Supportive+Tools

= How can I use technology to support my current practices? =

**Curriculum** How to use the [|BHS English curriculum web site] (requires membership to the site AND a google sites account)

**Reading Activities** How to make a map of a literary character's journey: [|Google Lit Trips] Some good sites for helping kids find books for outside reading:

[|GoodReads.com] [|Lists of award winners] from the Brookline Public Library (will require a library card) [|TeenReads.com] [|Mobile Libraries]--information about on-line texts: what's available, what's useful, what's coming soon

**Writing Activities** A great [|tool for brainstorming] [|Thinklinkr]: An outlining tool that can also be used to collaborate on outlines How to create an on-line peer sharing and editing site using Ning Groups How to [|write a novel on Twitter] [|How to write a cellphone novel] [|20+ great ways] to use simple, on-line tools for creative writing--very imaginative

How to create your OWN web site: [|Google Sites] and [|Wikispaces] Directions for using the BHS weblab
 * Posting homework assignments and other materials**

[|RefSeek]--a search engine that is specifically designed for students and educators. Not nearly as academic as Google Scholar but still does a good job of filtering commercial sites. You can also try [|SweetSearch], which is a similar service that's more oriented towards high school and elementary school students. [|SlideFinder]--a search engine that finds slides from PowerPoint presentations that have been posted all over the web.
 * Search Engines (other than Google)**

PowerPoint resources How to find [|other PowerPoint presentations] that others have made; [|Here's a list of five search engines] that will help you find slide shows that others have posted on the web (for you to use, modify, or borrow from) Other (non-PowerPoint) presentation tools: [|Prezi], [|ThinkFree], and [|lots of others]
 * PowerPoint**

How to find short videos to show in class: [|Edublog] and [|TeacherTube] Can't find it on YouTube? [|Here are 30+ other options] Tips for shooting and editing video
 * Video**

[|BHS Grammar site] (open to students) [|Grammar quizzes] (not open to students--ask Elon for membership) [|U. of Washington On-line writing lab] [|Purdue On-line writing lab] [|Grammar Bytes] ("Grammar with attitude")
 * Grammar**


 * Vocabulary**

[|Quizlet]--a neat site that lets users create on-line (and actual) flash cards and on-line self-quizzes [|Memorize]--another cool site for creating flash cards and other memory-learning devices

How to [|create polls] for your class
 * Other tools**

Some websites with other resources:
 * 1) [|Kathy Schrock's guide for educations]--perhaps the most comprehensive educator site on the web