In each 75 minute session, we’ll use Google Meets to engage your classroom and lead our story creation process. We’ll use Google Jamboard (if your school uses Google you will have access to this) so the class can see the process on the Smartboard. To do this we’ll have you (teacher) open the Jamboard file we provide – and the artist will as well. This enables you to work alongside the artist in the process. (really easy to do – just adding post it notes with ideas inside Jamboard).

In each session we will use a picture prompt. We’ll choose a picture from our library so it is already loaded into Jamboard, or you can propose one as well.  We may be able to use a different picture in each session, or may use 2 sessions to complete one story. We’ll do whatever is the best fit for the class.

The process we use will help us develop a full story from the picture prompt.  The steps in the process are outlined below. 

STEP 1:  The Picture prompt.  We’ll talk about the picture as one frame from a movie or video and the need to create the rest of frames or images in order to have a story.

We’ll talk about possible groups of things. What if there were more of what is in the picture? Like more pigs, more picnic tables or more ice cream cones?

STEP 2: We’ll look at movement patterns to imagine the groups in motion. What could they be doing?

STEP 3: We’ll put our ideas on the idea shelf. This is where all of our initial ideas go.

 STEP 4: These are Ideas that are related to a question or problem that came out of our favourite idea from the Idea Shelf.  We will choose a favourite and look at ways to pose it as a question.

We are focusing the story by doing this. Now the ideas will be focused on the central question or problem that our story will revolve around. 

 STEP 5: Dropping the story ideas into the storyboard. 

This happens very easily because every idea on the story shelf is related to the central question or problem. So the story makes sense and automatically has a beginning, a middle and an end.

STEP 6: Using the storyboard as a guide, the artist will work with 2 students at a time to “tell the story” . This will enable us to fill in the details. We’ll repeat this with other students. 

Meanwhile, all of the students will use the supplied storyboard Template at their desk to draw and describe the story. 

If you want you can try and act it out – using the movement patterns that the ideas came from as a choreography guide. 

Have each student write/record or tell the story and add in any other details.