Wednesday, April 22, 2015

April Post

This is it, end of the year!!!  We can do it!!!

We are still making our documentaries.  They continue to be excited about finding experts to interview and continue to take pride in their inter-personal skills. Most have finished their KWL and their research and are starting to film and edit.  I am excited to see the end products!  If you're dieing to know, the following are the expectations for the documentary:

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Documentary Expectations

The Format
A documentary could be described as a type of "non-fiction story."  Your documentary will be between 5-7 minutes.
Refer to the C-SPAN wesbsite for examples of student created documentaries.  
Refer to the following cite for C-SPAN downloadable clips on your issue.

Team Work -  100 pts
Before you get started, if you are working in a team, you should consider how the team is going to divide up the responsibilities. Typical roles may include: writer, editor, director, and videographer. Of course, one person can play more than one role

Research  -  200 pts
Research facts and opinions on your topic.  You must have a complete exploration of your issue.  You must have various opinions about your issue.  Cite all sources.

Interview an expert -   An attempt – 50 pts       An actual interview-  200 pts
Contact and interview an expert on your topic.  It can be an interview in person, via e-mail, or via phone.
Given out time constraint, I want to see you at least make an effort in finding and contacting and expert.

 Outline the Content  - 100 pts
Before production, you will  create a script outline, including storyboards illustrating specific shots. It should include: locations to explore, people to be interviewed, events to capture, situations to show, documents or still photos to include, artwork, quotations

Shooting Video – 200 pts
There are some basic rules to follow when shooting your video footage. You should consider lighting, framing, positioning, camera steadiness, speed of camera movement, sound, how many seconds you hold a shot, etc. A note about interviewing--think carefully about the questions and answers, the preparation, position, location and appearance of the interviewee. Careful planning can lead to better video footage for your final product.

Editing  - 100 pts
Editing is a critical phase of creating your video. Think of the editing process as similar to the writing process, and your video footage as the words you will use to tell your story. In what order will you arrange the story? What pieces work well together? What piece should be left out? How will it end? You may also realize you are missing some pieces and need to shoot more video. Determine your strategy of transitioning between scenes and which segments need voice-over narration.
You may use your phone, bring in your own tablet, the Chromebooks or the cameras at the school.  Search for video-editng software that will be compatible for your equipment.

Possible video editing software to use:
http://edtechteacher.org/apps/video/     (scroll to the bottom of page for full list)
 
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When I was explaining this inquiry when we first started, I really wanted to discuss WHY we were doing this.  Sometimes when I start a lesson/inquiry I go over the "WHY" too quickly.  So not only did/do I explain it, daily, but I keep it up on the board.  When I first started thinking about the "WHY," I was amazed at how much it covers.  Just to name a few; we use our higher level thinking; we are creative and innovative; we use our communication and collaborations skills; we gather research and synthesize and process information;  we use our critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills;  we use multi-media; we use our interviewing and inter-personal skills. Now that's a mouthful.

I have really enjoyed this year of inquiry!  It has forced me to allow the students to take ownership of their own teaching and learning.  They were up for the challenge and have carried it through to the end (almost to the end).  I am so very proud of them, and hopefully they will look back at their inquiry experiences and say that not only did they learn, but they had fun doing it!!!

4 comments:

  1. Hi Dana!
    It is a joy to read your post and see how thoughtful you are in planning and reflection. The two areas in which I struggle the most are evidenced in your writing; a rubric with clear achievement points and website resources. I aspire to provide these to my students up front. I feel like we are always creating the rubric/expectations and resources as we go. It's fine, but not entirely comfortable or efficient.
    Thank you for always providing inspiration and for doing the work with students that matters! Great documentary project (as I've gushed before).
    Val

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  3. I have seen the middle schoolers in the hallway truly engaged in these projects. I was interviewed by the time traveler group who really seemed to be fully invested in their projects - a few of which I am certain have traveled in time. I know that in the years to come they will have fond memories of this project and their literacy teacher.

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  4. I have seen the middle schoolers in the hallway truly engaged in these projects. I was interviewed by the time traveler group who really seemed to be fully invested in their projects - a few of which I am certain have traveled in time. I know that in the years to come they will have fond memories of this project and their literacy teacher.

    ReplyDelete