English



= Subject: English =

Technology: = =
 * =Two available options for sharing their legends are a video, using iMovie or Windows Moviemaker, and Toondoo.com, a website where students can create their own cartoon strip with settings, characters and transitions that they create on their own. If students have a different video editing software that they would like to use for the video option, they may do so with approval from the teacher. =

=Curriculum Standard(s): =

English (g rade 8)

**Reading Applications: Literary Text ** **9.** Examine symbols used in literary texts.

**Writing Process: Prewriting ** **2.** Conduct background reading, interviews or surveys when appropriate

**Writing Applications ** **1.**Write narratives that: **a.** Sustain reader interest by pacing action and developing an engaging plot

**Writing Processes: Drafting, revising, and editing ** **10.** Use available technology to compose text

Description:

Students will study the art of oral storytelling and legends by reading and listening to a Native American legend entitled “The Legend of the Raven.” <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">After reading the legend together in class, students will discuss the characteristics of quality storytelling. Students will then compose their own legend and share them with the class in one of two ways. They have the option to create a video focusing on the oral tradition of storytelling or they can create a Toondoo to represent their legend.<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"> Students will peer edit one another's writing to further develop the plot, characters and settings within their stories. They will then begin to create and edit their digital story. These will be shared with the class and posted on the class's website.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Supporting Research:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">This media was chosen because students can interact with the media to analyze the class novel and create their own unique version of the story. The media aligns with the technology standard as well as they create new projects and original works. This media also allows students to analyze and show their understanding of the art form of storytelling in a unique way.


 * Visuals inundate today’s students, so their ability to read, understand, create, analyze, and learn from the persuasiveness of visuals has become more important than ever (Smaldino 53).

>
 * Recent research has highlighted the value of using and creating visuals as learning tools for students (Smaldino 53).
 * Students can take text, graphics, images, audio, and video to create some very exciting representations of their learning (Smaldino 133).

> Smaldino, S. E. (2008). //Instructional Technology and Media for Learning// (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.
 * There is an art to storytelling and a sequence to unfolding the story to the end. In the process of storytelling, we become more creative, gain speaking skills, and improve our verbal organizing skills and our ability to empathize. Now, with digital stories, pictures enhance storytelling's visual communication and appeal. The process includes planning, writing, editing, illustrating, and producing the components so that we communicate the heartfelt essence, not just the events (Benton).

Benton, P. (2006). The power of digital storytelling in the classroom: Telling stories with technology. //Edutopia.// Retrieved from [].

Tried & True or New & Innovative
 * NI: The incorporation of the two options for presenting their legends makes this lesson new and innovative. Students are creating their own video or a comic strip to represent their legend rather than just writing and reading it to the class.

Supplemental Resources for Lesson

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Raven Legend <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">[] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Toondoo <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">[] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Additional Legends <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">[]