Make Me a Story

Since technology integration into reading and writing workshop has been a main area of interest over the last couple of years, I was excited to see that Lisa Miller's Make Me a Story: Teaching Writing Through Digital Storytelling was a new Stenhouse title this fall. I was equally excited to see that Linda Rief wrote the foreword and that Miller is a professor at the University of New Hampshire. At the Boothbay Literacy Retreat this summer there were brochures available about UNH's summer writing institutes. Since then I have been more and more aware of just how many of my favorite writing leaders have connections to UNH, so I knew before I even started reading that it would probably be an excellent resource, closely aligned to my writing instruction philosophy. I was not disappointed.

In this practical guide aimed at K-5 teachers, Miller breaks down the nuts and bolts of digital storytelling, as well as highlighting the benefits. She focuses on Photo Story 3 (free for PCs) as an example program for classroom integration; however, she also briefly mentions other options. Always with a clear picture of quality writing instruction in mind, Miller walks her readers through the process of what to consider in planning and implementing lessons with digital storytelling with plenty of resources for images and music on-line. Toward the end of the book she includes a detailed step by step explanation with Photo Story screenshots, which I loved. Thus, it is a comprehensive book for those who truly are starting from scratch in order to implement digital storytelling. Yet, for those who are already familiar with Photo Story or other similar programs, the book still provides plenty of practical advice on important concepts to take into consideration when thinking about the role technology should play in literacy instruction and how to scaffold students with digital storytelling. In addition, the book comes with a CD-ROM with examples that are referenced at different points in the text.

I am thrilled to add this book to my literacy resources and to share with colleagues. Though I just learned about Photo Story toward the end of last year, I only used it once with my students. This book was a great reminder to think about where I can weave it in to my curriculum.

*Copy provided by the publisher

Can't Hardly Wait!

Kylene Beers, Robert Probst, Nancie Atwell, Sara Kajder, Linda Rief, and Chris Crutcher all at one literacy and technology retreat!? Oh, and did I mention it is offered through one of my all time favorite publishers, Heinemann? I could hardly contain my excitement just thinking about the possibility of going to the Boothbay Literacy Retreat, but today as I clicked through my web registration it is hard to believe that I will actually get to go.

All the pieces are coming together. As if the conference wasn't enough to be excited about, I will fly into Boston to spend a couple of days with my sister who has been living in Massachusetts for the last three years while her husband did his medical residency there. Then she will take me to the retreat in Maine and pick me up. Next, it will be time for her and her family to drive cross country to move back to the Pacific Northwest. On the way we will be able to see another one of our sisters in Iowa, as well as our 1 year old niece that we have only been able to see one other time! I have never had a chance to drive cross country either.

There is so much to look forward to. The only downside is that I, of course, will miss my girls and husband. I think I will be gone about two weeks total. My mom just reminded me that a couple of summers ago I helped out with an institute for two weeks in the summer, and I survived being away from my family. I will, however, make sure to spend a lot of time with the girls before going on my trip.

It is still hard to believe that I actually get to go. I will make sure to have writer's notebooks with me to document my experiences. I am certain the experience will inspire many WN entries that I can later share with my students. I will definitely be posting a lot about this experience.

*Note: Even though I do not have reviews/comments on my blog about each of the literacy leaders who will be at the retreat, I have books from each one (Sara Kajder's new book is the latest addition to my professional development library, and I will be posting about it soon). I have loved every single one. It is great to recognize all the names and have a reason to be excited for each one.