Reading, Writing, Green Screen and Awesome Collaboration

We have two awesome 6th grade Language Arts teachers.  They are always looking for ways to get their students reading, writing and speaking.  Both teachers worked on similar projects that involved their students using the green screen- one had their students write puppet shows and the other plays.  It was just by coincidence that they both ended up using the green screen - but have I mentioned how my collaborations with teachers usually start?

So, let me back up a bit.  Let me explain the "detailed" process we went through to make these projects happen.  One of the teachers stopped by the media center as I was helping a group edit their green screen video.  When they left she began asking what the students were doing.  I explained.  She then told me she was having her students write puppet shows.  I said the green screen would be perfect for that.  I showed her how we could fold up the green screen for the students to sit behind and hold up their puppets- that was all it took.  A random 10 minute conversation that wasn't even a part of the reason she came down turned into some pretty cool projects for 6th graders.

Over the years I've been a part of all types of collaboration sessions from the completely formal and highly planned session to conversations like I've described above.  I'll take the informal conversation any day.  I've found that when you have to go through formal planning sessions the relationships I've had with staff or within the school are generally distant or there is a disconnect of some sort.  When there are strong positive relationships or the school as a whole has a positive atmosphere great things can come out of a quick conversation.  At first I may be the one to say, "Hey, what are you covering in the next couple of weeks?"  Then I can proceed to tell them the resources available to enhance what they are doing or take it a step farther.  We may have to meet to get our schedules lined up, but it's not a huge ordeal.  Once the teacher knows I'm there to help, they initiate the conversation.  Because there is an atmosphere of trust and willingness to help, it just works.  It's an amazing feeling from a media coordinator's standpoint when you know that your teachers want to work with you and know you're willing to try almost anything to help them.

Now- going back to the projects.  One teacher had her students write scripts for puppet shows that re-created scenes from books they had read.  She had them create the puppets as well.  We selected a background that matched their setting and the students used the green screen and Doink to record their videos.

The other teacher had students create silent plays.  There was plenty of action and emotion, but no dialog.  These students had to write detailed director's notes in order to know what to do.

The videos were recorded and emailed to the teacher and the students.  The teachers then shared the videos with the classes.  Students tend to put a little more effort into making sure they do their best when they know their classmates will view it.  It views them an audience and a purpose.