Week 5: Project Idea

I have recently started creating children’s digital storybooks based on a math concept with my seventh graders. This project incorporates higher levels of thinking because students really have to understand the math concepts in order to apply it to a story situation and explain it in the story’s context (synthesis).

After I read several children’s math books to the students, they broke into pairs. They chose a math concept and created a story to teach the concept to younger students. After creating the story, they broke the story into pages and created illustrations for each page. They then scanned the illustrations into Keynote and arranged them into the correct order and added transitions. They are currently in the process of adding the voiceovers to tell the story and create the timing for the presentations.

This project requires the students to organize, plan, and compose their story. They have to demonstrate an understanding the their chosen math concept in order to explain it to their readers. They also have to adapt their story to match the age group for which it is meant. In addition, they are improving their technology skills by learning to scan pictures and create presentations using voiceovers.

This seems to be a very motivating project. The kids are really excited about it, and they are really looking forward to sharing their “books” with the younger students in our school!