The Work

Since we could not form groups in our usual way, I utilized the discussion board feature of our online learning platform, CANVAS, to create a space where students could share about their own stories and read about those of their classmates. I had them complete the following assignments:

What's your story? We are going to start a challenge based learning project this week that focuses on this question. We started this idea a couple of weeks ago with the encyclopedia of your ordinary life.  So think about the entries you made for the encyclopedia and the moments that have shaped you into who you are. With that in mind I want you to create a posting on this discussion board that answers these two questions: 

1.  List three words that capture different aspects of your story - only three words

2.  What role do you think you plan in your story: hero, villain, sidekick, bystander, or some other role that I haven't thought of. 

You do not have to explain your answers; just write the words. When you are done, go back and ask one question of a classmate's posting and respond to the questions that you are asked. We are trying to form groups here, so be honest, but only share what you want to share. 

AND

Create a visual life map of your life including 10 major events along the way.

• Each event should be noted by a caption and a symbol of that event
• Connect each event by a path – feel free to be creative with your layout
• Images may be hand drawn or digital
• You can use digital format you like as long as you can share it with me (as a file or photo)
• You can hand draw the map, if you would rather. Just take a few pictures of it and submit them to this CANVAS assignment page
• Google life map examples for what this might look like

Students used the information posted on the board from these assignments to decide if they wanted to select a partner with similar story elements, or if they would rather, in these extenuating circumstances, work alone.

Here are some examples of the life maps that students shared:

After I shared the overview in a video, we met via Google Hangout to answer questions and clarify confusions, of which there were many. I again shared the planning documents, including this list of product options (modified from the original plan):

Storytelling: Project Criteria

Select one of the following options

Rubrics for each are attached

Podcast episode:

10 minutes length minimum

Must include an introduction

Must include the use of some background music

Must include dialogue between at least 2 people

Must include a conclusion

Content must clearly reflect the answer to the essential question “What is your story?”

Short documentary:

5 minutes length minimum

Must include an introduction

Must include the use of some background music

Must include an interview

Must include the use of voiceover and still or moving pictures

Content must clearly reflect the answer to the essential question “What is your story?”

Digital Children’s book:

10 page minimum (5 sets of two)

Must include full page pictures with text

Must be well-written, following standard language and grammar rules

Writing should be concise and thematic (since it is sparse)

Must be written with a specific audience in mind and purposefully appeal to that audience

Content must clearly reflect the answer to the essential question “What is your story?”

Blog:

1200 word minimum length

Must include an introduction

Must include thoughtful use of multimedia (a minimum of two embedded uses)

Must be well-written, following standard language and grammar rules

Information must be divided into logical chunks with appropriate headers for each section

Content must clearly reflect the answer to the essential question “What is your story?”

Magazine Spread (2 pages):

1000 word maximum

Must include an introduction

Must include a minimum of four pictures

Must be well-written, following standard language and grammar rules

Must include a variety of graphic design elements

Content must clearly reflect the answer to the essential question “What is your story?”

Note: I am open to other suggestions for products, but they must be approved and a criteria for submission must be established. See me if you have a great idea that you want to try.

I asked students to decide which projects they would be working on and by the end of week one, they had to submit this product proposal form and meet with me individually once using Google Hangout:

Project Proposal Form

Write in complete sentences.

What similarities do you plan to focus on within your stories? Explain how your teammates exhibit these similarities (100 words minimum).
What medium do you intend to use to tell your story? Why have you chosen this medium? (50 words minimum).
Name your group members and explain strengths and weaknesses that each group member brings to the group. (50 words minimum).
What do you need me to help you with as you work on this project? What resources or direction do you need to help you complete your work. (50 words minimum)
What do you envision your final project will look like? Describe it to me. (50 words minimum)
Write a working thesis statement for the theme of your story (one sentence).
Explain where you currently are in the process of creating your final project. What role is each member contributing to the work? (50 words minimum).

After another week of work, they had to submit an updated proposal form that asked many of the same questions, though some were updated because they had hopefully completed some work on the final project. 

They had one more week after that to complete the project and submit it. All work had to be created and submitted digitally.