Alphabetimals

This is a fun little website that has an interactive alphabet book, ABC song video, name typer, free printable resources, and even an app you can download to your iPad. Super cute for the primary grades.

www.alphabetimals.com

I have to be honest and say I absolutely love creating words and names with Name Typer! This can also be an engaging way for your students to practice spelling words and typing skills at the same time. You have the option to print it out or share by email. I also like creating cute names like this for myself and using it as my email signature. It is amazing how many more teachers read my emails when I have something cute on it!

 

You can also have students read the interactive alphabet book. There is an animal that is shaped like each letter of the alphabet. Students can click to hear an audio sound of what the animal sounds like or hear the word pronounced.

 

Remember to also check out the ABC video song, free printables, and iPad app. Also, if you are lucky enough to have an interactive whiteboard, this would be great to project and have students interact with it.

I took a little break from blogging this summer so check back often because I'll be posting a lot more fun, interactive websites for the beginning of school. I have so many I can't decide which ones to highlight first :)

Animoto for End of the Year Slide Shows

Need an idea for putting together an end of the year slide show or presentation? Animoto is the way to go. I absolutely love using this site. All you would need to do is gather your favorite pictures or video clips and Animoto will do the rest. It gives you a professional looking slide show and you can set it to music by choosing from their own collection. Educators can also apply for a free Animoto Plus account (http://animoto.com/education) and create videos up to ten minutes in length. The free version account only allows you to create 30 second videos so I would highly recommend applying for an educator account.

You can choose a theme for your video style. Check out their sample videos for inspiration.

http://animoto.com/

You also have the option to choose your music, upload photos or video clips, add text, and arrange them in any order you would like. It really is such a simple, easy process.

Once the video is created, you can share with students and parents my email, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or upload it to YouTube. The videos look so professional and is such a great way to share memories of the past year. Also, be sure to check out the Animoto mobile app to create videos on the go.

I know a lot of you have already discovered the awesomeness of Animoto but for those few who still haven't yet, it's a must for checking out. 

PEEP and the Big Wide World

PEEP and the Big Wide World is a fun website for kids to explore math and science concepts. You can click on Games and interact with flash activities that target skills such as: patterns, natural cycles, counting, observation, sound, habitats, and much more! It is also a big plus if students are already familiar with PEEP; they will be engaged with PEEP's many games, activities, and videos.


http://www.peepandthebigwideworld.com/


Round and Round is a game where students can choose a plant or animal from the landscape and learn how its natural cycle grows and changes over time. Students then have the opportunity to place the missing cycle pieces in the correct order to see how the cycle begins and continues. I like that there is a narrator who explains each step in the cycle after it is complete.

I would also recommend checking out Music & Videos. There will be a list of This Week's Videos you can choose from, or you can see what will be playing next week. If you click on the closed captioning symbol (cc), you can have students read along while the video is playing. Great for emergent readers, ELL's, or just visual support.

To find other great math or science interactive sites, click on my LiveBinders on the right column. I have tons bookmarked! Also, if you have any great sites that you love to share please leave a comment and I'll add it to my list :)