Storybird

**Resource Links/Class examples**
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 * [|Storybird]
 * Example of a story created by 7-9 year old students

**Strengths**

 * It is easy to use
 * It is free
 * can be done as a group activity
 * stories can be shared publicly or privately
 * product can be printed out or watched on screen
 * can use images from the program to create story
 * Any grade level may use it
 * Opportunity for parents and guardians to "approve" stories children read and create
 * Teachers can sign their students up without emails and manage their accounts
 * Any comemnts, conversations, and stories written in the class account are private (you choose what to share)
 * Teachers can issue assignments
 * Teachers can review students work-in-progress, grade the assignments they issue, and leave comments on their students stories
 * These stories can be embedded onto class blogs, wikis, pretty much anywhere for parents to view them
 * Students can also comment on each others stories (which could serve as a tool for peer editing)

**Weaknesses**

 * Website can be blocked by school districts and need to request access for educational purposes.
 * Printing stories are not free
 * Students could become more interested in creating stories to fit the pictures, than in writing original stories and then adding illustrations.
 * Students can only use the illustrations from one set, they are not able to mix and choose between artists and collections.

**Opportunities**

 * Can create different stories
 * use imagination
 * promote literacy
 * use cognitive thinking skills to draw conclusions of a story
 * meaningful, authentic writing practice with opportunities to engage in the editing process
 * Can be used to help K-1 students understand the importance of character, setting and action as basic elements in a story.
 * meaningful digital writing (typing) practice
 * Can create a "library" of books created, or read to keep track of student learning
 * Challenges allow students to create a story around a particular theme. Challenges are judged by published children's authors and finalists receive prizes.

**Threats**

 * Anyone can comment on a story if made publicly
 * Most stories are pulled before loading if it has offensive comments. One can report abuse if found to be in violation.

**Ideas for the classroom**
> __P.K.3rd Grade Village Project__
 * Group of students can collaborate on creating a story by having each student contribute to the story on each page. Students will add images to correlate to the story.
 * Students can create a story based on a particular piece of art or theme
 * Have students create original artwork either scanned in, or digitally created as an arts integration activity while others take charge of the writing of a particular piece.
 * Use it to document a particular event in the classroom, documentary-style by having students engage in various roles of the production process of story-telling. For example, integrate Storybird into a community outreach-based classroom project such as this developing one, where the "News Crew" could use Storybird to create their digital new story: