Quick Link To Google Maps:  https://www.google.ca/maps

Google can also be used to create Literature Trips.  It is possible, using google maps, to track the journeys of characters from your favorite novels.  Students are able to put in placemarks that can include pictures or relevant research. It is also possible to track the distance that characters have traveled in the book.   Instruction on how to make a map can be found here. https://support.google.com/mymaps/#topic=3188329

Some examples created in Google Earth (easily adapted for Google Maps) can be found here:

http://www.googlelittrips.org/

Below is a list of possible chapter books that would work well with Google Maps. Thank you to the EdTechTeam Global Community for their recommendations.

Here is the list of chapter books:  https://goo.gl/573ehN

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1. Create a rebus letter to Santa.

• This can be done using applications of Book Creator or Explain Everything
• add text and images to create the letter
• extend the activity by asking students to include sound effects

2. Create a iMove

• find a winter poem, and create an iMovie
• find images, and sound effects
• record the poem in iMovie
• add effects and transitions
• extension: have students create a movie for their own poemsSeasonal activities do not need to be crafts and music, try using WWP applications to create unique and engaging activities.

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Poems which contrast things are most effective.  Also Poems which have action words can be used.

Some Suggestion of Poems:

Haiku, Tanka, Cinquain, Quinzaine, Diamante or Contrast

Example of a Diamante:

I[youtube]https://youtu.be/Py4s-5ZVLMQ[/youtube]

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Students will use Inspirations to brainstorm story and then use comic life to present. They will also use a drawing program, such as Drawing Box to create their characters.

WritingParodyIpad

BookCreatorComics

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Students will learn to choose descriptive concise language when writing an article.

Keep these in mind:

1. Start with a lead which captures the audience
2. Give important details and facts (who, what, where, when, why and how) which are necessary components of an article
3. Follow up by talking more about the main facts
4. Try to remain unbiased
5. Write a conclusion which restates the important facts
6. Use pictures and captions

The basics of an news article can be taught by having students create bogus stories. One of my favourite examples of a creative writing activity is to have students find a picture and create a headline and article which misleads the reader.

Example of bogus story

Websites

http://newspaper.jaguarpaw.co.uk/

http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/newspaper-generator.html

http://www.fodey.com/generators/newspaper/snippet.asp

http://www.newspaperclub.com/make-a-newspaper-online

There are several online sites that allow the student to generate an article or newspaper.

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One of the best ways to engage your students in a story writing dialogue activity, is to use Comics.   What better way is there to show how writing dialogue needs to appropriate, clear and effective?  If their characters’ dialogue does not drive the plot, then the audience cannot follow their story.

Students can use Comic Life or BookCreator  to display their understanding of any topic in their non-fiction writing:

1. Autobiographies or Biographies
2. Speech Plan
3. Instructional/Procedural Write
4. Travel Guide
5. Poster

Comic Life and BookCreator have many unique comic features and the purpose for using these features needs to be explained to students.

1. Panels and Pages
   • a panel is like a paragraph, with one main idea
   • size of panel shows time and importance
   • we read panels left to right, top to bottom
2. Pictures
   • Background
     • shows us setting
     • develops mood
   • Foreground
     • Characters and important objects
3. Text Features
   • Captions
     • carries the narrative of the story
     • tells us about setting
     • explains what happens between panels
   • Speech and Thought Bubble
     • displays characteristic of characters
     • Is often the core text feature, giving the most information
   • Lettering
     • Onomatopeias
     • Title

You can also have students explore App Smashing by:

1. Adding themselves as characters on a background in PicCollage
2. In Drawing Box, create their own drawings and add to their comic
3. Create their own characters in Avatar Creator

Here is student instructions for using Comic Life

ComicLifeiPad

and Comics in BookCreator

BookCreatorComics

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Looking for Science Fair Ideas.  Check out Google’s Science Fair Springboard.

How about answering a few questions to generate ideas for a Science Fair Project.

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This is a great question, that has been debated by many educators.

Working with spelling words and new vocabulary, seems like a justifiable use for using word puzzles.  However; when created by the teacher, the students require no creative thinking and often lack the comprehension and connection to the new vocabulary.   Sort of a worksheet in a different form.  So how do we “up” the value?  This value increases when you have them create their own word puzzles.

On the Discovery Education Site students can create

• Crosswords

  

• Word Search with Hidden Message
• Criss-Cross Puzzle
• Cryptograms
• Letter Tiles
• Fallen Phrase
• Double Puzzles

All which link vocabulary to meaning.

After students have created their word puzzle, on the iPad hold finger on the image and download into photos.  In Photos share or upload the image into Notability and have students compete.

On macbook, right click on image and save.  Share via email or google drive then download image and add image to a notebook file and use pens to complete.

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Create your poster as a Wanted Poster for a character (an antagonist/protagonist in your novel or story (or some other character you find interesting) Include in the information Name, last seen, physical description, special features and known associates.

Two iPad Apps will be used

Create an avatar using Avatar Creator

Create Poster using Pic Collage

• get a background image of a scroll  or old paper (portrait view)
• open Pic Collage and create a new Collage
• Make your background a scroll/old paper
• Add pictures, text drawings etc, following the criteria below

Poster must include:

1. The word Wanted in large black type at the top of the poster
2. The Reason(s) Your Character is wanted for directly below the word Wanted
3. Your Character’s Name
4. A Detailed Image of Your Character (Avatar)
5. A Detailed Physical Description of your character

• description of face and body features
• description of clothes
• description of  accessories

6. A Detailed Personality Description of your character

• Personality traits such as mean, shy, happy

7. A reasonable reward
8. A last seen statement : Last seen headed for Charlie Lake
9. Who to contact if seen
10. An alias
11. Known Associates

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Create a Fictional Newscast

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