Picture Stories

This is actually a very simple lesson to use. It requires a digital camera, a few pictures books (any will do as long as there are some full page pictures)and Microsoft's PhotoStory 3. A computer with a microphone is also necessary to record the story. PhotoStory 3 is free to download from Microsoft.com. It also can be used with any grade level. First I taught students how to use our digital cameras. We then brainstormed ideas of pictures that tell stories. I used a few picture books to show examples. Covering the words, I told a story using the pictures. Then I had a few students tell their stories using the same pictures. We discovered how each of us had similiarities and differences in our stories even though we had the same pictures. This was important for them to understand as they would be taking pictures around the school and most likely they would be capturing some of the same subjects. Then I turn them loose about the school in teams of 2 to snap their subjects. When they have completed this portion of the assignment, which took approximately 20 minutes for each team, I then show them how to use PhotoStory3. It is such a simple program that it takes them no time to learn. Next they create their stories. Very few words are needed. Mainly a title. There is also an area for notes so the children can remember what they want to say that is ideal for older students. For my younger students and special needs they make it up as they go and have a great time. One important factor, teach them how to use the microphone. Students have a tendency to raise and lower their voices too much or turn away when they are speaking into the microphones. Ours are very inexpensive microphones. One of my favorite projects was from a team of first graders who focused on milk. They took a picture of the cafeteria workers, a poster of milk, the milk cartons sitting in the cooler and students drinking milk. It was great. This is such an easy lesson but the students seem to throughly enjoy it and it bring out their creative side.