Animated Lessons
Writing
Related Topics and Subtopics:
The Exquisite Prompt - A series of monthly writing challenges designed as a classroom activity for kids in grades K-12. Teachers can engage their students by selecting just one of the monthly challenges or try a new challenge every month. (Y, M, O, T)
Monster Exchange - Monster Exchange is designed to encourage the development of reading and writing skills while integrating Internet technology into the classroom curriculum. Classrooms from a variety of schools worldwide are paired together; the students in each classroom are split into groups, each of which designs an original picture of a monster. The students must then write a description of the monster. The partnered classes then exchange their descriptions via e-mail and the Internet. These students are then challenged to use reading comprehension skills to read the descriptions and translate them into a monster picture. The true challenge involves creating a redrawn picture as close to the original picture as possible without looking at the original and using only the written description of the monster. Kindergarten-8th grade level. (Y, M)
Easy Essay - An automated information organization program helpful for people who have a hard time organizing their thoughts. Through an interactive form, the user inputs a basic 3 point outline with a thesis statement. The outline form guides you through the addition of facts to support your points then gives you a split screen with the generated outline on one side and a text box into which you type your essay on the other side. Students who have trouble coming up with a consistent and logical outline will find it helpful. (Y, M, O, T)
Book Punch - Book Punch provides interactive writing prompts about books commonly taught in schools today. It takes students through the steps of thinking and writing about well-known upper-elementary core literature. Based on their personal experiences, students write paragraphs relating to themes in the books. They also write brief responses connecting details with ideas in the book to infer a deeper meaning. Hundreds of built-in supports and tips guide students step-by-step as they work through the program. A management system automatically saves student work and allows teachers to check student progress easily and create reports. In addition, printable vocabulary activities, graphic organizers and a writing rubric are provided for each book. Get Book Punch FREE for a year!!! (M O)
Cheeky Monkey Magazine - This new online magazine (it's in PDF format) features the artwork and writing of homeschool students. There is no cost for the subscription and some of the work is quite good. They even pay a small fee if the work is published. Whether you just want to see what other homeschoolers are accomplishing or want to submit work of your own, Cheeky Monkey is worth a look (Y, M, O, T)
Just For Kids Who Love books - Are you a kid 8 to 14 years of age? If you are, you can send messages about books and reading which I will post on this site. Other kids can read your messages and respond to them. You can also read and write book reviews as well as read previews of books. (Y M)
Merriam-Webster Online - Not just a dictionary source. Also offers Free games on line such as Daily Crossword, PuzzleWord Game, Daily Buzzword For Kids, Word of the Day and a Daily Podcast (Y, M, O, T)
10 Big Myths about copyright explained - This is a particularly muddy issue with the ease of copying and pasting (or forwarding) online, whether in email or to a website. Since many people have varying ideas about what copyright does and doesn't protect, reminders about this topic are useful and relevant once in awhile. I particularly like the examples and explanations found on this site. Enjoy, and remember: violating copyright breaks the food chain! (Y, M, O, T)
How to Study - We all know that studying is a skill to be learned, not a talent one is born with. From Taking Notes in Class to how to succeed on an Essay Test, this site gives useful and practical ways to succeed. When you click a link, scroll down to see the results - the page will not appear to change when clicking links since what changes is out of site below. The site is provided by two education professors who developed more detailed study skills programs that can be purchased from the site. (O)
Lightning BUG - Lightning BUG is intended to be a writing companion, a resource to draw on as you craft a narrative. The site has been deliberately published with a focus on fostering inspiration, finding voice, developing structure and encouraging an interest in writing. Recently, a short story section titled Firefly was added. Each month, visitors to the site are challenged with a new short story topic. A teacher resource section is available with lesson plans and worksheets to download. (m,o)
Story Paper with Lines - Requires Adobe Acrobat reader (Y)
Read Write Think Student Materials - The Student Materials are part of a larger project from NCTE, Marco Polo, and and International Reading Association. The larger site includes many lesson plans, easily sorted by topic and grade. The Student Materials include online tools that teach students concepts like acrostics, bio-cubes (for biographies), comic creators, drama maps, essay maps, and much more. Kids who don't like the physical aspect of handwriting will enjoy using the tools on Read Write Think to show off their writing skills. (Y, M, O, T)
The Misadventures of Foot In Mouth Man - "A loveable but bumbling communicator, FIMM stumbles his way through life!... FIMM Fans have watched him through many episodes sticking his foot in his mouth so often he has Athlete's Tongue!" (Y, M, O, T)
Young Naturalist Awards - The theme for the Young Naturalist Awards is the same each year: Scientific Discovery Begins with Expeditions! "The Young Naturalist Awards program invites you to plan and conduct your own scientific expedition, one that will provide original data, questions, and observations on a topic in the natural sciences." (M,O)
PIZZAZ Writing Assignments - Created for ESL teachers, these assignments are also easily adapted for use with beginning writers. (Y,M)
Biography Maker - Biography Maker - help students take dry dull facts about a person and turn them into a biography. (M,O)
Citing Primary Sources - With the availability of so many primary sources online, research has opened up for those who care to delve into the vast array of web collections. With this new availability of sources, however, comes the confusion of documentation. (T,O)