Cool+Tools+for+Lessons


 * Cool Tools for Librarians

1. Animoto -** [|**http://www.animoto.com**] Create 30 second book trailers using your photos and text. Some ideas for using Animoto? Try creating an animoto video to booktalk the 2 x2, Bluebonnet, Lone Star, Tayshas, or other books; showcase summer reading selections, highlight special events such as your district book festival, recognize volunteers, staff members, or featured students, promote book clubs, advertise your upcoming book fair, create genre connections, feature an author of the month, provide product alternatives to traditional projects and reports.


 * 2. Xtranormal.com -** [|**XtraNormal**] Text to Video - Create avatars and type the text. See Bonnie's example: [|[[http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=200905201513057053|http://www.xtranormal.com/watch?e=20090520151305705]]]


 * 3. Shelfari** - [|Shelfari] - Build virtual bookshelves. Track what you have read, what you plan to read, and what you are currently reading. Incorporate shelves into genres or subject book talks, add your bookshelf to your blog, Students can rate and tag books they have read, write reviews/summaries fo teh books they have read, respond to other reviews, find new books they would like to read based on ratings and reviews, post to the blog, or set up shelves to display all the books they have read. It is easy to create a custom group based on topic or specific book, browse existing groups by predefined categories and join if you choose, and search by most active groups and view ongoing discussions. (courtesy of Irving ISD). Shelfair in a Middle School handout.


 * 4. Voice Thread -** [|**Voice Thread**] Best Classroom Practices fr**om** **http://voicethread4education.wikispaces.com/Best+Practices**

> Glog yourself every day!
 * 5. Ning -** [|**Ning**] is a platform for creating your own social network. You can manage, moderate, and keep secure all activity. See handout. [[file:Ning.pdf]]
 * 6. Glogster** - [|Glogster] From the Glogster website -
 * 1) Mix graphics, photos, videos, music and text into slick Glogs.
 * 1) Amaze your friends - send others links to your Glogs.
 * 2) Pimp your profile! - share your creations on Myspace, Facebook, Hi5, Friendster, Bebo or wherever you want...
 * 3) Find new friends by their style
 * 4) Have fun browsing Glogs, comment on other people's Glogs and get inspiration


 * 7. Storyboard for PhotoStory[[file:storyboard_photostory_2.doc]]**

8. **Skype an Author**   **Tips:** Check back often, the list of authors is constantly growing
 * What it is:** [|The Skype an Author Network] is doing what technology should do, connecting students to the world. The [|Skype an Author Network] provides a way for teachers or librarians k-12 to connect authors, young readers, and books through virtual visits. Students can video chat with authors while they are reading books written by the author. There are two types of visits. The first is free and is a 10-15 minute meet the author session. The second option is an in depth visit. The length and fee of visit are determined by the author. There is a growing list of authors joining the network. Connect your students today!
 * How to integrate** [|**Skype an Author Network**] **into the classroom:** Set up a virtual visit in your library or classroom today. Before the visit, encourage your students to come up with well thought out questions before the visit. It would also be a good idea to test Skype on your school network prior to setting up a visit.

**9.** [|**Voki**] - Create and customize a speaking character which can easily be embedded on your website. See Margarete’s example of a student created, [|animated book talk].