Digital+Storytelling-Voicethread

Amy Ojserkis INTC 5320 Lesson 3: Digital Storytelling Standing Up to Banned Books using Voicethread

**Materials:** Computer with Internet access, Voicethread site/teacher account, Internet (google or youtube) video links to specific author, microphone

**Procedure**: Teacher will pose situation to class: “The Linwood School Board has decided that students should not be reading “Speak,” because it consistently comes up as one of the top five banned books on the annual list of banned books.” You have read the book, as a class, and have been asked to make a presentation to the Board either supporting or rejecting their opinion. Students will view several online videos of the author speaking out about banned books, conference presentations regarding banned books, and short video clips of the film, “Speak.” After this research, students, working in groups, will then create a Voicethread piece, responding to the original question, using persuasive techniques learned in class. **Assessments:** Student groups will be assessed on use of persuasive techniques, either using visuals (images, video clips, and drawings) or text to support their position. Students will also be assessed on their 3 required reactions to peer’s Voicethread pieces. Students will assess each other’s use of Voicethread as a digital storytelling tool –presentation, communication, publishing skills.
 * Target group:** 8th grade writing students
 * Prior knowledge:** Students will have completed novel, “Speak,” by Laurie Anderson. Student will have background and practice in writing persuasive essays.


 * ISTE Standards:** 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6