Toontastic App (1st-3rd with support, 4th-8th)https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toontastic-free/id404693282?mt=8
Toontastic is a great resource for reluctant writers who need support in the writing process. Toontastic directs students through the different steps it takes to write a good story. Students must choose characters and setting and select all the props they will need. Then the app will talk them through each part of a good story such as introduction, problem, climax, and solution. Once that is done students record their story onto Toontastic. They can then edit and publish their story videos on to any website or Toontastic's network. Once student has made a video, they can then watch their video to help them write their story by writing the dialogue said and describing the setting on the screen. |
My Storymaker (3rd-6th, some upper)http://www.carnegielibrary.org/kids/storymaker/embed.cfm
Storymaker is a simple web-based program that can help reluctant writers begin to feel confident in writing a book. Students select from a variety of pre-loaded characters and settings. They are then taken to a page with a prompt and more choices for characters, props, etc. On the bottom of the page students can type a sentence or two to describe their scene. There is also an option for "word drops" where students can work through the story in a more "Mad Lib" way. In the bottom right hand corner there is a blue man with a question mark. This feature when clicked on asks the student questions to help them continue to write their story. As they type words such as run or talk, their characters will respond to the commands similar to them making a movie. They can then publish the story by printing, sharing, or downloading to a hard drive or server. |
Kerpoof Studio (2nd-12th grade)This program is a great solution for reluctant writer who claim the phrase "writing is boring" or "I am just not good at it.]" but have the ability to write if they practiced the skills. While this site has many intervention programs the one I am going to focus on is Tell A Story. Similar to My Storymaker, students are given characters and settings to choose from to begin their story. This program, however, is more detailed and student-dependent then the others above. Students must type their story in the area below and add details to the cartoon pages. When finished they can save to a server, print, or publish to an e-reader. Another feature of Kerpoof Studio stories is the option to differentiate by making movies. Students who are not as independent in writing can participate in the same program as above, however, add audio when the writing becomes to difficult.
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