Digital Storytelling and Publishing with TikaTok

If you're looking for a fantastic way to integrate science, social studies, writing, and digital publishing, then TikaTok is your answer! TikaTok is a digital publishing platform that makes it fun and easy for students to showcase their research or subject area knowledge.

We're working on plants right now in science and we recently studied careers in social studies, so I combined the two to create a TikaTok project. Once I started to to use the site, I found it quite easy to navigate.

I chose the grade level and content area I wanted to focus on, and TikaTok gave me some suggested projects. You can see I also had the option to choose the exact Common Core writing standard I wanted to focus on.

I saw the Help Wanted template and decided it would be the perfect way to integrate our study of plants and careers. I found this extensive kid-friendly list  of careers in science that involved plants. Score!

So I started by doing an example for botanist.

I clicked on "view in editor" and was brought here. The words are already in the template, the kids just need to fill them in! I would suggest having the kids do their research and have a rough draft of what they are going to type for each section.

Then I was prompted to add a picture. This was one that was in the TikaTok gallery, but you also have the option to add your own graphic or even the student's own illustration.

To complete the book, I'll have each student choose a science career, illustrate it themselves, and create one page for the book.  So what happens next?

You can download a pdf proof copy of the book, and then if you're interested you can purchase a digital copy or hard or softcover book. Of course you're not going to purchase a copy for each student, but you can give parents the opportunity to do so. I'm going to purchase one hardcover copy of the class book and add it to our library. Other class books in my library are some of most read and well-worn, so this is a good investment in my eyes. 

You can also have each student write their own book, which parents might be more likely to purchase. This Help Wanted template is just one of many, many options. Be sure to look at the bottom of the TikaTok homepage for some really stellar student examples.

If you'd like to explore TikaTok a bit more, I have an exclusive coupon code for you! Just fill out the form here and use the code WEARETEACHERS instead of entering a payment. This will enable you to use the site for 90 days, but you need to activate your membership before June 30th.

If you have any other wonderings about TikaTok, be sure to see this comprehensive Q&A page.

Here's a great introductory video too.

So, what do you think about TikaTok? Leave a comment and let me know how you might use it to showcase your students' work. One lucky commenter will win a $15 Amazon gift card just for chiming in!

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