Just think what something like that would do for your students!!
Movie making is not necessarily difficult. But it requires a few basic skills:
- Start with a theme or focus for your movie.
- Determine the characters.
- Write the story line. (What “big idea” question does your story answer?)
- Generate movie content with either live action, or stills that tell the story.
- Put it all together and share!
Could the following Common Core standards (Grade 2) be incorporated into such a project (PBL)?
Production and Distribution of Writing:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.4
(W.2.4 begins in grade 3)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.5
With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.6
With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.
What tools could you use? If you have a Mac or iPad, iMovie is the only way to go. That’s how I created my Trailer. Although one could use GarageBand which offers some features that provide musical creativity as well. For the Windows based machine, Windows Movie Maker 2012 will do the job. Try making one of your own first and then encourage your students to be the next George Lucas (Star Wars; Raiders of the Lost Ark) or Philippa Boyens (Lord of the Rings; The Hobbit)!