Co-Author Carousel

Objective: Students will collaborate to add details to different parts of our shared back-to-school story through timed station rotations, reinforcing narrative structure and classroom norms.

Materials:

• Printed Co-Author Carousel prompt cards (Climax, Falling Action, Resolution, Illustration)
• Station posters labeled: Climax, Falling Action, Resolution, Illustration
• Chart paper or large butcher paper at each station
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Timer or bell

Teacher Prep (15 minutes):

• Print and cut prompt cards for each station.
• Set up four stations around the room; at each station place:
  • One station poster
  • A stack of relevant prompt cards
  • Chart paper and drawing tools
• Divide class into four small groups of 4–5 students.

Instructions (50 minutes):

1. Introduction (5 min)
   • Gather students and explain the carousel process.
   • Remind them of our story arc stages and related classroom norms.
2. Station Rotations (40 min)
   • Assign each group to a starting station.
   • Set the timer for 10 minutes.
   • At each station, groups:
     • Draw or write details that fit the station’s story stage.
     • Use at least one classroom expectation (teamwork, respect, responsibility) in their contribution.
     • Pick a prompt card to guide their work (e.g., “What’s the scariest thing that happens?” at the Climax station).
   • When the timer rings, each group rotates clockwise to the next station and begins adding to that chart paper.
3. Gallery Walk & Refinement (5 min)
   • Once all rotations are complete, display the four sheets in order.
   • Invite students to walk around, read each section, and suggest quick edits on sticky notes.
4. Debrief (5 min)
   • Bring class together to highlight how each group’s ideas built our story.
   • Emphasize how following norms (listening, cooperation) made the carousel successful.

Next Steps:

• Combine the carousel charts into the full story arc.
• Prepare for Session 4: typing and illustrating our digital classroom tale using Digital Classroom Tale.

Digital Classroom Tale

Objective: Students will type, illustrate, and compile their collaborative back-to-school story into a shareable digital book that reinforces classroom norms.

Materials:

• Classroom computers or tablets with simple word processor or book-making tool
• Digital Classroom Tale template pre-loaded on each device
• Illustration tools (drawing software or scanned hand-drawn art)
• Headphones (optional for audio recording)

Teacher Preparation (20 minutes):

• Set up the Digital Classroom Tale template on each device. The template should include:
  • Title page with space for story title, author names, and class photo
  • Four story-section pages: Beginning, Rising Action, Climax & Falling Action (two pages), Resolution
  • Visual placeholder for illustrations on each page
• Create simple step-by-step instructions (printed or projected) for typing text, inserting images, and saving work.
• Group story sections among small groups of students.

Student Instructions (50 minutes):

1. Getting Started (5 min)
   • Review the collaborative story arc from the Co-Author Carousel.
   • Remind students of our classroom expectations for tech use and sharing resources.
2. Typing Your Section (15 min)
   • Open the Digital Classroom Tale template.
   • Locate your assigned section page (e.g., “Rising Action”).
   • Type the group’s text draft into the text box.
   • Check spelling, capitalization, and punctuation with a partner.
3. Illustrating Your Page (20 min)
   • Choose whether to draw directly in the digital tool or create a hand-drawn illustration to scan/photograph.
   • Insert the illustration into the image placeholder.
   • Add a caption or label for your drawing (e.g., “Our class team solving the spilled crayons!”).
4. Final Review & Saving (10 min)
   • Complete a quick peer review: exchange devices with another group to read and look for missing pieces.
   • Make any needed edits to text or images.
   • Save your document with the naming convention: "DigitalTale_SectionName_ClassName".

Compiling & Sharing (next steps):

• Teacher collects each section file and merges pages into one cohesive digital book.
• Add a cover page with class norms highlighted (e.g., Respect, Responsibility, Teamwork).
• Export as a PDF or interactive slideshow.
• Display the finished digital tale on the classroom board, website, or share with families via email.

Reflection Prompts:
– What did you learn about working together to tell a story?



– How did our classroom expectations help us create our book?



– Which part of the digital tale are you most proud of, and why?