I've Got a Feeling (LEAP Test Music Video)

Lesson Title: I've Got a Feelin’
Grade Level: 4th (can be adapted for other grade levels)
Subject Area(s): Music and Technology
Time Needed: 2 or 3 40 minutes class periods (will vary depending on class size)
Materials Needed: Digital voice recorder, Flip cameras, laptop computers, video
editing program
Lesson Goal: To create a music video that will encourage students to do their best
on the LEAP Test

National Standards for Music Education Applied:
1.Singing alone, or with others, a varied repertoire of music
2.Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments
3.Composing and arranging music within specific guidelines
4.Evaluating music and musical performances
5.Understanding the relationship between music and the other arts, and
disciplines outside the arts

National Technology Standards Applied: NT.K-12.1, NT.K-12.3 and NT.K-12.4



Lesson Objectives: Students will create a music video that encourages fellow students to do their best on the LEAP standardized test. Students will learn how to properly use Flip cameras to add appropriate video clips and pictures to a pre-recorded musical selection.

Step One: The teacher will teach students how to sing the LEAP Test Song. The song is sung to the tune of “I Gotta Feelin’” by The Black-Eyed Peas. A Karaoke version of this song can be downloaded from itunes to use as background music.

Step Two: The teacher will record students while they sing using a digital voice recorder. Words to the song will be displayed on the board incase students forget while they are recording.

Step Three: The teacher will upload the recording to the computer and play it back for the students. This recording will be the “music” portion of the music video students will create.

Step Four: Students will be asked to separate into groups. The teacher will give each group a Flip camera and explain how they are going to create a music video for the LEAP Test Song they have just learned. Students will use the Flip cameras to take short video clips that they feel will relate to the song and be enjoyed by fellow students and teachers. Each group will be given approximately 15 minutes to record their video ideas. During this time, groups may use the entire school campus to film, as long as they are quiet and respectful of other classes. Any sound recorded on the student videos will not be heard when the music video is created, so there is no need for students to make any noise.

Step Five: Each group will upload their videos to a laptop computer. Using the Flip camera software, they will edit and save the videos they want to keep to a folder. The teacher will also show students how to take still picture clips from a video, just like using a camera. These pictures can be used in the video as well.

Step 6: Students will use an online video-making program called One True Media (Onetruemedia.com) to create their own unique music video. They will upload the pre-recorded music and videos to a laptop computer and, with teacher guidance, will choose the order of their videos, various effects, and transitions. When a group completes their video they will share it with the class. When all videos have been shared, students will vote on their favorite video, which will be shared with the entire school before taking the LEAP test.

Suggestions: OneTrueMedia has tons of video editing effects and tools. Students could get carried away experimenting and never finish their video. To prevent this, the teacher should give students a limited amount of time to complete their video. Videos that are not completed by the proper time will not be eligible for judging.