Running head: DIGITAL STORYTELLING LP

Digital Storytelling: Lesson Plan

Codi Judd

LITR 630: 21st Century Literacies and Technology

DIGITAL STORYTELLING LP 2

1. Standards your lesson is addressing

Kentucky Academic ELA Standards
o W.3.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of
view with reasons.
o W.3.6 With guidance and support from adults, use technology to
produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to
interact and collaborate with others.
o SL.4.4 Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience
in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant,
descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at
an understandable pace.
o SL.4.5 Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations
when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or
themes.

Kentucky Teacher Standards

o 6.1 Uses available technology to design and plan instruction.
o 6.2 Uses available technology to implement instruction that
facilitates student learning.
o 6.5 Demonstrates ethical and legal use of technology.

International Society of Technology in Education Standards

o 1a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or
processes
o 2b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple
audiences using a variety of media and formats
o 3c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based
on the appropriateness to specific tasks

International Literacy Academy Standards

o 2.2 Candidates use appropriate and varied instructional approaches,
including those that develop word recognition, language
comprehension, strategic knowledge, and reading-writing
connections.
o 4.2 Candidates use a literacy curriculum and engage in instructional
practices that positively impact students knowledge, beliefs, and
engagement with the features of diversity.
o 5.1 Candidates design the physical environment to optimize students
use of traditional print, digital, and online resources in reading and
writing instruction.

2. Grade level
This lesson is to be done with a 4th grade class. The digital story I created will
be used to introduce the students to the concept of digital storytelling as well
as opinion pieces.

3. Time needed to complete the lesson

This lesson will be completed over 4 lessons. The first day, students will be
introduced to digital storytelling and the elements of an opinion piece. If time
allows, students will start brainstorming their ideas for an opinion piece. The
DIGITAL STORYTELLING LP 3

second and third days, students will begin drafting their storyboards and story
maps using provided templates. Mine will be used as an example. The final
day, and more time may be needed, will be for students to finish their boards
and maps and begin creating their digital story. The focus of this lesson plan
will be day 2, 55 minutes.

4. Materials
iPads/ desktops (days 2 & 3)
Storyboards/ story maps (printed or digital copies based on student preference)
Movie making software (day 3)
Search engines (days 2 &3)

5. Learning targets of the lesson

I can create a digital story that states my opinion and is supported with
evidence.
I can record my story and add digital media to tell the story.

6. Procedure of lesson (steps)

On the first day, I will start our writing lesson by showing the students my
digital story Everyone Should Travel Abroad. After watching the story, I
will have students identify the type of writing I used (opinion). I will then
have them brainstorm the structure of an opinion piece (opening statement, 4
facts, and a conclusion).
On day 2, students will begin brainstorming ideas for their opinion piece (if
we didnt start yesterday). Once students have made a list of ideas, they will
then peer conference and meet with me to make a decision about which topic
they will conduct their piece. (15-20 minutes)
Once a topic has been selected, students will begin creating their story map by
organizing their topic sentence, 4 facts, and conclusion. At this point, students
will not be required to add all the information for their opinion piece, just the
highlights. (15-30 minutes)
Some students may finish this step quicker than others and that is ok. As
students complete their story map, they will begin working on their
storyboard. At this point, they will brainstorm pictures they would like to
include in their digital story that support their opinion. Students will be able to
use search engines to find photos or they might include a blank space if they
have personal photos that go along with their topic. They should have a
backup idea in case their guardians do not allow them to bring in the photos.
Families will have the option to upload photos on the Wikispace for their
student to use.
After students have found the photos that support the caption and photo, they
will begin writing their script, which will essentially be their opinion piece. As
stated previously, some students may get to this step sooner than others. They
will include their script under the photo and caption. Students will have the
option to complete their story maps and storyboards digitally or on a
worksheet, depending on their preference.
Once their story board has been edited, they will begin making their digital
story with movie making software to publish on Youtube and to our class
Wiki
DIGITAL STORYTELLING LP 4

7. How you will formatively assess students

Students will formally be assessed through their completion of their story
maps and storyboards. I will be checking for students to include 4 facts with
great supporting detail. This will show me they are allowed to go on to create
their digital story.

8. Accommodations and modifications for students

This assignment will allow for a lot of opportunity for student
accommodations. Students will be allowed to have the choice of working
digitally or on a hard copy of their maps and boards. When it comes to student
typing, they will have the opportunity to use the speech to text extension if
needed. They will also have the chance to upload personal photos if they dont
want to use photos from the internet via our Wikispace or they can bring
photos in from home that I can help them get on to an iPad or desktop.