Lit. Circles: The Culminating Project Creating a Photo-movie using Photo Story 3 mxcore Here’s an example of a photo-movie about digital storytelling…Notice the different elements that are incorporated: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1f-_FXgJZM

THE HOME STRETCH… Now that are into the last two weeks of the Lit. Circles reading and group work, it’s time to think about the culminating project. (Some groups may be finishing the book this week.) So, what’s next…

THE PROJECT SOFTWARE: You will be using Photo Story 3, an intuitive program that allows you to upload pictures, sounds and voice to create an interesting, imaginative, and informative projects. YOUR TASK: To create a 5-10 minute Photo Story 3 digital storytelling project in which you retell the plot of your book from the protagonist’s perspective.

THE PROJECT THE SKILLS YOU’LL BE ASSESSED ON: 1. Students should demonstrate consistent, collaborative teamwork in accomplishing a high-level product. 2. Students should create an organized, well-designed and creative product that reveals a clear understanding of the material and the basic plot elements. 3. Students will reveal an excellent command of conventions through written text and spoken narration.

THE PROTAGONIST’S STORY IN 5-10 MINUTES? Really? Yes, as a group, you need to choose the essential plot details in the story and include only the essential characters. This part of the design phase is critical! You can’t just expect to hop on a computer and get it done. You are going to tell the story from the perspective of the protagonist (1st person) using pictures, text, sounds and by recording your own voice(s). So, let’s plan… Let’s create a storyboard.

GETTING STARTED STORYBOARD: In order to plan accordingly, as a group, you will design a comprehensive storyboard that includes rough sketches of what you want to include in your Photo Story 3 presentation. Your storyboard will include several “slides,” each representing about 15 seconds of your photo-movie. How many “slides” are you going to need? That depends on what you choose to include in your 5-10 minute presentation.

THE STORYBOARD Each “slide” your storyboard will include two boxes. The first is the image and any text you want to include. Underneath include the source of your image. Credit the artist. The second is the narration that you want to accompany the image. Underneath, include any background music you want to use. Write in the narration that should accompany your story. Image is placed here Any text you want should also be included here. Source of image (i.e., web URL) Background music

THE STORYBOARD Where do I find images? (1) It’s best to include original pictures you can upload, although I realize this will be a difficult task with some of your novels. (2) The second choice is non-copyrighted/public domain photographs on the Internet. (3) The third choice is to go to Google images. Look for a photo credit.

USING PHOTO STORY 3 Once you’ve completed a rough draft of the entire storyboard, it’s time to incorporate technology. As mentioned, Photo Story 3 is an intuitive program, but each of your group members will still want to go through the tutorial to learn how to use it: http://www.btbetterworld.com/media/free%20resources/assignment%20photo%20movie/index.html

USING PHOTO STORY 3: Group Tasks Group member #1: will be responsible for collecting the images you want to use for the project on a jump drive and citing sources. Group member #2: will be responsible for collecting all the background music you want to use for selected images. Group member #3: will be responsible for narrating the story as the protagonist using a microphone and a headset. Group member #4: will select the text that may accompany selected slides. NOTE: Group sizes may vary, so roles may need to readjusted accordingly.

STORYBOARD INTRODUCTION Now think back to the beginning of your story—the exposition, the inciting incident, the introduction of the major conflict. What might be the first series of slides you could create for your Photo Story presentation? Each person in your group will receive a blank storyboard. As a group, decide who will design #1, #2, #3…, etc. depending on the number of people in your group who are here today. After completing your first series of rough slides, selected groups will share out their ideas. Let’s get to work!