Storybird: Letting Writing and Reading Take Flight

Professional Development Lesson Plan

Presenter: Tonya Bowen, Veterans Memorial Middle School media specialist

Location: VMMS Media Center

Target Audience: 6th - 8th grade English Language Arts teachers at VMMS

Purpose: To introduce ELA teachers to Storybird, a writing and reading online resource

I. Background/Rationale

The English Language Arts teachers at VMMS currently use SpringBoard, a textbook company, for most of their classroom curriculum needs. Springboard offers teachers literature selections as well as writing and grammar practice. However, teachers are also requesting the media specialist's assistance in finding online writing and reading tools for students. The media specialist created the professional development for Storybird after piloting the website with her own Reading Enrichment group. The Reading Enrichment group is a combination of 6th and 7th graders at VMMS. Students have created several assignments already, including a poem and a fall or Halloween themed picture book. Most students have also used the website at home to create additional poems, picture books, and chapter books; they also "follow" each other on the site so that they can comment on others' work and use the site as a library to find original reading material. After using Storybird for several weeks with the Reading Enrichment group, the media specialist created the lesson plan, live presentation, and online learning module to help English Language Arts teachers have new, creative resources for their students to use as they become life-long learners, readers, and writers.

II. AASL and ELA Standards Covered

6th Grade - 8th Grades

Common Core Standards AASL Standards CC.L.1 Conventions of Standard English: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking

CC.R.L.10 Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity: By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

CC.SL.2 Comprehension and Collaboration: Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study

1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g., textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning.

3.3.3 Use knowledge and information skills and dispositions to engage in public conversation and debate around issues of common concern.

4.3.2 Recognize that resources are created for a variety of purposes.

4.4.4 Interpret new information based on cultural and social context.

CC.SL.4 Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

2.2.4 Demonstrate personal productivity by completing products to express learning.

3.1.3 Use writing and speaking skills to communicate new understandings effectively.

CC.W.4 Production and Distribution of Writing: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are

3.3.4 Create products that apply to authentic, real-world contexts.

appropriate to task, purpose, and audience

Standards taken from Newton County curriculum maps as well as the AASL website for English Language Arts crosswalk (http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/crosswalk).

III. Desired Outcomes

After participating in the Storybird professional development, teachers will be able to do the following:

1. Create an account on Storybird

2. Become familiar with the Dashboard on Storybird (Write, Read, You, etc.)

3. Create a class on Storybird and add students (username and password)

4. Create an assignment on Storybird

IV. Topics Covered

1. What is Storybird

2. Creating an account

3. Creating a class (adding students and assigning usernames and passwords)

4. Creating an assignment on Storybird

V. Resources for Teachers

Link for BagtheWeb: http://www.bagtheweb.com/b/qgRjLH (copy/paste in browser)

Link for Online Learning Module: www.mediacenterprofdev.com (copy/paste in browser)

PowerPoint: Included in the online learning module as well as presented during live presentation

VI. Follow Up for Teachers

After presenting the live professional development for English teachers as well providing them with links to the online module, PowerPoint presentation, and BagtheWeb link for reading and writing resources, the media specialist will meet with each English teacher individually during planning periods and early release days to answer any other questions or to assist teachers in troubleshooting with Storybird. The media specialist will also host a "Get Chirping" contest in the media center. Students can submit their Storybird creations to the media specialist who will have judges (office staff, the principal, and Connections teachers) pick the best entry. The winning student will have his or her Storybird creation printed in hardback format and displayed in the media center.