PBI Unit Project

For this unit on short stories students will complete an extended project in class that will be worked on over a 4 week time period. This project is entitled “Digital Storytelling”. Throughout the unit, students will be learning about the short story and eventually writing their own short story. They will then take their story and create a digital story. Students will be given instruction on the elements of a short story and then apply those elements to their paper. They will gain an understanding of different forms of technology, in order to complete their digital story. Students will be working in small groups on this project. There will be class time set aside for the students to work on the majority of their project. The project itself will require minimal time outside of class to complete. At the end of the unit, students will present their digital stories to the class.

Background Information

When trying to implement this project in their classroom an English teacher should be sure that they are familiar with how to create a digital story. It is recommended that a teacher create a digital story themselves, before they taught the project. It would also be helpful for the teacher to use the digital story they created as an example for their students. Teachers should also be familiar with how to use Microsoft PowerPoint and Windows Moviemaker. Teachers should practice how to transfer a PowerPoint into Moviemaker. It is also recommended that the teacher review and understand how to create a storyboard. The story board will be an important tool for your students to create their digital story.