Ascension Fund helps students to tell digital stories

Thanks to a grant from Ascension Fund, students in Mrs. Sheldon’s Class at Donaldsonville Primary School are demonstrating their creative writing and innovative thinking as they construct their own digital versions of a Cinderella story.

Students are taking advantage of the variety of books, resources, and digital storytelling apps to let their stories come to life. The project integrated technology with the Extension Task from Cinderella Guidebooks in order to develop a deep understanding of the overall structure and traits of a fairy tale. From the unit, students read and discussed versions of the Cinderella tale from different cultures and completed extensive research on the country of their choice.

Students then used their research, creative side, and rich discussion to draft their own Cinderella version. To enrich their experiences, students used devices and a digital storytelling app to implement the elements of a country’s culture in their very own versions of a Cinderella tale. Finally, students applied fluency skills such as expression to narrate their digital stories.

The project was highly rewarding and engaging for students as they incorporated digital tools and resources to build background knowledge about the world. In addition, students developed technology and researching skills as they explored their own curiosities through storytelling.

One student Ray’Quan, stated “I like that we don’t have to write it on paper.” Another student, Zamyri said “I feel so excited to create this story.” Other students have remarked how much they have enjoyed personalizing their stories with pictures and their voiced narrations.

Funds for this grant were provided by Rubicon Chemicals, Incorporated Endowment Grant through the Ascension Fund. The Ascension Fund is a non-profit organization established in 1991 by the Gonzales Rotary Club as an instrument for private sector leaders to invest directly in the work of individual teachers and schools through grants for innovative ideas and programs in Ascension Parish public schools. Teacher Grants of $500 or $1,000 and School Impact Grants of $2,500 are awarded on an annual competitive basis. To date, the Ascension Fund has awarded approximately 1,200 grants representing over $1.4 million dollars in the school system. For more information, visit www.ascensionfund.com

Contributed by Donaldsonville Primary School