Monday, October 4, 2010
BP4
They say sometimes you have to kiss a lot of frogs. I felt that way when I was looking for a new, exciting, creative Web 2.0 site to share with you. I couldn't use anything I already use, and I have to confess I wasted a fair amount of time looking at things that didn't pan out before I found this really cool site! Storybird is a wonderful place where students can collaborate in writing stories. Teachers can create class groups and keep the children's work private to the group. Finished stories can be emailed to friends. As an example, one of the many helpful tutorials on this site suggested a teacher choose one of the pieces of art Storybird offers and write a story based on the photo. Each piece of artwork is part of a group, so that other illustrations of a similar style are available to choose from. The book was very easy to make, and the artwork made it lots of fun. I made a Screenflow video so that I could share my Storybird experience with you. The poem is original by me. The artwork and format are by Storybird,
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Pat -
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome Web 2.0 tool and a very creative example using your own original poem. One of my lifelong dreams has been to write and publish some children's books based on Don Miguel Ruiz's book called The Four Agreements. I can envision using this tool to get me started on fulfilling that dream and sharing my stories on my website and with friends who are also interested in writing inspiring stories for kids. I think that even some of the students in my Executive MBA class might be interested in using this tool with their own children. Thanks for sharing - I can't wait to check it out and create my own storybook.
Neat tool! I love that we are discovering ways to really keep creativity alive and share it with others from all over the planet. I will definitely be making the elementary teachers I work with, aware of this site.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing you story!
-Rachel
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteThis is really cute! I will put this link in my 'teacher's links' page of my e-book, because I think my Adventures of Little Boat book is relevant to digital storytelling as well. I think you've found a great tool. Can you use your own artwork if you have it?
Z
Great tool. As soon as I read your blog, I was already thinking, "How could I use this tool in my classroom?" There are so many ways that this site could be utilized in any grade level and in any curriculum. I really like how you thought of the many ways teachers and students could collaborate this tool to produce a superior product.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a super cool tool! After reading about it, I decided to go check it out. It is unbelievably easy for someone like me who is not artistic in any way to make a beautiful story book. This is a great tool for educators in any subject area to create class stories. As I reflected on how i could use this in my classroom, I'm thinking it would be a great way to write biographies about composers. Students could use facts they have learned to tell the story and use the pictures to illustrate. I, like Zoe, am wondering if you can use your own artwork.
Thanks,
Jenn
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ReplyDeleteI loved this site! I first thought how fun it would be to create storybooks with my grandchildren, not only can I help improve their reading and writing skills (they are 6 & 7), but I love being able to spend time and be creative with them. Lovely site. I love that you not only create a story but you can read others as well. It can be a good way to help children work through grief. My daughter recently lost a neighbor who left behind 2 young children who could use this site to write about all the fun they had with their dad, as a way to hold onto his memory and work through the grief at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWhen I introduce the book arts discussion I can use this site with my high school students as well, in a collaborative project. I share illustrated books with them, along with fun pop-up art books, in a unit I do on "book arts". This was a lot of fun. Thank you for discovering it for us.
Hi, Pat,
ReplyDeleteThe Web 2.0 tool that you found, StoryBird, is fantastic! I am doing my Action Research on digital story telling, so this site fits right in. I want to try it out and view the site and its tools. I can hardly wait when I can find the time (right?)