Bits and Bytes

Conard High School Social Studies Teacher Mrs. Lucy Trost has her student’s research a topic for Modern World History throughout the year. There is a paper due at year end; in addition to that, Mrs. Trost collaborated with librarian Tobey Mintz to have each student create a PhotoStory as a synopsis of their learning.

Please take a look below:

• Winston Churchill
• Pablo Picasso
• Bosnian Genocide
• World War I
• Saddam Hussein
• The Great Depression
• Charles Dickens

Digital Storytelling:

Digital Storytelling refers to using new digital tools to help students tell their own real-life stories.
Examples within our district:

Below is a link to a video compilation of an elementary student’s recognition from Governor Jodi Rell and the Navy during our visit to the Capitol yesterday. She was honored for an original piece of Veterans Day poetry, “Heroes,” that she turned into a Digital Story. Enjoy!

Also, a direct link to “Heroes” is at:
http://blog.whps.org/diamond/2009/12/21/heroes/

Works of fiction (created by Katy Klarnet & Cindy Vranich, Conard HS) Works of Fiction

Local History of West Hartford Photostory (Conard High School student)

 

Anthony Webers’s Grade 5 (Bugbee) classroom blog

Craig Diamond’s Grade 5 (Morley) classroom blog - Digital Storytelling

Available software and resources to do digital storytelling in your classroom:

PhotoStory 3 - free download from Microsoft that creates slideshows using digital photos/drawings, including narration, transitions and background music. Installed on all classroom computers.

Animoto - automatically produces unique video pieces from your photos, video clips and music. Fast, free and easy. Completely web-based, no download.

Ed VoiceThread -  is a place for creating and collaborating on digital stories and documentaries. Reasonable per classroom fee to participate.

Picasa and Picasa Web Albums  – share photos and slideshows

SchoolTube – safe and secure video sharing server that serves education.

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Exemplary BLOGS within the District

Jeff Michaud’s Kindergarten classroom at Wolcott elementary - a simple 2 page BLOG that welcomes parent’s into the daily kindergarten routine.

Anthony Weber’s Grade 5 classroom at Bugbee - a creative palatte to display classroom writing and resources.

Pam Mack’s Science Blog at Sedgwick Middle

A team blog at King Philip Middle