7th Graders Research using Google Research

Today, 7th graders began researching information for their course project which is to either create a video about themselves or a PSA on a topic of their choice. I am having students conduct research, grabbing factual information for their message as well as locate images to help visually represent what they are learning.

Before we moved to Google Apps for Education, GAFE, students had to open multiple tabs in their browser to search different web sites and then use a citation app, like EasyBib, to help them properly cite resources. Google docs has that all built into one. Check out this video tutorial on using the research tool in a Google Doc.

5th Grade Cycle 3

5th Graders Create Interactive Presentations

Sure PowerPoint and Google Slide presentations are a great way to present information. They provide you the ability to dazzle your audience with beautiful images, embed videos, and use cool transitions. You can even set the presentation to run automatically, allowing you to talk without having to click the space bar or mouse. But, after awhile, the viewer most likely will start to drift off and lose focus, missing many important pieces of your presentation. Why is this? It's because the person who is viewing the presentation is a passive viewer.. meaning, all they are doing is sitting there, listening. There is little to no interaction with with the presentation or the presenter.

One way to solve this problem is to allow the audience a way to get involved with the new information being presented. Say hello to ThingLink, ThinkLink is a web 2.0 tool that allows the user to create interactive images and videos.

5th graders just finished discussing what is meant to be a hero in their language arts classes. What better way to show their understanding of hero than to create an interactive poster. After a few classes learning how to use ThingLink, 5th graders turned out some pretty awesome products. Here are a few examples of some 5th grade work.

Created By Alayna





Created by Jaidyn



Created by Julia


Up next for 5th graders is a crash course on Google Docs basics with a focus on creating screen casts of their learning.

Grade 8 Cycle 3

11/04-11/24

For the past few weeks, 8th Graders have been exploring what it takes to make a video project. Basically, this has been all about the pre-production phase. We began with studying script writing. Students, while in the group of their choosing, created a script for the project they decided on. 

Next, students explored shot sequence. Shot sequence is really about what type of film angle and shot will be taken. The goal for every video is to have a seamless flow to the sequences. Students will apply the Three-Shot method when planning out their sequence. Speaking of planning out, the next step for students was to develop a storyboard for their script. Storyboarding  helps the define all the keep elements that need to be address when filming a scene.

For remaining two weeks, students will working on the production phase, a.k.a. filming, and then they will finish with the post-production phase, a.k.a editing/publishing. 

Grade 7 Cycle 3

11/4 to 11/20

Seventh graders have been working on the planning stage of their final project. Many have chosen to work on a PSA while others have chosen to create a project about themselves. All have been conducting research for their topics using the research tool found in a Google Doc. Click on the previous link for a description of how this works. What's so great about this tool is that you can research in the same doc you are writing information. Even cooler is that it will insert citations for you, so no longer do you have to use a third source such as Easybib to create citations.

Once students have complected their research, they then worked on creating storyboards for their projects. Here is a tutorial that students watched to help them with the process. The next step students will be working on is learning the WeVideo Editing program. A series of tutorials as well as in class instruction will begin when we return from Thanksgiving break. 

If you want to get a jump on viewing these tutorials, simply head to WeVideo Academy. 

Welcome to Mr. V's Blog

You might be asking yourself, "What is a blog?" A blog is basically a regularly updated website that is typically created and run by one individual. It is usually written in an informal style- very much like a conversation. So, the next question you might have is, "What is the purpose of this?" All blogs serve different purposes. My blog is here to help students and parents with keeping updated with class activities, events, assignments, and a place for resources.