A Genre-riffic Thanksgiving

Activity 1: Brainstorm the different genres that have been discussed and studied. As the students name the different genres, the teacher places the names in a bowl. Divide the students into groups of three or four. Each group selects a genre. Explain to the students they are going to take a character from a book that represents the genre their group is responsible for, and using the Tool Factory Movie Maker program to create a movie, do an interview, create a Claymation or animated project where the story character will answer the questions: 1) What does Thanksgiving mean to you? 2) What are you most thankful for? 3) What is your Thanksgiving message?

(Note: Possible genres would include science fiction, historical fiction, thriller, mystery, fable, biography, westerns, etc.)

Activity 2: Students go to the library to select a book(s) where the characters best represent a typical characterization of their selected genre.

Activity 3: Each group creates a characteristic map of the character they have selected to best represent their genre.

Activity 4: The teacher conferences with each group to discuss the responsibilities of each group member, what format (movie, interview, Claymation or animation) would be best for their character and what additional equipment or supplies they would need to complete their project. Outlines/storyboards will be turned in.

Activity 5: Projects will be completed using student laptop computers. The computer cart will be kept in the classroom for the 3 week duration of the project. Prior to beginning their projects, the students will familiarize themselves with the Tool Factory Movie Maker program. The teacher will facilitate, but the students will be responsible for the production of the projects. When projects are completed, they will be published as podcasts. At Open House, these podcasts will be available for parent and community viewing.

Conclusion: There will be a day of reflection at the end of the project so each student can verbalize what they learned from the project as well as make suggestions about additional uses of the Tool Factory Movie Maker program.