Love is.... (edited with directions)

Love is... edited (directions)

Love is Video Link

Picture with our background.
Picture was taken with book buddies
and glyphs we made.

My students love to video things.  When handed an ipad - they turn on the camera and smile!  My students have created bullying videos and public service messages even during recess.  They are trying to save the world through movies!

How did I get them there?  At the very beginning of the year we read a book called "How to Be Perfect in Just 3 days."  After 3 days of reading and trying out what the author suggests - my students create a video on their reflections.  It is amazing that each year children step forward - without me asking and naturally jump into the director and film maker.

After this first video I have an application for jobs.  The kids get to "apply" and convince me that they need specific classroom jobs.  Technology Gurus are always on the list.  Some years I take 3 some years I have more.  I use the kids who are interested and try to get the others interested in the technology process.  The Gurus are usually taught first and/or they are on the front row when we work with different technology tasks.  These children help others when I am teaching small groups.  They are thought of as experts.  Although - we ALL know about technology - if we don't know something - these are the kids to ask.

So, for the Love is movie - I looked on Pinterest and found a link to the letters for LOVE.  We needed a good background for our film.  Here is the link for the letters:

Banner Letters Link

Animoto App Picture

Next, we created our "set" and set up the flip camera.  The students filmed.  We didn't go in any specific order.  The students had brainstormed what love was to them before we began.  As the discussion went on - the thoughts got deeper.

After filming, the students went back through the clips and cut the ones they didn't need or were not audible.  They then used the video creating site called Animoto.  You can go to www.animoto.com
This can be a free site for teachers, but you have to apply for the free account.  Videos can be shared on any mobile device.