FOCUS OVERVIEW FOR DIGITAL STORYTELLING

(from Michela Bennett and her students at Anza Trail Middle School in Sahaurita, Arizona)

• Show, Don’t Tell!
• Music and how it creates and evokes emotions
• Wording and Pace, how they enhance the reading and listening
• World or Community Issues: how we can all understand and relate (more moving).
• Pictures – are they worth a thousand words? Do they encompass and help with the understanding and feel of the piece of writing presented?

Universal topics and problems (student generated):

• Hunger
• Homelessness
• War; i.e. missing parent
• Love
• Family
• Taking of animal habitat
• Moving as in changing homes
• New on the block
• Breaking up
• New baby in the home
• Deception
• Treasures you have
• Advice
• Lessons learned
• Fear
• Hatred
• School/Community Issues

SHOW, DON’T TELL!!

From CogDogRoo

Try a Story Idea Prompt

So if you are stuck for ideas, here are some prompts:

• What was your favorite childhood pet?
• Where was your most memorable vacation?
• What topic most inspired you in grade school?
• Where is a place in the world you'd like to visit?
• What is the most adventurous thing you have done?
• Who was an influential authority in your subject discipline?
• Or just describe a collection of things such as
• Five attributes of a great writer
• The top technology gadgets of the future
• Most important discoveries in your field
• Favorite cars, vegetables, flowers, tools
• Collection of things that don't belong

SAD

I sat in the shade of the orchards thick leaves and let the emptiness, that so gingerly followed me through my darkest hours, finally consume me and I let out a single tear with a heartfelt shuddering sigh. (Kayla VonGunden)

SCARED

With my heart in my throat and my palms slick with sweat, I watched you get down on one knee with a question burning in your eyes. I feel that my life is about to change. (Briana Chavez)

MAD

My face flushed red and a vein stuck out from my forehead. I clenched my fist to stop myself from yelling and causing a scene. (Clayton Casciato)

HAPPY

With my friends and family on a bright sunny picnic day, so many giggles, so many smiles, and so many memories to carry in my heart throughout time. (Colleen Lee)

Interview Question Ideas

Intro – your name and something jazzy catchy

What do you think about…. The government, President Obama, immigration, ….

Tell me about your neighbors. Have you ever had an interaction with your neighbors?

What changes have you seen in ….

Who did you grow up with?

What was it like growing up?

Where did you grow up?

Where were you raised?

What makes you unique? And not vanilla.

What kind of ice cream would you be? Why?

What do you think about the economic crisis?

How well have you adapted to the changes (from the crisis?)

What have you lived through that is similar to today?

What was your priority as you became an adult?

How was your life as a teen compared to now?

How has the world changed?

Who did you grow up with? Family? Crazy neighbors?

What is the coolest dress you ever wore?

Is your life the way you imagined it as a kid?

How was it living in Mexico? What were the good things about living there?

What was it like for my parents when they were small?

What was the happiest day of your life? What made it happier than other days?

What was a sad time in your life, and why was it sad?

Can you recall what your neighborhood was like when you were little?

Tell me about your first experience with television, music, or video. What has changed since then?

Can you recall a funny story?