Digital Storytelling: Creating a Story Board

This week, I have been researching a new and exciting tool that is excellent for the classroom: digital storytelling! I feel so fortunate to be alive during a time where technology is growing at an exponential rate. Though I have been introduced to many technological elements in my life, this was the first time I was introduced to a way to create movies. In the classroom, digital storytelling can be an exciting teaching tool that can really engage your students.

I have been studying the essential question: "why do we have seasons." During this semester, I have found many videos, images and great information about the topic. I know that this would be a great topic to create a movie that will excite my third grade students. In order to make a great movie, I had to decide how I would include the seven elements of digital storytelling.

1. Point of View – This will be from a teacher's point of view, in a conversation with a student.
2. A Dramatic Question – "Why does the earth have seasons?"
3. Emotional Content – creates curiosity and gives viewers answers.
4. The Gift of your Voice – presents information as a conversation rather than just a presentation.
   
5. The Power of the Soundtrack – background music used while the teacher presents a picture and answers the dramatic question.
6. Economy – conversation is short, to the point, and question is answered with a picture and a simple explanation.
7. Pacing – the story progresses rather quickly. It sets up the dramatic question and answers the question in a direct manner.
   

Once I began creating my story board, I was decide how I would lay out my video. My approach to the video was taping a conversation between a student and teacher because I felt like it presented the information in a more personal way. I look forward to creating my video, and sharing it not only with you all, but with my third grade students!