Tools



“We read to know we are not alone.” - C.S. Lewis
(Image provided by Microsoft Office Clipart)

//In this technology based world, students need access to the tools that will let them truly understand the world around them. The following tools provide engaging ways of making meaning of texts and expressing those understandings.//

WORDLE - This is a great tool for evaluating the main idea, theme or relevant vocabulary of a piece. This aids comprehension and could serve as a springboard for discussion. (*, **◆, ¤, ✰ )

Diigo-- This is a downloadable software that allows people to annotate websites. You can leave notes on the page for later review or even read the notes that others have left behind. ****(*,  **◆, ¤, ✰ )


 * Brain POP - Vocabulary builder. It reads the words to the students and they have to look them up on their own. It also "pops" when the vocabulary words are used in the videos to draw attention to the vocabulary so that they can improve it. ( **¤, ✰, ◆ )


 * Garage band can read to kids with impairments and help them practice fluency. It has been used in the English classroom as a tool for kids to creatively express what they understand in the form of a podcast. The podcast was then used to quiz the rest of the class on their understanding. **(**◆, ¤, <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">✰ )

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">[|Macbook G4- Universal Access] includes features such as having the laptop read to the students. (<span style="font-family: MyriadPro-Regular,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **¤)


 * Junior Scholastic offers a great deal of material for the classroom. For teachers and students there are supplemental readings and activities to help with each edition's articles. <span style="font-family: MyriadPro-Regular,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">(<span style="font-family: MyriadPro-Regular,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **¤, <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">✰, <span style="font-family: CastellarMT,helvetica,sans-serif;">◆ )

[] Students do "Top Secret Adventures" where they explore different readings in a book about a geographical place. They read and figure out clues to find out 'who did it'. They learn cultural information and map reading skills. It encourages them to read for information and in new ways. <span style="font-family: MyriadPro-Regular,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">(<span style="font-family: MyriadPro-Regular,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **¤, <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">✰, <span style="font-family: CastellarMT,helvetica,sans-serif;">◆ )

Literature based webquests are often a great resource for students to engage in critical thinking and problem solving around a text.** (*, <span style="font-family: MyriadPro-Regular,helvetica,sans-serif;">**<span style="font-family: CastellarMT,helvetica,sans-serif;">◆, ¤, <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">✰ )**

nnmmmmmnnnnnnmnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnmmmnnnnmmmnnnnnn <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 15px;">(Image provided by Microsoft Office Clipart)<span style="font-family: MyriadPro-Regular,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">