Learning Target: We can name several of the elements that go into making a good story
Today, we started with showing a digital story that I put together over the summer about my relationship with writing. I pointed out how important details are to telling an effective story and that for digital stories especially those details are personal. I used some old photos of my parents and music that was recorded on an annual camping trip with my friends. The personal touches are what make the story, your story, irreplaceable and unique and worthy of my time.
We then used the 50 Things that are True About You exercise to generate a story. Everyone circled three things that are most true about themselves from the list. Then they put a check mark next to the three things that are most mysterious or intriguing. I asked everyone to use one of those six things as the inspiration for a story. Stories are collections of moments when there is a change or a potential for change. They occur at specific times and in specific places. Can you write a story in ten minutes? Sure you can.
We shared out our stories in a story circle, each person getting 90 seconds to tell their story. We talked about wonderful details that reveals things about characters (e.g. Cool Romance, long hair, German electronica, etc.). We talked about the way music can match or contrast with the emotions of a story. We talked about how each story left us curious for more details or more emotional “color.”
We ended by showing “Alley Cat,” a digital story that uses music to turn what could be a sad story about Alzheimer’s Disease into a happy story about a relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter.
Homework due on Monday
Take the writing personality quiz
Start thinking about a topic for your digital story
Today, we started with showing a digital story that I put together over the summer about my relationship with writing. I pointed out how important details are to telling an effective story and that for digital stories especially those details are personal. I used some old photos of my parents and music that was recorded on an annual camping trip with my friends. The personal touches are what make the story, your story, irreplaceable and unique and worthy of my time.
We then used the 50 Things that are True About You exercise to generate a story. Everyone circled three things that are most true about themselves from the list. Then they put a check mark next to the three things that are most mysterious or intriguing. I asked everyone to use one of those six things as the inspiration for a story. Stories are collections of moments when there is a change or a potential for change. They occur at specific times and in specific places. Can you write a story in ten minutes? Sure you can.
We shared out our stories in a story circle, each person getting 90 seconds to tell their story. We talked about wonderful details that reveals things about characters (e.g. Cool Romance, long hair, German electronica, etc.). We talked about the way music can match or contrast with the emotions of a story. We talked about how each story left us curious for more details or more emotional “color.”
We ended by showing “Alley Cat,” a digital story that uses music to turn what could be a sad story about Alzheimer’s Disease into a happy story about a relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter.
Homework due on Monday
Take the writing personality quiz
Start thinking about a topic for your digital story