Digital Storytelling – 
Personal Response Instructions

By the end of this assignment, students will be expected to:
English Language Arts 
•	7.3develop an ability to respond critically to various texts in a variety of ways such as identifying, describing, and discussing the form, structure, and content of texts and how they might contribute to meaning construction and understanding
Integration of Information and Communication Technology
•	PTS 9.4 create and manipulate sound, images and video, using digital equipment and computer-based editing, to represent their learning for particular audiences and purposes, independently with teacher supervision

Read the poem.  Select a stanza or two to prepare for a dramatic recitation on film.

Prepare a storyboard using the attached template.  Include notes on transitions and sound effects that you might use as well as camera angles or techniques.

Using a video camera and editing software, create a short movie that shows you performing a dramatic reading of your selection and explains your personal connection to the selection.  Your personal connection will connect your personal experience to the poem, its author, its setting, or some feeling that the poem has evoked in you.  For example, maybe you have been to the Yukon, or you own a husky, so you have a special understanding of parts of The Cremation of Sam McGee.

Your video should be between 90 seconds and 2 minutes in length. Your voice should be clear and evenly paced.  The film must include the following:
•	Title
•	Transitions/effects
•	Credits
•	Sound/Music

Please pass in your storyboard and any notes that you have taken in the preparation for your movie.

The attached rubric will be used to score your project.
Use the instructions on the following page to store your work.

Time: You will have 5 classes to complete this section of the project.

Project Storage Information

1.	Set up a folder in the documents folder on your machine, or in your server space.  Label it PoetryProject/your intials ( PoetryProject/ascs)

2.	Save all files created in that folder by choosing File Save As … and directing it to your folder.

3.	Repeat process for all project files.

Storyboard

Name:
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Digital Storytelling : Personal Response
Teacher Name: _______________________________________ 

Student Name: ________________________________________  Date: ___________________________________	

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1	
Storyboard / Notes	Storyboard clearly illustrates sequence of film and indicates placement of transitions and specialized camera shots (zooms etc)	Storyboard is complete but fails to include transitions or a clear sequencing of events.	Storyboard contains minimal information and is not logically sequenced.	Storyboard is not submitted	
Voice – Consistency and Pacing (rhythm and voice punctuation)	Voice quality is clear and consistently audible throughout the presentation. The pace (rhythm and voice punctuation) is clear and consistent.	Voice quality is clear and consistently audible throughout the majority (85-95%) of the presentation. Occasionally the student speaks too fast or too slowly. 	Voice quality is clear and consistently audible through some (70-84%)of the presentation.
The student tries to use pacing, but it is often noticeable that the pacing is not correct. 	Voice quality needs more attention. 
The pace is uneven and no attempt is made to keep rhythm consistent	
Title/Transitions	Title is included and is in a font that is clearly readable
Transitions are used create a distinct atmosphere or tone that matches different parts of the reading.  They are well-timed and contribute to the reading.	Title is included but font is distracting, too small or unclear.   Transitions are used to create a distinct atmosphere or tone.  They are somewhat well-timed.	Title is included but poorly designed or spelt incorrectly.  Students attempts to use transitions to create an atmosphere/tone but transitions are too quick or too numerous and are distracting to the presentation	Title is not included.  No attempt to use transitions to create an appropriate atmosphere/tone.	
Music/Sound Effects	Music or sound effects evoke a rich emotional response that matches the reading well. 	Music or sound effects evoke an emotional response that somewhat matches the reading. 	Music or sound effects are present and not distracting, but do not add to the reading. 	Music or sound effects are distracting, inappropriate or not used. 	
Duration of Presentation 	Length of presentation is between acceptable limits 	Length of presentation was more than I but less than 2 minutes. 	Length of presentation was less than 1 minute. 	Presentation was far too long or far too short.  No attempt was made to keep within time limits	
Credits	Credits are included and are in a font that is clearly readable	Credits are included but font is distracting, too small or unclear	Credits are partially complete, but poorly designed or spelt incorrectly	Credits are not included.