Student Materials

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Student Materials
http//www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/index.as
p
ReadWriteThink offers a collection of online
Student Materials to support literacy learning in
the K-12 classroom. These interactive tools can
be used to supplement a variety of lessons and
provide an opportunity for students to use
technology while developing their literacy
skills. Click on the name of each interactive for
a brief description of the tool and a list of the
ReadWriteThink lessons that use the tool. From
there you'll also be able to directly access the
tool and use it in your classroom.
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Acrostic PoemsIn this online tool, students can
learn about and write acrostic poems. An acrostic
poem uses the letters in a word to begin each
line of the poem. All lines of the poem relate to
or describe the main topic word. In addition, as
part of the online tool, students are prompted to
brainstorm, write, and revise their poems, thus
reinforcing elements of the writing process.
Students can also print their finished acrostic
poems. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/acrostic/
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Alphabet OrganizerAlphabet Organizer has
numerous applications for classroom instruction.
Students have the option to enter one word, more
than one word, or a word and related notes for
each letter of the alphabet. Elementary students
can use the tool to create an alphabet book with
words for each letter of the alphabet. The tool
can also be used to have students brainstorm and
discuss background knowledge on a topic they are
beginning to study. At the end of the unit, the
chart can be revisited to add new information or
to correct erroneous information. Alternatively,
the tool can be used for a vocabulary study by
having students enter vocabulary words and
related notes or definitions. This interactive
tool enables students to print an alphabet chart
or pages for an alphabet book. Lesson plans on
ReadWriteThink illustrate various examples of how
the tool can be used in the classroom. Visit
this interactive tool at http//www.readwritethin
k.org/materials/alphabet/
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Animal Inquiry The Animal Inquiry interactive is
a versatile tool that can enhance student inquiry
in research at the elementary level. The graphic
organizer invites students to explore four facets
of animals basic facts, animal babies,
interaction with others, and habitats (shown at
left) the possibilities for extensions or
adaptations, moreover, make this a a nice
complement with inquiry-based projects. The
follow-up writing prompts can be used to organize
research questions as well as to record findings.
After completing individual sections or the
entire organizer, students have the ability to
print out their final versions for feedback and
assessment. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/animal-inq
uiry/.
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Circle Plot DiagramIntroducing the concept of
text structure to elementary students is made
easyand fun!through the use of the Circle Plot
Diagram. The tool can be used as a prewriting
graphic organizer for students writing original
stories with a circular plot structure (e.g., If
You Take a Mouse to School), as well as a
postreading organizer used to explore the text
structures in a book. By students inserting main
examples of a storys plot directly onto the
circular interactive (shown at left), the
concepts of structure and plot are reinforced
each time the tool is used. When used as a
prewriting exercise, the diagram can be printed
out and shared with peers and teacher for
feedback and revision in this phase of the
writing process. Visit this interactive tool at
http//readwritethink.org/materials/circle-plot/.
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Comic CreatorThe Comic Creator invites students
to compose their own comic strips for a variety
of contexts (prewriting, pre- and postreading
activities, response to literature, and so on).
The organizers focus on the key elements of comic
strips by allowing students to choose
backgrounds, characters, and props, as well as to
compose related dialogue (shown at left). This
versatile tool can be used by students from
kindergarten through high school, for purposes
ranging from learning to write dialogue to an
in-depth study of a formerly neglected genre. The
tool is easy to use, made even easier with the
Comic Strip Planning Sheet, a printable PDF that
comic creators can use to draft and revise their
work before creating and printing their final
comics. After completing their comic, students
have the ability to print out and illustrate
their final versions for feedback and assessment.
Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/comic/inde
x.html.
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Comparison and Contrast GuideThis interactive
guide provides an introduction to the basic
characteristics and resources that are typically
used when students compose comparison and
contrast essays. The Comparison and Contrast
Guide includes an overview, definitions and
examples. The Organizing a Paper section includes
details on whole-to-whole (block),
point-by-point, and similarities-to-differences
structures. In addition, the Guide explains how
graphic organizers are used for comparison and
contrast, provides tips for using transitions
between ideas in comparison and contrast essays,
and includes a checklist, which matches an
accompanying rubric. Visit this interactive tool
at http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/compco
ntrast/.
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Diamante PoemsIn this online tool, students can
learn about and write diamante poems, which are
diamond-shaped poems that use nouns, adjectives,
and gerunds to describe either one central topic
or two opposing topics (for example, night/day or
winter/spring). Examples of both kinds of
diamante poems can be viewed online or printed
out. Because diamante poems follow a specific
format that uses nouns on the first and last
lines, adjectives on the second and fourth lines,
and gerunds in the third and fifth lines, this
tool has numerous word-study applications. The
tool provides definitions of the different parts
of speech students use in composing the poems,
reinforcing the connection between word study and
writing. It also includes prompts to write and
revise poems, thus reinforcing elements of the
writing process. Students can print their
finished diamante poems. Visit this interactive
tool at http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/d
iamante/.
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Doodle SplashTeaching K-8 students to visualize
what they are reading and to create graphic
symbols helps them develop as readers. Doodle
Splash interactive combines the process of
drawing with analytical thinking about a text by
pairing an online drawing space with writing
prompts that encourage students to make
connections between their visual designs and the
text. The tool can be used for whole-class
discussion of a short story (or part of a novel),
small-group work, or individually, where students
use doodles, symbols, drawings, shapes, and
colors to construct a graphic of their story or
chapter. After completing their individual or
group images, students have the ability to print
out their final versions for feedback and
assessment. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/doodle/ind
ex.html.
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Drama Map An updated version of the Story Map,
this interactive best suits secondary students in
literary study. Students can map out the key
elements of character, setting, conflict, and
resolution (shown at left) for a variety purposes
and activities associated with works of drama.
The interactive includes a set of graphic
organizers which can facilitate postreading as
well as prewriting activities that best suit your
curriculum. After completing individual sections
or the entire organizer, students have the
ability to print out their final versions for
feedback and assessment. Visit this interactive
tool at http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/d
ramamap/.
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Eye on IdiomsStudents are more likely to
understand, recall, and care about what an idiom
means after having played with the phrase through
a highly engaging exploration of metaphorical
language. Eye on Idioms can be used to engage
students in a study of seven idioms. After
viewing the literal representation of each idiom,
students are asked to complete the sentence by
selecting the correct idiom from the list. Using
context clues from the sentence, students can
then determine the metaphorical meaning of the
idiom. As a final step, students are asked to use
the idiom in a sentence to show their
understanding of its meaning. Students should be
reminded to print the page after completing each
idiom exercise since their work cannot be saved
electronically. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/idioms/.
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Fact Fragment Frenzy Fact Fragment Frenzy,
included in an extended research skills unit
which also employs the Hints about Print
interactive, aids students in learning the
importance of finding the words in sentences and
paragraphs that contain the facts they need for
compiling their research. They practice by
pulling important words from a text over to a
virtual notebook (shown at left). The students
then move to putting those notes into their own
words, avoiding plagiarism. Having elementary
students participate in the fact-finding process
early in their school experience promises to
enrich further study and enjoyment of nonfiction
texts. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/factfrenzy
/opening.html.
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Flip BookThe Flip Book is designed to allow
users to type and illustrate tabbed flip books up
to ten pages long. Students and teachers can use
the flip book for taking notes while reading,
making picture books, collecting facts, or
creating question and answer booklets. Students
can choose from nine different layouts for the
pages of their books (shown left). A blank flip
book is available for demonstration and
planning. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/flipbook/.
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Flip-a-ChipEffective vocabulary instruction
requires active and positive student
participation. In addition, familiarity with
high-frequency affixes and roots promotes
comprehension of numerous words in which they
occur as meaningful chunks. In this online
activity, students flip two chips to mix and
match four word parts and make four words.
Students then insert the four words into a
paragraph, using context clues to determine where
each word belongs. After each exercise, students
can print their work to check whether they placed
the four words in the paragraph correctly. For
further practice with affixes and roots, students
can be encouraged to create their own flip-a-chip
games as described in the lesson, "Flip-a-Chip
Examining Affixes and Roots to Build Vocabulary."
Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/flip/.
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Graphic MapThe Graphic Map is designed to assist
teachers and students in reading and writing
activities. The organizer focuses on charting the
high and low points related to a particular item
or group of items, such as chapters in a book,
amounts of money spent, events during a day,
month, year, or life, or scenes in a play. The
Graphic Map creates a graphic representation of
these high and low points that displays related
images and descriptions. The interactive can be
used as a prewriting activity, as students map
ideas for an autobiography as a postreading
activity, as students map the significance of
events in a story and as a reflection and
assessment activity, as students map the high and
low points of their inquiry process. Visit this
interactive tool at http//www.readwritethink.org
/materials/graphicmap/.
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Hints about Print Hints about Print, included in
an extended research skills unit which also
employs the Fact Fragment Frenzy interactive,
aids students in evaluating print resources that
contain the facts they need for compiling their
research. The tool asks prompting questions
(shown at left) to guide young researchers in the
process of their work. Having elementary students
participate in this critical-thinking process
early in their school experience promises to
enrich further study and enjoyment of nonfiction
texts. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/hints-on-p
rint/index.html.
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Letter GeneratorThe Letter Generator tool is
designed to help students learn to identify all
the essential parts of a business or friendly
letter, and then generate letters by typing
information into letter templates. A sample
letter is included, and students can learn about
the parts of a letter by reading descriptions of
each part. Once students have become familiar
with letter formats, they are prompted to write
their own letter using a simple template.
Students follow the steps and fill in specific
fields in the template (for example, heading,
salutation, closing, signature, etc.). They may
even add a decorative border and postscript to
the friendly letter. The finished letter can then
be previewed, edited, and printed. This useful
tool provides step-by-step instructions for
familiarizing users with the necessary elements
of written correspondence, and can serve as an
excellent practice method for composing and
proofreading both formal and informal
letters. Visit this interactive tool at
http//readwritethink.org/materials/letter_generat
or/.
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Letter Poem Creator Letter poems are a
particularly apt medium for exploring a defining
characteristic of poetryline breaks. As students
work to transform narrative-style letters (shown
at left) into poetic format, they are encouraged
to think carefully about where to end each line.
Using the Letter Poem Creator, students engage
with the medium of letters and experiment with
writing them as poems, with attention to why the
lines are broken, where they are broken, and how
line breaks affect rhythm, sound, meaning, and
appearance. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/letter_poe
m/index.html.
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Line Break Explorer Learning poetrys special
characteristics can help students understand,
appreciate, and compose poetry. One defining
characteristic of poetry is the use of line
breaks to create rhythm and rhyme, suggest
meaning, and produce a particular appearance. The
Line Break Explorer engages children in exploring
a poem (shown at left) and hypothesizing about
why lines are broken where they are in poetry.
Students then experiment with line breaks and how
they affect rhythm, sound, meaning, appearance,
and can substitute for punctuation in poetry.
Their practice with line breaks can be printed
out for peer and teacher feedback and
discussion. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/lb_explore
r/index.html.
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Literary Elements Map An updated version of the
Story Map, this interactive best suits secondary
students in literary study. The tool includes a
set of graphic organizers designed to assist
teachers and students in prewriting and
postreading activities, focusing on the key
elements of character, setting, conflict, and
resolution development (shown at left). As with
the Story Map, this interactive can be used in
multiple contexts, whether they be author
studies, genre studies, or thematic units, among
others. Students can map out the key literary
elements for a variety purposes, including
response to literature or as a prewriting
activity when composing their own fiction. After
completing individual sections or the entire
organizer, students have the ability to print out
their final versions for feedback and
assessment. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/lit-elemen
ts/.
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Literary Graffiti Teaching high school students
to visualize what they are reading and to create
graphic symbols helps them develop as readers.
The Literary Graffiti interactive combines the
process of drawing with analytical thinking about
a text by pairing an online drawing space with
writing prompts (shown at left) that encourage
students to make connections between their visual
designs and the text. The tool can be used for
whole-class discussion of a text, small-group
work, or individually, where students use
"graffiti," symbols, drawings, shapes, and colors
to construct a graphic of the text they are
reading. After completing their individual or
group images, students have the ability to print
out their final versions for feedback and
assessment. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/graffiti/i
ndex.html.
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Multigenre MapperThese days, when students read
and write, often it is not only in one genre.
Instead, the types and kinds of reading and
writing intertwine and blend together. Their work
becomes multigenre. In Blending Genre, Altering
Style (Heinemann, 2000), Tom Romano describes how
multigenre texts work Multigenre allows us to
meld fact, interpretation, and imagination,
into a series of self-contained pieces called
crots that appear in forms that include poetry,
prose, drama, and exposition (109). This
interactive invites students to create original
multigenre, multimodal worksone drawing and
three written texts. The tool asks students to
name the genres for each section, making the tool
flexible for multiple writing activities. Visit
this interactive tool at http//www.readwritethin
k.org/materials/multigenre-mapper/.
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Persuasion MapThe Persuasion Map is an
interactive graphic organizer that enables
students to map out their arguments for a
persuasive essay or debate. Students begin by
determining their goal or thesis. They then
identify three reasons to support their argument,
and three facts or examples to validate each
reason. The map graphic in the upper right-hand
corner allows students to move around the map,
instead of having to work in a linear fashion. By
clicking the printer icon, students can preview
their map, return to their map for revisions, or
print their completed map for future reference.
Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/persuasion
_map/.
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Picture MatchPicture Match is designed to give
new readers practice with identifying
beginning-letter and short- and long-vowels
sounds through a simple, fun game. In the
beginning-letter sounds section, a picture of an
object (for example, a car) is displayed, and
students are prompted to choose the letter that
corresponds with the first letter of the word. In
the short- and long-vowel sounds sections,
students are prompted to choose the vowel that
corresponds with the word. If the student does
not choose the correct match, they receive an
audible prompt and can then try again. When all
of the matches are made correctly, the student
hears childrens voices cheering Hooray and
text prompts tell them that they may print out
their matches. Pictures are sorted randomly with
each game to provide a challenge if the game is
played more than once. Picture Match is intended
for beginning readers and could be used
individually or in small groups. Visit this
interactive tool at http//www.readwritethink.org
/materials/picturematch/.
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Plot DiagramThe Plot Diagram is an
organizational tool focusing on a pyramid or
triangular shape, which is used to map the events
in a story. This mapping of plot structure allows
readers and writers to visualize the key features
of stories. The basic triangle-shaped plot
structure, representing the beginning, middle,
and end of a story, was described by Aristotle.
Gustav Freytag modified Aristotles system by
adding a rising action and a falling action to
the structure. This interactive version of the
graphic organizer supports both Aristotles and
Freytags conceptualizations of plot structures.
Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/plot-diagr
am/.
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ReadWriteThink Printing PressThe interactive
Printing Press is designed to assist students in
creating newspapers, brochures, flyers, and
booklets. Teachers and students can choose from
several templates to publish class newspapers,
informational brochures, and flyers announcing
class events. The tool allows for multiple pages
as appropriate. Text added to the templates can
be modified using a simple toolbar, which allows
students to choose text features, such as font
size and color. Documentation for the Printing
Press includes folding and printing instructions,
as well as an extensive Guide to using the tool.
Customized versions of the tool, which include
additional instructions and more focused choices,
are included with some lessons. Visit this
interactive tool at http//interactives.mped.org/
ppress110.aspx.
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ReadWriteThink Webbing ToolThe Webbing Tool
provides a free-form graphic organizer for
activities that ask students to pursue
hypertextual thinking and writing. The tool
provides a quick way for students to trace out
options and rearrange connections. Students can
use the Webbing Tool to analyze readings as well
as a prewriting activity and flowcharting tool.
Students can drag the circle or box shapes
representing their ideas to arrange any layout
and relationship that they want. Each layer on
the chart will have a different color border for
the shapes that you choose. Customized versions
of the tool, which include additional
instructions and more focused choices, are
included with some lessons. Visit this
interactive tool at http//interactives.mped.org/
webbing127.aspx.
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Riddle Interactive Riddles are an excellent
vehicle for introducing students to poetry and
poetry writing. The Riddle Interactive encourages
students to use language in such a way as to
present a common thing as unfamiliar, asking
their readers/listeners to guess what it is.
Central to the tradition of these poems is the
use of language good riddles rely upon creative
use of metaphor, simile, and metonymy concrete
imagery and imaginative presentation and
description of an object or concept. Students are
encouraged to use the writing process as they
draft (shown at left) and revise their work. The
interactive links to a printable online organizer
where students can work on their poems. Visit
this interactive tool at http//www.readwriteth
ink.org/materials/riddle/index.html.
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Shape PoemsA shape poem is a poem that describes
an object and is written in the shape of the
object. In this online tool, elementary students
can choose a shape (e.g., an apple or a balloon)
and write poems about the shape. By selecting a
shape, students are learning how to focus their
writing on a particular topic. In addition, as
part of the online tool, students are prompted to
brainstorm, write, and revise their poems, thus
reinforcing elements of the writing process.
Students can also print their finished shape
poems, cut and color them, and display them in
the classroom or at home. Visit this
interactive tool at http//www.readwritethink.org
/materials/shape/.
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Stapleless BookThe Stapleless Book is designed
to allow users to create with ease an eight-page
book simply by folding and cutting. No tape or
staples are required. Students and teachers alike
can use the stapleless book for taking notes
while reading, making picture books, collecting
facts, or creating vocabulary booklets. Students
can choose from seven different layouts for the
pages of their books (shown left). The tool is
easy to use, made even easier with the Stapleless
Book Planning Sheet, a printable PDF that book
creators can use to draft and revise their work
before creating and printing their final
stapleless books. The possibilities for classroom
use are endless. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/stapleless
/index.html.
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Story MapThe Story Map interactive includes a
set of graphic organizers designed to assist
teachers and students in prewriting and
postreading activities. The organizers are
intended to focus on the key elements of
character (shown at left), setting, conflict, and
resolution development. Students can develop
multiple characters, for example, in preparation
for writing their own fiction, or they may
reflect on and further develop characters from
stories they have read. After completing
individual sections or the entire organizer,
students have the ability to print out their
final versions for feedback and assessment. The
versatility of this tool allows it to be used in
multiple contexts. Visit this interactive tool
at http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/storym
ap/index.html.
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TimelineCreating timelines with this tool
becomes an engaging activity for students as they
choose from five different units of measure
(date, time, event, entry, or other) and add
specific descriptions of each entry. Once the
entries have been added, students may navigate
through any part of the timeline by simply
clicking on the appropriate entry. Students may
view and edit their draft timeline, then print
the finished timeline for reference. This is a
handy tool for classroom use that guides students
through the process of organizing information in
timeline form and results in a polished finished
product. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/timeline/i
ndex.html.
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Venn Diagram, 2 CirclesStudents may generate
clear, well-formatted Venn Diagrams by naming
their project and labeling Circle 1 and Circle 2,
then generating concepts that can be placed on
the diagram by clicking and dragging them with
the mouse. Students may place the concepts in
either circle or in the overlapping area,
allowing them to organize their information
logically. A step-by-step animated demo shows
students how to type concepts and their
descriptions, and how to drag and place concepts
on their diagrams. Students may view and edit
their draft diagrams, then print the finished
diagrams for reference. This is a handy tool for
classroom use that guides students through the
process of organizing information in Venn diagram
form. Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/venn/index
.html.
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Venn Diagram, 3 CirclesThis interactive tool
allows students to create Venn Diagrams that
contain three overlapping circles. Students
identify and record concepts that can be placed
in one of the three circles or in the overlapping
areas, allowing them to organize their
information logically. Students may view and edit
their draft diagrams, then print the finished
diagrams for reference. In some cases, the Venn
diagram tool has been customized to complement a
specific lesson or activity. Visit this
interactive tool at http//interactives.mped.org/
venn28.aspx.
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Whats in the Bag? Young children can use
descriptive language in authentic and purposeful
ways to communicate in large-group settings.
Using the Whats in the Bag? interactive, young
children develop speaking and listening skills as
a part of language development, as well as
connecting visual text with the printed word
(shown at left). This shared-language experience
emphasizes the importance of both those skills
and, ultimately, the act for both participants is
to relate meaning and expression. Visit this
interactive tool at http//www.readwritethink.org
/materials/in_the_bag/index.html.
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Word Family SortThis online activity is designed
for beginning and struggling readers to help them
recognize word patterns and learn about onset and
rime. Students are first asked to select a vowel,
and are then presented with a series of words to
sort into short-vowel word families. Students can
then print their completed word family chart and
use it to practice reading the words fluently.
This activity is modeled after the word family
sort referenced in Small Group Reading
Instruction A Differentiated Teaching Model for
Beginning and Struggling Readers by Beverly Tyner
(International Reading Association, 2004).
Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/wordfamily
/.
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Word MakerWord Maker provides a simple, engaging
way for students to generate dozens of different
words by first choosing an ending (for example
-an, -ed, -at, -op) and then adding a beginning
letter or blend. When a correct word is created,
the word is stored in a Word Bank where students
can read and review their words. For each ending,
Word Maker prompts students to create between 6
and 14 different possible words, adding an
element of fun and discovery. It uses animation
and sound to guide students through the steps of
creating words, and employs prompts that are
clear and easy to master. This interactive tool
could be used individually or in small groups,
either in one session or across multiple lessons.
Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/wordmaker/
.
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Word Mover for Holes Learning to recast the text
they are reading in a different genre helps make
students more insightful readers and helps
develop creativity in thinking and writing. The
Word Mover allows students to pick out the best
words, phrases, and lines from a passage to
create a found poem (shown at left). Visit this
interactive tool at http//www.readwritethink.org
/materials/holes_mover/index.html.
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Word Mover for I Have a DreamLearning to
recast the text they are reading in a different
genre helps make students more insightful readers
and helps develop creativity in thinking and
writing. The Word Mover allows students to pick
out the best words, phrases, and lines from a
passage to create a found poem (shown at
left). Visit this interactive tool at
http//www.readwritethink.org/materials/wordmover_
mlk/word_mover.htm.
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Word WizardThis highly-interactive activity
supports critical thinking and problem solving
while also building students comprehension and
spelling skills. Students start by choosing
puzzles based on four popular U.S. childrens
books. They are then prompted to use clues to
identify words from a list of scrambled letters.
The final clue is based on an event or theme from
their chosen book, which supports story
comprehension and makes the activity meaningful
and fun. Audible prompts and hints guide students
to solve the sometimes challenging word puzzles.
After completing a section, students may choose
to begin another series of puzzles based on the
same book or may choose a different book. This
engaging interactive tool would work well with
pairs or small groups, either in one session or
across multiple sessions. Visit this interactive
tool at http//readwritethink.org/materials/wordw
izard/.