

songs, dances, plays.songs, dances, plays. Use Promethean Board to watch in class.Use Promethean Board to watch in class. Write stories about performances: Write stories about performances:

Beginning, middle, end or how was the Beginning, middle, end or how was the problem solved.problem solved.

Henny Penny Flip-ChartHenny Penny Flip-Chart Activating Strategy- Use a flip-chart.Activating Strategy- Use a flip-chart. Rehearse PlayRehearse Play Design program cover and type characters’ Design program cover and type characters’

namesnames Present the play to parents, Book Buddies, other Present the play to parents, Book Buddies, other

students.students. Video the performance.Video the performance. Watch in class the next day.Watch in class the next day. Write about favorite part of the play or what it Write about favorite part of the play or what it

was like to be in a play. Let students design was like to be in a play. Let students design their own books or give them a choice of covers.their own books or give them a choice of covers.

Technology ProductsTechnology Products

Menus – Variety of products-Display boardMenus – Variety of products-Display board Research t-shirtsResearch t-shirts Online photo albums- Online photo albums- www.snapfish.comwww.snapfish.com

Show Pirate Album!Show Pirate Album! QuiltsQuilts Flat Stanley- scanners EpalsFlat Stanley- scanners Epals Book Buddies-photos, letters, website Book Buddies-photos, letters, website

(middle school with elementary school(middle school with elementary school))

Middle School Book Buddies

Middle School Book BuddiesMiddle School Book Buddies

Garden Café MenuGarden Café Menu Garden CaféGarden Café AppetizersAppetizers: : Fried Petals, Roots & StemsFried Petals, Roots & Stems~ Label all of the plant parts on a ~ Label all of the plant parts on a

poster. poster. Worth: 10 pts.Worth: 10 pts. Chef’s ChoiceChef’s Choice~ * Highly Recommended*~ * Highly Recommended* Write five sentences about your favorite plant. Make sure they are Write five sentences about your favorite plant. Make sure they are

descriptive sentences!descriptive sentences! Worth: 20 pts. Worth: 20 pts. Sweet & Sour Life CycleSweet & Sour Life Cycle~ Draw the life cycle of a plant. ~ Draw the life cycle of a plant. Worth: 20 pts. Worth: 20 pts. Picture Perfect PlatterPicture Perfect Platter~ Make a collage out of plant pictures. ~ Make a collage out of plant pictures. Worth: 10 pts.Worth: 10 pts.

Garden Café MenuGarden Café Menu Entrees: Entrees: Tenderloin TerrariumTenderloin Terrarium~ Make a terrarium and bring it in to class. To make a terrarium take a ~ Make a terrarium and bring it in to class. To make a terrarium take a

plastic bottle (ex. coke bottle) and cut it in half use the bottom half and fill it with dirt. Then plant a plastic bottle (ex. coke bottle) and cut it in half use the bottom half and fill it with dirt. Then plant a seed in the dirt. When finished wrap Saran Wrap over it and bring it in.seed in the dirt. When finished wrap Saran Wrap over it and bring it in.

Worth: 40pts. Worth: 40pts. Entrées Continued…Entrées Continued… Survey SamplerSurvey Sampler~ Take a survey of ten people. Ask them what their favorite plant is, the choices ~ Take a survey of ten people. Ask them what their favorite plant is, the choices

are: Flower, Maple Tree, Oak Tree, Pine Tree, and Cactus. Use tally marks and a graph to record are: Flower, Maple Tree, Oak Tree, Pine Tree, and Cactus. Use tally marks and a graph to record the data. the data.

Worth: 40 pts. Worth: 40 pts. Five Item BuffetFive Item Buffet~ Make a menu of 5 items that are plants that you like to eat. Be creative!~ Make a menu of 5 items that are plants that you like to eat. Be creative! Worth: 20 pts. Worth: 20 pts. 8 oz. Acrostic8 oz. Acrostic~ Write your name vertically and find a plant that starts with each letter of your ~ Write your name vertically and find a plant that starts with each letter of your

name. This is an acrostic. name. This is an acrostic. Worth: 20 pts. Worth: 20 pts. Dessert:Dessert: Chocolate Dipped DiagramChocolate Dipped Diagram~ Tape a real plant to a piece of paper and label the parts. ~ Tape a real plant to a piece of paper and label the parts. Worth: 30 pts. Worth: 30 pts. Sensational Seedy CrunchSensational Seedy Crunch~ Sort 5 different types of seeds or leaves. ~ Sort 5 different types of seeds or leaves. Worth: 10 pts. Worth: 10 pts. Only 100 points required for the project.Only 100 points required for the project. If you can eat everything on the menu you can earn up to 220pts! Enjoy!If you can eat everything on the menu you can earn up to 220pts! Enjoy!

Heroes MenuHeroes Menu Heroes ProjectHeroes Project Earn 100 pointsEarn 100 points The Incredibles RestaurantThe Incredibles Restaurant Featuring George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Rosa Featuring George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Rosa

Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr.Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr. Appetizer: Appetizer: ““Say Cheese” Sticks- Draw a picture of a historical figure we’ve studied. 10 pointsSay Cheese” Sticks- Draw a picture of a historical figure we’ve studied. 10 points Clip Art Essay Salad- Insert a picture of a historical figure using WORD and write why this person Clip Art Essay Salad- Insert a picture of a historical figure using WORD and write why this person

is remembered in history. 20 pointsis remembered in history. 20 points Entrée: Entrée: Historical Bag Pasta to go- With your parents help, write the answers to the History Interview and Historical Bag Pasta to go- With your parents help, write the answers to the History Interview and

bring in items to show the class about your historical figure. Put your items in the bag. 40 pointsbring in items to show the class about your historical figure. Put your items in the bag. 40 points Powerful Power Point Pizza- Make a PowerPoint presentation about your historical figure using 4 Powerful Power Point Pizza- Make a PowerPoint presentation about your historical figure using 4

slides. Write at least one sentence on each slide. 40 pointsslides. Write at least one sentence on each slide. 40 points Kids Menu Kidspiration- At school, use Kidspiration to make a graphic organizer about your Kids Menu Kidspiration- At school, use Kidspiration to make a graphic organizer about your

historical hero. Use 5 pictures. 40 pointshistorical hero. Use 5 pictures. 40 points Dessert: Dessert: Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Interview- Interview someone you know that is a hero to you. Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Interview- Interview someone you know that is a hero to you.

Have your parents write the answers for you on the Interview Paper. 30 pointsHave your parents write the answers for you on the Interview Paper. 30 points Silk Pie Silhouette- Draw a picture of your personal hero. 10 pointsSilk Pie Silhouette- Draw a picture of your personal hero. 10 points Time Line Truffle- Make a time line of a historical figure’s life. 20 pointsTime Line Truffle- Make a time line of a historical figure’s life. 20 points

22ndnd Grade Menu It’s a Jungle Out Grade Menu It’s a Jungle Out There!There!

What do you Need?What do you Need? EQ: How are plants and animals dependent on EQ: How are plants and animals dependent on

each other? each other? Write a poem: Acrostic, Diamante, ShapeWrite a poem: Acrostic, Diamante, Shape Write a songWrite a song Create a danceCreate a dance Write a skit or playWrite a skit or play More examples: See BookletMore examples: See Booklet

Planning MenusPlanning Menus

Use Multiple Intelligences and Bloom’s Use Multiple Intelligences and Bloom’s VerbsVerbs

See Hand-OutSee Hand-Out Teach your students about the multiple Teach your students about the multiple

intelligences and let them determine their intelligences and let them determine their strongest intelligences. When you build strongest intelligences. When you build on that, it raises the other intelligences.on that, it raises the other intelligences.

The Important Book templateThe Important Book template

Research ProjectsResearch Projects

T Shirt Research (T Search)T Shirt Research (T Search)www.enchantedlearning.comwww.enchantedlearning.comAsk your PTA for a membership. $75 for Ask your PTA for a membership. $75 for

school.school.Make a graphic organizer. Use the Make a graphic organizer. Use the

Promethean board or Kidspiration to make Promethean board or Kidspiration to make the web.the web.

Choose the information that you want Choose the information that you want included in your research.included in your research.

Use 2 sources: Internet, library books, Use 2 sources: Internet, library books, magazines, encyclopediasmagazines, encyclopedias

Research ProjectsResearch Projects

Write the answers on the web.Write the answers on the web.Type “FAT” sentences in Word.Type “FAT” sentences in Word.Print on Iron On Transfer paper in Mirror Print on Iron On Transfer paper in Mirror

Image or on T Shirt Option.Image or on T Shirt Option.Iron onto the shirt.Iron onto the shirt.Draw a picture for the front of the t shirt onto Draw a picture for the front of the t shirt onto

the Iron On Transfer Paper.the Iron On Transfer Paper.Iron it on a hard table, no steam for 3 Iron it on a hard table, no steam for 3

minutes. minutes.

Perform Plays!Perform Plays!

In your class, in each small group, or for In your class, in each small group, or for the entire school, perform plays, poetry, the entire school, perform plays, poetry, songs, dances about your research!songs, dances about your research!

Students who are body smart, art smart, Students who are body smart, art smart, drama smart, music smart, love to present drama smart, music smart, love to present their learning this way.their learning this way.

Intel MicroscopeIntel Microscope

Go on Field Trips (Being There Go on Field Trips (Being There Experiences) around the school.Experiences) around the school.

Find insects, rocks, flowers, and put them Find insects, rocks, flowers, and put them in the bug collectors.in the bug collectors.

Take photos and movies of their findings.Take photos and movies of their findings. Print onto sticker paper.Print onto sticker paper. Write stories about it!Write stories about it! Examples:Examples:

Cool Software and Internet Cool Software and Internet SitesSites

Use Unitedstreaming weekly!Use Unitedstreaming weekly! Find interactive software programs geared Find interactive software programs geared

to your students’ interests.to your students’ interests. www.internet4classrooms.comwww.internet4classrooms.com KidPix and Kidspiration, Zoo Zillions and KidPix and Kidspiration, Zoo Zillions and

Mighty Math Heroes are a few of my Mighty Math Heroes are a few of my students’ favorites.students’ favorites.

www.Iknowthat.com; info@clicknkids.comwww.Iknowthat.com; info@clicknkids.com

Digital CamerasDigital Cameras

Use your camera daily. Use your camera daily. Assign a class photographer to take photos.Assign a class photographer to take photos. Use it to make books, bulletin boards, Use it to make books, bulletin boards,

brochures, Power Points, photos for your web brochures, Power Points, photos for your web site and to email to parents.site and to email to parents.

Record students performing on the video Record students performing on the video camera and show in class or to the entire camera and show in class or to the entire school.school.

Post recordings on your teacher website.Post recordings on your teacher website.

QuiltsQuilts

Scan or take photos of family.Scan or take photos of family. Iron or sew onto material.Iron or sew onto material. Students choose template for quilts.Students choose template for quilts. Students trace template onto material, cut Students trace template onto material, cut

it out and pin it together.it out and pin it together. Parent volunteer sews quilts with students Parent volunteer sews quilts with students

or iron it with Stitch Witchery (love it!). or iron it with Stitch Witchery (love it!).

Movie MakerMovie Maker

Students love to create movies using Movie Students love to create movies using Movie Maker and the Digital Blue Software (that my Maker and the Digital Blue Software (that my dog ate).dog ate).

Add photos, videos, transitions, movies or have Add photos, videos, transitions, movies or have the computer automatically make one for you.the computer automatically make one for you.

Book Buddies and A Year to Remember Book Buddies and A Year to Remember examples.examples.

Students will write about these experiences on Students will write about these experiences on the computer and in Reflection journals.the computer and in Reflection journals.

Document CameraDocument Camera

Great way to project students’ stories.Great way to project students’ stories. Use with your Author’s Chair.Use with your Author’s Chair. Use for editing, revising, publishing.Use for editing, revising, publishing. Use for projecting plants and animals Use for projecting plants and animals

found around the school.found around the school. Use for newspaper articles, magazine Use for newspaper articles, magazine

articles, Scholastic News.articles, Scholastic News.

Door Prizes!Door Prizes!

ReflectionsReflections