Through my searching and observing I have found some ideas that are awesome and work in the classrooms.  I have given some examples below of great ways for the teacher and students to use technology to reinforce their reading and writing skills.  These ideas can be done with programs found on most computers!

WebQuests--Check out this site about developing WebQuests. What is a WebQuest you ask?  A WebQuest is defined as an inquiry-oriented activity in which the students gain information from using the web. Searching the web will produce WebQuests for almost any topic.  

Click the icon below to see an example I have created for the book Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater.  This WebQuest was developed as a review for students after reading the book out loud in class.  The project is designed for first graders so the activities are simple and based on their reading level. A WebQuest, however, can be developed for any topic at any grade level!

   

Create Your Very Own Book--You can develop a books on field trips, units you have been studying, even the alphabet.  Use a digital camera images, regular photographs, students' artwork, or downloaded images for illustrations and have the students write or dictate the sentences.  For example create a page for each letter of the alphabet--take a picture of each student holding an object that begins with that letter and matches the first letter in their name.  For example, "N is for Nicholas.  Nicholas is holding a newspaper."  

The objective is to increase your students' reading.  You will find that these books a great read for the students, they know the words and for struggling readers it is very exciting for them to read something they have written or something their classmates have written. 

Here is an example of an alphabet book set up using graphics instead of photos.  This is a project that can be very creative so let your imagination fly! It is useful for any grade as well.  

Power Point Presentations--You may think that students as young as first graders or even kindergartners don't know how to use power point--you're wrong.  Just show them what they need to do and they will do just fine.  Create power point presentations for certain books, units, really anything!  Great to show to parents as well! 

The students love using the computer and this is a great way to get them involved with technology while connecting it to reading and writing.  

Click the icon below to see a quick example on books about owls...

Other Cool Programs--
HyperStudio:  This is multi-media program for all grades! Check out program information at their website http://www.hyperstudio.com

Bailey's Book House: Check out information on this program for grades K-2 at this site  http://www.riverdeep.net/products/early_learning/baileys_bh.jhtml