Ink to Impact: Publishing the Voices of Tomorrow's Authors

Project Goal: This grant seeks funding to implement Storybird as part of the workshop. Storybird is an innovative, art-inspired digital storytelling platform to enhance literacy education and creative expression. By pairing professional global artwork with unique writing tools, Storybird directly addresses key educational challenges: student engagement, writer's block, and differentiated learning. Funding will secure individual Storybird accounts, where students will follow the writing process and then use Storybird to publish their collection of fiction, poetry, graphic novels, or a mix of all three into a tangible book. This is students’ final year of Middle School, and this would be a great way for students to see their progress throughout the three years we have worked together.

Students will move through the following phases by following the writing process: 1. Pre-Writing (Inspiration via Art) Students begin by exploring Storybird’s safe, curated gallery of global artwork. Instead of staring at a blank page, they select an art style, a specific artist, or a thematic image set that resonates with them to inspire writing ideas. 2. Drafting & Formatting Students select their project format and arrange their selected illustrations in a logical sequence. Next, they begin drafting text directly alongside the images. 3. Revising & Peer Editing Using the built-in teacher dashboard, I will review live drafts and leave targeted feedback. Students rewrite sections to better match the artwork's emotional tone, expand their descriptive vocabulary, and improve sentence variety. 4. Editing & Proofreading Students utilize built-in platform prompts and teacher-led checklists to edit their text for spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar accuracy. 5. Publishing Once the final digital draft is approved, the project is officially "published" to the private classroom library. The grant funds are then utilized to order high-quality, professionally printed, hardbound books of each student's completed collection!

Storybird is invaluable. Key benefits of funding include: 1. Eliminating Writer's Block: A library of over 10,000 professional illustrations provides immediate visual scaffolding and creative prompts. Our Seacrest budding artists can also contribute their illustrations! 2. Differentiated Literacy Tracks: Features specialized formats for ALL levels, including drag-and-drop poetry tiles, multi-page picture books, and advanced chapter books. 3. Measurable Engagement: Platform analytics track time on task, portfolio growth, and curriculum alignment. 4. A Tangible, Lasting Reward: The program culminates in students receiving a beautiful, professionally bound hardcopy book containing a collection of their finest work. This celebrates their achievements and fosters lifelong pride in authorship!

The grant funds a one-year Storybird subscription for the 35 students in Writer’s Workshop this year. The cost is $264.00 for 35 students. The printed books are $30 including shipping and handling. *I can provide an invoice. Account - $264 for 35 accounts Published Book - $30 per student = $1,050 Total Grant Request - $1,314.

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35 Individual account

264

Published book $30x35

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