Apps and Sites for Storytelling Online

Use these amazing storytelling apps and websites to help the students tell their stories in compelling, well-structured, and thoughtful ways. While storytelling has long been part of the classroom, it is also a crucial part of daily life. To be the change-makers of the future, the students have to learn to present their ideas and express themselves creatively.

By telling their own stories, the students are able to become more critical readers, obtaining new insights into narrative structure and characterization. To make stories, the students have to build organization and executive function skills. Of course, digital tools have expanded the range of ways the students can now tell their stories.

Apps and Sites for Storytelling Online

Below you are going to find the great apps and sites for storytelling, all of which empower students to find their unique voices as storytellers, creators, and individuals.

Also Read: Best Student Portfolio Apps and Websites

Tell About This

Tell About This

Dozens of images on this site, sorted into such categories as people, family, culture, and fun, serve as inspiration for kids to tell stories about. After selecting a category, they are able to choose a photo, see and hear the prompt, and then tap the microphone button to record their “tell-about.” They are able to pause during recording, and save or play back the recording when finished. Recordings will be able to be saved in-app or to the device’s camera roll, and emailed as a .mov file. Teachers are able to make custom prompts by using their own images, prompts, and voice.

Storyline Online

Storyline Online

At Storyline Online, the students get a virtual read-aloud experience when they watch videos of storybooks. Their illustrations jazzed up with animations, being read aloud by popular actors. Produced and sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Storyline Online currently features approximately 30 books with the promise of more to come.

Each story is brought to life by a different actor and most have accompanying study guides with information regarding the author, reader, illustrator, plus suggested reading lists and ideas for discussion and activities which extend the book’s learning themes or message. Video clips are housed on YouTube by default. However, the teachers are able to select to view them through My VR Spot or SchoolTube. Also, each book is available for purchase in hard copy.

My Story School eBook Maker

My Story School eBook Maker

My Story School eBook Maker is a digital storytelling app. After teachers have set up user accounts, the students are able to jump in and make a book. They are going to start with the title page where they select a color, graphics, and a book title. After that, they add pages, one by one, to continue the story. The students have some drawing tools and an array of colors, also a large library of graphics organized by category. If the teachers allow access to the device’s camera, the students can also use photos. After placing, graphics and photos will be able to be easily sized, rotated, and flipped. To put the final touches on the page, the students are able to add text and or voice narration. For your information, books can be exported as PDF, EPUB, MP4, or MYSTORY files, published to iBooks, or shared via various social media platforms including YouTube.

Storybird

Storybird'

Storybird is a platform for storytelling. It is available on the web, Android, iOS, and Chrome. The students act as authors, pairing their own words with site-curated, licensed art. The students are able to compose text, but they cannot upload their own art. They have to use Storybird’s curated collection in their picture books and illustrated poems. There is a seven-day free trial, however after that most features; outside of reading stories, need a paid account for the teachers and students. Also, the teachers are able to set up a paid classroom account which supports a number of students based on how much they pay.

Toontastic 3D

Toontastic 3D

Toontastic 3D is a storytelling app for Android, and certain Chromebooks which are inspired by theater, puppetry, and animation. This version produced in partnership with Google offers a new spin on the tried-and-true format with the addition of 3D scenes and characters.

The creators select from three story choices; short story, classic story, and science report. For your information, each comes with a basic story outline; set, challenge, conflict, climax, and resolution, and a brief overview of what each plot point means. For each plot point, the students are able to use the included sets and 3D characters, or design their own with simple drawing tools.

The students only need to tap to start recording. Then, move characters, explore the set, and narrate the story. Each scene will be able to record up to 60 seconds of voice narration and movement. The last step, the students have to add an appropriate musical score. After finishing, story pieces are put together in a single video. To access all the creative options, the students have to access the camera roll and microphone.

Writing A-Z

Writing A-Z

Writing A-Z is a literacy support and instruction site with teacher resources, printable worksheets, and also online student activities to guide elementary schoolers along the path to become successful writers. Apparently, there are two types of content: resources for teachers to use in off-screen lessons and a student portal where the students are able to work on writing projects. The teacher side gives detailed and thorough resources, from the basics of letter learning to grammar, spelling, and beyond.

As we said, there are printable worksheets, projectable instructional aides, full lesson plans, and many writing prompts. The interactive side will offer the students scaffolded support for developing an opinion and fleshing it out to make a polished piece of writing. With the Build-A-Book and Write-Your-Way tools, the students are able to add drawings and artwork. Before turning their work in, the students go through a checklist which asks them to double-check spelling, sentence structure, grammar, and more. Then, the teachers are able to review their students’ writing and give feedback directly in the tool. There is a suggested grading rubric to help teachers with assessment.

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