Day 5: Spark Creative Writing with Kids Think Wide - The 12 Tech Tips of Christmas 2024

Welcome to day five of The 12 Tech Tips of Christmas from *Evolve EdTech! 🎄 I’m Tristan, creator of Evolve EdTech, and I’m thrilled to share another fantastic edtech tool that will bring your classroom to life.

If you missed the first four days, head over to the Evolve EdTech YouTube channel or our social media platforms to catch up on the amazing tips we’ve shared so far. While you’re there, don’t forget to like and subscribe—it keeps us motivated to bring you even more edtech insights to enhance your teaching.

Today, we’re diving into a powerful, free tool for inspiring student writing: Kids Think Wide. Whether you’re teaching early primary or senior secondary, this tool has something to offer. Let’s explore how it can transform the way your students engage with writing.

What is Kids Think Wide?

Kids Think Wide is an innovative platform designed to spark creativity and get students excited about writing. Through prompts, images, and interactive activities, it engages students with dynamic, tailored writing challenges. Think of it as a digital toolbox filled with ways to:

• Ignite imagination with picture prompts and questions.

• Collaborate on stories with “Choose Your Own Adventure” activities.

• Elevate creativity through animated writing prompts.

The best part? It’s completely free—a significant bonus for budget-conscious schools and educators!

Features of Kids Think Wide

1. Picture Prompts

Hundreds of image-based prompts paired with thoughtful questions and writing ideas.

How It Works:

• Browse or filter prompts by text type (narrative, persuasive, descriptive, etc.).

• Select an image and access a ready-made writing prompt.

• Use discussion questions to warm up students’ thinking.

Example Prompt:
Imagine sitting down for a special meal with someone you deeply care about—a friend, family member, famous person, or someone from the past. Describe the setting, the food, and the conversation. What makes this meal unforgettable?

You can customize prompts, download them as PDFs, or integrate them into your lesson plans.

2. Choose Your Own Adventure

Take storytelling to the next level with collaborative, interactive narratives.

How It Works:

• Students brainstorm ideas based on an opening letter or image.

• They follow a path by selecting prompts and crafting their unique storylines.

• Options include exciting themes like dinosaurs, space exploration, or magical kingdoms.

Pro Tip: Use this feature for group projects or as a way to practice narrative planning and structure.

3. Animated Writing Prompts (Sparks)

Move beyond static images with visually captivating, animated prompts.

How It Works:

• Choose from a library of animated scenes that spark the imagination.

• Each animation comes with tailored prompts and related questions.

Example Spark:
An animated UFO hovering over a quiet town, prompting students to imagine the aliens’ mission and describe the encounter.

This feature is perfect for students who thrive on visual or multimedia inspiration.

4. Customization

Tailor writing prompts to meet the needs of your students.

How It Works:

• Select a text type and grade level.

• Use the “Generate Prompt” tool to create specific prompts.

• Save and revisit your custom prompts for future use (note: free accounts allow up to 10 custom prompts per month).

5. Easy Accessibility

• Free Plan: Access all images, prompts, and resources without a subscription.

• User-Friendly Interface: Navigate seamlessly and find content quickly.

• Downloadable Resources: Save prompts and images for offline use or integration into lessons.

Why Use Kids Think Wide?

Writing is a foundational skill, but inspiring students to write can be challenging. Kids Think Wide bridges the gap by combining visuals, interactivity, and creativity to:

• Engage reluctant writers with fun, stimulating prompts.

• Differentiate instruction by tailoring prompts to individual needs.

• Save time with ready-made resources that are easy to implement.

How to Get Started

1. Sign Up: Visit Kids Think Wide and create a free account.

2. Explore Prompts: Browse picture prompts, animated sparks, or choose-your-own-adventure activities.

3. Customize & Save: Create your own prompts or download pre-made ones.

4. Inspire Writing: Use Kids Think Wide in your lessons to engage students in meaningful writing activities.

Wrapping Up Day Five

That’s a wrap for day five of The 12 Tech Tips of Christmas! Kids Think Wide is a versatile, free tool that belongs in every teacher’s edtech toolkit. Whether you’re using it for daily writing warm-ups, creative story projects, or differentiated instruction, it’s bound to inspire your students and simplify your planning.

We’ll be back tomorrow for day six, where we’ll explore yet another fantastic edtech tool. Until then, don’t forget to like this post, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and continue to explore the possibilities of edtech in your classroom.

Stay safe, and we’ll see you tomorrow! 🎄

To view Day 5 of The 12 Tech-Tips of Christmas click on the video below: