Lights, Camera, Action! Storytelling Through Stop Motion, Video, or Play
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Lights, Camera, Action! Storytelling Through Stop Motion, Video, or Play

Grade 5English4 days
★★★★★
4.0 (1 rating)
In this project, fifth-grade students collaborate as storytellers to create captivating narratives using stop motion, video, or play formats. They explore and apply various techniques to bring characters to life, understanding the impact of story structure and media on their audience. Verbal and non-verbal elements are used to enhance dramatic performance, fostering a deep understanding of storytelling's power and versatility through different media.
StorytellingCharacter DevelopmentMedia ProductionNarrative StructureVerbal CommunicationNon-Verbal Communication
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as storytellers, collaborate to create a captivating narrative using various media, bringing characters to life through verbal and non-verbal techniques while understanding the impact of story structure on our audience?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How do storytellers use different techniques to bring stories to life?
  • How does understanding a story's structure help us to tell it in a compelling way?
  • How can we develop characters that feel real and relatable to an audience?
  • How can different forms of media (stop motion, video, play) enhance storytelling?
  • How do verbal and non-verbal elements contribute to the impact of a dramatic performance?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will collaborate to develop a narrative using various media (stop motion, video, play).
  • Students will apply techniques to bring characters to life through verbal and non-verbal methods.
  • Students will demonstrate understanding of story structure and its impact on the audience.
  • Students will analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of different media in storytelling.
  • Students will examine and apply dramatic work elements such as dialogue and action to develop plot and characters
  • Students will identify and describe characters based on their thoughts, words, and actions as well as the perception of other characters

Alberta ELA Grade 5

ELA 5.1
Primary
Examine the purpose of a variety of digital or non-digital textsReason: This standard aligns directly with the project's focus on using different media to tell a story.
ELA 5.2
Primary
Determine the form and structure of a variety of literary textsReason: The project requires students to understand and apply story structure to create a compelling narrative.
ELA 5.3
Primary
Describe characters based on what they say, think, or do or what others say and think about themReason: Character development is a central component of the project.
ELA 5.4
Primary
In dramatic works, plot and characters are developed through dialogue and action.Reason: This standard supports the play option and reinforces character and plot development.
ELA 5.5
Primary
In dramatic works, ideas and information can be expressed through verbal, non-verbal, and paraverbal language.Reason: Focuses on character development using speech and body language

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The Mysterious Package

A mysterious package arrives at the classroom, containing a collection of strange artifacts, a cryptic letter detailing a forgotten tale, and a request for the students to bring the story to life through their own creative interpretation. This sparks curiosity about the story's origins and encourages students to explore different mediums for storytelling.

The Cliffhanger Challenge

The class watches a short, captivating stop-motion animation or video clip that ends on a cliffhanger. Students are challenged to collaboratively write the next chapter of the story and then produce their own version of how the story continues, using any of the chosen mediums. This encourages creative problem-solving and allows for multiple pathways of inquiry.

The Unconnected Narrative

Students will make a collection of items with seemingly unrelated images, sounds, and words. Challenge them to connect these disparate elements into a cohesive narrative, fostering creative thinking and collaborative storytelling.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Story Structure Unlocked

Students analyze various examples of short stories, videos, and plays to understand the basic elements of storytelling. They will identify the beginning, problem, key events, resolution, and ending in each example.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select diverse examples of narrative texts: a short story, a video clip, and a short play script.
2. Read/watch/perform each text as a class.
3. In groups, identify the beginning, problem, events, resolution, and ending of each text.
4. Create a comparative chart to present your findings.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comparative chart analyzing the structure of different narrative texts (short story, video, play) focusing on key elements.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAlberta ELA Grade 5: Focuses on examining different digital and non-digital texts and understanding basic story structure (beginning, problem, multiple events, resolution, ending).
Activity 2

Character Deep Dive

Students will select a character from a book, movie, or show. They will analyze what the character says, thinks, and does, as well as how other characters react to them, to build a detailed character profile. They will use this information to write a character analysis.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a character from a familiar story (book, movie, show).
2. Collect evidence: what the character says (dialogue), thinks (inner thoughts), and does (actions).
3. Gather perceptions: how other characters react to and speak about your chosen character.
4. Write a character profile, including a brief background and physical description.
5. Write an analysis explaining the character's motivations, strengths, and weaknesses, supported by your collected evidence.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed character profile and analysis, including direct quotes and observations, presented in a written report or presentation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAlberta ELA Grade 5: Aligns with standards related to describing characters based on their actions, thoughts, and dialogue, and how others perceive them. Also touches on dramatic works by developing characters through dialogue and action.
Activity 3

Storyteller's Showcase

Students will apply their learning from previous activities to create their own original short story, video, or play. They will focus on developing a compelling narrative structure, creating believable characters, and using verbal and non-verbal techniques to bring their story to life.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm original story ideas, considering different genres and themes.
2. Choose a medium for your story: short story, video, or play.
3. Develop a story outline, including the beginning, problem, key events, resolution, and ending.
4. Write the story, create the video, or write the play script, focusing on character development and engaging dialogue.
5. Revise and edit your work, seeking feedback from peers and teachers.
6. Present your final product to the class.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn original short story, video, or play, showcasing their understanding of narrative structure, character development, and effective use of media.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAlberta ELA Grade 5: Directly supports the project's goal of creating a narrative using various media. It reinforces learning about story structure, character development, and dramatic elements.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Storyteller's Mastery Rubric

Category 1

Story Structure Analysis

This category assesses the student's understanding of story structure and their ability to analyze and compare different narrative texts.
Criterion 1

Understanding of Story Structure

How well the student identifies and explains the beginning, problem, events, resolution, and ending in various narrative texts.

Mastery
4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of story structure, accurately identifying and explaining all elements in various texts with insightful analysis.

Advancing
3 Points

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of story structure, accurately identifying and explaining most elements in various texts.

Progressing
2 Points

Shows an emerging understanding of story structure, identifying some elements in various texts but with limited explanation.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows a beginning understanding of story structure, struggling to identify and explain elements in various texts.

Criterion 2

Comparative Analysis

How effectively the student compares and contrasts story structures across different media (short story, video, play).

Mastery
4 Points

Effectively compares and contrasts story structures across different media with insightful observations and clear connections.

Advancing
3 Points

Compares and contrasts story structures across different media with clear observations and logical connections.

Progressing
2 Points

Attempts to compare and contrast story structures across different media with some observations, but connections are vague.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to compare and contrast story structures across different media; observations are minimal or inaccurate.

Criterion 3

Clarity and Organization

The clarity and organization of the comparative chart.

Mastery
4 Points

The comparative chart is exceptionally clear, well-organized, and visually appealing, enhancing understanding.

Advancing
3 Points

The comparative chart is clear, well-organized, and easy to understand.

Progressing
2 Points

The comparative chart is somewhat organized, but clarity could be improved.

Beginning
1 Points

The comparative chart lacks organization and clarity, making it difficult to understand.

Category 2

Character Development

This category evaluates the student's ability to create a detailed character profile and analyze the character's motivations and traits.
Criterion 1

Evidence Gathering

How thoroughly the student gathers evidence about the character from various sources (dialogue, thoughts, actions, others' perceptions).

Mastery
4 Points

Gathers extensive evidence from all sources, demonstrating a deep understanding of the character's multifaceted nature.

Advancing
3 Points

Gathers thorough evidence from most sources, demonstrating a good understanding of the character.

Progressing
2 Points

Gathers some evidence, but the selection is limited and may not represent all aspects of the character.

Beginning
1 Points

Gathers minimal evidence, providing an incomplete or inaccurate representation of the character.

Criterion 2

Character Analysis

How effectively the student analyzes the character's motivations, strengths, and weaknesses.

Mastery
4 Points

Provides an insightful and nuanced analysis of the character's motivations, strengths, and weaknesses, supported by strong evidence.

Advancing
3 Points

Provides a clear and logical analysis of the character's motivations, strengths, and weaknesses, supported by relevant evidence.

Progressing
2 Points

Attempts to analyze the character's motivations, strengths, and weaknesses, but the analysis is superficial or lacks sufficient evidence.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to analyze the character's motivations, strengths, and weaknesses; analysis is minimal or unsupported.

Criterion 3

Character Profile

The depth and detail of the character profile, including background and physical description.

Mastery
4 Points

The character profile is exceptionally detailed and vividly portrays the character's background, physical appearance, and personality.

Advancing
3 Points

The character profile is detailed and clearly describes the character's background, physical appearance, and personality.

Proficient
2 Points

The character profile provides some details about the character's background and appearance, but more depth is needed.

Beginning
1 Points

The character profile is minimal and lacks essential details about the character's background and appearance.

Category 3

Narrative Creation

This category assesses the student's ability to create an original story, develop a compelling narrative structure, and effectively use media to tell their story.
Criterion 1

Originality and Creativity

The originality and creativity of the story idea.

Mastery
4 Points

The story idea is highly original and demonstrates exceptional creativity and imagination.

Advancing
3 Points

The story idea is creative and demonstrates a good level of imagination.

Progressing
2 Points

The story idea shows some creativity, but could benefit from more originality.

Beginning
1 Points

The story idea lacks originality and creativity.

Criterion 2

Story Outline Development

How well the student develops the story outline, including all key elements (beginning, problem, events, resolution, ending).

Mastery
4 Points

The story outline is exceptionally well-developed, with clear and compelling key elements that create a captivating narrative.

Advancing
3 Points

The story outline is well-developed, with clear key elements that create a cohesive narrative.

Progressing
2 Points

The story outline is partially developed, with some key elements missing or unclear.

Beginning
1 Points

The story outline is underdeveloped and lacks essential key elements.

Criterion 3

Final Product Effectiveness

The effectiveness of character development, dialogue, and use of media in the final product (short story, video, play).

Exemplary
4 Points

The final product showcases exceptional character development, engaging dialogue, and masterful use of media to enhance the story.

Advancing
3 Points

The final product showcases strong character development, effective dialogue, and appropriate use of media to tell the story.

Progressing
2 Points

The final product shows some character development and dialogue, but the use of media is limited or not fully effective.

Beginning
1 Points

The final product lacks character development, dialogue, and effective use of media.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Looking back at the 'Storyteller's Showcase', what is one thing you're particularly proud of in your story, video, or play, and why does it stand out to you?

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Question 2

How did the medium you chose (short story, video, or play) enhance or limit your ability to tell the story the way you envisioned it?

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Question 3

Thinking about the character development process, what was the most challenging aspect of creating believable characters, and how did you overcome it?

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Question 4

If you could go back and change one thing about your group's storytelling process, what would it be and why?

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