2012-2013+MAC+PD+Resources

= Digital Storytelling Resources =

Animoto
@http://animoto.com Animoto is a video creation service that allows you to create and share videos using your own pictures, video clips, words and music. Simply upload photos and clips, choose a style, add words and music and click to produce your masterpiece. The LITE version of the program is Free. To compare it to the versions you can go to @http://animoto.com/pricing. Educators can apply for a free Animoto Plus account to use in the Classroom. To apply go to @http://animoto.com/education/classroom

@http://www.zooburst.com
ZooBurst is a digital storytelling app that allows you create 3D pop-up books. There is a basic package that allows a individual teacher to sign up. This basic account allows you to build 10 books with up to 10 pages each. The basic account also allows you to download the iPad app to view your stories. Once you have created an account and logged in, you will be able to print a ZooBurst User Manual.

StoryJumper
@http://www.storyjumper.com/ StoryJumper is a safe and educational place for students build their own books, You can add text, upload drawings or use the builtin clipart gallery. When the book is finished, you cal also order a professionally published hardback book. In addition to the general account there is a classroom edition which allows you to manage and review student's work and maintain strict privacy controls over student information. To create a classroom account go to @http://www.storyjumper.com/school.

PicLits
[] PicLits.com is an education and e-learning creative writing site that matches beautiful images with carefully selected keywords in order to inspire you. The object is to put the right words in the right place and the right order to capture the essence, story, and meaning of the picture. Photos that are used on the site are selected by their photo editors to assure that they are appropriate for all users. There are two ways to create a PicLit on this site. The first is the drag-n-drop method where they provide a list of words and you drag the ones you want to the photo. The second is a freestyle area where you can use your own words to describe the word.

Story Starters
@http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/story-starters/ Story Starters is a fun, interactive tool that generates writing prompts which include direction on character, plot and setting. Students can choose one of the four themes (Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi or Scrambler). Once they enter their first name and select their grade they spin a series of wheels to generate a random writing assignement. Students then have the choice of creating a notebook, letter, newspaper or postcard for their assignment. There is also a drawing option that they can create and include a drawing. A Teacher's Guide is available at @http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/story-starters-teachers-guide

Poetry Idea Engine
@http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/flash_pie.htm Get your poetry juices flowing with this activity that will allow you to write haikus, free verse, limericks and more.

KerPoof
@http://www.kerpoof.com Kerpoof is a site that was created by Disney which allows students to create original artwork, animated movies, stories and more. This site can be used in many ways to enhance classroom activities while meeting a range of educational standards. Areas available include: Teachers can register for a FREE teacher account. This account will give you access to a wide range of administrative and management tools. You will also be able to monitor activity and delete any messages that you find inappropriate. When registering for the teacher account, you must use your school email address. You can also download a Teacher's Guide at @http://www.kerpoof.com/edu/Teacher_Guide.pdf
 * Spell a Picture
 * Make a Movie
 * Make a Drawing
 * Make a Picture
 * Tell a Story

= Interacteractive Stories / Books / Other Literacy Resources =

Smories
@http://www.smories.com/about/ Smories are original stories for kids, read by kids.

Mightybook
@http://www.mightybook.com/ MightyBook helps children discover the joy of reading with hundreds of animated, read-aloud story books and songs that are as entertaining as they are educational. You can subscribe to the whole website for $29.95 a year for a classroom or you can enjoy over 50 FREE activities, available on the home page, that you do not have to have a subscription to use.

Leading to Reading
@http://www.rif.org/kids/leadingtoreading/en/leadingtoreading.htm The Leading to Reading was created by Reading is Fundamental to provide FREE books and resources. The site itself is divided into three areas: Babies/Toddlers (Age 0-2), Preschoolers (age 3-5) and Grown-Ups. The site is also available in Spanish.

Literacy Center.Net - The Early Childhood Education Network
@http://www.literacycenter.net/lessonview_en.php The Literacy Center Education Network is a non-profit organization whose mission is to deliver free, professionally-designed education materials to preschool age children. This stie, created by the Literacy Center, contains activities that you can use to teach letters (both upper and lower), shapes, writing, words, numbers, colors and the keyboard.

Roy the Zebra
@http://www.roythezebra.com/ The Roy the Zebra website contains a package of interactive games, stories and resources that have been developed to help emerging readers learn to read. Each interactive literacy game comes complete with a lesson plan that gives practical step - by - step guidance on how to use the game in the classroom.

Literactive
@http://www.literactive.com/Home/index.asp The Literactive website was developed by a professional tem of educators to help early learners develop their reading and comprehensive skills through carefully balances and progressive reading programs. All material is available FREE from this site but you will need to register.

Free Phonics Worksheets
@http://free-phonics-worksheets.com/html/free_phonics_worksheets.html This website contains FREE worksheets to accommodate any lesson plan for reading that includes phonics. The list is conveniently organized by the skills covered and each worksheet comes with an answer key. Each phonics worksheet also includes a lesson extension of extra activities to help the student learn specific skills or to review material already covered. = =

= Virtual Field Trips =

We also looked at a great number of Virtual Field Trip Resouces. Those resources can be found by clicking the link below. Virtual Field Trips Resource Page