Monday, April 9, 2012

Do you make movie with your class?


Do you make movies in your classroom?  I do and the students LOVE it!  We have made two movies so far this year.  Last year my class made three movies.  I was so proud of the students.  They did such a great job.

Last year I decided to start the movie making process in my classroom.  I was on the internet a lot researching how to do it.  I am not an expert, not even close.  I am also still learning.  I just think it is fun for me and the students to make movies throughout the year.  Take a look at our first movie of the year.  David Goes to School.

We film our movie in our classroom or anywhere we need to.  We also use a green screen.  Green screen's are great!  They allow me to put any picture or background I purchase behind the students when putting the film together.  Here is a picture of the green screen.


I originally went out an bought green fabric to use as the green screen, but I found I needed a bigger screen so I ended up adding green butcher paper to the fabric.  The No David movie was filmed using the green screen.  Below is a picture of my students using the green screen to film our latest movie. 

As you can see, the students do most of the work with the movie.  They write the script, film, and act.  All I do is put it together using iMovie.

When we first start thinking about making a movie we first come up with an idea of what we want the movie to be about.  It may be something we have learned or something we are in the process of learning.  The No David movie is a great movie to review the rules of school.  Our latest movie, The Magic School Bus Goes to Mount Rushmore, we started talking about the movie and then we learned who was on Mount Rushmore and the Presidents of Mount Rushmore.  This was great because the students really had to understand who the Presidents were so they could be them in the movie. (This movie I entered into the Lee County Film Festival.  I am super excited about this.  This is my first time entering anything)  By making a movie the students became even more engaged  in learning the subject matter.  Any grade can do this!  I teach kindergarten and my students love it.  It is hard work but when they watch the final movie their faces light up.  

Do you make movies with your class? 


28 comments:

  1. That is such a great idea!!! Your kids are so talented:) Great job!!
    1...2...3...Teach With Me

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have never made one! I think that I might try now

    Ms.Patterson

    ReplyDelete
  3. Send your kiddos over to teach mine! ;)

    Christi ツ
    Ms. Fultz’s Corner

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tag...You're It! Stop by to see what I mean :)

    Twirlybird Teaching

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have not tried this yet...I have been working with a tech grant this year and this is on my list. Well, I better get to it since there are only about 30 days of school left. I know the kids would love it!!
    Robynn
    BusyBees

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They will love it!! I did a movie last year at the end of school saying what the students had to do in kindergarten. Then I played it for my new kids this year. We went what is expected in kindergarten.

      April
      Wolfelicious

      Delete
  6. That is so cool! I think I may have to try this at some point!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, please do. Your students will love it and so will you.

      April

      Delete
  7. Love this! What kind of camera do you have?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caroline,
      Thanks. It is really so much fun to make! The students LOVE it. I use a Flip Camera. Our school has one that I use. I actually now kinda have kept the camera in my room since I use it often. LOL. The Flip Camera is so easy to use.

      April

      Delete
  8. I have played around with Windows Movie Maker, but love my Mac! Is it easy to put the photo or background behind the video? Could you give a quick tutorial??
    Thank you so much for the idea!
    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love my Mac too! It is def. easy to put pictures behind. I will work on a tutorial.

      April

      Delete
  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I may have to email you for some pointers! I'm moving to a new school with a green screen and I got a flip cam with a Donor's Choose grant...I just don't know where to start!! So cool!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grace,
      It is so exciting you got a Flip camera. They are so easy to use. Just get an idea for a movie and just go with the flow. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

      April

      Delete
  11. I LOVE it! I am new to iMovie... Did you use any other program to get the David book behind the students? It was awesome. I didn't know that was even a possibility. You have totally inspired me! Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Danielle,
      Nope, all I used was iMovie. I took a picture of each page of the book and then used the green screen button to add my video of the students. It is very easy. The only problem I have faced with it is learning that certain colors blend in with the background.

      April

      Delete
  12. Yes! We are producing a music video right now for Earth Day. :)

    you can check out last years at tekyteach.blogspot.com :)

    Gena

    ReplyDelete
  13. Need a turorial quickly, please. How do you get rid of the green and add the background? I love this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will start working on a tutorial. Stay tuned. :-)

      April

      Delete
  14. Just found your blog via pinterest...this is such a GREAT idea!!! What editing software do you use?

    ReplyDelete