Playwrite

During a reading workshop model students may be encouraged to research a topic that interests them. (Though this doesn't work as well as a whole group activity it is a great extension for advanced students. ) As they research their topic they keep notes of what they are learning and record their resources for a bibliography.

When students feel they are done researching the topic they can organize their thinking either on paper or with a software program (such as Inspiration). With their organized thinking students then write a play that features main ideas that they have learned. Writing should be in play form with characters that have speaking parts. Scripts are typed for actors to study. I allow students to ask classmates to participate in their play and learn a speaking part. The writer is not in the play.

With a few days of practicing their lines I allow my second graders to make costumes out of butcher paper or bring something from home. We practice a few times (with the writer as the director) and then the writer films the production with a digital video camera.

Using the digital video, students use a video editing software to add a movie title at the beginning, credits at the end (including a bibliography of resources), and possibly some editing of the video itself for quality.

Students are then able to share their "Feature Film" with the class. Along the way make sure to check in with them so that there is content in their video. As an example I had a student study the Statue of Liberty and in his play a family went to visit the statue. When the girl stopped to look at the statue the Statue of Liberty started talking to the girl and telling her about the history and importance of the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of America. Make sure plays are written with the idea of sharing content and not just entertainment. If expectations are not set students can get carried away into inefficient work.

A great way to share this work with parents is to post it on a classroom blog.