Sunday, March 10, 2013

Storybird for Beautiful Digital Storytelling


We’ve focused on math for a bit, now let’s get back to one of my students’ favorite story-telling tools, Storybird.  Storybird is a web-based site where students can write stories based on the plethora of artwork provided.  As the creators of Storybird suggest, the object is to start with the image, and allow the story to flow from there. 

The artwork will interest boys and girls at all grade levels.  Students can select subjects such as mummies, animals, balloons, ballet, and knights, just to name a few.  Select a subject and more art specific to that subject appears.

Then it’s time to write the story.  Teachers can create class stories, or students can create their own. Collaborators can be added, allowing student teams to work together.  Completed stories can remain on the dashboard for viewing, or Storybird will create a PDF or create an actual book for a nominal fee.


CC Connection:  We’ve used it as a tool to create epic poetry, tall tales and fantasy.  It has many applications in ELA, both for writing and reading.  Even older students can create books for younger ones!

Specific anchor standards include: Writing 3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.  Production and Distribution of Writing 4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. 5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. 6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.

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