Merton Press Room Website http://mertonpressroom.weebly.com/index.html

My lesson plan is to expand the video production department of The Merton Press Room. Our district recently set up a green screen and acquired video editing software that will enable our students to produce sophisticated videos.

In order to move forward and expand The Merton Press Room's video production department, I need a supply of Flip Video cameras. I do not have any cameras that are accessible to our Press Room staff on a consistent basis. I have to borrow them from other teachers, and the cameras are usually not available when I need to use them. I would like to have two Flip Video cameras so my staff can accomplish two goals on a consistent basis:
1. Produce original videos, webisodes and documentaries.
2. Provide video coverage of current events happening in our district.

As you can see from the fllowing webisode series and departments, I do have Press Room staffers with a huge talent and interest in video production.

Brynn's Tasty Treats (cooking show)

Taylor's Take (talk show/feature story format)

Draw With Jenna! (art and drawing tips)

Movie Madness (original videos produced by students)

My lesson plan is to further incorporate video production into my language arts curriculum. Video communication is a dynamic and valid method to communicate learning and demonstrate proficiency in common core standards. It is also an excellent vehicle to integrate language arts with other subjects such as science and social studies. I also plan to use 21st Century fluencies and skills into our video project design and implementation. My students will maximize their use of collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and communication by producing their own work for our student news website. My Press Room staff will also take care to be positive role models and use exemplary Digital Citizenship when sharing their work online.

My Merton Press Room staffers are in grades 4-8.

Student work will continue to be shared with an authentic audience via Twitter, e-mail, podcasts and our district newsletter.