As I read through my classmates blogs and search throughout
the infinite web I believe I am finally narrowing down my search for ideas on
digital stories to create with my class. As I have mentioned in my previous
postings, I teach second grade. At first I thought it might be difficult for
second graders to make a digital story. After seeing examples that my fellow
bloggers have posted or ones I have found online, I see that it is not
impossible, and that actually it is very achievable!
I have two strong inclinations for my project. One would be
to create a digital story using the science topics we will cover when we come
back from spring break. These include the life cycles of plants and animals and
their interdependence. They could create so many awesome digital stories with
these topics! I would ask them to show the process of the cycle with
illustrations or pictures and to narrate what happens on each stage of the
cycle as it appears in the video. For the interdependence topic they could
create a web that shows how animals and plants are dependent to each other and
describe each object as they add it to the web. This video would be a great example
to show my students to give them an idea of what I want for the life cycles of animals:
I also am a fan of telling a good narrative story. In my class I have some great illustrators
this year as well as some really creative writers. I think if I make them join
forces they can create something spectacular together. I found this video that
some second graders made based on the story “Cloudy With a Chance of
Meatballs,” one of my favorites, which demonstrates what second graders can do.
I have done many creative writing assignments with my
students but I feel that with digital stories they can bring their stories to
life. This might even encourage my shyest writers to get creative! For their
first project I would tell them which resource to use. I would probably use
Power Point and Slideshare to begin with. We have not done any digital stories and I feel it
would run smoother if I tell everyone to use the same resources at first so
they can get familiar with the process.
Once they are done with their digital stories I would add
them to my class website which I have already created and has been running
since the beginning of the year. Parents as well as students access it from
school and home, so I know it will be easy for them to access their videos that
way.
I really enjoyed your blog. Cloudy with a chance of meatballs is also one of my favorite books. When I taight in the public school system we used that book a lot, and I taught in fifth grade! There is so much to do with that book! I really think you were right that digital story telling can bring out the writer in a shy students. I also think by showing the parents the digital stories it will instill pride in the studnets and they will work harder to suceed. I like that you maintain a class website! Great job!
ReplyDeleteKristen G.T.
I would love to be in your class! How fun! I also love cloudy with a chance of meatballs! Imagine the fun they could have with a giant jello mound and a video camera! As you were describing the science ideas, I imagined the still frames of plants that are sped up, to see a plant growing. Students could use so many cool ideas and videos! I am sure posting it you your class website helps them feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, too!
ReplyDeleteAs a former middle school science teacher, I love any idea that makes science more authentic for students to grasp. Creating digital stories for life cycle and processes that go on around our students really makes and unbreakable learning connection. Each time the students reasearch, input, revise and edit the students make new connections with the materail. I love your idea! I love your narrative idea as wel but I cannot help but be a little biased towards sceince ;) forgive me.
ReplyDeleteScott Foster EME5050
Larisa,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post on this week's topic. I have to say that I am also a fan of not only telling, but hearing a good narrative story. Creative writing has to be one of my favorite ways to have students write. Even the kids who are normally shy in class can create such great stories! As adults we often underestimate what young children can do, and we usually find ourselves pleasantly surprised when they exceed our expectations on a creative writing assignment. Using digital storytelling with elementary students is a great way for them to work on their writing and technological skills, as well as reinforcing their strengths.
Additionally, I agree with your decision to use PowerPoint for starters. It's a good beginning point to get students familiar with the ideas. Then, they can choose to use more 'advanced' methods like prezi! And definitely making the presentations accessible by the parents is a great idea. These digital stories are something parents are going to want to see.
Great thoughts!
-Amy R.
This is a really great set of videos for digital storytelling. I see you are using iMovie which is a great platform for this. I particularly like your digital storytelling tutorial which is essential for allowing kids to understand exactly what a digital story is. As far as evaluating your samples you seem to be including several learning goals and teaching the curriculum so good job. I love your Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs one. Mark Corey
ReplyDelete