Storybird: Different Points of View

Focus question: How can different points of view change what happens in a story?

Technology Tools: http://storybird.com/

Curriculum Coverage:

2.2 Respond to Texts

Construct meaning from texts

retell or represent stories from the points of view of different characters

4.1 Enhance and Improve

Appraise own and others’ work

develop criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of oral, print and other media texts

use developed criteria to provide feedback to others and to revise own work

Enhance legibility

apply word processing skills and use publishing programs to organize information

MAIN GOAL:

1.  Tell a story from different points of view.

2.  Write sentences that are clear and easy for a reader to understand.

ASSIGNMENT PROGRESSION:

In groups of two, students write original stories from different points of view:

1.  In Storybird, student partner groups review the art to choose one theme or artist.

Note: Once students choose either an artist OR theme, they cannot change to a different one during the creation of the Storybird (the program will not let them change).

Note: Browsing by THEME – The larger font themes have more pictures to choose from.

2.  From there, student pairs choose ONE picture to use as a prompt for their original stories. The picture must have at least two characters – one for each student.

3.  Together, student pairs complete the Storybird Planning Sheet (see page 2 of this document).

4.  Together with the class, co-create criteria for the question: What makes a really great first person story?

5.  Students use Storybird to individually write an original story (about the problem and plot events outlined on the Storybird Planning Sheet), from their individual character’s point of view.

6.  Students compare their story with their partner’s story using the Storybird Reflection (page 3 of this document).

7.  ASSESSMENT: Teacher can assess individual Storybirds using the co-created criteria from Step 4. Teacher can also assess understanding of how point of view affects a story by assessing the Storybird Reflection.

Storybird Planning

Name ______Partner’s Name ______

Artist OR Theme we chose together: ______

Story Title: ______

Character Information

1.  What are the characters’ names in our story?

______

2.  Which character’s point of view am I writing from? ______

Plot Information

1.  What is the main problem that will happen in our story?

______

2.  What is one event that happens after the problem is introduced? ______

3.  What is the most exciting part of our story?

______

4.  How does the main problem get solved?

______

Storybird Reflection

Name ______Partner’s Name ______

Story Title: ______

Step 1 – Think about the question below as you share your story with your partner, and they share their story with you.

How can different points of view change what happens in a story?

Step 2 – Reflect on the differences between your stories:

Step 3 – Think about the big picture of your learning:

When I write a short story, why is it important for me to stick to one point of view?

______