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| sample story from the site-- click to begin |
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| the pages display full screen |
I played with a bunch of tools, web 2.0 tools, that is, this week but I was the most enthralled with Storybird. (Other sites took a while to "approve" me as a user, or I wasn't able to sign any students up yet, as in the case of EDmodo). This Web 2.0 site basically inspires stories with art. A teacher or student, parent or child, can create a story almost instantly, using the art already included on the site. When finished, the book can be read full screen, clicking to turn pages.
In school we are wrapping up a unit on the universal themes found in Greek myths, particularly the hero's journey. We noticed the story structure and agreed that we could probably write our own adventure story this year. Now that I've found this tool, I think I will do it sooner than later!
Teachers can sign up an unlimited number of students and classes, too, which is a relief. Other websites such as EduGlogster and Edublogs are limiting the number of student accounts per teacher account!
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| So many choices of art, but this one was a great book for elementary, created by a teacher for her class |
This looks like a good tool for literacy, combined with creativity. I truly believe that all the best learning and teaching has some storytelling involved. It creates connections to the content, as well as empowering the collaborative learning environment.
ReplyDeleteLast year I spent quite a bit of time reading Dan Pink’s A Whole New Mind: Why Right-brainers Will Rule the Future. “Story” is one of his six essential senses. Within his mindset, creativity becomes the competitive difference. I believe we need to continue to find ways to foster creativity in all of our students. Storytelling is just one process to enable learning about how to create the “narrative,” not just argument, whether in business or in education.
Your Comment about “the universal themes found in Greek myths, particularly the hero's journey. We noticed the story structure and agreed that we could probably write our own…” made me also think of Dan Pink. He also talks about how the “hero’s story” is a recurring narrative in our society. It is a storytelling tradition!
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI really think you are a closet artist! You seem to gravitate to art on a regular basis! : )
Words that inspire art is always a cool concept. Students could use this site as a catalyst for more personal storytelling and art. I could see my students designing a book for younger children and sharing those stories with them. In the meantime, pick up a paintbrush and create something!
TSalt
Jen, amazing! I agree with Tracye; you are a closet artist! This is a great tool to improve literacy. I think this is also a great tool when learning a 2nd language. I have often used cartoons as a way to start this because it is less drawing. However, if the students have a tool like this, they can create a bigger project! <3 it! Is there a social learning aspect to this? When I was in kindergarten, we had the Senior Art class come in and interview us. The end project was a book where I was the lead character! How amazing would this be to have a Web 2.0 tool that could bring different classes together.
ReplyDeleteWow, This looks like a great site! I'm always looking for tools to improve literacy. I have used editorial cartoons to start discussions, but I didn't realize there was such a site like this one! Such a great idea Jennifer to use this as a catalyst for storytelling! I'm going to use this tool for sure.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have the Spanish class from the high school come to our school too. They did the same thing as PSL:GIE (?) (Sorry don't know the name.) Then they returned with a completed book that was written in Spanish, read it to the kids, then gave their buddies a copy of the book! The kids really looked forward to those visits.
I'm glad I could share something with you guys that you are enthused about-- I was! We'll try it Monday through Friday this week, so I'll let you know how it goes.
ReplyDeleteTracye, I am a latent artist, so sure! I chose Liberal Arts over Visual and Applied arts (RIT's Illustration program) and have some regrets. In college I still used my hands to create backdrops for the theater and loved it and over the past ten years I produced the giant murals for our student talent show, getting my hands dirty of course. Two pregnancies couldn't keep me off the ladder! Hard work but I love it and miss it! Currently I channel my artistic side into jewelry making and fancy cakes for birthdays.
Anyway, my BFF, Meg, who also has great personal style and a great eye (better than mine) teaches her students with art, asking them to "read" 2D art as they would read text, looking for mood, symbolism, characterization and so on. Our disciplines have so much in common!
Jen, I agree this is social as well! The capability of the site is to take turns with the book, so it can be collaborative. But just writing with a reader in mind would keep the book grounded in a specific social environment or archetypal environment (ie. friend to friend or child and parent)
Jen,
ReplyDeleteI love this tool. I am so glad you found it. What a great way to teach literacy and creativity at the same time. I volunteer with a group of younger children who would eat this up and I can imagine myself playing in it for quite some time. This would be a good tool for getting parents more involved with students by having them create a story at home. I think the parents would really enjoy it too. It's learning without realizing it because it's so much fun. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your discovery of Storybird. This is a really neat and fun way to encourage students to show what they are learning in a fun way. I also really enjoy that this tool is so accessible, with the unlimited number of students and classes available when you sign-up. This is yet another fun tool that ties together creating visuals to words and stories to assist with learning a new language. I am excited to try this one out!
Sabrina
Awesome. Another cool tool to introduce to my classes. I think even high school students could be creative and use this tool to demonstrate learning. I also agree with some previous comments that this could be a great literacy tool. It will fit well with the SIOP model. This is a big issue across the nation, but especially in Texas where I teach. I am going to show this to the ESL facilitator on my campus. Thanks, Jen!
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