I made a video!

Making my first video was a little difficult. I kept having difficulty finding a program that would install correctly. In the end, I just used Windows Movie Maker, and I wish I would have used it from the beginning! It was so intuitive and everything went very smoothly. I'm very grateful to have had the experience. Editing was a little more difficult than I thought it would be. There were some shots I really wanted to keep but had to cut because of time or placement.

Learn from Nature Video Project!

Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to allow students the opportunity to explore using video to relay information. Students will go to a local park and take video of the surrounding landscape and flora.

Steps: First, students, with the permission of parents, will explore a scene in nature. It could be fun to do a class trip if funds allowed. After enough video footage has been acquired, students must compile the clips to form a cohesive visual of their journey. Students are encourage to experiment with visual effects and music. They can also narrate over the footage if they wish. Creativity is encouraged in order for students to portray the feelings nature inspires. Students are asked to either create a report, narrate over the video, or somehow incorporate information about at least three species of plants caught on camera.

Objectives: The objectives of this assignment are to promote interest and knowledge in video editing and nature. 

 

Outcomes: The ideal outcome of this project would be to have a movie day where parents, staff, and students gather to watch each project and bond over communal knowledge of native plants.

Nature Walk Evaluation Rubric

(Excellent) 5...4...3...2...1...(Poor)

Subject

• has few grammatical errors 5....4....3....2....1

• is educational 5....4....3....2....1

• is age appropriate for a middle school audience 5....4....3....2....1

• provides insight into nature 5....4....3....2....1

• is creatively presented 5....4....3....2....1

• lists at least three plants 5....4....3....2....1

Concept Score ______ out of 30

Content

• Presents video in a compelling manner 5....4....3....2....1

• Presents information well 5....4....3....2....1

• Language is used effectively 5....4....3....2....1

• Images and/ or graphics relate well to content 5....4....3....2....1

• Student(s) behave professionally during the editing process 5....4....3....2....1

• Student(s) demonstrate thoughtful approach to subject 5....4....3....2....1

Content Score ______ out of 30

Technical Aspects

• Camera is stable, smooth movements and pans 5....4....3....2....1

• Subject is framed well, images are well composed 5....4....3....2....1

• Subject is lit and clearly visible 5....4....3....2....1

• Sound is clear and understandable 5....4....3....2....1

• Video flows well 5....4....3....2....1

• Titles are used effectively 5....4....3....2....1

• Transitions are used effectively 5....4....3....2....1

• Music and/or creative narration are employed 5....4....3....2....1

Technical Score ______ out of 40

Total Score ______ Project Grade ______