Watch Out Spielberg, Lucas!!

All the students will use digital cameras to point and shoot images related to one of their “themes” from their reader. They will use the computers with video software to create their still movie. They will write and edit personal/expository narratives using one of the "themes" from our reading program for example; sharing stories, poetry, autobiographies, animal camouflage and fossils.

First, the students will work in groups of four and create a storyboard to develop their themed movie. Next, with the cameras the children take various images (including themselves) related to the one of the "themes". Then, the students download the still images and create a personal/expository narrative movie. Also, they would use the Internet to collect images or bring their own images from home. They scan their images and add them to their project. Then, they would record or add text, edit and add music to their still movie.
Finally, at the end of the year, at our “Culmination of Learning” the students will present their completed movies to their peers and parents. The students will also make a hard copy of their themed movie as a keepsake.
I truly believe, even the most reluctant reader and writer would get excited about creating something they can call their own. This project would build their confidence as writers, improve their reading fluency and read in a manner approximating natural speech.