Using Scratch in an English Classroom

My junior classes (Year 9 and 10) have been doing creative writing the past week or so. The focus for both classes has been to start with describing a place and then put a person into the scene, describing how he or she got there and feels about where they are. It's the first formal (as in assessed) piece of writing that the Year 9 class have done, but the second time round for this Year 10 class. Their first efforts were mixed, and I really wanted to lift their use of language techniques to create a more authentic-sounding and evocative piece of writing. The structured and tiered writing response has worked really well, and I can see a significant lift in the sophistication of language and sentence structures.

The Mindlab sessions using Scratch have had me thinking more about how I can incorporate digital storytelling into my classes, so doing creative writing has been excellent timing. Students will be recreating their written description as a visual text, using Scratch. I've pitched it as an opportunity for them to adapt and develop  their ideas for a different format, to problem solve, to experiment and have fun. Today both classes had the opportunity to explore what they can do with the program and I was impressed with the focus and creativity they displayed. A scattering of students have used it before and they are our class experts, who others can call on for advice if needed. However, most students have also been happy to use trial and error, and to use help tools where necessary. Unfortunately there is a scattering of Year 10 students who are reluctant to challenge themselves with Scatch and they are opting into using another program to create their visual text.

Next year I'm hoping to take this further. The school is introducing a four-day timetable. On Friday we will be running mentoring sessions and assembly, and senior students will opt-in to specialised classes for the remainder of the day. Teachers have been asked for proposals of what they could be running during a 90 minute slot. I am keen to run sessions on digital storytelling.

Students will use digital tools to create visual stories.
They will experiment with:
  • Video making (eg stop motion);
  • Computer programming (eg Scratch)
  • Gaming (eg Minecraft)
They will use ICT to:
  • Express your creativity
  • Problem solve
  • Work in groups or individually
  • Develop skills using different programs

Through these tools students will start to experience world of possibilities using ICT. It isn't a groundbreaking course (my partner is thinking about the Science of Fishing, which can incorporate trout biology, physics of fly fishing and actual fishing). However, I do think that it could be awfully fun!

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