Website of the Week- Quiver

Writing and 3D coloring pages http://www.quivervision.com/

What is it: Print a coloring page (there are free and paid sheets) and have your student color the picture. Download the Quiver app and watch the colored picture come to life with 3D versions of what you color! There is a quick demo on the website.

How to use it with writing: You can choose a picture that already goes with a unit or writing prompt you're doing in k12, or create a writing prompt from the picture chosen. For example, if your student finds the k12 writing prompts uninspiring (many students hate to write!) try this:

-Have them choose a favorite picture from the bank of pictures on Quiver. Print it out and have them color it.

-Choose a writing prompt to go with it. (For example- Explanatory writing: Tell someone about this animal- their habitat, behaviors, diet, would they make a good pet? etc. Persuasive writing: Convince your parents why having this animal would or would not make a good pet. Narrative or descriptive: Write a story about an adventure this animal takes when it escapes from its home!)

-Remember, you can supplement or change k12 lessons to how you'd like to teach them as long as the objective of the lesson is the same. In other words, as long as the lesson is about persuasive writing and the prompt you choose to do here is also persuasive writing--you're good!

Other ideas to implement: Verbs (or synonyms)- have a student watch the 3D version of their picture moving and come up with as many vivid verbs as they can to tell what the character is doing.
 

Why it's motivating: As your student is coloring the picture, start asking them questions about it related to the prompt you will give them. This will start the brainstorming process and get them excited to write about it. Knowing they will get to play with a 3D version of their picture after the writing will motivate them to want to finish it. Have them share their writing and 3D picture with another family member.