http://community.guinnessworldrecords.com Recently, I received a teacher supply catalog in the mail, and one of the items that caught my eye was a collection of photographs to be used as writing prompts. The pictures were pretty interesting, and I love using pictures to inspire writing, but I felt that anyone who paid for this collection of pictures was being duped. Why? Because they were pictures from Ripley's Believe It or Not, and most of these pictures are available for free online. I realize some people would still pay to save the time and hassle of tracking down some of these pictures on their own, so today I'm helping by sharing my favorite links to interesting pictures that can be used as writing prompts. That way, my busy colleagues can use their time for something else, perhaps a game of underwater checkers?
**A Google search for "Guinness Records" or "Ripley's" supplies more results than either website. For more information on how teachers are using photography in conjunction with writing, read the National Writing Project's article Teachers Use Photo Prompts to Spark Writing. Photo Writing Prompts View more presentations from jesspilgreen.
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You've probably seen this strange little code boxes cropping up in advertisements and online. They're QR codes (Quick Response codes) and apparently they've been around for a long time, but have only recently become popular in the United States. Essentially, with the help of free software programs, Smart phones can scan the codes and get links to related videos, images or websites. For example, if you have QR software downloaded on your phone (I use QR Reader for iPhone) and you hold your phone up to the code to the left, your phone will be directed to meandmylaptop.weebly.com This is great for advertisers who want to link consumers to advertisements; however, it can also be useful in education. One way that QR codes is currently being used is to create scannable answer keys and scavenger hunts. My own goal this year is to have my seniors do some writing in response to places in the community. Once the writing is finished, I would like to post QR codes in these locations that links people to the student writing (which will be hosted on a web site). Imagine going into the local store and finding a QR code that links you to a short story, poem or narrative essay inspired by that store. I'll be sure to post an update on this idea after I've completed the project in December. Until then, be sure to watch the video embedded below. It does a phenomenal job of explaining what QR codes are, how they are currently being used, and how you can generate your own QR codes. More information about QR codes: http://www.iste.org/connect/iste-connects/blog-detail/11-01-12/Using_QR_Codes_in_Education.aspx http://michaelbromby.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/qr-codes-in-education/ http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2011/07/qr-code-treasure-hunt-generator.html http://museforjews.com/2011/07/23/qr-codes-in-education-whats-the-point/ UPDATE 8-8-11 Tom Barrett has added Interesting Ways To Use QR Codes to his website. View the slideshow HERE.
Six Word Memoirs challenges writers to write their life story in an intensely concise format: using exactly six words. The project is part of SMITH magazine which, consequently, is loaded with great writing ideas (stumbled into the Freeze Frame project while I was there and it made me giggle at its humor and innovation). With all these great ideas for writing, I'm seriously going to have to start holding "creative day" in my classroom once a month or so just to find time for all of these fun, imaginative writing projects that will really get the creative juice flowing in my students. The website even has a section of Six-Word memoirs written exclusively by teens. Wouldn't it be exciting to have your students posting their writing to the Internet and experiencing a genuine authentic audience for their writing? Note: A special thanks to Stephanie Krajicek for sharing this resource during her BER seminar. Note: The above image came from the When I Grow Up Blog. PostSecret, according to Wikipedia is "an ongoing community mail art project, created by Frank Warren, in which people mail their secrets anonymously on a homemade postcard. Select secrets are then posted on the PostSecret website, or used for PostSecret's books or museum exhibits." You could take samples of PostSecret postcards and use them as writing prompts (write the story of the person who submitted this postcard), or you could create PostSecret cards for characters from literature. Special thanks to Stephanie Krajicek for sharing this website at her BER seminar on Blogging, Wikis and Podcasts. Warning: The PostSecret website is entirely inappropriate for students to view on their own. Do not let them roam free on it. Snag a few pictures from the site and put them into a Power Point presentation instead. Every year, my students enjoy studying haiku poetry in honor of Asian Pacific American History Month. We discuss the traditional form in terms of traditional meter and subject matter. Students read examples of haiku translations, as well as modern examples. In the past, I've always photocopied pages from origami books, or handed out pages from day-by-day origami calendars, but students always get a little confused somewhere around step 23, or they aren't sure how to do a pocket fold. Recently, I found the Origami Club website, which offers tons of origami options. You can search by theme, or browse the "easy origami" section. (Some of my students struggle with the basics, while others can fold a crane from memory, so differentiation is a must!) What I really REALLY love about this site is that it offers animations that show you step-by-step how to complete each of the origami projects. Below, I'm embedding one of their animations which I captured using Screenr. Personally, I would use this website in conjunction with my haiku lesson, but this website would work well with art classrooms, world cultures studies, or even geometry activities. In my teen years, I remember buying a calendar with these stunning images created by somehow "splicing" photos together in unexpected ways and, after a few minutes of creative Google searching, I've rediscovered my muse: Scott Mutter. His style of photography is known as photomontage or, in his own words, "surrational" photography. Whatever label you want to attach to it, it comes down to this: amazing thought-provoking images. I like the idea of using these images as creative writing prompts because it shows students examples of creative ways of looking at the world. This type of photography requires a creative eye in order to synthesize images that most people wouldn't normally put together. Perhaps using these images as writing prompts would encourage students to consider other items that you might not normally juxtapose, and encourage them to incorporate the idea of unexpected unisons into some creative writing. A collection of photomontages by Scott Mutter can be found HERE at the American Museum of Photography's website. Okay, so this isn't really a "technology find," but it's definitely worth watching. A mother decided to "opt out" of standardized testing on the basis that such tests are not accurate assessments, cause unnecessary stress on students, and are used to punish school districts. I can understand both sides of the issue here; of course, I do support teaching test prep strategies, but I am not a fan of drastically altering a school's curriculum in order to teach only to the test, which has sadly become a reality for an increasing number of schools not meeting state goals. (I'm lucky enough to work in a district that has not been drastically affected by state testing.) This would be a great discussion starter. I would be interested in hearing students' opinions on this topic. This would work well as a persuasive essay prompt, debate topic, or nonfiction reading assignment. Read the full article HERE. The Instant Poetry Forms website allows students to select the type of poems that they want to create, type in a few words, and generate poetry. Now, I know that this website doesn't give a complete overview of all that poetry can be (isn't that a daunting task?) but it does give reluctant writers a great starting point. These poems can be altered with the addition of figurative language, strong verbs, more imagery during the revision process, to make them sound less manufactured. This website would also be great for younger learners who are just starting out with poetry. This website also deserves some recognition for introducing students to a variety of poetic forms--not just standard rhymed couplets. I personally recommend the William Carlos Williams tribute that spoofs "This Is Just to Say." Storybird allows students to create their own online books with professional artwork. Students can browse from a collection of illustrations offered, and use them as inspiration for writing an original story. Creating a book is very user-friendly; simply drag-and-drop illustrations and then add your own text. There is also an option to invite collaborators to create a book with you, so students can work in groups, or work with their parents. Students can also view and comment on "published" public storybirds, and send their finished stories to others. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Storybirds are short, art-inspired stories that are curiously fun to make, share, and read. Teachers love them because they inspire their most reluctant writers and readers and reward their most adventurous. Kids adore them because they feel empowered by the tools and supported by the social feedback. --from Storybird's website _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Storybird Quick Tour from Storybird on Vimeo. |
AuthorDr. Jessica Pilgreen, Ed.D. Archives
December 2020
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