Digital+Stories+for+Fluency+-+Technology

= Digital Stories for Fluency (Technology)= = =

**Rationale** I wanted to find a way to use technology more with my students. Since I work with small groups, I haven't found a lot of ways to use technology other than playing a reading game online. I feel that I can use Digital Stories to work on building fluency with some of my low first grade readers. My original idea is to record myself reading some stories at or above their reading level and really focus on what it sounds like to be fluent and phrased. I am also wondering if it could work for them to record themselves reading in a Digital story. I have in mind using this strategy with my young students, but it could be used for anyone struggling with fluency. For older kids, I think it would neat to have them record themselves. With the program they get a chance to play back the recording right away enabling them to make changes to the reading quickly and easily. It makes them accountable for how the story sounds.
 * Implementation Suggestions**

Teaching fluency is something I find difficult. I usually model to help them get started. If they are actually able to hear themselves it might be easier to "show" them what I mean by fluent and phrased. This fluency is something out of the normal routine and would be good for both kinesthetic and auditory learners. For the visual students I would make sure that the digital story includes both words and pictures to go along with the reading.
 * Diverse Learners **

For teacher made Digital Stories: 1. Select book that is conducive to good phrasing and is interesting to the students. You can either go for interest or something on their level. 2. Take pictures of each page of the story using digital camera. 3. Using the Photo Story program (free to download see reference section) add the pictures from the story and record yourself reading the words on each page. Focus on fluency and reading in phrases. 4. Have kids listen to the story with a focus on how the reading sounds.
 * Procedure **

For student made Digital Stories: 1. Let students choose a familiar book (one that they have read several times). 2. Depending on age and ability of students either allow them to take picture of each page in the book with a digital camera or do it for them. 3. Again depending on students show them how to use Photo Story and allow them to add pictures and record their own voice reading the story. Again have them make sure it sounds good. Preview each page and redo any that don't sound fluent. The actual act of recording is more the fluency activity. 4. They can use the finish product to listen to themselves or maybe they could share some good reading with a younger student. One potential issue is time and resources not being able to complete the project. For my young ones a lot of the picture taking and work in Photo Story would have to be done by me. I would just need them to record their voice. If a student is doing it independently I would really have to be watching to make sure that the reading does sound good and is phrased. References ** Per our lesson on Digital Stories with Dr. Harland
 * Potential Issues**

Link to free download of Photo Story:

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Photo Story Tutorial:

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