There are hundreds of free and paid apps that contain either animated stories, picture books with attached narration or even interactive stories.
1.1.1 Interactive Stories The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore is a wonderful app that blurs the line between a picture book and animated film. It contains an interactive story where you can interact with the digital content within the story. Watch the overview video below to see how users can interact with the characters, objects and settings within the story using the iPad app:
Watch the full animated story (below) that inspired the interactive ebook:
The Alice App (iOS - free trial and paid compete | Android) is another interactive version of Alice in Wonderland. Watch the video below to see the interactive eBook in action:
1.1.2 Editable Stories:
Storypanda provides iOS users with books they can read, create (tap, drag, and swipe to change characters, backgrounds, text and more to make a new story), and share (with friends and family). Watch the video below to see one of the titles:
Augmented Comics Marvel comics has also created an AR app to bring their paper-based comics alive!
Watch the to see one of their augmented comic books
Click here to read some samples and to purchase some AR comics
Download Marvel's AR App (iOS | Android) to make their AR paper-based comics come to life!
1.1.4. Digital Comics & Graphic Novels There are a wide variety of online providers of digital comics and graphic novels. Each of these providers require the creation of an account to purchase or download free comics and novels.
1.1.5. eBook Apps Pictured below are various other eBook story apps for iOS devices. Right-click on either image to download and view the names of the various apps.
If your school has blocked you from using YouTube, you can can click the “Select Player” button on the top-left of the screen and select either My VR Spot or SchoolTube, then all your videos will be played on the player you select.
1.3.3: Graphic Novels Canadian author Liam O'Donnell provides a series of graphic novel that can be accessed online and also ordered in paperback. Click on the images below to access the stories:
ABC's Reading Eggs has a wide variety of leveled books for junior years studnets to help them learn sounds, sight-words and comprehension skills. Check out the sample lessons here.
Once parents subscribe, students can access Reading Eggs lessons via Windows/Mac/iPad or Android devices. 1.3.7: Further Resources
If have access to a tablet or smartphone scan the QR codes above with a QR Code reader to access various digital storytelling websites. You can also download two such classroom posters here (1 | 2).
Method 2: Purchasing eBooks for eBook readers, smartphones and tablets
You (with your parents permission) can also purchase eBooks from online book stores to read on eReaders, smartphones and tablets.
Audiobooks have some advantages over paper-based books and ebooks and you don't have to read anything and you can listen to the story while moving around (e.g. exercising or doing jobs around the house).
There are many online audio book suppliers, some are free and others are paid services. Read below to learn more about some popular audio book providers.
Audioboo is a free service that hosts online conversations that you can (i) listen to and (ii) upload your own audiobooks.
Audible by Amazon is a paid service that contains over 800 titles for children aged 0-4, over 4000 titles for ages 5-7 and over 5000 for ages 8+.
Displaying Read Vocabulary Using Tagxedo or Wordle
Every time you read you are exposed to rich vocabulary that you could use when you are writing. Either during or after reading, you should monitor and collect examples of words that are either related to the characters, settings, themes or events or that are excellent uses of descriptive writing. There are two free websites that allow you to create wonderful displays of these great word choices: (i) Tagxedo and (ii) Wordle.
Tagxedo
Tagxedo can be useful if you wish to display the author's use of vocabulary in the form of a shape or object related to the characters, settings, themes or events contained within a book. They should then follow the steps below to create a shaped word cloud using Tagxedo:
Under the 'Options Menu' click on the arrow next to the word 'Shape' to (i) select from a variety of given shape layouts or (ii) to browse the computer for an object/shape by clicking on 'Add Image'.
At the top of the Tagxedo window click 'Load...' to type or paste in the desired vocabulary.
Save the word cloud by clicking 'Save | Share ...' and selecting the desired option.
Wordle
Wordle is another free web service to quickly and easily create word clouds.
However, work can only be saved by taking a screenshot of the work.
Press the PrintScreen button on a PC's keyboard and then paste the image into any paint or Office program or if you are using an iOS or Android device take a screenshot.
Crop the image and then save.
Explore the Roles of Females in Video Games
A screenshot from Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (NES) & Wii Virtual Console.
If you talk with your parents about the video games they played when they were younger, they may discuss that the main female character always seemed to be in needing of rescue from the main male character!
Read the wonderful article titled, 'The Virtual Feminine' (online edition, scanned copy) written by Kristine Saretsky, which analyses the roles of female protagonists (main characters) in video games. The article raises an important gender issue.
In the article, Kristine discusses her memory of video games growing up as a child of the 80s and how she noticed the lack of proper female protagonists and how there was a damsel in distress in most games.
You could discuss with your parent(s) or teacher:
The video games you have played.
Which video games always have a male protagonist? (e.g Mario)
Which video games have a female protagonist? (e.g. Princess Peach on the DS)
Which video games allow you to choose to play as either a female or male character (i.e. Pokemon or Mario Kart).
One of the first female protagonist games from Nintendo: Super Princess Peach
If you found it difficult to list video games that had female protagonists, you can do any of the following activities:
Activity 1: Research five video games where the female is the protagonist and note:
The game name
Platform (e.g. Wii, PS3, etc.)
Game type: (e.g. RPG, 1st person shooter, side-action scroller)
Role of the protagonist
Other characters
Settings and how the settings impact upon the mood of the storyline/game.
Follow-Up Activity 2: Research five video games where the male is the protagonist and who the male has to "save" (if anyone) and note:
The game name
Platform (e.g. Wii, PS3, etc.)
Game type: (e.g. RPG, 1st person shooter, side-action scroller)
Role of the protagonist
Other characters
Settings and how the settings impact upon the mood of the storyline/game.
iMovies: Literature Reviews & Promotion
iMovie on the iPad and Mac provides you with an option to create a trailer from an existing or new video using easy to use templates and musical scores.
iMovie trailers can be used in:
Writing: To create an iMovie trailer to 'advertise/promote' a narrative that you have written, using either actors or visual images that match your narrative
Reading: After you have finished reading a book, create a trailer to promote the novel. View a trailer made by year five students after reading Michael Mopurgo's junior fiction novel, Kensuke's Kingdom, below:
Practicing Reading Comprehension by Watching the Minuscules TV Series
The Minuscules TV series is a wonderful as it has no words, and instead focuses on visuals and sounds.
It is also ideal for giving you chances to practice the reading comprehension skills that will help you to become a better reader and viewer.
Find a skill below and follow the instructions!
Skill 1: Sequencing Sequencing is being able to put things in order, which is a basic skill to help you understand and read/viewed text.
Watch 'The Grasshopper' episode then answer the questions below:
Questiona
What insect was catapulted first/second/next/last?
What happened after the ladybug figured out that the grasshopper was responsible for catapulting the other insects?
Skill 2: Synthesising Synthesising is a reading skill whereby you monitor how your thinking changes as you are reading/viewing (e.g. 'Oh, that's why the character was angry!').
To be good a synthesising you should:
Read a paragraph or page or view part of a video.
Stop.
Think about what you have read/viewed.
Make sense of it and then move on:
I was right/wrong to think… because.....
The interesting/confusing thing about the ..... was…
I also noticed that…
Seeing/reading...... helped me explain…
I still don’t know/have trouble explaining/understanding…
The new information I just read was....
The new information fits into the story as/by....
Now I understand...
I'm changing my mind about...
I used to think.....but know I think.....
My new thinking is....
I'm beginning to think....
It can help to take down notes about how your thinking has developed or changed when reading using a Synthesising Snowman. Watch the wonderfully entertaining 'The Ladybug' episode from the Miniscule TV series below with a partner or parent who can pause the video and ask you some of the questions below.
Just as the spider spins it's web:
What do you think is going to happen?
How would you describe the ladybug? (e.g. nervous, kind, angry?)
Anytime throughout the video:
What actually happened? Was your prediction correct?
What were your original thoughts about how you could describe the character of the ladybug? How and why have they changed? What did you see? What did the ladybug do?
Who's perspective was the camera angle/shot viewed from? What made you think that?
What assumptions could you make when comparing the flying skills of the ladybug to that of the flies?
What noises were used in scene x? Why? (e.g. Old propeller plane noises were used as the flies took off to chase the enemy, much like the occurrences depicted in old war movies as the propeller planes turn over to take off to chase the enemy planes. The propeller plane noises were then replaced by the sound of Formula cars racing as the red 'Ferrari' lady bug led the race between it and the flies.)
What connections could you make between the scenes depicted in the videos and movies that you have watched? (The fly chase scene and the lead fly crashing and falling apart can be compared to the pod racing scenes and crashes contained in Star Wars: Episode 1).
Audio Literacy: Analysing Music
It's important that you learn how to analyse and understand music so that you can make appropriate choices when choosing the types of music that you listen to.
When somebody writes a song, they use their lyrics, music and effects to communicate to other people something. This could be to communicate:
Their attitude towards something or someone (what they are feeling).
What they value or what they think you should value.
What they believe or what they think you should believe.
Or what they think, or what they think you should think (attitudes).
Therefore, if music contains values, attitudes and beliefs, you must be able to analyse the values, attitudes and beliefs presented in music to develop the skills to be able to:
Identify the difference between values, attitudes and beliefs.
Identify which songs that you share/do not share the same values, attitudes and beliefs with and why.
Make an informed decision for yourself and others as to whether you should listen to or play a song given various circumstances.
Think about these questions:
What values can be present in songs?
What attitudes can be present in songs?
What beliefs can be present in songs?
What values are normally present in hip-hop/rap/R&B?
What attitudes towards women are normally present in hip-hop/rap/R&B?
What beliefs about money/fame are normally present in hip-hop/rap/R&B?
What does this song possibly tell us about the songwriter's/singer's values/attitudes/beliefs?
What were some interesting word choices made when the song writer wrote the song?
A Persuasive Example: 30 Seconds to Mars - Closer To The Edge
The music video for 30 Seconds to Mars' Closer to the Edge is one of the most powerful songs and video productions aimed directly at children.
With a partner (friend or parent) watch the music video below in full screen mode, with the lights turned off, the speakers (and bass) cranked up and then try to answer the questions below.
If you have trouble answering any of the following questions then watch the video again, and again, and again! As you start to tune into the lyrics, the visual clues and the on screen captions, you will eventually be able to unpack the whole song. Then watch it one more time and then discuss the final discussion questions (far below).
Deep Thinking Questions:
What are the names of the band members?
Why were their baby photos used?
Why did you get to see each band member doing some outdoor activity by themselves?
What was the song about? / What was the message of the song?
What were some interesting word choices made when the song writer wrote the song?
What does it mean to be 'closer to the edge'? The edge of what?
Why are they signing 'I'm not saying I'm sorry'?
Is it a dangerous attitude to be saying you're not be sorry?
Now watch the video clip again attempting to answer:
What were the values discussed in the song?
What were the attitudes towards .... discussed in the song?
What were the beliefs of (the band / the children) discussed in the song?
What does this song possibly tell us about the songwriter's/singer's values/attitudes/beliefs?
What values (if any) from the song do you agree with? Why?
What attitudes (if any) from the song do you agree with? Why?
What beliefs (if any) from the song do you agree with? Why?
Watch the clip again, this time cuing students into the need to read the text (captions) embedded into the music video:
What were the words that flashed up on the screen? (You may need to pause)
What does 'Into The Wild' mean?
Have you ever seen a music video that flashes words up on the screen?
Why do you think the video producer chose to do this?
Did the video clip enhance the meaning of the song? If so how?
Did the video try to persuade you to feel/believe? If so, what? How?
What were the persuasive devices used in the music video? (i. Emotive words, ii. Repetition, iii. Use of children sharing their attitudes, values and beliefs to make connections with the target audience, iv. Emotive music over still faces of the band and children, v. Religious iconography: 'This is a cult.' Hand symbols akin to that used by priests with the crowd copying) vi. Slow motion filming, vii. Screaming lyrics with the children screaming the lyrics back in time)
Who is the target audience of this song? (i. The 1,363,930 of you and ii. The youth demographic who will buy this band's music - young emo rockers)
Who are the believers? What do they believe?
What is a cult? Who is part of the cult ('Yes this is a cult'?)?
Who wrote the song? (Bartholomew Cubbins)
Who is Bartholomew Cubbins? (Jared Leto, the lead singer and also Hollywood actor)
Why would the lead singer use a pseudonym?
Who wishes that they were in the crowd at one of the concerts? Why?
In what part of the song did you get the most goosebumps / emotional? Why?
Discuss one person's statement that, "Some people believe in God, I believe in music. Some people pray, I turn up the radio." Then listen to Faithless - God is a DJ and discuss the parallels
A Possible Playlist There are heaps of songs that you can safely analyse for values, attitudes and beliefs. Here are just a few songs grouped into categories: Advice About Living
Eddie Amador - Rise [Future Shock Trackhead Mix]
Jaheim - Fabulous
Katy Perry - Firework
Ministers De-La-Funk featuring Jocelyn Brown - Believe [Minister's UK Radio Edit]
Public Enemy - Give It Up (Clean Edit)
Australian Culture
GANGgajang - Sounds Of Then (This Is Australia)
John Farnham – You’re The Voice
Australian History / Aboriginal Displacement
Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning
Midnight Oil - The Dead Heart
Song - Phil Collins - Both Sides of The Story
Yothu Yindi - Djapana [Gapirri Mix]
Yothu Yindi - Treaty
Anti-Bullying / Peer Pressure
Kate Miller-Heidke - Caught in the Crowd
Beauty / Anti-Marketing / Anti-Make-Up
Casey Chambers - Not Pretty Enough
Chris Brown - Beautiful People
TLC - Unpretty
Democracy
John Farnham – You’re The Voice
Feelings (Depression)
Avril Lavigne - Keep Holding On
Cat Stevens - The Wind
Cleopatra - Life Ain't Easy
Club Nouveau - Lean On Me
Goyte - I Feel Better (Links to R U OK? Day)
Joe Cocker - Have A Little Faith In Me
Joe Cocker - With A Little Help From My Friends
Harry Nilsson - Everybody's Talking
Pharrell Williams - Happy
Quinden Tarver – Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)
Simon & Garfunkle - Sounds of Silence
Wilson Phillips - Hold On
Generation Issues
Black Eyed Peas - Generation Now
Bob Sinclair - Feel The Love Generation
The Who - My Generation
Immigration
Rise Against - The Immigrant Prayer
Split Enz - Six Months In A Leaky Boat
Sting & Police - Englishman In New York (Illegal Alien)
Literacy Study - Letter Writing / Transactional Texts
Paul Kelly - Love Letter
Money
ABBA - Money, Money, Money
Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I Want)
Rage Against The Machine - Sleep Now In The Fire (Video)
Simply Red - Money's Too Tight (To Mention)
Arrested Development - Mr Wendal
Who is Mr Wendal?
What trade occurs in this song/story/poem?
What are the poet's values/attitudes/beliefs? Who do you know that?
Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar
Why do you think the man needs a dollar?
What story could he be sharing, to have you, in return, share your dollars with him?
If someone said to you that, "I think that the man in Aloe Blacc's song is a young man named Mr Wendal?", how could they have come up with such an idea?
What was the other song we listened to, where a person gave his money to someone in need? (Mr Wendal by Arrested Development) What other donation strategy did the person who wrote Mr Wendal use? ('He gives me some knowledge, I buy him some shoes'). What is better, a hand out or a helping hand? What is the difference?
Persuasive Texts
30 Seconds to Mars - Closer To The Edge
Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth (Stop Children What's That Sound?)
If your school, teachers or students have iPads, Android tablets or Macs, long gone should be the days of students publishing their writing by hand or by using the Microsoft Office Suite.
Read below to see why and how students should be publishing their writing in the form of eBooks.
Why eBooks?
1.1: Portability and Accessibility You can open eBooks on a wide variety of devices (i.e. phones, tablets, eBook readers, PC, etc.), email or upload them to share them with others. You can even add eBooks into your school interactive ePortfolios.
1.2: Interactivity eBooks can interactive! Watch the video below to learn more:
1.3: Adding Audio Narration and Bi-Lingual Tracks eBooks are highly innovative as:
You can record additional audio tracks (e.g. English & Italian) to cater for your family members who speak another language
eBooks (ePub and PDF files) and audio eBooks can be uploaded to a School iTunes account (check out Podcasts @ Berwick Lodge PS - iTunes | Website) , allowing for the school to collate a collection of student work that is downloadable by the school community
Your ebooks and audio tracks can then be stored in an interactive ePortfolios.
1.4: Modern World Publishing Skills You must learn skills that you can use in both the present and future publishing worlds. Therefore, you should learn a about:
eBooks and their features
the eBook market (how to purchase eBooks or download eBooks in the public domain for free)
apps and websites to create eBooks
eBook reading devices (e.g. iOS and Android tablets and smartphones, Kobo Readers, Amazon Kindle, etc.)
where the future of publishing lies (watch the video below).
Description: Perfect for creating eBooks with multiple chapters. Easily insert images and headings.
For lengthy texts, it is best to type the work using Windows or Mac, email it to oneself, open the email on the IOS device and paste into CBB. Watch the official CBB video tutorials here.
Description: One of the free eBook creators that can be trialled and then be upgraded to the full version if users find it useful. Learn more here and access a step-by-step guide to creating your first eBook here.
Description: Easily create interactive ebooks, games and personalized learning apps and playing others created daily by superstar educators, experts, and publishers worldwide! Watch the video below to see TinyTap in action:
Description: Create interactive eBooks for reading on Mac and iPads! Place image windows/galleries, videos and hyperlinked content alongside of text. Watch the official video here.
Description: Perfect for creating eBooks with multiple chapters. Easily insert images and headings. For lengthy texts, it is best to type the work using Windows or Mac, email it to oneself, open the email on the IOS device and paste into CBB. Watch the official CBB video tutorials here.
Creating Augmented Multi-Modal Texts
Augmented tests occur when you combine a paper-based text with augmented reality.
Check out the videos below that show how Marvel is turning their paper-based comics into augmented texts:
To augment your texts, you can use a combination of avatars, videos and still images discussed here.
Professionally Publishing Books & Posters
Just because you're a kid doesn't mean that you can't publish your work professionally! The low cost of using online companies to publish photo books and posters really gives schools, students and parents the opportunity to create professional looking work!
See the various ideas below for more details.
Photobooks
Anyone can create and publish a photo book (using SnapFish.com.au). Perhaps you could create one for a younger sibling or for a Prep buddy!
Why use a home or school printer when anyone can professionally publish their digital work(s) in the form of very large, high quality, glossy posters using SnapFish.com.au?
The process is as easy as uploading a digital image and placing an order!
Creating Comics
Wanting to transform your written narratives into comics? Use a combination of the apps below to create professional looking comics on a platforms.
Any Platform
Pixton Price: Free for home use and paid for school use.
Description: A great online comic creation tool making comics an easy task!
Description: Create professional looking comics using templates, characters, speech bubbles and art galleries. Watch the official video to learn more.
ComicBook! Price: $1.99* Add-ons available for purchase.
Description: Create professional looking comics using customised speech bubbles, page layouts, import images from library and camera roll (be the star in your own comic) and manipulate images using various image filters. Saves to PDF. Watch the official video to learn more.
iPad
ComicBook! Price: $1.99* Add-ons available for purchase. Turn off in-app purchases in the iPad Settings menu to disable purchases.
Description: Create professional looking comics using customised speech bubbles, page layouts, import images from library and camera roll (be the star in your own comic) and manipulate images using various image filters. Saves to PDF. Watch the official video to learn more.
Comic Maker HD Price: Free* Add-ons available for purchase. Turn off in-app purchases in the iPad Settings menu to disable student purchases.
Description: Use the templates and available characters to create professional looking comics. Watch the official video tutorials here.
Description: Create comic and scrap books with camera roll images. Choose a page layout, apply photo filters, position captions, add speech and thought balloons, mix in a few sound effects, and share a creation as an image, multi-page document, or high-definition video.
Video Recording News Reports/Accounts
Use the following apps to create professionally filmed news reports.
App 1: iPrompt Pro
i-Prompt Pro is a free app for iOS & Android designed to assist you to practice the real-life skills of reading the news whilst looking at the camera.
Once you have typed your news script into the app, you can increase or decrease the speed of the teleprompter to assist you with developing a suitable pace of speech.
You should also combine the use of the teleprompter app with some paper-based notes to replicate the experiences of a real television news studio.
When you are ready to film, one student should film using any video recording device, whilst another should hold the iOS or Android device that the i-Prompt Pro script is on above the video camera so that the news reader can both read and look at the camera at the same time.
App 2: Green Screen
Green Screen by DoInk is allows anyone to film professional video as if they were using expensive computer equipment and a green screen.
All you need to do is use to any one-coloured wall or cloth as the background and then adjust the 'Chroma Filter' to that colour (as shown in the image above and the video below.
iMovie
iMovie (iOS | Mac) allows you to film and then edit news reports.
You can also import videos from the camera roll (such as those filmed using the Green Screen app reviewed above) or an external source via an adapter (following these steps).
Once you have used the editing tools to ensure that your video flows correctly, you can also add music, sounds and select template tools to create professional sounding news reports.
Digitalising Information Reports
Schools should embrace the use of technology to bring student information reports alive. There are a number of strategies:
1. Creating a Website Websites are great tools for organising, presenting and sharing your information report with a large audience, making you work accessible to your extended family and potentially to a global audience.
With a wide variety of free website hosts, who provide users with easy to use drag and drop templates, even the youngest of students can easily create and/or maintain a website.
Click on the images below to visit student websites showing their information reports.
Want to create a website like the one above? Here are some free website hosts/providers:
2. Digital Storytelling Presentations You can make an information reports interesting by using a combination of narration and images (e.g. using PowerPoint or Pages). Watch the video below to view a student's history project about Japanese Geisha.
Ever seen those cartoon videos that explain how something works and wondered if you could make them for free? Well know you can with two easy-to-use online services:.
1. PowToons Watch the video below to learn more:
Want to use PowToons? Click here to register for free!
2. Moovly Watch the video below to learn more:
Want to use Moovly? Click here to register for free!
Using QR Codes to Add Digital Content to Handwritten Work
Placing QR codes on handwritten pieces of work can allow your to add multi-modal content to your work.
Seen in the image below are student written poems that have been turned into pieces of art that reflect the main idea and theme of each poem. To further bring these poems alive, the students have placed QR codes on them, each linked to an online video of the students (i) reciting their poem and (ii) reflecting on their poem's design process.
Therefore as parents and other members of the school community walk past the poems, they can read them, view them as visual pieces of art and then pull out their smartphone or tablet to scan each QR code to then have the student read them the poem and explain how them created their poem too!
QR codes can be used to link to a/an:
Website URL
YouTube Video
Google Maps Location
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
FourSquare
App Store Download
iTunes Link
Dropbox
Plain Text
Telephone Number
Skype Call
SMS Message
Email Address
Email Message
Contact Details
Digital Business Card
Event (VCALENDAR)
Wifi Login (Android Only)
Paypal Buy Now Link
Bitcoin payment.
To use QR codes with your work you need to:
Create any content and upload it onto the internet (to an online/cloud storage place such as a Google Drive) or find any content on the internet.
Scan the QR code using a QR reader on a smartphone, tablet or webcam device.
Place the QR code on your work.
Write how large the file is underneath the QR code so that people who are going to scan it know how many megabytes they are about to download when they view your digital work.
Taking Notes Whilst Watching Videos
It is important that you develop your note-taking skills so that you can quickly capture information that is being read aloud by your teacher, a podcast or video.
Here are a few valuable video sources used by schools that will not only help you learn but will give you opportunities to practice your note-taking skills:
1. Behind the News
ABC's Behind the News (BtN) is a review the week's top news stories both in Australia and from abroad presented in a child-friendly manner.
2. Budd:e Cybersafety Videos
In this digital age it it important that you learn how to keep safe whilst using the internet.
Budd:e Secondary, which is suitable for students aged 11+, has three main sections;
Game
Videos
FAQ.
A fourth section (Studio) allows you to use the credits that you can earn from the Game section to buy parts and accessories to customise your Budd:e Watch the videos and take notes about what you learn.
P.S. The answers for the Game section can be downloaded from here.
Using Ideas From Popular Movies To Inspire Your Creative Writing
You should be using ideas from popular movies to help inspire your creative writing! Check out some suggestions below:
Despicable Me
In 'Despicable Me', Felonius Gru reads the story 'Three Little Kittens' to the children. Watch the video below and then scroll down to learn how this adorable story can be used to inspire the creative presentation of your writing.
After watching the video you should be able to brainstorm ways in which you could adapt any existing narrative to meet the needs of a younger audience (e.g. If you were making a story for a younger sibling or a Prep buddy you could)
Shorten the length of your story and use easier words.
Make the content of your story interactive and more engaging (e.g. by creating finger-puppet books, pop-up books or interactive eBooks).
Things That Can Help Young Children To Read and Write
If you have younger siblings or cousins, the following resources may help them learn to read and write!
Ziptales 'Learn The ABC'
Ziptales' Learn The ABC teaches children the alphabet.
Module 1 gives an explanation as to what the alphabet is
Module 2 allows students to click on any particular letter of the alphabet to learn or review.
Module 2 is the most valuable online alphabet tool around as it has been designed to prompt and teach children:
the name of a letter
the sound of a letter
to associate a letter and sound to an object (e.g. apple, and and acrobat)
the formation of a letter
write the letter on the palm of their hand
shut their eyes and trace a letter in the air
select from a series of silhouetted objects the silhouette of those objects that start with the focus letter.
Learn The ABC can be used on a Windows PC or Mac, Android device or Chromebook. As it is a Flash object, if you wish to use it on an iOS devices such as iPads and iPods you will need to use Puffin Browser.
Ziptales offers free trials for 30 days by clicking here. Various subscription prices exist for parents, schools and teachers. Click here to find the subscription that is right for you.
Endless Alphabet
Endless Alphabet is a cute app and fun app to teach young children the letters of the alphabet.
The app reinforces letter sounds within a context in a humourous way.
Endless Alphabet is available for both Android (free) and iOS ($AU8.99) devices.
Watch the video below to see Endless Alphabet in action:
AR Flashcards - Alphabet
AR Flashcards - Alphabet (iOS | Android) is a simple and free AR app that brings a specially designed set of alphabet flashcards to life using animated 3D animals and letter sounds. Download the PDF containing the physical flashcards/target images here.
Watch the video below to see the app in action.
rED Writing App
rED Writing is a paid ($AU3.79) iOS app that is designed to help young children learn to handwrite letters using the Australian letter formations (fonts).
Users simply select their state (to load the necessary fonts) and then are prompted to trace the given letter or number using their finger.
Users must start at the correct starting point (as shown in the demonstration) otherwise their finger stroke will be deemed invalid. Once users correctly form/trace each letter three times they are rewarded by earning estickers (which they can collect).
Watch the video below to see rED Writing in action:
The story/concept behind the design of Numberlysis that there once existed a world that was colourless and only contained numbers. The five main characters (the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) set out on a voyage of discovery to change the boring norm and create letters/the alphabet.
During the gameplay it is hoped that young children start to develop a sense of the shape and 'origins' of the letters of the alphabet.
Watch the video review below that explains and demonstrates exactly how the app works:
Letter Fonts
At school, children are taught to write using dotted-thirds with joined and unjoined writing.
The Victoria government provide downloadable fonts for Windows and Mac.
To install the fonts:
Close any Microsoft Office programs that are open on a PC/Mac.
Download the Victorian Modern Cursive Script font files here.
Unzip the files.
Select all the files, right-click one the selected files and then select 'Install'.
Downloadable alphabet models othat demonstrate joined and unjoined scripts for both left- and right-handers are also available here.
Once you have installed all of the above fonts, you can download and open the materials below:
Double-sided Flash Cards
Alphabet Worksheets
A-Z Table Helper
Learning To Read & Write A Name
This fabulous book can only be ordered online but can help a child to learn how to read and write their own name.
Watch the video below and then click here to order a book:
Use the resources above with this arts and craft activity (created by Buggy and Buddy) that use a child's love of toy cars cars to help them learn how to write their name by learning the correct starting point and direction.
Using Tablets & Smartphones to Share Presentation and Reading Resources
Do you have electronic tablets or smartphones in your classroom? If you have an electronic presentation or document to show your class, instead of only displaying it on an interactive whiteboard or via a projector, you can send it to each student's screen and control what they see!
Check out the apps below to find the one that best suits your scenario:
Conference Pad
Conference Pad allows a person to control a presentation on up to fifteen iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touches from a device, simultaneously and wirelessly over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi as well as on one or more external screens or projectors attached to iPads and iPhones.
Smoothboard Air
Smoothboard Air allows you to broadcast a Windows PC screen onto other people's tablets, smartphones, laptops or PCs. Watch the video below.
To get Smoothboard air up and running:
Install Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 on the Windows PC (download it here).
If the students are using an iOS or Android device: Install a QR Code Reader app on each device.
Scan the QR Code from the PC's monitor/Projector using a QR Code Reader app is installed on any iOS or Android device.
If the students are using a PC or laptop they must open up an internet browser and type in the IP address given in step 3.
Nearpod
Nearpod is brilliant as it allows anyone to:
Upload or create a presentation online
Distribute the presentation to others who can access it via the Nearpod app (on iOS or Android devices) once they are given the PIN
Control the pace of the presentation or let others browse at their own pace
Add quizzes, videos and polls into the presentation. The responses of others are then automatically collected and collated when others access the presentation via the Nearpod app, allowing you to monitor the levels of others learning
Access a wide-variety of presentations created by the Nearpod community.
Download the Nearpod app on any iOS or Android device.
Open the Nearpod app.
Sign into the app using your Nearpod username and password and tap on the 'Launch' button to share/broadcast the material
Others must open the Nearpod app on their device and enter in the PIN given to them by you to access the presentation. Each person who signs in is added to a 'class list' on your account.
AirServer
AirServer, for Windows 7/8 & Mac, allows you to mirror and stream content from an iPad or iPhone onto Windows or Mac. You can also record the iOS screen. See the video below for further details.
Installation instructions:
Install a copy of AirServer onto a Windows/Mac PC.
Double click the circle button any iPad.
Touch the AirPlay button.
Move 'Mirroring' to 'On'.
Select the name of the Windows/Mac PC.
Reflector
Reflector (for Windows XP/7/8 & Mac) allows you to mirror and stream content from an iPad or iPhone onto Windows or Mac.
You can also record the iOS screen and can simultaneously display multiple iOS devices on the one Windows/Mac screen. Download a trial (32-bit or 64 bit) or click here to purchase and download Reflector.
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