Storybird: Letting Writing and Reading Take Flight

Professional Development Lesson Plan

Presenter: Tonya Bowen, Veterans Memorial Middle School media specialist

Location: VMMS Media Center
Target Audience: 6th - 8th grade English Language Arts teachers at VMMS
Purpose: To introduce ELA teachers to Storybird, a writing and reading online resource

I. Background/Rationale
The English Language Arts teachers at VMMS currently use SpringBoard, a textbook
company, for most of their classroom curriculum needs. Springboard offers teachers literature
selections as well as writing and grammar practice. However, teachers are also requesting the
media specialist's assistance in finding online writing and reading tools for students. The media
specialist created the professional development for Storybird after piloting the website with her
own Reading Enrichment group. The Reading Enrichment group is a combination of 6th and 7th
graders at VMMS. Students have created several assignments already, including a poem and a
fall or Halloween themed picture book. Most students have also used the website at home to
create additional poems, picture books, and chapter books; they also "follow" each other on the
site so that they can comment on others' work and use the site as a library to find original reading
material. After using Storybird for several weeks with the Reading Enrichment group, the media
specialist created the lesson plan, live presentation, and online learning module to help English
Language Arts teachers have new, creative resources for their students to use as they become
life-long learners, readers, and writers.

II. AASL and ELA Standards Covered

6th Grade - 8th Grades
Common Core Standards

AASL Standards

CC.L.1 Conventions of Standard English:

Demonstrate command of the
conventions of standard English
grammar and usage when writing or
speaking

CC.R.L.10 Range of Reading and Level of

Text Complexity: By the end of the year, read
and comprehend literature, including stories,
dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text
complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding
as needed at the high end of the range.
CC.SL.2 Comprehension and
Collaboration: Interpret information
presented in diverse media and formats
(e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and
explain how it contributes to a topic,
text, or issue under study

1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information

presented in any format (e.g., textual, visual,
media, digital) in order to make inferences and
gather meaning.
3.3.3 Use knowledge and information skills
and dispositions to engage in public
conversation and debate around issues of
common concern.
4.3.2 Recognize that resources are created for a
variety of purposes.
4.4.4 Interpret new information based on
cultural and social context.

CC.SL.4 Presentation of Knowledge and

Ideas: Present claims and findings,
sequencing ideas logically and using
pertinent descriptions, facts, and details
to accentuate main ideas or themes; use
appropriate eye contact, adequate
volume, and clear pronunciation.
CC.W.4 Production and Distribution of
Writing: Produce clear and coherent
writing in which the development,

2.2.4 Demonstrate personal productivity by

completing products to express learning.
3.1.3 Use writing and speaking skills to
communicate new understandings effectively.

3.3.4 Create products that apply to

authentic, real-world contexts.

organization, and style are appropriate

to task, purpose, and audience

Standards taken from Newton County curriculum maps as well as the AASL website for English
Language Arts crosswalk (http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/crosswalk).

III. Desired Outcomes

After participating in the Storybird professional development, teachers will be able to do
the following:
1. Create an account on Storybird
2. Become familiar with the Dashboard on Storybird (Write, Read, You, etc.)
3. Create a class on Storybird and add students (username and password)
4. Create an assignment on Storybird

IV. Topics Covered

1. What is Storybird
2. Creating an account
3. Creating a class (adding students and assigning usernames and passwords)
4. Creating an assignment on Storybird

V. Resources for Teachers

Link for BagtheWeb: http://www.bagtheweb.com/b/qgRjLH (copy/paste in browser)
Link for Online Learning Module: www.mediacenterprofdev.com (copy/paste in
browser)
PowerPoint: Included in the online learning module as well as presented during live
presentation

VI. Follow Up for Teachers

After presenting the live professional development for English teachers as well providing
them with links to the online module, PowerPoint presentation, and BagtheWeb link for reading
and writing resources, the media specialist will meet with each English teacher individually
during planning periods and early release days to answer any other questions or to assist teachers
in troubleshooting with Storybird. The media specialist will also host a "Get Chirping" contest
in the media center. Students can submit their Storybird creations to the media specialist who
will have judges (office staff, the principal, and Connections teachers) pick the best entry. The
winning student will have his or her Storybird creation printed in hardback format and displayed
in the media center.