Skip to main content

Creating Stories in the Social Studies Classroom

By Stockton University student Diana Roberts

Storyjumper is designed to let children to create and publish their own illustrated stories. The program is designed to accommodate experienced writers, as well as beginners. Once children have created a story, they can either publish it, share it, keep it private or have it bound into an actual book (for a fee). The Classroom Edition for teachers includes a separate dashboard and a handful of helpful features and ideas for lessons. Storyjumper has an easy to use interface that incorporates a drag and drop system. Children have the option to select many of the kid-friendly illustrations and graphics, or upload their own artwork or images to incorporate into their book. Images and text can be manipulated in size, and customized in various different ways, in order to create a truly unique storybook. I would use Storyjumper to create a secure virtual classroom and have my students create storybooks that they can share with their families. Some of the specific projects I might focus on as a social studies teacher would be to have students create an illustrated biography of a historical figure, talk about a historical event from a fictional character's point of view, or tell a story about what we might learn from a past event. Below are some links on how other teachers use Storyjumper: http://fearlesstech4teachers.blogspot.com/2012/04/jump-start-writing-process-with.html https://igorgoren.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/igor-tries-out-storyjumper/ http://www.julianagoldwater.com/story-jumper.html

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hands-on Learning with Tinker Boxes

A Reggio-inspired tinker box is a learning tool inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to education. This approach emphasizes the importance of hands-on, experiential learning and encourages children to explore, tinker, and discover for themselves. A Reggio-inspired tinker box is filled with various materials and tools that children can use to explore and create. The box's contents might include craft supplies, beads, buttons, scissors, paper, tape, and more. The purpose of the tinker box is to allow children to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to create and explore on their own. It is a way to encourage open-ended, imaginative play and promote learning through hands-on exploration and discovery. In addition, some Tinker boxes are tech-enhanced or STEM educational kits that contain materials and instructions for children to engage in hands-on, creative problem-solving activities. They are designed to encourage children to explore and experiment with different materia...

Choice Boards in Middle School- what you need to know

Choice boards are a great tool for middle school teachers to use in their classrooms. They allow students to have a say in their learning and can be used in a variety of subjects and settings. What is a choice board? A choice board is a visual representation of a set of options that students can choose from to complete a task or activity. It can be used in place of a traditional worksheet or assignment, giving students the opportunity to select their own learning path. Choice boards can be created in a variety of formats, including physical boards with cut-out choices, or digital versions using tools like Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint. Benefits of using choice boards in middle school Choice boards can be especially beneficial for middle school students, as they are at a stage where they are developing their own interests and preferences. Allowing them to choose their own learning activities can increase motivation and engagement. Choice boards can also support differentiation i...

Get out of the classroom with virtual tours

Virtual field trips are an exciting way for middle school students to experience new places and concepts without ever leaving the classroom. Using technology, students can visit locations and learn about subjects in a interactive and engaging way. One great example of a virtual field trip is the American Museum of Natural History's Hall of North American Mammals (Grades 3-5) You can do a virtual hall tour with a student worksheet that is designed to span about one class period, or you can assign additional activities to extend the exploration over two or more class periods. Their tour allows students to explore habitat dioramas to learn how animals must be adapted to an environment in order to survive in it. Another excellent virtual field trip is the "Virtual Youth Docent Tours" tour offered by the National Air and Space Museum. Each interactive Virtual Youth Docent Tour presentation for 3rd - 5th grades lasts approximately 45 minutes and will be hosted on Zoom. Links: A...