Make Writing Interactive

Teachers and Parents, make reading and writing interactive the following websites:
- Build a Story Cube on a story they are creating , or one that they have read with Cube Creator at http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/cube_creator/
- Visualize the character by creating one at http://www.doppelme.com/
- Create the scene at http://sketch.odopod.com/
- Create a story at http://www.artofstorytelling.org/kiosk/

Writing and Drawing

Happy Valentine’s Day to all you writers and artists. Use these tools to help create your fairytales, create friends and draw something special. These sites are great for young writers and artists of any age!

Set the Mood
Key parts of writing is setting the stage. Use these free online sites to create a photo collage with images that capture the mood of a story your are reading or writing.
• Photovisi: http://www.photovisi.com/ - Online Photo Collage
• Picture Trail: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/flicks/sample - Online Photo Flick Slideshow

Draw the Scene
Using the descriptions from the story, draw your interpretation of the important places in the story. Explain their significance.
• Odo Sketch: http://sketch.odopod.com/ - Draw your own charcoal drawing. Click play and have it replay the drawing!
• Picture a Story: http://www.artofstorytelling.org/kiosk/ - Choose your Genre, Choose your characters, add props and record your story!
• DoInk: http://www.doink.com/ - Create animation and Make your own friends! What could be better?

QR Codes

A QR code (quick response code) is a type of 2D bar code that is used to provide fast access to information through an app on a smart phone. These codes originated in 1994 in Japan to track parts in vehicle manufacturing. Now, mobile tagging is used as the reader uses their QR reader app to click a photo of the code and read the message, open a website, view a video or even respond to a poll via SMS message.
• QR code defined: http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=QR+code&i=61424,00.asp
• Kathy Schrock's Guide to QR Codes: http://www.schrockguide.net/qr-codes-in-the-classroom.html • School in Texas using QR codes: http://www.dublin.k12.tx.us/Page/1300
• QR Codes in the Classroom: http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2011/04/qr-codes-in-classroom.html
• QR in the Elementary School Classroom: http://www.scoop.it/t/qr-codes-in-the-elementary-school-classroom