Writing+tools


 * Writing Support Tool****s**


 * [|MITS Freedom Stick] - "The MITS Freedom Stick is a portable, use-anywhere accessibility solution. Install this software package on any 4gb USB Flash Drive (full) or 2gb USB Flash Drive (lite) and you create a set of tools for your students that they can carry in their pockets which will make any Windows computer highly accessible."
 * [|My Study Bar] - a comprehensive set of portable open source and freeware applications to support learners with literacy difficulties. MyStudyBar is similar to popular commercial programs which use a floating toolbar to support literacy. The toolbar includes a range of tools to support inclusion such as mind mapping, screen masking, word prediction, talking dictionary, text-to-speech, Save as MP3 and voice recognition. **PC Only**. (Speech recognition only works in Vista or Windows 7) [|Step by Step Guides]
 * **Synonym Support** - Need a thesaurus? Right Click (on Mac - CTL + Click) on any word and then click on **Synonyms** for a list of alternative word choices. You must show this one to your students to help them with word choice. (Students with spelling issues will frequently use words they feel confident spelling. Unfortunately, this may limit the words they choose as their vocabulary is not reflected in the written product. //**It is essential we show students how to easily access Synonym Support**)//.
 * **[|Ginger Software]** - awesome spell checking tool
 * **[|Google Docs/Drive]** - Google has an Intelligent Spellchecking feature. Looks at the context and offers one choice, //"Did you mean,,,, ?"// More robust and accurate than the spell checking feature in Word although it doesn't flag capitalization error.
 * **Grammarly **- Online Grammar Checker, instant reports with no log-in necessary
 * **[|Paper Rater]** - offers grammar, spell-checking and plagiarism detection. **(middle school and above writing only)**
 * **[|Hemingway] -** Easy to use tool for editing support.
 * **[|Language Tool] -** open source proofreading tool
 * **Writing Reviser** - Chrome Extension for editing support


 * **Rhyming Support Tools** - [|RhymeZone]and [|PoetryforKids]. Type a word and rhyming choices appear!
 * **[|Spelling City]** - insert the week's spelling list and students can play games, finish worksheets, and complete other interactive activities.
 * **[|Doorway Speller]** - Online tool for Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check
 * **[|Writing Checklists]** - generate customized checklists, develop these with your students. Great for K-12

**Writing Tools - engaging tools to reach reluctant writers**

In addition to the tools suggested below, it is important to rethink writing alternatives. Writing is often used as a method for demonstrating learning, but there are many other options. Think about what portable, tablet technology offers. Here are a number of apps to consider:


 * Screencasting Tools such as Screen Chomp, Show Me, and Educreations
 * Journal tools such as Emotionary, My Wonderful Days Lite
 * WriteReader - especially good for beginning readers/writers
 * [|Little Bird Tales]
 * Story Creation Apps such as Story Creator, [|Little Story Creator] and [|Story Kit]
 * [|Lark by Storybird] - Make and share beautiful, art-inspired poetry

** Online Tools **
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 * **[|Gone Google Story Builder]- a fun Google Tool for beginning writers. [|Learn more here.]**
 * **StoryBoard That** - Fun, storyboard creation site. Add scenes, props, characters with facial expressions and poses. Plan and organize your writing with this interactive graphic organizer. Teacher Guides and Resources here.
 * **[|Story Jumper]** - Story building tool with scenes, props and text with spell check support. Can add your own photos. Also allows you to publish your work for a fee. You do not need to sign in to create a book.


 * **[|Little Bird Tales]** - story building tool, records audio/allows narration. very easy to use! Excellent for younger students

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 * **[|Storybird] ** - collaborative storytelling, beautiful graphics.


 * **[|Comic Master]** - Create your own Graphic Novels!
 * **[|Wacky Web Tales]**, **[|Ambleweb Crazy Story Machine]** - online "madlib " tools, use to teach parts of speech or with reluctant writers. Everybody loves a silly story!
 * **[|Bookr] ** - create your own storybook using Flickr images. very easy to use, view examples in the archives.
 * **[|Story Maker]** - Provides structured support with audio input. Use this with reluctant writers. When the story is finished, it can be printed or linked to a pdf. **Excellent tool!**
 * **Suessville StoryMaker** - Use characters from Dr. Suess' Horton Hears a Who to write a short story. When you are done, the story is played back.
 * **[|Writing Fix]** - Interactive Writing Prompts
 * **[|Read/write/think]**- Interactive digital activities (click the interactive links - there are many to choose from)
 * **[|Story Starter, Jr]**. - Sometimes, determining where to begin is the obstacle. Story Starter, Jr. offers 729 one line story starters for students. Click the link, get the starter, copy and paste and you are good to go!
 * **[|OurStory] ** - online timeline tool
 * ** S [|cholastic: Story Starters for Grades 1-4] ** Story Starters <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">is a bank of writing prompts. Student spins the lever to get a writing prompt. To allow for even greater creativity, the student can spin <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">wheels to change any part of the prompt.

Comic Strip Creation Tools (online tools) (great for students on the autism spectrum - promotes perspective taking)

 * <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">[|ToonDoo]
 * [|Make BeliefsComix] New section added - [|MakeBeliefsComix for Special Needs]. [|Teacher Resource section.]
 * [|Strip Generator]
 * [|Comic Strip Creator]
 * [|Read/Write/Think Comic Creator]

Word cloud generators (many ways to use these free tools - [|Get some ideas here])

 * <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">[|Wordle]
 * <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">[|Tagul]

Techniques:

 * Macintosh users may use TextEdit or Apple's Pages word processor for some simple word completion. Simply begin typing and press the escape key in the middle of <span class="GINGER_SOFTWARE_mark">longer words.
 * [[image:udltechtoolkit/wordprediction.jpg]]
 * [[image:udltechtoolkit/wordprediction.jpg]]