Examining World Issues Through Digital Storytelling
Lesson 1- Project Distribution
Objectives
- Students gain understanding of project description & requirements
- Students examine how issues around the world become "global issues"
- Students brainstorm about potential projects they will work on
Materials
Teacher laptop & projector
Students receive PROJECT HANDOUT
Procedures
Check in - "List as many events in the last decade that you would consider "World Issues" as you can
Homework
- Students complete project topic BRAINSTORMING HANDOUT for HW.
- Teacher can create a customized list for students to list ideas for topics and use a KWL
- In addition, students can use a provided organizer online - FREEOLOGY
- On their desktop or flash drive, students create a project folder for all resources and work
-This folder can be uploaded to Google Docs later at the end of unit
Assessment
Students complete an exit pass with an exit question on global concerns - exit pass can be a thought, explanation, or connection
Lesson 2- Choosing & Examining a Topic
Objectives
- Students utilize researching techniques
- Students utilize organization skills
- Students learn 21st Century resources to gather information
Materials
Teacher laptop & projector
Computers with internet access (you can print handout if computers not available)
Students work with RESEARCH HANDOUT
Procedures
- Check-In - "Describe how you would use Google to search for information on a research topic"
- Workshop - "How to use Google a a powerful search tool" (click Part 2) - enforce blog, news, scholar search options
- Resources available - UNC Asheville & Harvard College Library
- Teacher Review Brainstorming HW to ensure students have topics
- Teacher can conference with students without topics while others begin research
- Students perform independent research with teacher monitoring room
- Summary - where did you find valuable information? What were the challenges you came across?
Assessment.
Exit Pass - Students fill in the highlights of their research session on an index card. teacher can monitor how successful the research session was for students and make note of those who struggled so that they can be worked with more closely during next session.
* If time and computer availability allots, teacher can run multiple research sessions to ensure strength of student knowledge on topic
-
Lesson 3 – Narrative Writing
Objectives
- Students use graphic organizer to outline/brainstorm ideas into story
- Students utilize the "Elements of a Story" to ensure narrative substance
Materials
- Computer with internet - students can type directly into Google Docs
- Students can use paper or journal for drafting if computers are not available
- Handout of Structure of a Story
Procedures
Check in - "What are the characteristics of a good story?"
- Review Check In and "Elements of a Story"
- Students Rank Elements in order of importance
- Students actively read and annotate "Elements of a Story" worksheet
- Ask students to write story ideas, people, facts, etc. next to the elements on the handout
- Students use Structure of a Story handout from ReadWriteThink.org & Pre-Writing Worksheet as a guide
- Emphasize that non-fiction, world issue stories still follow a structure
- Students may begin Narrative if time allots
Homework
- Students complete their narrative over the weekend. 150 word minimum.
Assessment
As part of the HW or after corrections have been made and returned, students post a blog response to how well they feel their narratives matched the "Elements of a Story" & Structure of a Story handouts
Lesson 4 - Storyboards
Objectives
- Students are introduced to digital storytelling
- Students look at their written narratives in a more "visual" dynamic
- Students use sequencing techniques to outline their movie
Materials
- Teacher laptop & projector
- Students use a class STORYBOARD HANDOUT to transform their narrative into a movie
Procedures
- Show sample storyboard from the movie "Transformers" - Link to movie storyboard
- Check In - " What are the benefits of using a storyboard before you begin making a movie?"
- Direct students to STORYBOARD HANDOUT and have them copy & paste it into their Google Docs.
- Students save the storyboard as "Last Name.Storyboard 1"
- Students complete a STORYBOARD HANDOUT as a brainstorm to narrative/digital story
- Students can copy & paste images onto storyboard, in addition to saving them into their "project folder"
- Ensure image is saved as ".jpg" file for iMovie
- Summary - students can share their storyboards with class
Homework
- Students finish locating digital images/videos for Digital Movie
- Students can "rip" or download online videos (youtube, google, etc) using ZAMZAR
- Students complete their Digital Storyboards & Share it with teacher
- In Google Docs students click "Share", "Invite People", and enter teacher email address
Assessment
- Review Storyboard along with Narrative to ensure main ideas come across in movies
Lesson 5- Becoming Familiar with Digital Movies
Objectives
Students will review sample Digital Stories and evaluate for effectiveness
Procedures
- Students choose & review a sample story from the Digitales Website- click "Storykeepers Gallery"
- Students watch at least 5 stories before doing any evaluation.
- Students grade using Digitales Rubric
- Use the Evaluation Rubric to evaluate 3 story samples
Homework
- Students complete their Digital Storyboards and post them to their blog page.
- In Google Docs - "Share", "Publish as webpage", "Post to Blog"
Assessment
Teacher can assess student understanding of digital stories on their reflections, and grading of sample work.
Lesson 6- iMovie Production
Objectives
Students will utilize digital movie software to tell a story through the use of digital images, video, audio
- Students edit digital images in iPhoto (cropping, effects, etc)
- Students import iPhoto work into iMovie or "click & drag" from project folder
- Students finish editing iMovie (transitions, text, slide duration)
- Students can record VoiceOvers
- Students export iMovie to desktop ("share".... "export movie" ..... on desktop....)
- Students upload to blog in new blog post (title should be title of movie)
- click video tab in blogger toolbar to upload video
- Students write a reflection of your story above or underneath your video in post
Reflection: an explanation of what the viewer will watch. an introduction to the topic, theme of story. information that may not be present in the video (thoughts, feelings, etc)
Objectives
- Students gain understanding of project description & requirements
- Students examine how issues around the world become "global issues"
- Students brainstorm about potential projects they will work on
Materials
Teacher laptop & projector
Students receive PROJECT HANDOUT
Procedures
Check in - "List as many events in the last decade that you would consider "World Issues" as you can
Homework
- Students complete project topic BRAINSTORMING HANDOUT for HW.
- Teacher can create a customized list for students to list ideas for topics and use a KWL
- In addition, students can use a provided organizer online - FREEOLOGY
- On their desktop or flash drive, students create a project folder for all resources and work
-This folder can be uploaded to Google Docs later at the end of unit
Assessment
Students complete an exit pass with an exit question on global concerns - exit pass can be a thought, explanation, or connection
Lesson 2- Choosing & Examining a Topic
Objectives
- Students utilize researching techniques
- Students utilize organization skills
- Students learn 21st Century resources to gather information
Materials
Teacher laptop & projector
Computers with internet access (you can print handout if computers not available)
Students work with RESEARCH HANDOUT
Procedures
- Check-In - "Describe how you would use Google to search for information on a research topic"
- Workshop - "How to use Google a a powerful search tool" (click Part 2) - enforce blog, news, scholar search options
- Resources available - UNC Asheville & Harvard College Library
- Teacher Review Brainstorming HW to ensure students have topics
- Teacher can conference with students without topics while others begin research
- Students perform independent research with teacher monitoring room
- Summary - where did you find valuable information? What were the challenges you came across?
Assessment.
Exit Pass - Students fill in the highlights of their research session on an index card. teacher can monitor how successful the research session was for students and make note of those who struggled so that they can be worked with more closely during next session.
* If time and computer availability allots, teacher can run multiple research sessions to ensure strength of student knowledge on topic
-
Lesson 3 – Narrative Writing
Objectives
- Students use graphic organizer to outline/brainstorm ideas into story
- Students utilize the "Elements of a Story" to ensure narrative substance
Materials
- Computer with internet - students can type directly into Google Docs
- Students can use paper or journal for drafting if computers are not available
- Handout of Structure of a Story
Procedures
Check in - "What are the characteristics of a good story?"
- Review Check In and "Elements of a Story"
- Students Rank Elements in order of importance
- Students actively read and annotate "Elements of a Story" worksheet
- Ask students to write story ideas, people, facts, etc. next to the elements on the handout
- Students use Structure of a Story handout from ReadWriteThink.org & Pre-Writing Worksheet as a guide
- Emphasize that non-fiction, world issue stories still follow a structure
- Students may begin Narrative if time allots
Homework
- Students complete their narrative over the weekend. 150 word minimum.
Assessment
As part of the HW or after corrections have been made and returned, students post a blog response to how well they feel their narratives matched the "Elements of a Story" & Structure of a Story handouts
Lesson 4 - Storyboards
Objectives
- Students are introduced to digital storytelling
- Students look at their written narratives in a more "visual" dynamic
- Students use sequencing techniques to outline their movie
Materials
- Teacher laptop & projector
- Students use a class STORYBOARD HANDOUT to transform their narrative into a movie
Procedures
- Show sample storyboard from the movie "Transformers" - Link to movie storyboard
- Check In - " What are the benefits of using a storyboard before you begin making a movie?"
- Direct students to STORYBOARD HANDOUT and have them copy & paste it into their Google Docs.
- Students save the storyboard as "Last Name.Storyboard 1"
- Students complete a STORYBOARD HANDOUT as a brainstorm to narrative/digital story
- Students can copy & paste images onto storyboard, in addition to saving them into their "project folder"
- Ensure image is saved as ".jpg" file for iMovie
- Summary - students can share their storyboards with class
Homework
- Students finish locating digital images/videos for Digital Movie
- Students can "rip" or download online videos (youtube, google, etc) using ZAMZAR
- Students complete their Digital Storyboards & Share it with teacher
- In Google Docs students click "Share", "Invite People", and enter teacher email address
Assessment
- Review Storyboard along with Narrative to ensure main ideas come across in movies
Lesson 5- Becoming Familiar with Digital Movies
Objectives
Students will review sample Digital Stories and evaluate for effectiveness
Procedures
- Students choose & review a sample story from the Digitales Website- click "Storykeepers Gallery"
- Students watch at least 5 stories before doing any evaluation.
- Students grade using Digitales Rubric
- Use the Evaluation Rubric to evaluate 3 story samples
Homework
- Students complete their Digital Storyboards and post them to their blog page.
- In Google Docs - "Share", "Publish as webpage", "Post to Blog"
Assessment
Teacher can assess student understanding of digital stories on their reflections, and grading of sample work.
Lesson 6- iMovie Production
Objectives
Students will utilize digital movie software to tell a story through the use of digital images, video, audio
- Students edit digital images in iPhoto (cropping, effects, etc)
- Students import iPhoto work into iMovie or "click & drag" from project folder
- Students finish editing iMovie (transitions, text, slide duration)
- Students can record VoiceOvers
- Students export iMovie to desktop ("share".... "export movie" ..... on desktop....)
- Students upload to blog in new blog post (title should be title of movie)
- click video tab in blogger toolbar to upload video
- Students write a reflection of your story above or underneath your video in post
Reflection: an explanation of what the viewer will watch. an introduction to the topic, theme of story. information that may not be present in the video (thoughts, feelings, etc)
