StoryJumper--Digital Story Telling

One of my favorite tools for digital story telling is a site called StoryJumper. One of the challenges with my first graders is being able to put words onto paper. An easy way for them to start creating their own stories is by using StoryJumper to create stories with pictures.

As a teacher, I create a class and then add my students to my class roster. After I have created my class, I am given a unique log in page that shows all my students' usernames on one page. All the kids have to do is find their username and click it, enter their password and they are ready to begin creating their very own stories. When kids get completely done with their stories their parents have the option to purchase their book. We print them out and make them into our own books at school.

When creating their digital stories, they may choose from StoryJumper's library of props and scenes. Students can click on more props or scenes and access categorized props/scenes. If you would rather upload your own picture, StoryJumper provides that option as well.

At first it may be easiest to have kids make their stories with only pictures and no words. When they are ready to begin adding text to their stories, you simply click the text tab and choose the style of text box that you want.

The work area is very user friendly for primary age kids. It has a dual page display and a ribbon at the top with the pages available in the book. You can customize the book cover as well duplicate pages.

One of the nice features for primary kids is the undo option at the bottom of the work area. It never fails that their click happy fingers accidentally delete something. The undo button can be a tear saver.



Like I mentioned, StoryJumper is by far my favorite tool for creating digital stories. I know their are many other options out there, but I have found StoryJumper to be the best.


Tips
*The first time you introduce this to kids, don't expect to accomplish a lot. Let them play with the props. Then model how to add more props to their tool bar. Let them play with scenes. Model how to add more scenes to their tool bar. Let them play with the text box options.
*When you are ready for more structure, have them repeat after each step that you do. Add a prop, add a scene, resize a prop, move a prop, rotate a prop, remove a scene, add text, delete text.
*There are lots of other fancy options when making their books but don't try to put it all in at one time. KISS--keep it simple stupid. I have saved myself lots of headaches by focusing on simple tasks and expectations instead of reaching for the stars on day 1.