Student+Biographies

=Student Biography Projects=

What will you need?
If "Show Advanced Tools" is not checked, you will not be able to use the green screen.
 * 1) **Digital video camera** (a laptop with a built-in camera will work, also.)
 * 2) **Chroma key screen** (blue or green will work and there are many options for your screen.)
 * 3) **Movie editing software**
 * **Mac:** Imovie '09 or later
 * //You will need to go to "iMovie" > "Preferences" > "Show Advanced Tools"//


 * **Windows:** Windows Movie Maker 6 (to use chroma key, you will need to purchase a plugin such as "[|ShaderTFX]" for $15.
 * *I have also heard of a free program which can be downloaded for the PC called[| Wax 2.0.]
 * Here is a [|video tutorial] on how to use chroma key with Wax 2.0 (How old is the narrator?)

Description of project

 * Every year, I have my fifth grade students do a "biography speech." This project involves students selecting a famous person, researching the person, and then giving a speech to the class dressed as that person. The past few years, I have had students do the same project, but also record themselves in front of the green screen. Then, students select background images and put their finished projects together on the computer. Students also create a powerpoint presentation of their speeches. I created a template to serve as a guide as students researched their topics. This was to ensure that students found the information needed to give their speeches.

Advanced preparation

 * Advanced preparation consisted of determining what to use as my greenscreen, determining how to grade students, and creating the powerpoint template. I also had to spend some time familiarizing myself with the video editing software.

Assessments, rubrics, and guidelines
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 * Students were assessed on the quality of their information, their oral presentation, and their powerpoint presentations.
 * [[file:biography project grade report.pdf]]
 * [[file:Biography Speech Rubric.pdf]]

Project Timeline

 * From start to finish, this project lasted approximately one month. Students spent two weeks researching and outlining the information for their speech, one week completing the powerpoint, and one week giving their speeches (we spent about an hour each day giving the speeches.)

Resources
[|Tips on using a greenscreen in the classroom] [|iMovie greenscreen tutorial]

Original Footage
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Finished projects
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Another class project using the greenscreen
The past two years, our class has been doing a movie version of our traditional class play. Students auditioned for parts and the class voted for the roles using classroom response software. Students who did not receive a speaking role in the movie applied for jobs such as director, camera operator, teleprompter, and publicity coordinator. Students were completely running the show whenever we filmed. My only real role was to put it together in iMovie. I think older students could handle this aspect, but for now I am still looking for a feasible way to have this 100% student-created. media type="youtube" key="8UVmvqGVW6U" height="315" width="560"