Storybird
Storybird is a web-based, free tool that, "uses illustrations to inspire students to write stories." Whether it's long-form books, picture books, or poetry, students can choose an illustration to prompt their writing or find one that matches what they've already got in mind.
Signing up for a Storybird account is easy and free and links to your Google account. After signing up, you will create a class and be given a code for students to use to enroll. Creating a class also allows parents to become part of the audience if they choose to sign up as well. They can then see their student's work. Below is a brief tutorial on how to sign up your students as well as the parent invite:
Signing up for a Storybird account is easy and free and links to your Google account. After signing up, you will create a class and be given a code for students to use to enroll. Creating a class also allows parents to become part of the audience if they choose to sign up as well. They can then see their student's work. Below is a brief tutorial on how to sign up your students as well as the parent invite:
To create the first story, click on Create and choose an image to use as a writing prompt or use the search feature to find something specific. Unfortunately, there is not a way to import images so your only options are what is housed within Storybird.
If you choose the poem format, you will be given a selection of words (think magnetic poetry). These are the only words you can work with, but it's fun to try and come up with something.
With the picture book and long-form book formats, students start with an image first, then are given a myriad of other images to click and drag into their story as well as the option to add text and a cover.
Students can invite a collaborator to their story by using an email address or choosing from their class list.
Upon completion of the story or poem, choose Publish and post to Classroom or other social media, share using a link, or embed within a site.
Some ideas for using Storybird across the content areas:
- Math: Write story problems using the picture book option and solve each other's.
- ELA: Practice different sentence types in the poetry option or use the picture book and long-form book options for creative writing.
- Science: Explain the procedure for a science experiment.
- SS: Retell a historical event.
This is a great 3-minute tutorial to show students prior to starting their projects:
Storybird also has a "Read" tab where students can choose a topic, grade level, or format to read the works of other students.
Mrs. Biggs' class used Storybird to research the history behind “The Wreck of the Hesperus” or “The Cremation of Sam McGee”:
Here are some published student stories sfrom her class:
Ms. Tardiff's class used Storybird to write poems about love. Here are a few examples:
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