Zooburst

As we lounge around and commemorate Labor Day with BBQ and beer, I invite you to consider one last Digital Storytelling tool to add to your dynamic curriculum.  This week consider adding a pop of wow with Zooburst.  Zooburst adds a new dimension to storytelling by adding a 3-D component. 

Zooburts also offers a huge library of clip art to help your students get their point across.  If a Zooburst photo does not fancy your charge, no problem, have her upload her own picture.  Students adore adding their own image in an assignment.  Zooburts allows them to personalize their 3D story which will make everyone take notice on presentation day.

I want to end Digital Storytelling tools by encouraging teachers of all content to think outside the box.  These tools are not just for the English classroom.  Math teachers, have students explain how to solve problems.  Social Studies educators, retell an event in history.  Foreign language teachers, I cannot think of a better tool for students to put their newly learned words into practice.  Visit the Zooburst gallery for more ideas or even add one of the stories to your lesson. Digital Storytelling is a great way to escape from the ordinary.  Keep your students guessing what may happen next in your class and watch their attentiveness soar.

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Tapping into Creativity

There are six levels of Blooms Taxonomy.  Unfortunately due to the ‘T’ word it is not uncommon to find teachers moving beyond levels 1-3 in hopes of retaining formulas for end of grade test. Moving to levels 4-6 require illustration, supporting and creating.  Today we are going to tap into the higher levels by creating a Storybird.

Storybirds are art-inspired stories that impact everyone from Miss. Smartypants in the front seat to our reluctant readers in the back row.  Here’s how it works:

Storybird Quick Tour from Storybird on Vimeo.

In science have your students create a Storybird to illustrate the Scientific Method.  Social Studies students can retell the events leading to WWI.  The possibilities are endless for all content areas.

Empower your students to reach their highest high.  Sign up for your free Storybird acount today.

READER RESPONSE: How will you use Storybird in your class?

4,400+ Free Books

I bet that title got your attention.  If it did then you should know up front that this post is not about giveaways or a place to steal books and not get caught.  Today as we delve into Week 2 of Best Websites for Educators I want to share a site that can be used for students ages 1-100.

The International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL) provides thousands of books in 54 different languages from around the world.  From well known authors such as Walter Dean Myers to a French folktale favorites, you’ll find all sorts of interesting stories to share with students. 

As a classroom teacher I was a huge fan of using picture books to teach literary elements. With ICDL you now have access to books even when the copy is checked out at the school library media center.  All you need is an LCD projector and a working internet connection to share literature and beautiful artwork with students. 

Are you a parent wondering how to use ICDL with your child?  Download the free app on your iPad. We have one last summer vacation coming up and I cannot think of a better way to keep Junior entertained and save space in the car. 

ICDL is truly captivating and I hope that you find a way to integrate this into your content for many years to come.

READER RESPONSE: Search for a book on the ICDL site.  Please share how the book is connected to a specific content area.  Think outside the box English teachers.  We need to help our math, science, social studies and elective teachers use this resource in their classes today.

Read Forever

I am a school library media specialist.  To many I am referred to as the librarian.  To students, a media specialist and around the country, a media coordinator.  However, my job is to aid in turning patrons, more specifically, K-12 students into life-long library users and readers.  There have been many discussions over the demise of libraries and physical books with the invention of eReaders.  I own a Nook and adore my tablet.  Owning a Nook, Kindle or any eReader will not put me out of a job or cause libraries to close.  I am still supporting authors when I buy a book.  All in all, the Nook is just cool.   So why are so many people opposed to eReaders?  You can Google that question but I thought I would provide reasons why eReaders are superb:

1. Internal dictionary: Many readers struggle with unfamiliar words.  My mom always encouraged me to look up these words when I was child.  Consequently, I read with a dictionary by my side.  With digital readers you simply have to highlight the word and viola!  Instant understanding.
2. Samples: You can sample any book for free.  Instead of having to get in your car and drive to the book store or library, press a button and make a decision on if the book is right for you.  You then have the choice to buy the eBook, physical book or borrow a free copy from your local library.
3. Project Gutenberg, Adobe Free eBooks and many other online sites.  This is a fantastic resource for high school and college students.  Most importantly, your local library offers free eBooks.  Swing by their site today.  Here is the site for my fellow North Carolinians. 
4. Here's a secret: Kids love handhelds.  Take a look at the kids in the backseat as you travel this summer.  I guarantee that at least 85% of those children will be glued to an iPod, gaming system or something similar.  What our students need and want haven't changed.  What needs to change is how we deliver content. 
5. eBooks are never destroyed or lost.  Destroyed and lost books drive me crazy and waste money.  Once you buy an eBook, it's yours forever.
6. Textbooks: Electronic text books are growing popularity and cheaper than their physical counterparts.
7. Did I mention that eReaders are cool?

I can go on and on about the joy of eReaders but the most important aspect is that the joy of reading is once again enhanced by something new.  If that is what it takes to turn my charges into life-long literates, so be it.  All I ask is that you never stop reading, never stop learning and never stop growing.

Read Forever