Speech-to-text, audio, personal drawings and pictures, and writing about things kids love are all part of helping kids get excited about writing. In today’s show, we talk to 15-year educator Randi Ahrndt about encouraging kids to get excited about writing as we discuss interactive writing strategies and one of the best free tools for teaching writing. We also talk about an authentic project of having kids write a personal book and the various steps of making it happen. We’ll explore how to leverage technology and interactive strategies to turn even the most reluctant students into enthusiastic writers. Discover how to encourage creativity and self-expression in your classroom for all grades.
Questions Answered in This Show:
- What are the best free writing apps for classrooms, including tools like Book Creator?
- How can teachers use interactive strategies to make writing more engaging?
- Why is sharing writing with an authentic audience crucial for student motivation?
- How can speech-to-text tools support struggling writers?
- What role does student choice play in creating excitement for writing projects?
- How do graphic organizers help students overcome writer’s block?
- How can teachers balance the demands of teaching foundational skills with writing practice?
Key Takeaways:
- Free Apps for Writing: Explore tools like Book Creator, Canva, and Google Docs to enable multimodal storytelling and provide accessibility options such as speech-to-text.
- Interactive Strategies: Foster excitement with activities like project pitches, peer feedback, and sharing stories with family or classmates.
- Practical Tips: Encourage frequent writing through journaling, passion projects, and low-pressure feedback to build confidence.
- Authentic Experiences: Showcase student work with tools like eBooks, digital displays, and class libraries to celebrate their creativity.
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Randi Ahrndt – Bio As Submitted
Randi is a dedicated educator with over 15 years of experience, having served as both an administrator and literacy coach. As a wife and mother of three boys, she is deeply passionate about ensuring equitable access to education for all learners, especially those from underprivileged communities. Randi believes in fostering inclusive environments that empower every student to succeed and embrace lifelong learning. She currently serves as the Director of Product & Learning at Book Creator, where she spreads joy to educators every day!
X: @BookCreatorApp
BlueSky: @BookCreator.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookCreator/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-ahrndt/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bookcreatorapp
Disclosure of Material Connection
This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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