Digital Video Lesson Plan

In an effort to incorporate digital video productions into everyday learning (as it stands to act as such an overwhelmingly motivating & effective learning tool!), I created a lesson plan that I would incorporate into a 5th or 6th grade ELA unit/lesson plan.

Off The Page Productions

[An Introductory Lesson on Incorporating Digital Video]

Grade: 5-6

Teacher: Marissa Albrecht

Materials: - Class set of novel
- Mac computers
- Digital Video Cameras (1/group)
- Copies of storyboard outline
- Graphic organizer (Story Elements)
- Writing paper/notebook
- Pens/pencils
- The BFG Teaser Trailer (As Model)
- iMovie Rubric
- Video projector

Objectives:
· Students will gain practice discerning important story and character elements/analysis by summarizing and highlighting the key elements of a story
· Students will explore the capabilities and resources available through digital video composition by creating their own video

**Please Note: This is more of a continuing unit of study rather than one isolated lesson plan. Work on this project would require at least a week including time to finish reading the book, filming, and lab time during class.

Student Activities:
· After completing a novel as a class (or in reading groups), break students into groups of 2-3.
· Provide each group with a graphic organizer to assist them in identifying the predominant characters, events, and themes in the story.
· Discuss the story elements and note which elements are most intriguing for each group.
· Explain to students that they will be asked to create their very own movie trailer/preview for the book. They should determine a clear focus (likely drawing from their most intriguing discussion points), choosing from one of the following directions:
o Take the perspective (“step into the shoes”) of one of the main characters and tell your story in an autobiographical/personal narrative video
o As the narrator of the story, focus on one of the big events and how that one event altered the outcome of the story
o Write your own mini commercial/infomercial in which you advertise an important ‘prop’ in the story, emphasizing its role in the story development and outcome
o Direct a ‘mock-newscast’ in which you interview various characters in the story to piece together a summary of the story
o Create your own music video in which your audience can clearly understand the words of your music to gain a new understanding of the story, theme, tone, etc.
o Choose your own direction & have it approved by the teacher before beginning recording
· To help students begin, show the trailer for the book The BFG as a model (as well as similar appropriate themed projects). Also share the storyboard created for The BFG.
· Model the process of how to create a storyboard to aid in organizing. Also provide a tutorial on the appropriate use of cameras and iMovie programs. (As students become more proficient with use, introduce additional programs to aid in their movie productions.)
· In groups, instruct students to select and discuss potential directions for video. Invite groups to share ideas with the class. [*Ideas must be approved by teacher prior to any filming.]
· Rotate into each group to listen in on ideas, guide planning, offer feedback and any necessary help.
· Hand out and refer to the iMovie rubric to inform students of the project goals and expectations.
· During the following week, allow students to bring in costumes and props that will help them use lab time to film in class. Also provide a sign-out for groups who elect to take cameras out and record outside of school.
· At the end of each class, put materials away, collect papers in folders to keep track of them in the room and be sure to plug cameras in so that they will be charged & ready for the next class.
· After approximately a week and a half of filming and editing, it’s Showtime! Invite administrators, faculty, staff & fellow team members to the Screening of student videos.
· Groups will present their movie on the big screen (using projector) with a 2 minute introduction explaining the processes they used to create their digital video.
· Hold an open forum for students to discuss the pros and cons of digital video production and why they feel it should/shouldn’t be a part of classroom learning.
· Post videos on online class site/blog (or link to Teacher Tube).