FAQ: Storybird for schools
- Top Questions
- How do I start a class?
- Is my class private?
- How do I add students to my class?
- How do my students login?
- Can we upload our own art?
- Can we combine different artists?
- How do I comment on unpublished Storybirds?
- How do I delete a Storybird?
- Can I moderate comments on Storybirds?
- How do I delete a student account?
- What are Pro and Pro Plus plans/accounts?
- Is the Forever Free account free forever?
- Classes
- What is a class?
- Is there a difference between a class account and teacher account?
- Is my class private?
- How do I get my students into my class?
- How will my students collaborate or comment on each other's stories?
- How can I share my class with parents?
- How do I add more classes to my teacher account?
- I work with other teachers on the same class. How can they access the class account?
- How can I link my classes together?
- Students
- How do I add students to my class?
- Can I add students with existing accounts to my class?
- How many students can I add to my class?
- Can I upload my student list to make things faster?
- How do my students login to my class?
- Why do I give them a temporary password?
- A student can't login with their initial activation password. Now what?
- What if my student forgets their password?
- What are student login cards?
- Can I change a student's username?
- Can I change a student's real name?
- How do I delete a student account?
- Can I print the class list?
- Making & Publishing Storybirds in a Class
- Note: Go here to learn about making Storybirds in general.
- How do my students collaborate?
- How do my students publish stories into our class?
- How do I embed my students stories into our blog or wiki?
- How do I delete a Storybird?
- Assignments
- What are assignments?
- Do I need to use them or can my students "just write" without them?
- How many assignments can I make?
- How will my students know about an assignment?
- What happens after the assignment due date?
- Can I change an assignment due date after issuing an assignment?
- Can I change the Storybird or photo that I uploaded when I made the assignment?
- How can I share an assignment with parents?
- Can I delete an assignment?
- Class Library
- What is the class library?
- How is it different than the assignment library?
- Do my class stories appear in the general Storybird library?
- Can I add books to the library that aren't made by my students (like a reading list)?
- How can I share the class library with parents?
- How do I remove a book from the class library?
- How can I elevate student stories into the class library "Featured Storybirds" carousel?
- Reviewing & Grading Storybirds
- How do I track student stories?
- How do I find a specific story?
- Can I review or comment on an unpublished Storybird to give feedback?
- Is there a fast way to comment on published Storybirds (rather than going to each book)?
- How does grading work?
- Can I assign a number grade AND letter grade to the same story?
- Can I change a grade once assigned?
- Can I remove a grade altogether?
- What are digital stickers?
- Can I change a sticker once assigned?
- Can I remove a sticker altogether?
- Fundraising
- Top Q&As
- Is it free?
- How often can I run a Fundraiser?
- Is it $5/book or $5/order that my fund is credited?
- Do you ONLY use PayPal to redeem sales?
- Does Fundraising include all book formats?
- Is Fundraising as insanely easy to use as it appears?
- General
- Class Fundraiser overview
- How it works
- Creating a Fundraiser
- Editing a Fundraiser
- Your Fundraiser dashboard
- The Fundraiser flyer
- Fundraiser timeline/calendar
- Your Fundraiser sales data
- Redeeming your sales
- Order/shipping status
- Receiving your order
- Where is this available?
- Can I delete a Fundraiser?
- Can parents cancel their orders?
- PayPal hasn't sent me my money yet.
Top Questions
How do I start a class?
If you signed up as a teacher, you already have a class! Good work. Don't see the "Classes" link in your navigation? Then you probably created a regular account. No problem. Just click here to create a class.
TopIs my class private?
Yes, classes are private. Student names are shielded, conversations are hidden, and you decide when and where to share stories through embeds on your class blogs or wikis.
TopHow do I add students to my class?
Click on your "Classes" tab, then click "Students" in your sub-navigation. From there, you can add students without email with one click and upload a class list for bulk account creation.
TopHow do my students login?
After you add students to your class, you'll give them their USERNAME (not student name) and the INITIAL ACTIVATION PASSWORD. They'll use that to login. When they do, they'll create a NEW password (for safety reasons). That's it.
TopCan we upload our own art?
No. We don't offer personal uploads. Our particular niche is inspiring people with gorgeous illustrations and focusing them on unlocking the stories hidden in the art. We've found this to be a tremendously exciting way to inspire the most reluctant writers and readers.
TopCan we combine different artists?
You can premix artists BEFORE entering Storymaker, our core writing engine. But not AFTER you start. (We purposefully restrict further image searching to focus writers on unlocking stories with their chosen art rather than endlessly searching for new art.)
You can pre-mix artists by using "themes" on the Create page. Go to "Create," choose a theme, and on the art/theme page, click the link in the top right corner: "Start a Storybird with art tagged x." That will launch all the different pieces into Storymaker.
You can also do a visual search and use the button "Start a Storybird with these images" on the search results page.
TopHow do I comment on unpublished Storybirds?
You can comment on unpublished/work-in-progress Storybird with our the Review tool. You'll find the link in your Classes navigation.
TopHow do I delete a Storybird?
Use the Review tool to find the Storybird, then simply click "Delete." Not using the Review tool? Head over to the story page, click on "Edit Details" under "About this Storybird," and scroll to the bottom. Click "Delete this Storybird" and confirm your action.
TopCan I moderate comments on Storybirds?
Yes. Click on "Settings" in your Classes navigation and click "Comments" in the settings panel. Then choose "Moderated" and click the "Update" button. After, a "Comments" link will appear in your navigation. Click it and you'll see every and all comments that your student post on other student's stories. You can bulk approve comments, edit them, or delete them—before the recipient ever sees them.
Note: we use a "comment mirror" system. When a commenter makes their comment, they "see it" on the comment thread. But only THEY see it. Other members, including the recipient, won't actually see the comment until you approve it. (Yes, we're tricky.)
TopHow do I delete a student account?
Click on your student list, locate the student, and click the delete button. That's it. However, note that all the student's work will be deleted too, so use this feature carefully.
TopWhat are Pro and Pro Plus plans/accounts?
Pro and Pro Plus add several features to your Forever Free teacher account. They're not required to use Storybird with your class, but they will make the experience richer, faster, and more enjoyable. Learn more here.
TopGeneral
What is a teacher account?
A teacher account is like a regular account, but customized to manage classes and students. Teacher accounts have many specialized features unique to the requirements of schools, like being able to sign-up students without email addresses, review work from a specialized dashboard, and so on.
TopIs it different than a regular account?
It's a regular account with additional features. But the "regular part" is the same as everyone else: a teacher can make their own stories and comment on other Storybirds.
TopI already have an account. How do I make it a teacher account?
You can start a Forever Free teacher account here.
TopIs it free?
Yes. You can use our free account forever. But it does have some limitations. You can also upgrade to Pro, which gives you several powerful features that makes your experience richer, faster, and more enjoyable.
TopClasses
What is a class?
A class is a private learning space on the Storybird platform that lets you create student accounts without email, issue assignments, host discussions, and easily track and manage the activity of your students. In short, it's a place for you and your students to enjoy writing and reading Storybirds.
TopIs there a difference between a class account and teacher account?
Well, there is no "Class account" per se. You have a "Teacher account" that uses classes to organize students and manage their work.
TopIs my class private?
Yes. Student names are hidden, discussions are private, and stories are contained within your virtual class walls. However, you can use embed codes to share your students stories on your blog or wiki. And, parents can login through their child's account to view their work.
That said, we use a "class graph" to enable your students to see each other's work in what you would otherwise consider "public spaces." For instance, Student A can find Student B's stories through search, on their public profile, and in the public library. But Student B's stories aren't actually public. The class graph simply enables Student A to see them since it knows that the two students are connected.
TopHow do I get my students into my class?
When you create your teacher account you'll be presented with a class dashboard. Click on "Students" in the navigation. From there, you can add students one-by-one or upload your class list to "bulk create" accounts. After you've added them to your class, you'll give them their username and initial activation password. They'll login, create a new password (a safety feature), and from there they can begin using Storybird.
TopHow will my students collaborate or comment on each other's stories?
Once you've added students to your class, Storybird creates a "class graph" that knows who's connected to who. When your students want to collaborate, they'll have a class list of collaborators from which to choose. They'll also see each other's work in your class library and through search, so they can easily find stories and comment on them.
TopHow can I share my class with parents?
Have them login to their child's account. They'll be able to read their child's stories and any other stories from your class library.
TopHow do I add more classes to my teacher account?
Upgrade to Pro. You get unlimited classes and enable 150 student accounts. Upgrade to Pro Plus if you need even more student accounts.
TopI work with other teachers on the same class. How can they access the class account?
For now, give them your login credentials and share your account. Soon, we'll have administrator/guest privileges to manage multiple teachers in one account.
TopHow can I link my classes together?
Upgrade to Pro Plus. Linking your classes together will enable students from all your classes to collaborate, find and read each other's stories, and comment.
TopStudents
How do I add students to my class?
First, make sure you created a teacher account rather than a regular account when you started using Storybird. Then, head over to your "Student" link in your Classes navigation. From there, you can add students one-by-one or upload your class list to "bulk create" accounts. After you've added the students to your class, you'll give them their username and initial activation password. They'll login at Storybird.com, create a new password (a safety feature), and from there they can begin using Storybird.
TopCan I add students with existing accounts to my class?
No, you'll need to create a new account for them for your class. (We used to include an "invite existing students" feature, but have since had it removed.)
TopHow many students can I add to my class?
You can add up to 75 students with our Forever Free account, up to 150 students with our Pro Teacher account, and up to 300 with our Pro Plus Teacher account. Need even more than 300 students? Contact us.
TopCan I upload my student list to make things faster?
Yes. Head over to "Students" in your Classes navigation, click the "Bulk Account Creation," and either paste your class list into the form or upload it as a .csv file. Have an Excel (.xls) file? No problem. Just open the file in Excel, export the list as a .csv file, then upload it to Storybird. (Note: this is a Pro Teacher account feature.)
TopHow do my students login to my class?
After you've added students to your class, you'll give them their username and initial activation password. They'll login at Storybird.com, create a new password (a safety feature), and automatically join your class. They'll have a Class tab that features any assignments you create, a library of everyone's work, a class list so they can find and comment on their classmates stories, and a pull-down list to invite other classmates to collaborate.
TopWhy do I give them a temporary password?
The "initial activation password" is a safety feature for both you and Storybird. Your students will use it the first time they login and create a new "permanent" password (which, for management sake, you can pre-determine and ask them to use). If they forget their password at some point, just locate them on your student list and use the "Change password" feature.
TopA student can't login with their initial activation password. Now what?
Check that you've given them the correct password and they're entering it properly. Then, ensure that they're entering their USERNAME—not their STUDENT NAME. Still not working? Contact us.
TopWhat if my student forgets their password?
You can generate a new password for them. Find them on your student list (Classes > Students) and click the "Change password" icon. Enter the new password you'd like to use, save it, and have them use it when they login next time.
TopWhat are student login cards?
Student login cards are pre-formatted sheets that you can print, cut, and give to your students to help them login. The cards contain their username, initial activation password, and a space to write their new password. It also has our website address in case they forget that, too. (Note: this is a Pro Teacher account feature.)
TopCan I change a student's username?
No. But you can delete an account and start over (if the student didn't have any work in their account) or ask us to change it (if the student DOES have work in their account that you don't want to lose).
TopCan I change a student's real name?
Yes. Find them on your student list (Classes > Students) and click the "Change student name" icon. Enter the new name you'd like to use and save it. Remember: student names are private and only seen by your class. (For instance, if you embed a student's story in your blog, their USERNAME is shown, not their student name.)
TopHow do I delete a student account?
Find them on your student list (Classes > Students) and click the "Delete student" icon. Confirm the deletion and you're done. Note: deleting an account deletes any work associated with that student and is non-recoverable.
TopCan I print the class list?
Yes. Click the printer icon on your student list and choose "Print class list" from the menu. It prints an ordered, clean list with your class name, student names, and usernames. (Note: this is a Pro Teacher account feature.)
TopMaking & Publishing Storybirds in a Class
Note: Go here to learn about making Storybirds in general.
How do my students collaborate?
Students can use the menu inside Storymaker (our core engine) to "Invite someone" or use the "Invite collaborator" link beside their unpublished stories. Choosing either of these will take them to an invite page where they'll be able to use a pull-down menu that contains all their classmates. Invites appear on the invitee's dashboard.
If you use the Pro Plus Teacher account, you can link all your classes to allow students from one class to invite/collaborate with students from another class.
TopHow do my students publish stories into our class?
Student stories are automatically published into your class library as they are completed. And, if you've issued an assignment, stories will also pool into assignment-specific sub-libraries.
TopHow do I embed my students stories into our blog or wiki?
As the teacher, you can access and retrieve embed codes from any published story in your class simply by visiting the story page and clicking the embed link above the cover. Choose the embed size you want, copy the code, and paste it into your post.
Note that students do NOT see the embed codes themselves. This is to ensure that an adult has at least casually seen the final story before it's shared with the world.
TopHow do I delete a Storybird?
Use the search tool in Review, locate the book, and click the "Delete" icon. Alternatively, you can delete a book by visiting the story page (the place where you read the book, make comments, etc), clicking on "Edit Details" under "About this Storybird" and scrolling to the bottom where you'll find "Delete this Storybird."
TopAssignments
What are assignments?
Assignments are a way for teachers to assign a thematic challenge to their students and then group the results in a specific library. An assignment can be something as simple as "write a story about summer" or more nuanced, like "read the attached story and figure out the theme. Then, write your own story on the same theme."
Assignments appear on students dashboards and link to the assignment page, where you can upload a Storybird for inspiration and write a short paragraph to explain the challenge. When students jump into Storymaker (our core engine), a prompt allows them to tag the story to the assignment which then pools the final stories into a sub-library. If you're using the grading tool, class averages are automatically calculated as you grade stories related to a specific assignment.
TopDo I need to use them or can my students "just write" without them?
Your students can just write without them, in the equivalent of "free play." But, assignments are a quick and easy way to focus their energy, given them a time limit, pool their responses, and grade their effort.
TopHow will my students know about an assignment?
An assignment widget appears on their class dashboard. It links to the main assignment description and includes a due date.
TopWhat happens after the assignment due date?
Technically, nothing. The date is simply used for you to keep track of multiple assignments and for your students to know when they're due. However, you can shift a due date further back if required by editing your assignment details.
TopCan I change an assignment due date after issuing an assignment?
Yes. You can edit it at any time, even after the assignment due date has passed. Just click the "Edit assignment details" link on your dashboard.
TopCan I change the Storybird or photo that I uploaded when I made the assignment?
Yes. You can change the story or photo whenever you want, as many times as you want. Just click the "Edit assignment details" link on your dashboard and click away. As for your students, they'll see the change on their dashboards.
TopHow can I share an assignment with parents?
Have them login to Storybird through their child's account. They'll be able to see the assignment, your class library, and, of course, their child's stories.
TopCan I delete an assignment?
Yes. Click the "Edit assignment details" link on your dashboard, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and click "Delete this assignment." Note that this deletes the assignment but NOT the stories associated with the assignment. They will still be available in your class library.
TopClass Library
What is the class library?
The class library is a collection of all your students stories that is automatically built as they publish their work. The stories are presented chronologically but can be sorted by title, student name, or assignments.
TopHow is it different than the assignment library?
An assignment library includes only the stories related to the specific assignment. The class library includes everything.
TopDo my class stories appear in the general Storybird library?
Yes and no. "No" because class stories are private and can only be seen by your students and their families. "Yes" because we use our software to show stories from your class to people in that class. For instance, if Student A is logged into Storybird, she can see Student B's work in the main library BECAUSE we know that they're connected via your class. But if Student A were to log out, she wouldn't see Student B's work. The system would treat her like a regular member and only show her public stories from regular, non-student members.
TopCan I add books to the library that aren't made by my students (like a reading list)?
Not yet. That's coming soon. You can, however, upload a Storybird into an assignment if you're looking to give them a starting point for new writing.
TopHow can I share the class library with parents?
Have them login to Storybird through their child's account. They'll be able to see your class library, and, of course, their child's stories.
TopHow do I remove a book from the class library?
You have to delete it. Use the search tool in Review, locate the book, and click the "Delete" icon. Alternatively, you can delete a book by visiting the story page (the place where you read the book, make comments, etc), clicking on "Edit Details" under "About this Storybird" and scrolling to the bottom where you'll find "Delete this Storybird."
Of course, if you just want the story edited, ask the student to make the changes by clicking "Edit Story" under "About this Storybird" on the story page. The updated book will instantly appear in the library.
TopHow can I elevate student stories into the class library "Featured Storybirds" carousel?
Use the Review tool and choose the "Grade" icon. You'll find a tick box to "Elevate" the story to the featured carousel list in the class library (ie. a much bigger cover appears in a separate box above the rest of the books). To remove a book, simply untick the box.
TopReviewing & Grading Storybirds
Note: some of these answers include features which are part of the Pro Teacher account plan.
How do I track student stories?
Student stories appear in your class library—and on your class dashboard—as they are published. Visiting the library is one way to see, at a glance, what's been occurring. You can also see what a particular student has published by clicking on their username, either at the bottom of you class dashboard or via the list in your "Students" section. You can also use the "Review " tool to search for and find a student's collection of stories.
TopHow do I find a specific story?
Use the "Review" tool search feature, where you can search by story title and student name, and then filter by assignment, published date, and more. Not using "Review"? Use the general-purpose search window in the top-right corner where you can search by username and title.
TopCan I review or comment on an unpublished Storybird to give feedback?
Yes. The "Review" dashboard includes a "Comment" feature that enables you to comment on both unpublished and published stories from the dashboard. Comments on a published story appear in the story's comment threads; comments on am unpublished story appear as a separate note that is linked to the student's dashboard. Note: without the "Review" dashboard, there is no other way to comment on unpublished stories.
TopIs there a fast way to comment on published Storybirds (rather than going to each book)?
Yes. The "Review" dashboard was built to provide immediate access to any and all class stories for you to comment upon, grade, share, etc. It's an ultra-fast commenting tool that lets you make your comments from the dashboard, rather than needing to hop from story to story.
TopHow does grading work?
You can assign letter or number grades to stories within the Review dashboard. Grades then appear on the student's story page above "About this Storybird." Grades are PRIVATE between you and the student. Other students visiting the story page won't see them.
TopCan I assign a number grade AND letter grade to the same story?
No. You can only choose one. Also, be consistent across the class or the assignment: if you start with letter grading, apply it to everyone. (You'll notice that after you start grading, we display the class or assignment average for your reference.)
TopCan I change a grade once assigned?
Yes. You can change the grade or the grade type (letter, number) at any time.
TopCan I remove a grade altogether?
Yes. To remove a letter grade, reset the pull-down menu to "Select." To remove a number grade, highlight the number and delete it, leaving the space blank. (Don't put a zero since it will treat that as a number grade.)
TopWhat are digital stickers?
Digital stickers are like gold stars for a job well done. Apply them to you students work and they'll appear on the story page above "About this Storybird." Stickers are separate from grades, so you can assign a grade, grade + sticker, or just a sticker.
TopCan I change a sticker once assigned?
Yes. Just choose another one and it will be automagically updated on the student's story page.
TopCan I remove a sticker altogether?
Yes. From your Review dashboard, click on the sticker with the green tick mark. That removes the sticker altogether.
TopEmbedding Storybirds
Where do I find the embed codes for a student's story?
Using the Review tool, locate the book in question and click the "Share" icon. You'll find embed codes for two different sizes that you can cut and paste into a blog or wiki. If you're not using the Review tool, visit the story page where you'll find the embed link over the cover of the story.
TopWhy can't my students see the embed codes on their story page while I can?
Only teachers can see and access embed codes. This ensures that a grown-up has made at least a cursory glance at the story before it is shared publicly.
Teachers with experienced bloggers in their class may find this frustrating. We agree: it adds a step. But students often share personally identifying information in their work when left to their own devices. This additional step provides a safety net and an opportunity for teachers to clarify the dos and don'ts of online sharing. (You or your students may want to brush up on our community guidelines before blogging your stories.)
TopWhat platforms will the embeds work on?
Edublogs, Kidblogs, Wordpress, Blogger, Tumblr, Ning, Wikispaces…any modern platform that accepts HTML code.
TopMy embed isn't working. Now what?
Best to consult with your blog/wiki FAQ. That's typically where you'll find the answer.
TopDiscussions
What are discussions?
Discussions are forums that allow you and your students to discuss topics outside of a particular story thread.
TopHow do discussions work?
Anyone in the class can start a discussion by posting a question, opinion, and so forth. From there, others can respond, just like a conversation on a blog post. It's easy to use and read.
A discussions directory is automatically created that lists the discussion titles, the volume of replies, and activity level. A short version of this is found alongside all discussion threads for easy access.
TopCan I moderate discussions?
Yes. There are three ways to moderate discussions:
- Delete any comment using the "Delete" link underneath the comment.
- Close a discussion, which preserves the thread but doesn't allow further comments, by clicking the "close thread" link in the top-right corner of the discussion.
- Delete a discussion, which removes it completely from the index. The "delete" link is in the top-right corner beside "close thread."
Can I remove discussions from my class activity?
Yes. Click on your class "Settings" link and choose "Discussions" in the navigation. Click "Off" and then click the "Update" button. This will remove the "Discussions" link from both your and your students dashboards.
TopFundraising - Top Questions
Is it $5/book or $5/order that my fund is credited?
It's $5/order. Adding more books to one order won't increase the sum.
TopDo you ONLY use PayPal to redeem sales?
Yes. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can create one later to receive funds.
TopDoes Fundraising include all book formats?
No. It includes softcover, hardcover, and premium. It does not cover PDF downloads.
TopFundraising - General
Class Fundraiser overview
Class Fundraisers turn your students' stories into a fundraising tool. The premise is simple: you create a Fundraiser, parents buy their child's Storybird online, and $5 is deposited into your fund with every order. When the Fundraiser is over, students and families receive their stories as beautiful books, and you get to spend the fund on whatever your class needs: supplies, technology, etc.
TopHow it works
- You create a Fundraiser and print out the Fundraiser flyer. Your students take a copy home.
- Parents login to their child's account and purchase any of their books (school work or personal) in softcover, hardcover, and premium hardcover formats (PDFs are not included).
- Purchases are tracked on your Fundraiser dashboard. Each order (not book) deposits $5 into your fund.
- When the Fundraiser timeline closes, all books are printed and shipped to your school for distribution, and your fund is automatically redeemed to you via PayPal (we only redeem via PayPal).
Creating a Fundraiser
Creating a Fundraiser takes a few seconds.
- Click "Start a Fundraiser" (or "Add Fundraiser" if you've made one before).
- Fill in the basic details: the name (make it snappy), description (keep it concise), and your contact details (we'll need them for shipping and to pay you). Also, choose an image (use different ones for different fundraisers) and a deadline (we suggest a date 2 weeks from now to keep things focused).
- Click "Create Fundraiser" when you're done. You'll be taken to your Fundraiser dashboard.
Note: be sure to verify which email address you use. This will be the one used by PayPal to transfer you your funds when the Fundraiser closes.
TopEditing a Fundraiser
You can edit a Fundraiser as much as you'd like. Each time you make a change, the printable flyer and email copy will be updated for you. Be careful, then, not to make significant changes after you've sent out information to students and parents (particularly the deadline).
TopYour Fundraiser dashboard
Each Fundraiser has a private dashboard that contains your flyer, sales data, and shipping status. It also includes a visual list of the books being purchased. If you're running several Fundraisers, each one is accessed from the main "Fundraising" link in your class navigation.
TopThe Fundraiser flyer
Your flyer is a PDF printable/handout that is automatically generated based on your Fundraiser details. You'll print this out and give copies to your students to take home. You can edit the flyer as often as you'd like. If you make changes, be sure to re-distribute it if you've already handed one out.
Your flyer has an "Email version," too. This is auto-generated copy based on your Fundraiser details that you can cut and paste into an email and send to your parent list. (Note that it has some words you'll need to customize.)
TopFundraiser timeline/calendar
Choose a date on the calendar when you want your Fundraiser to END, not begin. By default, we set the end date two weeks from today's date and recommend you don't give more than two weeks. As a teacher, you know the value of a deadline that's "just right:" not too short to cause panic, but not too far way that people forget.
Note that you can't set Fundraisers beyond two months from today's date.
TopYour Fundraiser sales data
Your Fundraiser dashboard includes sales information and the status of your PayPal redemption. The sales data includes your current fund total (the amount you'll be paid at the end of the fundraiser) and the amount of orders placed. (Note that the $5 your fund is credited is for each ORDER made, not each BOOK sold.)
TopRedeeming your sales
Your fund is automatically redeemed to you via PayPal after your Fundraiser closes.
The email you use in the Fundraiser details is the email that PayPal will use to notify you when the funds are ready. You'll be asked to create a PayPal account if you don't already have one. Note that we ONLY use PayPal for fund redemption, so if there's a reason you can't create a PayPal account, you won't be able to collect your funds.
TopOrder/shipping status
Books are printed 3-5 business days after the Fundraiser closes and then shipped to your school via USPS Media Mail, which takes 3-8 business days. (Basically, allow for 2-3 weeks to get your books.)
The status of your order is updated and displayed on your dashboard, including a link to the shipment's tracking number once it leaves our printing facility. You'll also receive a "shipping notification" email.
TopReceiving your order
Thirty books fit into two medium boxes. They're easy to manage and shouldn't cause much fuss when they arrive. Each box will weigh between 14-18 lbs.
Note that your Fundraising dashboard includes a list of the books purchased during the Fundraiser that includes the book title, author, and purchaser's name. You can match this to the packing slip to verify that you received everything and which student gets which book.
TopWhere is this available?
Class Fundraising is available in the US to start. We're looking at Australia and New Zealand next, followed by Canada, the UK, and Europe. Stay tuned.
TopCan I delete a Fundraiser?
No. However, if you created a test one that you don't want, simply edit it/recycle it into a new one. Problem solved.
TopCan parents cancel their orders?
Parents can cancel their orders up to the time of the Fundraiser's closing. If they ask you about cancelling, send them here for details on how.
TopPayPal hasn't sent me my money yet.
Funds are redeemed after the Fundraiser closes. If you haven't been notified by PayPal, double-check all of your email accounts and verify which one you used in the Fundraiser details/contact panel. Still no money? Contact us at support.
TopClass Archiving
What is class archiving?
Class archiving de-activates and saves all activity and assets related to a class without having to delete the class from your account. Old stories, assignments, discussions, and fundraisers are archived for future re-activation. (Note: this is a Pro Teacher account feature.)
TopCan I access old stories from archived classes?
Yes. Use the general search bar and search by title or author.
TopWill embedded stories from archived classes still work?
Yes. Even after you archive a class, old embedded stories on your blog or wiki will continue to function. However, readers on your blog will not be able to click through from the embed link to the Storybird story page since that has been archived.
TopCan my students access archived classes?
No. Archiving shuts down class access. Students attempting to log into an archived class will be treated as visitors without a current membership.
TopWill archived classes reduce my student count from my account plan?
Yes. Archiving is a perfect way to manage your plan's student threshold without losing old work or lesson plans that you may want to retrieve at some future point. (Alternatively, you can delete old student accounts in that situation. But archiving also de-clutters your class switch list.)
TopLinking Classes
What is class linking?
Class linking lets you link your classes together so that students from one class can collaborate with students from another class, as well as read each other's stories and comment. Without class linking, each class is treaded as an independent silo. (Note: this is a Pro Plus Teacher account feature.)
TopHow do students collaborate using class linking?
Students who collaborate with other classmates use the "Invite someone" link on their dashboard or inside Storymaker (the core writing engine). The invitation form includes a pull-down menu of the student's classmates. With class linking, the pull-down menu includes ALL students from ALL classes that are linked. Student A in Class 1 can now invite Student B in Class 2; a message will appear on Student B's dashboard linking to the invitation.
TopHow do students in linked classes find each other's stories?
Students in linked classes can find each other's stories through search or by visiting the student's profile page. This is an important feature of class linking since otherwise those stories and profiles would be private and unfindable. We call this feature our "class graph" since it maps the relationships between your students and allows access to their respective work.
TopHow do I enable class linking?
Once you've upgraded to Pro Plus, visit the "Settings" of a class you want linked. There, you'll find a list of all your other classes; click those that you want linked. (Note: using this format, you can link some classes, but not others. For instance, you could link Class A and B with each other and class C and D with each other (thereby NOT linking A or B with C or D).
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Most of the answers to most of your questions about using Storybird.
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