Story Dice by Thinkamingo 1.8

Story Dice is a versatile and engaging creative writing prompt tool that offers a multitude of possibilities for developing plot, character, and setting. It serves as a valuable resource for both written and oral storytelling.

"What we appreciate about Story Dice is the opportunity it provides for each member of our family to take turns telling a story that incorporates all of these elements. We even go as far as voting on the best one!" - Mark Frauenfelder, editor of Make Magazine, NPR Morning Edition

This app caters to a wide range of age groups, spanning from preschoolers to middle school and high school language arts students. Its user-friendly interface requires minimal instruction, making it suitable for children aged 3 years and up. Moreover, the app does not depend on reading abilities, making it accessible to non-readers and users with different native languages.

Key Features:

• Universal App!
• High-resolution graphics supporting Retina Display
• Customizable dice rolls (1-10)
• Realistic dice sounds and still images
• Diverse pictogram dictionary with 200+ options
• Swipe feature for reviewing previous rolls
• No reading skills necessary
• Optional in-app game instructions

Suggested Game Ideas:

1. Charades - Utilize the single die roll to determine a charade item.
2. Stories With Friends - Form a circle and roll the Story Dice (any number). Construct a sentence incorporating all the items indicated on the dice. Pass it on to the next person and repeat the process, progressively building on the story.
3. Song Challenge - Roll a single story die and compose a song that incorporates the chosen item in the lyrics.
4. Poems With Friends - Similar to Stories With Friends, but restrict usage to 1-2 dice and create rhyming lines.
5. Drama Club - Roll any number of dice. Use the items indicated to shape a character, then collaborate with friends to devise an improvised skit.

"Pictograms do not require the ability to read, which is great for my kindergartners and those who struggle with reading." - Consonantly Speaking, SLP blog

Educational Applications:

Story Dice proves particularly beneficial in higher-order activities based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, particularly Synthesis. It facilitates tasks such as creating, inventing, composing, predicting, planning, constructing, designing, imagining, proposing, devising, and formulating. You can tailor activities to varying levels of complexity. Let's consider an example:

Sample Journal Activity “My Perfect Day” using Bloom’s Taxonomy:

Student/Short Version: Students will use Story Dice to create a character and then describe/write/dramatize their own "perfect day" from the character's perspective.

Teacher Version: Students will employ Story Dice for generating unique character ideas. After completing a brief character sketch, they will compose a journal entry titled "My Perfect Day," written from the perspective of their new character. The evaluation aspect represents a high-order activity and can serve as a self-grading opportunity. Additionally, in a classroom or small workgroup setting, students can perform their journal entries as monologues while remaining in character, possibly interacting with each other, adding a dramatic element.

1. Knowledge: Roll five or more Story Dice. Identify and describe the pictures depicted on the dice.
2. Comprehension: Summarize the task ("Journal Activity 'My Perfect Day'") that will incorporate the dice.
3. Application: Create a chart featuring five categories: name, age, job, pets, hobbies. Assign each dice image to one of these categories. Assume the persona of your character and write a paragraph offering a detailed description of yourself.
4. Analysis: Examine each feature of your character and determine what sets them apart.
5. Synthesis: Compose a journal entry entitled "My Perfect Day" to be written from the perspective of your character.
6. Evaluation: Assess what worked and what didn't in your journal entry. Determine whether you successfully fused the dice pictures together in a believable manner.

BONUS Activities:

Perform your journal entry as a monologue while interacting with other students. Stay committed to your character!