Writing


Writing		HOME

	Below are some good web sites to keep your child writing!

	These sites are creative writing sites where the kids can write to prompts or story starters, or create a story from choices already on the site. They can make illustrations from graphic choices.

Creative Writing Sites	http://www.scholastic.com/kids/games.htm# - This site contains many writing games and story starters. Many writing opportunities revolve around themes or literature. Stories can be printed! Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link in the Writing Games section. (Grades 1-5)

	http://www.kidscom.com/create/write/write.html - Provides a weekly story starter, then randomly selects five pieces to feature on the web. (Grades 1-5)

	http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/writers/workshop.html -Creative Writing Site- This site contains tools such as an idea generator, story builder, and story map. (Grades 3-5)


Essay Map	http://www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/student_material.asp?id=63
	Expository writing is an increasingly important skill for students to master. This interactive graphic organizer helps students develop an outline that includes an introductory statement; main ideas they want to discuss or describe; supporting details; and a conclusion that summarizes the main ideas. The tool offers multiple ways to navigate information including a graphic in the upper right-hand corner that allows students to move around the map without having to work in a linear fashion. Students can also click the Review My Map link and preview what they have written, return to the map for revisions, or print the completed map.

Story Map	http://www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/student_material.asp?id=8
	The Story Map interactive includes a set of graphic organizers designed to assist students in prewriting and post-reading activities. The organizers are intended to focus on the key elements of character, setting, conflict, and resolution development. Students can develop multiple characters, for example, in preparation for writing their own fiction, or they may reflect on and further develop characters from stories they have read. After completing individual sections or the entire organizer, students have the ability to print out their final versions for feedback and assessment. The versatility of this tool allows it to be used in multiple contexts.

Fractured Fairy Tales	http://www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/student_material.asp?id=62
	Invite your students to turn familiar fairy tales upside down and inside out – and to have fun. This interactive tool gives students a choice of three fairy tales to read. They are then guided to choose a variety of changes, which they use to compose a fractured fairy tale to print off and illustrate. Useful for teaching point of view, setting, plot, as well as fairy tale conventions such as they lived happily ever after, this tool encourages students to use their imaginations and the writing process at the same time.

Friendly Letters	http://www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/student_material.asp?id=5
	The Letter Generator tool is designed to help students learn to identify all the essential parts of a business or friendly letter, and then generate letters by typing information into letter templates. Once students have become familiar with letter formats, they are prompted to write their own letter using a simple template. Students follow the steps and fill in specific fields in the template (for example, heading, salutation, closing, signature, etc.). They may even add a decorative border and postscript to the friendly letter. The finished letter can then be previewed, edited, and printed. This useful tool provides step-by-step instructions for familiarizing users with the necessary elements of written correspondence, and can serve as an excellent practice method for composing and proofreading both formal and informal letters.

Kidspiration	Created for K-5 learners, Kidspiration develops thinking, literacy and numeracy skills using proven visual learning principles. In reading and writing, Kidspiration strengthens word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension and written expression. With new visual math tools, students build reasoning and problem solving skills.

	Here’s the link for downloading the trial of Kidspiration: http://inspiration.com/freetrial/index.cfm

	Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation given by Mrs. Smith at the Technology night.


6+1 Traits of Writing	The links below are to web sites that use 6+1 Traits of Writing. This is the writing resource we use school-wide.

	http://www.cyberspaces.net/6traits/
	http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/concord/teacherlinks/sixtraits/sixtraits.html
	http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/KSD/IS/lang_arts/family/W_handbook/whandp1.htm
	http://www.mukwonago.k12.wi.us/~olejnma/6_+_1_traits.htm


PhotoStory 3	http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx PhotoStory 3 is a free download from Microsoft that can be used in digital storytelling projects with excellent results. Photostory requires Microsoft XP and Windows Media Player 10. You can create slideshows using your digital photos. Add special effects, soundtracks, and your own voice narration to your photo stories. Then personalize them with titles and captions. Share your stories – small file sizes make it easy to send your photo stories in an e-mail. Watch them on your TV, a computer, or a Windows Mobile-based device. Photo Story Tutorial - http://www.jakesonline.org/photostory.htm Photo Story Demos - http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/task/photostory/ps3demos.htm

Poetry4Kids	Welcome to Kenn Nesbitt's poetry playground, where you will find lots of funny children's poems and poetry books, games, contests, lessons, discussion forums, and journals, plus a rhyming dictionary, streaming audio, school visit information and more.