Voice Threads
Each semester I taught eighth grade Language Arts, I did an Independent Reading Assignment where students had about a month to select and read a book of their choice then write ten hypothetical diary entries from their character’s point of view. This project was done mostly outside of class and required the students to organize their time, work towards a deadline, and demonstrate knowledge of their story’s character and plot. Wanting to incorporate more technology into my classroom, and eager for ideas of engaging and challenging all students, I later explored the idea of having students create Voice Threads. This presentation is the product of that idea.
An Alternative to the Average Book Report
Amanda Lickteig adgraham@ksu.edu Graduate Teaching Assistant Kansas State University College of Education
This is a 2013 Kansas Association of Teachers of English presentation. Wichita Marriott.
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Common Core Standards: 8th Grade Writing Standards http://www.corestandards. org/ELA-Literacy/W/8
Reading Standards http://www.corestandards.or g/ELA-Literacy/RL/8
Speaking & Listening http://www.corestandards.o rg/ELA-Literacy/SL/8
CCSS.ELALiteracy.W.8.3a Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELALiteracy.SL.8.4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and wellchosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
CCSS.ELALiteracy.W.8.3c Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events. CCSS.ELALiteracy.W.8.3e Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.
CCSS.ELALiteracy.RL.8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts. CCSS.EL-Literacy.RL.8.7 Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from the text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors.
CCSS.ELALiteracy.SL.8.5 Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. CCSS.ELALiteracy.SL.8.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
Research Adam, A. &. M., H. (2007). Book reports, 21st century style. School Library Journal, 53(5), 24. Kniffel, L. (2007). The specious choice: Books or technology. American Libraries, 38(5), 3. Mitchell, D. (1998). Fifty alternatives to the book report. English Journal, 87(1), 92-95. White, G., & Greenwood, S.C. (1995). Book report policies and practices: Implications for middle-level teachers. The Clearing House, 68(3), 181-184. doi:10.1080/00098655.1995.9957226 2|Page
Web-based Resources Ten Technology Enhanced Alternatives to Book Reports o http://teaching.monster.com/benefits/articles/8529-10-technology-enhancedalternatives-to-book-reports Voice Thread Homepage o http://voicethread.com/ Plot at a Glance o http://www.curriculumcompanion.org/public/lite/mcdougalLittell/ml09/pdf/ml0 9_u1p1_ll_fiction.pdf o http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/plot-diagram/ o http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/graphic-organizer-plotdiagram Transitional Words and Phrases o http://virtualworldsedu.info/wweb/trans1.html o http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Transitions.html o http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/574/02/ Citing Pictures Using MLA o http://libguides.scf.edu/content.php?pid=107184&sid=1620404 o http://www.bibme.org/citation-guide/MLA/photograph
Supplies Voice Thread Handout Web-based resources Computer labs/student laptops with Internet access Microphones (plug-ins or built-ins) Projector and speakers
Project Outline for Classroom Implementation Although the overarching assignment (the Independent Reading Assignment) extends beyond this final project, I will begin this outline with the assumption that all students have completed their novels and are ready to begin their Voice Thread. *This outline is based on 50 minute class periods. Day 1
Introduce the final project, explain expectations, and read through directions Review plot map and summarization skills Show students example Voice Thread to help them envision finished product Students begin identifying plot elements and brainstorming pictures
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Day 2 Students finish identifying plot elements and brainstorming pictures Begin writing fluent commentary o Discuss citing textual evidence to support plot sequence and characters Day 3 Review of writing skills (transitions, sentence variety, etc.) Students continue writing commentary Revise commentary Day 4 Quick review of MLA citations for pictures Create “Voice Thread” folders on computers (to save all work to a central location) Begin Internet search for parallel pictures Day 5
Register student accounts on website View Voice Thread 1 minute Tutorial and view example again Students begin uploading photos and arranging in chronological order May begin adding text
Days 6-7 Add voice commentary (record/rerecord) Day 8 Final revisions Grade using student rubrics
**This outline could easily be extended or modified to fit different lengths of classes.
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Elements of Best Practices (Noted by National Writing Project Teacher Consultants)
By using this easy-to-manipulate online program, the teacher spends time on content rather than technology. Students have choice and ownership in their assignment. The use of technology is prominent. Making the classroom a supportive setting for shared learning—students are laughing and having fun with each other and with the literature. Teacher models writing by sharing example first—students can see that it is a learning process. Constructive and informative evaluation—students are working with each other and the student rubric allows students to evaluate themselves and their peers. Students can collaborate with each other. The expectations are clear—students know what they are expected to do. Can teach grammar in context (students can discuss adapting language to audience or time period of literature) Graphic organizer allows for pre-writing, editing, revision, drafting, and scripting.
Extensions and Adaptations (Noted by National Writing Project Teacher Consultants)
A Voice Thread assignment could easily be adapted to other curriculum areas - timeline in a historical era, discuss steps to solving a math problem, connect visuals to government concepts, or document plant growth. Some teachers might add to the rubric to get more in-depth projects from students. You could combine to use as a lesson on photojournalism/telling stories through pictures. We loved that you could do multiple examples of the story—the real story and the students’ idea of an alternative ending. A Voice Thread could be made to show visual interpretations for poetry. Teachers could “write” a letter home each week to parents where the students are narrating the letter.
Frequently Asked Questions 1. How do you deal with the noise around the room? The background noise on the recordings can be a problem, but reminding students to hold the mic close to their mouths along with dividing the room into groups recording and groups still planning can minimize the sounds. 2. How do you deal with schools or classrooms that do not have this kind of technology available? The assignment can be adapted by having the students draw comics or cutting images from magazines onto the storyboard page.
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Voice Thread Assignment
Name:
Core:
Website: www.voicethread.com Username: _______________________________________ Password: ________________________________________
Step #1: After finishing your novel, re-examine the story’s plot and identify at least ___________ key situations in chronological order. Briefly record those elements in the top portion of the boxes below. Step #2: Then, think of a picture that would reflect this situation well and describe it in the bottom half of the boxes. You will later search for pictures on the Internet to add to your voice thread. Step #3: Finally, add your speaking lines below the plot and pictures. This will be what you narrate during your picture slides. Step #4: Go to the website above and register for the free subscription. Write your username and password in the spaces provided.
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Voice Commentary:
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Step #5: Search for pictures and save them to a common file on your computer (this step can be time-consuming). Step #6: Log onto www.voicethread.com and watch the “1 minute Voice Thread” tutorial under the MY VOICE tab. Step #7: Begin uploading all pictures from your file and rearrange them in chronological order based on your brainstorming page. Step #8: Hook up the mic to your computer and, using your voice commentary script, narrate the story’s plot for each picture. Step #9: Edit and revise your voice thread until finished. Need help? Revisit this example: www.voicethread.com/share/1238568/ Step #10: Use the rubric provided on your peer’s paper and evaluate their voice thread.
Rubrics Student Rubric
3 (Very good)
2 (Adequate)
1 (Lacking)
Teacher Rubric
3 (Very good)
2 (Adequate)
1 (Lacking)
Voice/Text Comments
Voice is clear and easily understandable. Sentences make sense. Pictures are detailed and match the situation being described.
Voice is muffled or quiet. Some sentences may be incomplete.
No voice or very difficult to understand. Several incomplete sentences. Pictures are sketchy and do not correlate with the situations being described. Story is not in chronological order and skips plot elements.
Voice/Text Comments
Voice is clear and easily understandable. Sentences make sense. Pictures are detailed and match the situation being described.
Voice is muffled or quiet. Some sentences may be incomplete.
Plot
Story is told in chronological order and appears to follow the story’s plot
No voice or very difficult to understand. Several incomplete sentences. Pictures are sketchy and do not correlate with the situations being described. Story is not in chronological order and skips plot elements.
The voice thread doesn’t retell the story. Pictures and sound distract from the presentation or are missing.
Overall Quality
The voice thread retells the story accurately. The pictures and sound add to the presentation.
Pictures
Plot
Story is told in chronological order and appears to follow the story’s plot
Overall Quality
The voice thread retells the story accurately. The pictures and sound add to the presentation.
Pictures may be pixilated. They mostly match situations being described. Story is mostly told in chronological order but may be missing some plot elements The voice thread mostly retells the story. Pictures and sound occasionally add to the presentation.
Pictures
Pictures may be pixilated. They mostly match situations being described. Story is mostly told in chronological order but may be missing some plot elements The voice thread mostly retells the story. Pictures and sound occasionally add to the presentation.
The voice thread doesn’t retell the story. Pictures and sound distract from the presentation or are missing. 8|Page
Additional Voice Thread Examples Literature: o http://voicethread.com/?#q+novels.b544221.i2913050 Science: o http://voicethread.com/?#q+science.b77006.i393621 o http://voicethread.com/?#q+science.b29948.i161183 Math: o http://voicethread.com/?#q+math.b150083.i796880 o http://voicethread.com/?#q+music.b334547.i1773562 o http://voicethread.com/?#q+art.b105590.i537904 World History: o http://voicethread.com/?#q+history.b77814.i398023 Family and Consumer Sciences: o http://voicethread.com/?#q+FACS.b1300738.i6960164 o http://voicethread.com/?#q+FACS.b438365.i2327416 Music: o http://voicethread.com/?#q+music.b120844 o http://voicethread.com/?#q+band.b41599.i218075
Thank you for attending my presentation. You may access this entire document at: http://issuu.com/adgraham23/docs/voice_threads_packet.docx 9|Page