Lots of new movies this week!
My own class films, “Camouflage Jones, Private Investigator” and “We See Animals Hiding” are now online at VideointheClassroom.com
These are related to the 2nd grade “Look Again Unit.”
Special thanks to Stephanie Penniman for her third grade film, “Kids Did It In Business” and Gisele Lee for her second grade movie, “Mushroom in the Rain.”
To learn to make films in your own classroom, please attend the three day workshop I’m co-presenting this summer at the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
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Hi,
I took a look at your films and all I can say is WOW! I am impressed!!!! I wish I had your talent. I do small videos with my kids but nothing like you do. This summer I am going to take a closer look at your work and try to incorporate it into my classroom next year. Your students are lucky to have you.
Emma
http://cityteacher.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/student-films-wow/
I got so excited when I saw your films. The children were so impressed they wanted to do a movie. So we put together a play based on the Magic Tree House books. We made up our story and called our play “The Magic Tree House and the Wild Animal Kingdom.” We presented it to their parents and our principal for their final culmination.
I used IMovie. I know there’s lots of improvement. Next year I will work on it. I just wanted to ask you for any suggestions? What kind of extended microphone can I purchase? Are they expensive?
My kids were so jazzed they had so much fun putting it together. 80% of my student are ELL learners. This helped their reading, writing and speaking so much! We also presented it to other classes. Other students from other grades asked if I had the book. I guess they were impressed.
Isabel,
It depends if you’re talking about hooking up a microphone to your computer or your camera. I’m not sure which.
A camera microphone is more expensive. For the computer, you can use a cheaper microphone because you do not need as long a range since students are right next to the computer.
The microphone is for a digital video camera. Is there a particular microphone that is better than another?
I used a Sony Digital 8 Handycam old but still useful. Our principal had stored it away and I came across it.
I like this Microphone for your camera but make sure that your camera has a microphone input. It’s a uni-directional microphone meaning that it needs to be pointed at students speaking and will filter out background sounds.
Microphone
I teach second grade in Ontario, CA and I came across your web site from a post you made on Beth Newingham’s site. I am fascinated with learning how to do the green screen effect. I purchased several books and have the software for it but cannot figure it out. Can you help me? I am fairly proficient with technology and have made numerous projects so I do know what to do once its been explained to me. I use a MAC and have iMovie, Final Cut Express, Photoshop Elements 8, iPhoto…Thank you for all your help.
Heidi,
In Final Cut Express, go to video filters> Key> Chroma Keyer or Blue and Green Screen effect. If it’s not there then you may need Final Cut Pro which is what I use. I know for sure it’s not in iMovie or iPhoto. There’s a relatively inexpensive program called Frames from Tech4Learning which also has green green capability for stop motion.
Hello! I have seen your movies and have enjoyed watching them. I have learned a lot from Matthew Needleman (OCR Website) by reading his website about making movies. I recently made a rules and procedures movie. (It’s posted in the gen. ed forum under the thread about powerpoints.) My question is…how can I make it so the kids can hear the sound coming from my laptop? I ahve an LCD projector and do powerpoints every week in my class and we also go online together but the kids can’t hear anything from the speakers on my laptop. I have tried hooking up the speakers from the classroom PC to my laptop but it doesn’t make the sound any louder. What do people use to make the sound loud enough for all 35 kids to hear. Which specific speaker do I need to get?
Thank you in advance for your help!
UCLAlum,
You probably want more power…These are relatively inexpensive and have a good amount of power….
speakers
I just want to say that you inspire me so much! What you are doing for thousands of teachers across California (and the U.S.) is amazing and I thank you for that. Congrats on the Digital Video Awards. Thanks for answering my question.
I spent some time looking though your websites, as well as your ADE Camp blog. I enjoyed your creativity and will spend more time checking out your expertise and reviewing your methods. I’ve done similar things, but, as an elementary classroom teacher with so many other things to do, my time for projects was limited. As of last year, I’m an art teacher and technology specialist at my school. Now, I’ve got increased opportunity to do things I’ve always wanted to do with kids, specifically things that concentrate on the right side of the brain!
Anyway, I have a quick question. In Tales from the Yard, your audio capture was impressive. What microphone did you use to pick up the kids so well? A microphone is going to be a must purchase for this coming year, and, if you’re willing to share your expertise, I could save some research time.
Thanks again for sharing this part of your life! There’s someone in Austin, Texas listening and appreciating…
Roger,
I previously recommended a cheap microphone that might work for most teachers. However, my microphone cost $300 five years ago. I bought it because I was making films at that time outside of the classroom but since I have it I might as well use it. I tell you what it is but it’s probably overkill for most teachers.
It’s a BeyerDynamic MCE86 shotgun microphone. I also have a microphone stand ($30) which holds it in place in a shock mount of sorts. For “Tales from the Yard” students sat right under the microphone as they recorded their voices into Garageband on my iBook. That’s my only secret. Also turn up the volume as loud as you can.
You also need an XLR>mini plug cable and an iMic from Griffin to plug it into the computer since it’s not a USB microphone.
I love your and your students’ films. I almost cried when I was watching city mouse….It is stylistically charming and visually so polished. I thoroughly enjoyed your sense of humor written into the dialogue and the kids’ intonation was amazing.
I’m a 3rd grade teacher in Santa Ana Unified. I have just started to used ilife for editing movies and I’m hooked. However, I’m thirsty for more education on the styles of shooting and the tools, programs and training available for editing. Can you provide information on where I may go for classes, workshops or knowledgable people who like to collaborate on projects?
Thank you Sharon for you kind words.
Your local Apple Store offers free group classes if you find out their schedule. Also, for private lessons, $100 a year gets you unlimited weekly private lessons with them.
If you want professional development on the go, I am a big fan of the podcasts on http://www.flickschool.com download them and watch them, they’re terrific.