# Lesson 270: Work with a friend to make a digital story

💡 TECHNOLOGY & FUTURE SKILLS (40 Lessons) • 🟣 D. Creating with Technology

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## Objective

I can work with a friend to make a simple digital story on a device. I can help plan the pictures and words, take turns tapping or typing, and follow family rules for saving and sharing our story.

## Materials

- Tablet or computer with a simple drawing or slides app
- Plain paper and pencil for planning (optional)
- A friend or classmate to work with
- Trusted adult helper (parent, carer, or teacher)

## Mini-lesson — Making a digital story together

A digital story is a story we make on a screen. It can use pictures, short sentences, and even our voices.

Digital stories have parts

- Characters — who is in the story?
- Setting — where does it happen?
- Events — what happens first, next, and last?

Working with a friend

- We share ideas for the story.
- We take turns tapping, drawing, or typing.
- We use kind words if we want to change something.

Using devices kindly

- We hold the device with care.
- We keep food and drinks away from the screen.
- We ask an adult before downloading apps.

Saving and sharing safely

- We ask an adult where to save the story.
- We do not share full names, addresses, or schools.
- Adults decide if the story can be shared online or printed.

Adults can say: "We will take turns on the device, use kind words, and follow our family rules for saving and sharing our digital story."

Picture strip: "Two friends make a story"

## Guided Practice — Plan a digital story with a friend

Use these steps to help two children plan a short digital story before they start tapping on the screen.

1. Choose a friend pair. Let them sit together with an adult nearby.
2. On paper, help them choose two characters (for example, two kids, a child and a robot).
3. Ask: "Where does the story happen?" Help them pick one setting (park, school, home, space, etc.).
4. Draw three quick boxes or circles. Label them: "Start", "Middle", "End".
5. In the Start box, children say what happens first. An adult writes simple words like "We meet at the park."
6. In the Middle box, they say what happens next. For example: "We build a robot sandcastle."
7. In the End box, they say how it finishes. For example: "We save our story and go home."
8. Practise saying the story in order together: "First… then… last…"
9. Remind them: "We will take turns when we use the tablet to draw or type the story."

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice — Our digital story page

Use this practice to help your child move from planning on paper to creating on a screen with a friend.

1. Open a simple drawing or slides app on the device, with an adult watching.
2. Help the children make three pages or slides: "Start", "Middle", and "End".
3. For the Start page, one child draws the setting while the other says what is happening. An adult can type a short sentence.
4. For the Middle page, children swap roles. The second child draws or chooses a picture, the first child tells the story words.
5. For the End page, they decide together how the story finishes. Keep the sentence short, such as "We save our story."
6. Show them how to press a save button or ask an adult to save for them. Say out loud: "We saved our work safely."
7. Ask your child: "Who is in charge of this device?" Help them answer: "The adults and us, not the tablet."
8. If it is safe, let them show the story to another adult or friend. Remind them not to share full names or personal details in their story.

## Quick Check — Working together on a digital story

Answer each question about making a digital story with a friend and using devices safely.

1) What is a digital story?

A story that only lives in our minds and cannot be drawn. A story we make on a screen with pictures and short words. A story that must be shouted very loudly.
A digital story is created on a device using pictures, words, or sound.

2) Who should you work with on this story?

A stranger who messages you online. No one. You must never work with others. A friend or classmate, with a trusted adult nearby.
We work with people we know and trust, and adults stay close.

3) How can you share the device fairly?

Take turns drawing or typing on each page. Grab the tablet and never let go. Push your friend away from the screen.
Taking turns lets both friends be part of the story.

4) Which is a kind way to change an idea?

"Your idea is bad." "Can we try my idea on the next page?" "I will delete your picture."
Kind words help friends feel respected when making choices.

5) What is one thing you should keep out of your digital story?

Made-up characters and places. Funny robots and pets. Your full name, address, or school name.
We do not share private information inside stories.

6) Who decides where to save your digital story?

A trusted adult, like a parent or teacher. The tablet decides by itself. A random person online.
Adults help choose safe places to save digital work.

7) How should you treat the device while you work?

Hit the screen to make it draw faster. Hold it carefully and keep food and drinks away. Toss it between friends like a ball.
Devices should be treated gently so they keep working well.

8) What can you say if your friend never lets you have a turn?

"I will break the tablet." Nothing. Just stay upset. "Can we take turns? I would like a turn too."
Using calm words and asking for turns is a kind way to solve the problem.

9) Which sentence fits this lesson best?

"We work together kindly to make a digital story." "Only one person is allowed to create any stories." "Tablets are more important than our friends."
The lesson is about working kindly together with technology.

10) If you feel unsure about something in the app, what should you do?

Just keep pressing buttons and hope it is fine. Ask a trusted adult for help. Hide the device so no one sees.
Trusted adults can help you use apps safely and calmly.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can explain what a digital story is. Student works with a friend to plan a simple story (start, middle, end). Student can take turns using a device to draw or type. Student follows family or class rules for saving and sharing digital work. Student understands that people are in charge of devices and apps, not the other way around.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can work with a friend to make a digital story and take turns on the device. 🙂 I know some ideas about making a digital story with a friend but still need practice. 😅 Working with a friend on a device still feels tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Taking turns when I use a tablet or computer Using kind words when I share story ideas Asking an adult where to save my digital work
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