Here we are, the very end of Course 4! I am going to cut to the chase and spell out two options I came up with for my Course 5 project. From where I am standing now, I cannot tell which will work out better or which will suit my students. I am thinking that since we need to embed technology in every unit anyway, I may just attempt both ideas and see which fits the project guidelines better and present that one.
Option 1: Oral Storytelling
We use the Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop model to teach literacy all year long, and this unit ties it all together, basically. It is a celebration of what the students have learned as readers and writers. Some of the things they will be doing:
- Read picture books to choose a story to re-tell
- Listen to stories (recognize story structure, learn to give speaker attention, understand what makes a story sound interesting)
- Re-tell a story using skills: summarizing, voice expression, including relevant information, sequencing, body language
I think this unit is a good possibility for the project because many of these tasks create an opportunity to embed technology. Some of the opportunities I thought about are:
- Listen to and/or watch professional storytellers or famous authors. (they will be able to see first-hand how someone else uses their voice and body language to tell a story)
- Give students a choice of how to create their oral re-telling into a digital story. They could simply speak and be video recorded, use VoiceThread, or they could create a story using PuppetPals, ToonTastic, or Sock Puppets. They could draw illustrations digitally and narrate over them using FotoBabble or StoryRobe.
- Share with a class somewhere else in the world
- Share with other classes in the school
- Have a unit celebration day where parents are invited to hear our stories but broadcast it over Skype so another class and family, friends around the world can join.
- Link in to a Flat Classroom Project. Last year my class did a FCC but we didn’t connect it to any existing unit.
Option 2: Unique Expressions
Our PYP unit for “How We Express Ourselves” is Unique Expressions, in which children will inquire into different art medium by which people express themselves. When this unit was taught in the past, students looked at picture books, paintings, music and sculptures. We discussed feelings associated with them. We also had a “talent show” of sorts in which the children presented items from their personal learning – paintings, drawings, piano, dance, singing. My ideas of how to link technology are quite similar to option 1 but in relation to this unit.
- Listen to and/or watch professional dancers, musicians or singers. (they can talk about feelings expressed)
- Give students a choice of how to present their “unique expression.” PuppetPals, FotoBabble, VoiceThread
- Share with a class somewhere else in the world
- Share with other classes in the school
- Have a unit celebration day where parents are invited to view our art forms but broadcast it over Skype so another class and family, friends around the world can join.
- Link in to a Flat Classroom Project. Last year my class did a FCC but we didn’t connect it to any existing unit.
For both units, I have the same reflections: One of my concerns would be having too many options for the kids. They are familiar with most of the tools already but a few new ones would be introduced and still require minimal teacher supervision. They are 5, after all, and sometimes too many options can dilute the quality of the end product. I think one of the shifts is that students will have more autonomy. With oral presenting skills, it is usually that one student presents, then the other students and teacher will give constructive feedback on how to improve. With digital storytelling, the student may be able to review it themselves, make corrections and then only present the product they are proud of. Since some material will go in the digital trash, there will be formative work that I’ll never have the opportunity to see. I don’t think there will be new skills required of my students, since I am already teaching them these apps and tools for other means. However, I will require their independence to use these tools, and record their work.
