When I begin teaching, I am hoping to work in the fourth grade. I have done most of my teaching experiences and internships in the third and fourth grade, and found that I absolutely love this age group. As part of my curriculum in fourth grade social studies, I would like to include a digital storytelling project addressing the exploration and settlement of Florida unit. I would use this project to address the 10 Sunshine State Standards for this unit of study, as well as standards in writing and technology.
For this project, I would assign students into small groups of about 4-5 per group. Students would pick an explorer (Hernando De Soto, Ponce De Leon, etc.) and create a digital story about their life and their exploration (including motivation, interactions with Native Americans and impact on Florida). Students could also choose to do their project on one of the major Native American tribes during this time and create a digital story about their tribes, migration, ways of life and effect the explorers had upon them.
To prepare my students for this activity, I would first show them a few examples of digital stories on similar content and discuss them as a whole class. We would discuss the different components of a digital story, including video, graphics, audio and text. Hooking my laptop computer up to the projector, I would go through the process of partially completeing a sample digital story with my students to give them an idea of what they will be doing. I would also provide a rubric and step by step directions on how to compose the digital story on my homepage or wiki page for students to access at any time. On my page I would include a few examples of digital stories for students to view at home with their parents.
During this activity, students will be using different type of web resources to gather information for their story. Students would use the Internet and different search engines to do research on their chosen topic, and then use programs such as Microsoft Word to jot down information they want to include in their story. Students should be using this information to create timelines based on their explorer or Native American tribe's life and events.
In order to empower my students to produce a good digital story, I would allow them to use other tools such as a microphone and / or digital video camera, where they would record themselves reading information from their research, and digital cameras or scanning software where they can include images they have produced, or images of their timeline and research. I would try to get the media specialist to work with me on this project and guide students in using this type of equipment.
You said that you would use“…digital storytelling project addressing the exploration and settlement of Florida unit.” What a great way to have the students learn about a topic and incorporate technology at the same time. I have a daughter who is in the 5th grade, I only wish that her teacher would integrate more technology into the curriculum. Technology is much more a part of our lives today, and the earlier exposure that kids have to it, the more likely they will be able to utilize it in their daily lives.
ReplyDelete“On my page I would include a few examples of digital stories for students to view at home with their parents.” As a parent of two daughters, I absolutely love this idea. I’m very involved in my daughter’s school work and would appreciate the examples to see at home. This might also be a way to inspire students to create and use digital stories of their own for use in projects or homework.
Wow! This project seems like a lot of fun. I’m sure the kids would love it. You wrote ,” I would also provide a rubric and step by step directions on how to compose the digital story on my homepage or wiki page for students to access at any time.” I think that this is a great idea to post the rubric and directions on the web. The students should be referring to both the directions and the rubric throughout the project to make sure they are fulfilling all the requirements. Too often I have students who turn in assignments with missing components. When I ask them why they did not follow the directions or the rubric completely, their answers are usually some form of “I lost it.” Posting these on the Internet would solve this problem. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI also like that you are going to incorporate the use of the microphone to record the students’ voices and digital cameras to include photos. I think this will make it more interesting for the students making the presentation as well as for the students watching it. It is also always a good idea to use your resources at your school like your media specialist. They are experts, and the students like to hear a different voice for a change.
"I would assign students into small groups of about 4-5 per group. Students would pick an explorer (Hernando De Soto, Ponce De Leon, etc.) and create a digital story about their life and their exploration...."
ReplyDeleteWhat form would you like these student-produced digital stories to take? Are you envisioning videos? If so would this be using a tool such as Animoto or PhotoStory, or would you have students actually shoot video with a camera and edit it? If not a video, would you use Prezi or SlideShare or some other tool?
Just curious. :-)
I really like the subject and thoroughly planned storytelling project you have for your students. Your digital storytelling project plan “addressing the exploration and settlement of Florida…” (para. 1)—in which your students “…create a digital story about their life and their exploration (including motivation, interactions with Native Americans and impact on Florida)” (para. 2)—sounds very exciting, especially for kids that age. They can even tell stories within story. This project may actually be quite exciting for adults as well—particularly those who like to write short stories.
ReplyDeleteYour detail pre- and post-plans were inspiring for me. You explained that “To prepare my students for this activity, I would first show them a few examples of digital stories on similar content and discuss them as a whole class” (para. 3). Indeed discussing “different components of a digital story, including video, graphics, audio and text” (para. 3) will further enable students to explore the possibilities and expand their imaginations as they delve into the process of creating their digital story project.
I had not thought of providing a “rubric and step by step directions on how to compose the digital story…” (para. 3) as detailed as yours in my project plan. Such a great idea; it does make sense. I also agree that allowing students to use different media tools “such as a microphone and/or digital video camera” (para. 5) will empower them in creating their digital story.
You and I chose to have our students complete a digital storytelling project on the same idea!!! Our ideas are almost identical. I like how you want your students to have the ability to incorporate microphones or the use of a digital camera into their presentations. That would add more of a personal touch to their projects and would ensure more engagement and interest in their topic.
ReplyDeleteOne thing you did not mention that I had thought of was giving them a rubric ahead of time so that they know exactly what is expected of them in their projects. It gives students a better understanding of what you are looking for when you grade them.
Being a fourth grade teacher currently, I would like to suggest that you use a literature source or other activity to introduce your students to early exploration and how Europeans came to the New World. Many students have almost no knowledge of Columbus anymore and the impact that his voyages had on the Americas. It's a great starting point.
Obviously, I think you have an awesome idea!!!! Way to go!