StoryMaker
StoryMaker is a tool that allows students to create their
own digital stories and it can be used with students of any age, primarily
upper elementary though. They can choose from a list of characters, settings,
topics, and items to use in their story. After picking the main character and
the goal of the story, students can begin writing with those things in mind. This
tool allows for student creativity because they have a variety of characters
and settings to choose from, and the set lists of goals and characters helps
students to create a story-line so they know what to write about. After they
finish writing their story, they will get a magic number so they can go back to
the site and view their story at any time. Students can also print their
stories or share them with other people, such as their parents or classmates.
One way that I would use this tool in my classroom is if we
were discussing the importance of goals and how they impact individuals. I
would allow the students to go to the StoryMaker website, which is listed
below, and choose their own character and the goal of the story. I would create
guidelines, such as a page requirement, the minimum number of characters and objects
they need to have, and that students need to include conversation between the
characters. Once the students were finished writing their stories, I would have
them print the stories, get into groups, and share. While in their groups,
I would also have them discuss how the main character’s goals influenced each
story and how their personal goals can influence their individual lives.
The following is a video about StoryMaker that demonstrates how
it is used.
