I've been debating for the past few days what I should write about this week. There are so many websites and resources out there that it is hard to pick just one thing to focus on, but I am also very conscious of overwhelming my targeted audience with too much, too soon. However, I reminded myself of that old adage that 'no one can do everything, yet everyone can do something'. So, with that in mind, I hope that each week one of my colleagues at ASM will read about something that really inspires them and I will worry less that all my suggestions, ideas, thoughts are too much for anyone to take in.
So, this week my post will focus on the website, Storybird. Storybird is a collaborative storytelling site where you can create stories based on illustrations submitted by various artists. I have used this site with 3rd graders with great success. The kids love it and ask to use it regularly. Kids can log in to the site with usernames and passwords you set up for them. It does not require email addresses for students use, which is a huge perk. You search through the artists and designs to find something that inspires you and then select the pictures you want to add page by page. To me, this kind of flips the regular order of a writing project, where you might write first and then illustrate, on its head. I like that creative challenge. Take a test run of the site and read some Storybirds that have been created by others. See what you think. This can work at almost any grade level in some format. I know some ASM teachers have already used this site in the past, and a special shout out to Peggy Dorta, who has already planned and discussed with me to introduce it to her class in the coming weeks. Have you used Storybird before? What do you like best? least? How do you manage it in your class? Whole group? Small groups? Please share.
Lastly, I'd also like to give props to Leah Dawson and her 4th grade class. I approached Leah a few weeks ago about a technology project I had in mind and without even knowing what it was, she said yes. (Generally, I'd advise against this!!) However, her project is now underway and, as a result, her class is the first lower school class from ASM on Twitter. They've begun "tweeting" and I hope over the next few weeks and months they will find more and more classes to connect with around the world. The goal is to simply expand their learning beyond the classroom walls. Once we've given them some time to try things out and see how things work, I'm hoping that others will be interesting in adding their class to Twitter. If you personally are on Twitter, look them up at @ASMilanMissD.
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