Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Tool

Intro. Grade

Literacy skills developed

Wordle

Makes visual displays of words in multi-color, multi-size graphic images, shared as images or by URL. See a sample.

vocabulary development, spelling, phonics, word choice, thesaurus, word relationships, cross-curricular terminology, word frequency in writing/literature

Bookemon

Makes interactive, online books, including digpix, uploaded graphics. Start from word files, PowerPoint slides, or templates. Shared by URL. Printed copies of books can also be ordered (for a fee). See a sample.

writing, reading, oral expression, oral reading, listening, articluatin, vocabulary development (speech/language)

Ed.Voicethread

Makes online "threads" showing uploaded images (digital pictures, scans, PowerPoint slides, anything!) with accompanying adio or text "comments." Students can record narration, read aloud, record talking comments, and more. See a sample.

speaking, writing, narrating, articulation (speech and language), written and oral commenting, reading analysis, reading with expression, etiquette of commenting, story telling, story mapping, book critique, presentation skills, cross-curricular writing and expression, poetry

MapSkip

Adds markers and “stories” to Google-powered maps of the US and world. “Stories” are written text boxes and can include photos, as well. Readers can comment on “stories.” Markers can also have sounds attached. See a sample "story."

written expression, writing for an audience, informational and narrative writing, cross-curricular connections with geography and social studies, literature: setting

GlogsterEDU

Makes online multimedia “posters” to include images, , videos, audio files, text, “fun” graphics, links to web site, and more. See a sample.

integrating visuals and writing, bibliography, informational writing, organizing information, summarizing, book critiques, cross-curricular writing and organization/presentation of information, poetry, figurative language, research skills (KWL, finding sources), thesaurus, multimedia dictionary, writing for audience/purpose