SMORE is a new online program that allows you to design dynamic online newsletters for free.  (ah, free!  one of my favorite words, especially when it comes to education!)  Right now, you have to request membership and wait to be approved before you can use Smore, but it is well worth the wait!  Although Smore bills itself as a tool for creating flyers, it could be used to create any sort of web document; this would be an excellent site for creating a classroom webpage or a class/school newsletter.  The themes are beautiful and simple, giving the pages a clean and modern look.  Editing content is as easy as using Power Point, so even the web novice would be able to build online documents with ease.  More experienced with building web pages?  Try spicing up your newsletter by embedding pictures, links, or videos.  Another great feature is that viewers can leave comments on the newsletter through Facebook, creating real-time feedback from viewers.

NOTE: I'm currently using Smore to build the newsletter for the members of my local chapter of the National Writing Project.  You can view my document HERE.

MakeBeliefComix is a great website for creating comics and discovering writing prompts.  This site offers tons of free black-and-white printables that can be photocopied and colored (using markers and crayons saves printer ink!).  You can also generate your own original comic strips by choosing from their existing selection of characters, objects and speech bubbles.  Another great feature are the Digital Writeables, which allow visitors to complete a comic by typing in their text and printing.  One wonderful addition that sets this website apart from others is that it features a section for students with special needs, explaining how this site can be used to help all learners express their thoughts.  There is also another great section for educators that gives tips on how to use comics in the classroom.

It seems that the latest social networking website taking the Internet by storm is Pinterest.  Pinterest is an "online pinboard" that lets you "organize and share things you love."  The majority of my friends are currently using Pinterest to share decorating ideas and do-it-yourself project ideas.  Of course, I do enjoy pinning pictures of nostalgia-inspiring 80s pop culture, but I also recognize the educational potential of Pinterest.  It's a great way to collect pictures of classroom projects, to share helpful websites with others, or showcase student projects to a wide audience.  You could even have students create pin boards of websites or news articles for research.  Or create a pin board of recommended reading as a class.  the possibilities are endless.