Spring 2005
This fairy tale project has been a joint effort on the part
of Mrs. Lee Bottoms, 2nd grade teacher,
and Ms. Karen Hurd, Technology Resource
Teacher at Collegiate Lower School in Richmond, Virginia.
We had been talking
about doing a project together for some time so when Mrs. Bottoms
mentioned
her children would soon be beginning their fairy tale study, this seemed
to
be a good opportunity for us to put our heads together and plan a fun activity
for
the
children.
Step 1
After reading several fairy tales, the children
were asked to choose one story they would like to re-tell
in their own words. At this
point the children were put in groups of 2 and given index cards
on
which they could plan out their story, including both words and pictures.
A few children said they
preferred
to work
alone so
these children allowed to do so.
Step 2
Once this task was complete, the children
were taken to the computer lab to begin creating
their pictures. Partners
divided up the pages and each worked at his/her own computer
saving to his/her
own folder on the server. Once they completed the pictures, the technology
resource
teacher combined the pictures into one file. From then on the
children could only work
on that one file as they added text boxes and typed the story page
by page.
Step 3
Next, the children learned how to add buttons to allow a reader to move from
page to page.
Once this was completed, it was time for the children to record their stories.
Now, THIS was the
part they were especially excited about doing. There
is something magical about children hearing
their own recorded voices!
As time allowed, the technology resource teacher met with
the authors and recorded
each story. This was rather time consuming but we believe
you will agree it
was well-worth the time and effort!
Here you will see pictures of the planning process!
