A little inspiration from Bing!

Not sure if I’ve mentioned this, but I LOVE Bing. Not necessarily for searching…sorry Microsoft-I’m a Googler; but for those pictures.
Today’s picture reminded me I needed to share the wonderful, endless possibilities of using Bing for writing! And that I miss hatching chickies-even those these are salmon!

What to do-pull up Bing on your tv (well, we have flat screen tv’s rather than anything “smart” connected to our computers…) and start using the picture as inspiration for shared writing, modeling conventions, ideas, anything! I began with just lots of free flowing think-alouds. I didn’t reveal what the little snippets of info about the picture were until I was done. I like the idea of imagination! I wrote nonfiction, narratives, how-tos, whatever popped into my head. After a week of this, students wrote 1-2 sentences in their journals moving on to longer pieces. The beauty-new ideas daily and complete freedom and flexibility, oh, and it’s free!
Alas, not my idea-A few years ago at a county “share fair” a 4th grade teacher told about how she turned her writing program around using Bing. I was interested and started to use it randomly with my 4th graders. But this year in 2nd, I was desperate so I pulled “Bing books” back out of my repertoire and wha-laa, my kiddos loved it! One little booger would get online each morning before school to get a preview! I did not use it every day, I wanted to preserve its effect, but you certainly could.
Sorry this got long-but I hope someone gets a little Bing inspiration! Oh, how do you like the new blog layout…? I finally made a header! I’m not in love, but I am really trying to resist snatching up a premade. I am sure I will give in!