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Review by Dana Villamagna, Common Sense Education | Updated June 2013

StoryLines for Schools

Silly fusion of Pictionary and "telephone" makes vocabulary fun

Subjects & skills
Subjects
  • Arts
  • English Language Arts
Skills
  • Communication & Collaboration
  • Critical Thinking
Grades This grade range is a recommendation by Common Sense Education and not the developer/publisher.
3–10
Common Sense says (See details)
Teachers say (3 Reviews)
Platforms:  iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Take a look inside

5 images
Choose three to nine players.
Work is recorded at the end of each round.
Practice vocabulary and drawing without pressure.
Completed storyline reveals twists and turns.
Basic drawing kit costs $.99.

Pros: Kids explore the meanings of phrases and drawings through mistake-friendly fun.

Cons: The only outlet for solo players is to connect to a peer through Edmodo.

Bottom Line: Free, easy-to-use game is a fun complement to vocabulary lessons.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

For teachers, StoryLines for Schools would work well as a supplement to any class in need of vocabulary practice. Due to its low barrier of entry and adjustable and brief rounds of play, you can use it at any time to add variety to a day's activities.

And while free play will certainly be fun, to get students more actively learning, split them into groups and have the first student start a custom storyline using a concept or definition covered in class. For younger students, assign each group a specific concept or even the same concept. They can either look up a definition or write their own, depending on the desired outcomes. The group then passes the device around, completing the storylines. When groups finish their storylines, play them back for the class using a projector. Students will find the storylines funny, but try to edge the discussion more toward reflection on why and how assumptions about the meaning of things are made and what the impact is on their lives (e.g., misinterpretation of a text).

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Standards:

Editor's Note: StoryLines for Schools is no longer available for download.

StoryLines for Schools is the classroom-friendly, social media-restricted version of the vocabulary building iOS drawing app StoryLines. It's a creative, fun experience best played in small groups -- three to nine players -- with one device. It's perfect for classrooms needing vocabulary practice with limited iPhones or iPads. But be aware that kids are free to draw or write whatever they want, including iffy words and pictures.

A StoryLines session begins with a student writing or choosing a well-known saying, idiom, phrase, word, or quote, and then passing the device to the next player who must draw what's written. Then the device goes to a new student who writes down what he or she sees. Depending on the size of the group, this can be repeated for up to nine students. StoryLines compares this game to the old-fashioned game of telephone, in which players whisper a sentence from person to person, morphing the sentence little by little into something entirely different.

This game is a pressure-free, fun way for students to practice vocabulary, writing, and drawing while also trying out deductive and inductive reasoning. And with good discussion, kids can think about what happens when assumptions are incorrect. The only potential downside of this app is that kids need other willing participants to play the game; there's no real effective way to play solo, although Edmodo users can use the OpenMinds platform to play remotely with classmates.

Overall Rating
Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

StoryLines' pass-and-play mode is a safe, fun, and social game experience.

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

Switching between drawing and captioning gets kids thinking creatively and critically, but maybe not deeply.

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

A clear tutorial explains the game at the outset. An in-app purchase provides kids with more drawing options.

Common Sense Reviewer
Dana Villamagna Classroom teacher
About our ratings and privacy evaluation.

Key Standards Supported

Language

  • L.3.1

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

  • L.3.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • L.3.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.3.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.4.1

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

  • L.4.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • L.4.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.4.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.5.1

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

  • L.5.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • L.5.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.5.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.6.1

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

  • L.6.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • L.6.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.6.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.7.1

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

  • L.7.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • L.7.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.8.1

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

  • L.8.3

    Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

  • L.8.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.8.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

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Teacher Reviews

(See all 3 reviews) (3 reviews)
Featured review by
Jennifer A. , Classroom teacher
Classroom teacher
Montclaire Elementary School
Los Altos, United States
Fun Interactive Word App
This is a fun app for reviewing words or general concepts. The game is quick and keeps students engaged and laughing. It is accessible by all learners. I like that we can add our own word or phrase so it's very open-ended. I also like only having a single black writing tool. While the drawing created then aren't detailed artwork (at least not by 2nd graders) it keeps the game moving because students are busy trying to change pen color and thickness. It forces them to make a quick sketch, as intended.
Read full review

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