tool that allows for quickly and easily designing posters, signs, fliers and more, allowing for a variety of customizations with backgrounds, clipart, and text, while also allowing users to upload and use their own pictures. My own high school kids have used it to complete one page posters referred to as visual book reports. Their end products were printed for display purposes in the library, and used for visuals for book-talks done by both the librarians and the students. We even use them in digital frames that loop through pictures at our circulation desk, and students have responded to the "book-reports" created in Poster My Wall by checking out those titles.
The site does not require an account though that is an option, and those opting to use the free version can create professional looking posters and download for printing in minutes. My school secretary was so impressed with the site she has even used it to create fliers for events and activities at school. The site is easy enough for even elementary school students. Like Wordle, my collaborating teachers are finding some very interesting uses for Poster My Wall. Cons? It is not a replacement to Glogster by any means, but a poster app none the less. (Rec by Cathy Jo Nelson)
Huge repository of videos and ideas for use in primary classrooms. From the UK. Here's the description: "The Literacy Shed is home to a wealth of visual resources that I have collected over my 10 year career as a primary school teacher. I trawl youtube, vimeo and other sites looking for suitable resources to use in the sheds. The sheds are broadly thematic but sometimes a resource could go in 2 or more sheds, I slot it in where I think it works best.
Most of the resources can be used in KS1 and KS2 but some do lend themselves to the upper age group and above. The aim is to provide high quality resources that can be used in stand alone literacy lessons, can form the basis for a whole literacy unit or can support literacy units that you already have in place. With the many book based activities I would advocate using the book alongside the digital resource. "
Great Websites for Kids (GWS) , the Association for Library Service to Children's (ALSC) online website directory, has been completely redesigned. The updated site boasts a fresh and colorful kid-friendly look and interactive social media enhancements.
Clear, bright icons display subject categories and appear on every page, while eye-catching thumbnail images provide a visual preview of each great site represented. Special sections highlight Sites of the Week and Month, Most Popular pages and Top Rated selections. Prompts for each site offer "more selections like this."
Visitors can actively connect with the site and further their online experience by rating sites; sharing their favorites on social media sites such as Facebook; and emailing recommendations to friends.