Story Squares are a visual storytelling tool designed to enhance language acquisition through narratives. Typically, these are a set of squares, each containing a chunk of a specific story. When arranged in a grid, they form a visual storyboard that serves as a foundation for language learning and creativity. The uses for this idea are endless.
Choose a story
First, choose a story that can easily be chunked into 9 – 12 squares. The story can be one you have made up to focus on key vocabulary and grammar or a summarized version of an authentic text you have had students working on. If you use this activity with a story you have been working on, you can easily take this idea and tweak the story just a bit to make it a parallel text. This will keep students engaged and let you know who is paying attention.
Prepare the story squares
- Creating Story Squares: The teacher starts by creating a set of Story Squares, each depicting a crucial aspect of a story. Each of the squares includes a summarized portion of the story that can include the setting, characters, location, and plot. The teacher records the story into 9 or 12 short videos depending on how many squares they are using (I like 9 because I can make fewer videos!). If you are not an ASL teacher, you can write out or voice record the story.
- Embedding QR Codes: In the design phase, the teacher then integrates the QR codes into each square. These codes link to the relevant ASL videos that are the signed portion of the story. You will want to number the square or QR code so you can easily provide answers or help when students get stuck or have a question. You will be glad you did this.
- Scanning for Immersive Learning: Students use their smartphones, devices, or tablets to scan the QR codes associated with each square. This action instantly provides access to dynamic ASL demonstrations, creating a more immersive and interactive learning experience.
Get students working
Distribute the story squares worksheet with the QR codes to students. Students will need a few supplies:
- 2 copies of the QR Story Squares
- Scissors
- Glue
- Blank paper or a paper the teacher created with grammar headers
Students will do several tasks with the Story Squares. What they do with the content depends on the story you are using. With the Story Squares, students can:
- Translate the sentences or chunks of the story
- Sequence the events of the story
- Identify the grammar structure being used in the sentences or chunks of the story
Start with having students cut the squares out and translate. Once the sentences have been translated, task students with locating some grammar structures being used. This is where the blank paper comes in handy. Students will glue down the QR code and label the grammar structure being used. If working with novice students, you can give them a pre-made worksheet with the grammar headers they are looking for.
After the grammar structures have been identified, students will cut the second sheet of QR codes out. Students can use these to sequence the story. When finished, you can ask circling questions about the story, have students retell parts of the story, or use other activities like class murals to continue the learning.
Lastly, partner students up and have students retell the story to each other.
Additional activities
You can add additional activities with this activity when you are done to continue the learning. All of these activities provide repetition with the vocabulary and structures used in your story.
- Students remove a square and see if a partner can tell them which part of the story is missing.
- Students can change the sequence of the story and the partner has to put it back in order. Students can do this using only 4 of the squares to shorten the length of the activity.
- Place students into groups of 3 and give them three of the squares each. Students race to put the 3 squares in order (using only their 3).
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the marriage of traditional teaching tools like Story Squares with modern technology like QR codes brings innovation to the ASL classroom. This dynamic combination not only enriches the learning experience but also empowers students to be independent and more engaged in the material. As you continue to explore more inventive ways to include creative, fresh ideas in the ASL classroom, the use of Story Squares with QR codes stands out as a promising avenue for fostering effective language acquisition.
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