Digital Storytelling

"Teach students in a way that mirrors things that they would actually authentically be doing in their own lives...
We are wanting students to be engaging in learning that is authentic."
~Jen Lindstrom (Literacy Specialist for 4th and 5th Grade)

Digital Storytelling

In this activity: Students will develop a story inspired by an object. After they write the story, it will be used to create a digital story using drawn or found images.

Literacy: Storytelling and Writing

Why?: Create stories using digital media to promote visual learning

Educational Benefits:
-> Promoting creativity in storytelling

Activity Length: 40 minutes (It would be possible to complete different sections of the activity on different days)

Ages: First Grade – Fifth Grade

How?

PREPARATION:

On a table, lay out a number of different objects that students can use to create a story
These objects can be anything from stuffed animals, beach supplies, kitchen utensils, etc.
Students will be using these objects as inspiration to create a story that will later turn into a digital story

INTRODUCTION:

“Everyone pick an object that speaks to you”
- Have members of the class pick an objects to later help create a story
Ask the class questions about the objects they have chosen
- For Example:
  - “Where does this object live?”
  - “Is it cold? Is it hot?”
After the students have thought about their objects, have them draw a picture with the object in it
- This does not have to be literal; creativity is encouraged
- Ex: If the object is a beach ball, draw a picture of the beach ball in a classroom
- Or it can be more literal
- Ex: If the object is a beach ball, draw a picture of the beach ball on the beach
Go around the room asking questions about what is in the picture
- “Who is that?”
- “Tell me what is happening in this picture”
- “Does the beach ball like where it’s sitting or would it rather be somewhere else?”
Have the students tell a story about the picture and help them write it down
- NOTE: This step will help create the story outline for the digital story
- Older students can write it out themselves
Have the students create a basic storyboard of pictures that match the words in the story
- NOTE: This would be a great part of the lesson to assign for homework and pick up the rest in the next class.
- This is to sketch out ideas of how to put the story together
- Link provided below
Use an online digital storytelling resource (listed at the bottom) to create a digital story
Digital stories can consist of drawn images on the program, hand drawn pictures scanned into a computer, photographs, or video footage
Presentations: There are a couple options of how to present these digital stories
- 1. Have a few students volunteer to put up their work
  - This way no student feels put on the spot
- 2. Have an art gallery of all the digital stories
  - Have few computers play different digital stories and have the students walk around and check out each one

Common Core Standards

First Grade
RL.1.3: Describe characters, settings, and major events in
a story

RL.1.7:
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or event

W.1.3: Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened

Second Grade
RL.2.3: Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges

RL.2.5: Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces, the story and the ending concludes the action

W.2.3: Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events, include details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings

Third Grade
RL.3.3:
Describe characters in a story and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events

W.3.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

W.3.3: Establish a situation and introduce a narrator and/or character. Use dialogue and descriptions of actions, thoughts, and feelings to develop experiences and events or show the response of characters

Fourth Grade
RL.4.3: Describe in depth a character, setting, or even in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text

W.4.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

Fifth Grade
RL.5.6: Describe how a narrator’s or speaker’s point of view influences how events are describe.

W.5.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

Assessment

-> Did the student’s story make sense?
-> Did the student’s follow the basic story structure (beginning, middle, and end)?
-> Did the student’s use illustrations to help explain more about the story?

Modificaitons

-> First and Second Grade:
            -> Have students illustrate the images
-> While the students are telling the story write it down and talk through the spelling of different words
-> Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade:
-> Approach an object as if you were an alien and had never seen it before…
-> Have the students pick up handle the object and have them make observations
            -> Asking questions help
            -> ex. A bell
            -> “Describe it to me”
            -> “Does it have a specific smell?”
            -> “What does it feel like to hold it?”
            -> “Does it make a sound?”
            -> “What happens when you shake it?”
            -> “Does it like to be shook?”
-> Have students look up images online as well as drawn images that correspond with the story they have created.

Example of Digital Story

This is a Digital Story created by a young girl name Anahi.
"My student wrote, edited, and voiced over her persuasive essay to create a digital photo story using iMovie." - M. Velez (teacher of Anahi)

Specific Resources

Powerpoint and iMovie are also great ways for young people to create digital stories, but require have a mac or purchasing Microsoft software.

https://littlebirdtales.com/
Little Bird Tales Digital Storytelling

My personal favorite because it has all of the materials you would need to create the digital story right on the website, no added steps needed
This is a great online tool to create a digital story
This allows for drawing pictures on the computer, uploading images, voice record

https://animoto.com/
Animoto Digital Storytelling

This is a great online tool to help create a digital story that only uses pictures
Best for older students
WARNING: Needs external voice recording

http://www.sampletemplates.com/business-templates/free-storyboard-templates.html
Storyboard Options

This resource allows for a lot of options of different storyboards

https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7021.pdf
“7 Things You Should Know About Digital Story”

An article explaining why digital storytelling is a useful tool to use with young people.
This article defines clearly what digital storytelling is and how it can be used

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKZiXR5qUlQ
"What is a Digital Story?"