Animoto Lesson Plan

Title: Earth Day Documentaries with Animoto.com

Name: Kate Smith Content Areas: Technology/LA Grade Level: 2-3


The students will create a video documentary by researching a topic of interest, writing a script, recording a podcast, choosing images to accompany the podcast and assembling the documentary at www.animoto.com.

Targeted Maine Learning Results addressed:
Language Arts B3b – Students write to inform an audience on a specific topic. Record and share, in writing, information that has been gathered.
Language Arts C1 – Students engage in inquiry by developing research questions, accessing and verifying a variety of sources, communicating findings, and applying the conventions of documentation. Students present the findings orally, in writing, or using mixed media.

Targeted NETS-S standards addressed:

NETS-S 1b – Students create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
NETS-S 2a – Students interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety of media and formats.
NETS-S 2b – Students communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
NETS-S 3b - Students locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.

Technology resources needed (equipment and software)
1. computer(s)
2. digital camera(s) (optional)
3. Animoto.com Account
4. Flickr.com Account (optional) or a similar accessible photo storage site
5. Word or a similar Word Processing Program

Procedure:
1. Break the students into groups of three. Brainstorm an Earth Day topic for the documentary. Hand out rubric. (See below)
2. Research the topic using online sources such as earthday.gov/kids.htm.
3. Write a script, using persuasive words.
4. Record the script using Audacity or Garageband (available on Apple computers only).
5. Add music in the background. Adjust the volume as needed.
6. Find photos that support your topic. Students can do this in one of several ways: 1) take the picture(s) with a digital camera 2) use an existing digital photo 3) use a photo on an online photo site such as Flickr.com
7. Upload the photos and audio file to Animoto.com to create the documentary. Download the finished product, post to a website or email to parents.

Assessment Method
Students are assessed on their mixed media presentations using a rubric.

Accommodations
Consider partnering students who are less capable with more experienced. Also consider assigning roles to members of the groups, For instance, if there are enough computers, two students to research and write the script, another to find the photos. All three can record the podcast, splitting the script in thirds. When recording the podcasts, it may be helpful to do the recording in a separate room to eliminate background noise.