This lesson is designed with versatility in mind. It could be used for various age levels (from kindergarten through fifth grade), and it certainly allows for differentiation amoung students. The teacher would establish groups of students (typically three students in each group) in the classroom. All students in the group would select a topic (the same one) to work on. The students would research the topic to gather the facts to present to the class. The teacher could also assign the topic to each group. Students would work on the paper slides together (and the teacher can totally leave this up to students for presentation, or the teacher can say what she wants on each slide).
For example, If the students had selected to research insects, they would gather facts on insects. Once the students gather the information they need, they would begin creating the paper slides to be recorded for the final product. They would create a title slide, a slide with a labeled diagram of the parts of insects, and a few other paper slides with important information for the students.
In creating the groups the teacher can let students choose their group members, or the teacher can strategically place students (by ability level or by interest). This lesson requires students to: gather facts (from the computer or from printed material), illustrate and label slides for presentation, work with other students, clearly communicate, and use technology (Flip camera/computer).
Once the students have created the paper slides, the group members would need to create a script of what should be shared verbally about each slide. Once they have the script written out, the recording process can begin. With three students in each group, the teacher can assign (or students can choose) one student to be the camera operator, one student to be the narrator, and one student to work the paper slides. The camera operator would zoom in on JUST the hands/paper slides that the group had already created. The narrator would read the script and narrate the recording, and the student "working" the paper slides would switch the slides as the narrator was finished talking about each slide. Students could playback the recorded Flip video to see if they need to re-do the recording. If they are happy with the video, students can connect the Flip camera to the computer and save the file to share with our class (and even parents through our class blog page) for presentations. These would be great to show on our news show and at various Parent Nights!
Comments
Students LOVE using technology, and teaching in a way that helps prepare them to be 21st century learners is extremely important. Having Flip cameras in the classroom would enable me to create many, many lessons with the use of them. I recently purchased two Flip cameras (through digital wish) for the use of them in my classroom, and I would love to have the opportunity to have more of them at the fingertips of my students! Thanks in advance for considering my lesson!
Cross-Curriculum Ideas
This lesson plan could be used for ANY subject. Students could do the paper slide technique to demonstrate understanding of math concepts and book talks. Student could really do the paper slide technique to demonstrate anything. This is why it's so versatile!
Follow-Up
Students would present their Flip Paper Slide videos to our classmates and to parents. I could incorporate the use of our Senteo ("remote clickers") to create an assessment for students to answer on each others' projects.
