As I was reading about how to integrate technology into my U.S. American history curriculum (according to Shelly, Gunter, Gunter in Integrating Technology and digital Media In the Classroom in the knowledge skills) I thought to myself, “This is something I can get!” I am often trying to get my students connected; they often feel that history has no correlation to them. This gives them the connection they are looking for. At my school, we focus on reading in the content areas, so each nine weeks my students read historical fiction. The first year we tried this mandate the students seemed ineffable. Therefore they had no way to connect or to want to tell me how they connected to the history. The final product is a digital storytelling, first using Photo Story then moving to Movie Maker by the 4th nine weeks. Therefore placing technology integration into my curriculum is a natural fit.
Regarding the question what would I wish my students do, I think for the 4th nine weeks I would like to show them part of the Story Of Us by the History channel. I would like to give each student a topic for them to tell the story of U.S. History. I could do a decade, reforms or themes. This would have to be a final project as they would need the basic knowledge of what time period some of these events come from. The challenge will be sending students out to capture parts of this on film. They will have to become part of the time period.
The web resources I use include digital booktalk. I use this often in the classroom to help students make the best decision about books as possible. We also use parts of UB Director Curriculum this way students understand parts of a story and how to create a storyboard. I also use other web sites to help me find story boards and rubrics for students.
Another source that I love to use is Story Of Movies this is a curriculum that has students use popular classic films to teaching history. I do this one lesson in February during Black History Month that the students read about Rosa Parks famous bus ride. We make story boards about this story, how might we show all the important parts. Then we watch a short movie made about the same ride. I ask the question did the moviemakers get the information right.
Do you know what the is the best part about Digital Book Talk and the Story of Movies? They are both free to teachers! You have no excuse to teach your students using digital stories, now what is stopping you?
I wanted to start out by saying that I love your title! I think it is wonderful that you have found such great resources for you and your students to use to get started on their digital stories. While I was looking for stuff to do in mathematics I did not find as many ways to use digital storytelling as I would like to. I think for your subject, the ideas seem limitless. However, I do feel that the idea for my classes will directly correlate with Social Studies and History because the students will be researching the history of people in mathematics. This makes me think that a project to this magnitude should also become cross-curricular. i think this week I plan to talk with some of my fellow teachers from other subject areas to see if they want to take part in this endeavor. I would suggest you to do the same. I think the more teachers and subjects that get involved the more relevant the subject matter will become to students and in turn they will be more motivated about participating and creating quality work.
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteI think your project idea is a great way to get kids active and creative in your classroom. I understand very well how hard it is to get kids to feel any relation to history. Their entire lives are spent noticing every then, recording every now, and looking forward to the next. However, you were very clever to use modern resources to get their attention on the subject area. Digital Book Talk is a wonderful website that not only sparks interest, but breeds creativity. I'm sure this would also work well for your historical fiction assignments, too (if they have a choice on the book to read, of course).
Your project idea for having students "to tell the story of U.S. History" is very intriguing. You have clearly found some great resources to help them out, and I know it is just a start, but this could be a very involved project. Have you considered what mediums your students will be creating/presenting their work in? For example, will you require a full-on movie, or would a Prezi-type presentation work, or something else entirely? I would be very interested in your thoughts on this.
Also, would your students be pulling their information strictly from your class (including the Story of Us and Story of Movies), or would you direct them to other online sources that you yourself have used for class material? I have no doubt that this project would be a wonderful opportunity for your students, and I hope you get a chance to try this out.
What a great idea. I also like the Story of Us from the History Channel. It's just so long that it depends what your unit is on, but I think as you show parts it is wonderful to have them watch it. I had not heard of the Stories of Movies. What I enjoy about using classical films in the curriculum is that those files that were created during that particular time in history (unlike remakes that are current movies but depict historical times) can give students a real depiction and feel of those times. I guess it could just be a challenge getting them to watch some of those classics. After all they just don't have the effects of movies today. I just really like using film in teaching (not just showing a movie and calling that teaching with film). Your project seems like it would be great and engaging.
ReplyDeleteFirst I want to say thanks for sharing your valuable resources on digital story. I usually instruct my students how to create their own digital story either with PowerPoint, movie maker or photo story. I would love to utilize these new resources that you mention in your blog. I believe that your students are gain a wealth of knowledge and are feeling confidence when it comes to technology. You truly are utilizing every aspect of technology into your curriculum. Thanks again for sharing.
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