A LETTER TO YOUR PARENTS

Dear Parents,

You are receiving this letter because your child is in one of my classes:

7th & 8th Grade Religion
High school ESL Religion

For the next three to four weeks following Spring Break, I will be teaching your child how to create a Digital Story which is a story made in a program like Power Point using pictures and your child’s voice.

To accomplish this task:

1.The student will choose a story from a list of parables that teach a moral lesson.

2.The student will find digital photos to illustrate their story; they can be personal photos, images from the Internet, or clip art and create a story board using Photo Story 3.

3.The student will title each photo.

4.The student will write a one to two sentence script that tells the story and matches the photos.

5.The student will record their voice reading the script.

6.The student will choose appropriate background music to be played during the presentation of their digital story.

7.The student will save the file as a .wmv (windows media video file)

8.The student will upload it to You Tube for you to see.

To make this project simple, each student needs the following items:

Must have:

Their own head set with a microphone that has two jacks to plug into the earphone and the microphone ports on their computer.

Very helpful:

A laptop so they can work on this project in my class or in the dorm when they cannot be in the computer lab.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ingoldjr@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support in your child’s education.

Sincerely,

Ms. Jennifer R. Ingold,
Religion Teacher

How to Cite a Source

Every time you find an image that you would like to save, do the following:

1. Highlight the url (http://www.asldkflaskdj.com)

2. Copy

3. Paste into a file folder you have created titled "Credits"

4. When you create your credits page, organize the credits from A to Z.

Here are two examples of how to cite a web page:

Example #1:

Bristol Stories. (n.d). Resources. Retrieved October 22, 2007, from
http://www.bristolstories.org/resources.php.
This website provided several links to relevant digital storytelling websites. Also provided is a list of media that is available for use for digital storytelling as well as different software and tools available.

Example #2:

Center for Digital Storytelling. (n.d.). Storycenter.org. Retreived October 30, 2007, from http://www.storycenter.org/
The Califonia-based Center for Digital Storytelling is dedicated to the art of digital storytelling. The Center offers workshops and a variety of resources, including case studies. They also link to a number of digital stories.

Cite your sources and give proper credit for images, music, etc.; the following website is given credit for the above examples:

http://courseweb.lis.illinois.edu/~jevogel2/lis506/bibliography.html

What Does Cite Mean?

Cite means to give credit to the person who took a picture or created an image or wrote an article.

What to Search For On the Internet

Search for and save these resources in the folder you just made:

i. Images including:

1. Pictures

2. Drawings

3. Photographs (photos)

4. Maps

5. Charts, etc.

ii. Informational content including anything that might come from:

1. Web sites

2. Word processed documents

3. PowerPoint slides

iii. Audio resources such as:

1. Music

2. Speeches

3. Interviews

4. Sound effects

How to Upload Your Digital Story to You Tube

1. Create a FREE account on You Tube

2. Once you are signed, click the link to the right of the search box that says, "Upload".

3. Find your Digital Story .wmv file and upload.

4. Email all of your family and friends and include the link on You Tube.

5. Be proud of yourself knowing you did your best! :)

Here is a short video to watch that will show you how to upload a video file to You Tube:

How to Prepare Your Digital Story For You Tube

1. Receive the teacher’s and each student’s evaluation of your digital story presentation.

2. Make the changes that were suggested and that you agree with.

3. Email your changed file to the teacher.

How To Prepare For Your Presentation

1. How to prepare for your presentation of your digital story:

a. Wear your uniform or very nice clothes

b. Be prepared to answer questions from the teacher and classmates

c. Show your digital story to your teacher and classmates

Steps to Finishing Your Digital Story

1. Choose which images you will use (SEE RUBRIC: IMAGES)

2. Decide on what audio or background music you will use (SEE RUBRIC: SOUNDTRACK)

3. Have your perfect English sentences ready to type into Photo Story 3

4. Import images into Photo Story 3 (SEE RUBRIC: IMAGES)

a. Make sure image order matches sentence order

5. Title the images in Photo Story 3 (SEE RUBRIC: IMAGES)

6. Type in the perfect English sentence(s) for each picture into Photo Story 3

7. Connect your earphone and mic to your computer to record

a. Record one sentence(s) per picture at one time (SEE RUBRIC: NARRATION)

b. Listen to the recording for that one picture

c. Decide if you like it and if you do, click next

d. If you do not like it, re-record until you like it

8. Upload audio or background music (SEE RUBRIC: SOUNDTRACK)

a. Turn it down to the correct volume (25% of full volume)

b. Make sure the background music is much softer than your voice

9. Save as a Windows Media Video (.wmv) file

10. Have a friend watch your story.

11. Email yourself the .wmv file to to test it.

12. Open your email and then open the .wmv file to make sure it works

13. Email the teacher your digital before you present it in class.

14. Receive corrections and make sure it is completely ready for your presentation.

Rubric: Content

Remember:

4="A" Work

3="B" Work

2="C" Work

1="D" Work

0="F" Work

Rubric: Soundtrack and Sounds

Remember:

4="A" Work

3="B" Work

2="C" Work

1="D" Work

0="F" Work

Rubric: Narration

Remember:

4="A" Work

3="B" Work

2="C" Work

1="D" Work

0="F" Work

Rubric: Images

Remember:

4="A" Work

3="B" Work

2="C" Work

1="D" Work

0="F" Work

Rubric: Writing the Story

Remember:

4="A" Work

3="B" Work

2="C" Work

1="D" Work

0="F" Work

How Your Project Will Be Graded

Your project will be graded using a rubric. (I post the rubrics in sequential posts).

A rubric is a list of expectations that are rated on a scale of 1 to 4.

4 = "A" work

3 = "B" work

2 = "C" work

1 = "D" work

0 = "F" work

To get an "A", you must work very hard and earn it.

How to do this:

1. Read the rubric.

2. Understand the rubric.

3. Ask the teachers questions if you do not understand.

4. Get someone to translate for you if you still don't understand.

5. Fulfill all the requirements in the column under "4" on the rubric 100%.

BE THE RESPONSIBLE STUDENT

AND

DO THE PROJECT RIGHT

SO

YOU GET CREDIT

or

THE GOOD GRADE FOR IT!

Which Student is Doing What Parable

Here are the parables with links to the place in the Bible; if you click on the blue, underlined link, it will take you to the actual story in the Bible :) Listed below that is a list of which student chose which parable.

Parables of Jesus:

Matthew 13:45-46 Merchant Seeking PearlsAmber John 10:1-5 Good Shepherd Amy Matthew 13:3-10 The Sower Becky Matthew 13:44Treasure Hid in a Field Bob Chi Matthew 22:1-15 King's Son Danny Luke 15:3-7 Lost SheepDavid Lim Matthew 13:31-32 Grain of Mustard Seed David Storie Luke 18:1-8 Unjust JudgeEcho Matthew 18:23-35 King accounts Servants Elsa Luke 7:41-43 Creditor with Two DebtorsElsa Matthew 7:24-28 The Wise and the Foolish Builder Eric Matthew 21:28-32 Man with Two Sons Eva Luke 16:19-31 Rich Man and Lazarus Grant Mark 4:26-29 Casting Seed Irene Luke 10:30-36 Good Samaritan Jack Matthew 25:14-30 Talents: Far Travelling Man Joyce Matthew 25:1-13 Ten Virgins Judy Luke 6:39-42 Blind Leading Blind Julian Luke 14:28-35 Building a Tower Ling Matthew 9:16-18 New Cloth Martin Luke 15:11-32 Prodigal Son Matthew Luke 14:7-12 Man Invited to Wedding Polly Matthew 20:1-16 Hired Labourers Suzie Matthew 13:47-50 Net Cast into Sea Tommy Matthew 13:52 Instructed Scribe Tommy

How to Give Credit for Images You Use

Give proper credit for images, music, etc. by citing your sources:

This website gives you many examples of how to cite your sources:

http://courseweb.lis.illinois.edu/~jevogel2/lis506/bibliography.html

Here is one example:

Bristol Stories. (n.d).Resources. Retrieved October 22, 2007, from
http://www.bristolstories.org/resources.php.
This website provided several links to relevant digital storytelling websites. Also provided is a list of media that is available for use for digital storytelling as well as different software and tools available.

Learn How to Use Photo Story 3: Step 5

It is VERY easy to use Photo Story 3, but if you want a few extra instructions or tips on how to use it more effectively, please watch this video clip; it does not have any narration, but the actions tell you everything you need to know:

How to Download Photo Story 3: Step 4

1. Now you must download Photo Story 3 to your computer so that you can begin putting your story together. Watch this video clip to learn how to do this:

: http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/photostory.html (Microsoft)

http://www.photo-freeware.net/microsoft-photo-story-3.php (Free ware)

Creating Your Digital Story: Step 3

It is now time to find images or photos or pictures or clip art to illustrate your story. Watch the video below to learn how to save images to your file folder (first 1/2 of video); the second half of the video shows you how to create a shortcut on your desktop (I don't require you to do this).

Here is another short clip on how to save an image from the Internet. This one includes written instructions as the lady talks. Always remember to copy the web site url and paste it in a file in a folder called credits so that you can have an easy time making your credits page at the end of your digital story. You wouldn't want anyone to take credit for doing something you did, right? So, let's be respectful and give others credit for the images or photos they made or took.

How to Do an Advanced Search in Google

How to Create a Folder to Save Images, Etc. In

1. Prepare to search for images on the Internet: (SEE RUBRIC: CONTENT)

a. HOW TO: Create a folder on your desktop where you can store the materials you find. To do this:

i. Open “My Computer”

ii. Right click and left click on “New”

iii. Left click on “Folder”

iv. Name the folder “ESL REL Digital Story Book”

v. Make the “My Computer” window smaller

vi. Drag the file name to your desktop: “ESL REL Digital Story Book”

vii. Right click and click on “Sort by” >> “Name”

viii. DONE J

How To Write Your Story For Narration

PART 1: Read, Understand, Write, Submit

1. Read and understand the parable you chose from the list:

a. WORKSHEET: Write down the vocabulary that you do not understand and define it.

b. You can listen to your parable at the following web address: http://www.godsipod.com/bible_podcasts/

2. Write the parable in your own words and submit it to the teacher via Google Docs
a. Here is a video to show you why Google Docs is so useful and how to use it:

b. WORKSHEET:

i. Reread the story and look for the moral lesson and write it down; this is now the purpose of your story.
ii. Create a story you could tell from your parable and write it in 10-15 sentences.
iii. Have a friend proof read your work.
iv. Submit your sentences to me via Google Docs for corrections.
v. Receive corrections and make sure it is completely ready for recording your narration

This information is adapted from the University of Houston’s Digital Story Telling Website.

Why I Decided to Have You Do a Digital Story...

Since February 21, 2010, I have been taking a class called "Educational Technology". It has been teaching me all about the 21st-Century Technology and how to use it in the classroom. The class has been teaching that students in your generation live and breath technology. Since it is such a big part of your life, I decided to bring your knowledge and expertise into the classroom and let you show me what you can do.

One of my projects was to create a digital story. I learned a lot creating this story. And, I had so much fun with it! My story is about our trip to Thailand.

Digital Story EXAMPLES

"God and Dog" - Notice the emotions you feel as you watch this digital story.



The Story of Ruth - We just studied this. Someone used their creativity to tell this story.



The Three Trees - You already know this story if you saw it during Sabbath School at T.A.I.S. on March 20, 2010. However, this version looks like it was made my elementary children.

What are Digital Story Books

This short movie will tell what a digital story is. You can create one on the two forms of software that are mentioned at the end of the movie. However, for this class project, you will create your digital story on Photo Story 3 .