After reading the first 8 chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird, I split my students into pairs. I then give them an assignment that is cross-curricular. They are to make a movie using movie maker. I have them take photos and film shots of our small town of Kadoka and parallel it with the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. If they are working with someone who lives on the reservation and rides the bus, they can choose to summarize the chapters or do a movie on the Great Depression. Then in computer class, the students are taught how to use movie maker. They get class time to put their piece together. It usually takes about 4 days because of the shortage of cameras and camcorders. This project really gets them to connect their reading to their everyday lives. Music is required as a background to the piece as well. The instructions are easy; and since the students are so technology oriented, they really get into the project. I have copied the informaton and am posting it below:
Due to the fact that you are learning new and exciting things in your computer class, you are going to make a movie choosing one of the following:
Document small town life. Choose various excerpts in chapters 1-5 that depict small town life. Then take those excerpts and parallel them with life in the small town of Kadoka. How does Maycomb differ from Kadoka? How are the towns similar? Choose a song or 2 that is appropriate for your movie.
Research the Great Depression in the 1930s. Choose excerpts from chapters 1-5 that show us how life was in the 30s. How realistic is the books depiction of farmers (the Cunningham family, etc.) predicament in the book? Compare life during the Great Depression to life in the book which takes place during those times. Choose a song or 2 that is appropriate for your movie.
Make a movie that summarizes the first 5 chapters of the book. It should be detailed and realistic. This summary should include all that has happened in the book thus far. Make sure to choose a song that is appropriate for the project.
This assignment is due March 19th. It is a dual grade project. This one assignment will be graded for Mr. Murphy and for Mrs. Shuck and Mrs. Smiley. Presentations will begin when school resumes after spring break.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
It sounds like you are using many learning modalities to reach all of the students. You also are accomodating to their needs if they do not live in your town. This assignment sounds like one that the students will remember for some time.
There are several things that appeal to me in this activity. Students have some choice about how to convey learning, it uses technology in a way that adds meaning and dimension to the learning, and investigating similarities and differences by comparing the book's setting to the town is very powerful.
I just wish I could share the fabulous work all of my students created! They did such a great job! It was a great teacher day for me!
It sounds like you had a valuable experience. It sound like it was worthwhile to the students as well as the teacher.
What a great way to hook the students. They love any technology you can put in their hands. Movie Maker is a fun program. Great idea!
Post a Comment