Unit Plan

Mike Mountain Horse New Media Unit Plan

Trevor Grant & Rachel Newson
Subject: Science/Technology
Grade: 4
Unit/Topic: Animal Documentary
Date and Unit Duration: 5 classes

Project Overview Description and link to student engagement (rationale):

This project is to give students an opportunity to explore the use of technology

while also incorporating aspects of a range of competencies and building literacy
skills in a science focused field. The students will create an animal documentary,
using a green screen video created in iMovie communicating ideas and information
about an animal of their choosing. Students might choose to talk about different
biological factors or needs. The purpose of this task is to integrate aspects of the
ELA curriculum with cross-curricular competencies such as communication,
collaboration, problem solving and managing information. These will come through
a group project outlined below that has the students researching and presenting
information, and also learning how to use the green screen technology and create a
video from it.

1. Unit Overview Critical Inquiry Question

How can I effectively communicate and think critically about information by

presenting it through video?

2. General Learning Outcomes for Unit

Main Heading:
ELA

1.1.2 ask questions, paraphrase and discuss to explore ideas and understand new
concepts

2.1.1 use ideas and concepts, developed through personal interests, experiences
and discussion, to understand new ideas and information

2.4.3 produce oral, print and other media texts that follow a logical sequence, and
demonstrate clear relationships between character and plot
 3. Focusing Questions for Unit (Related Questions)

I wonder
How animals act in their natural habitat?
How they interact with their ecosystem?
What do they eat?
What makes them unique compared to other animals?
Who is our audience
How can we most effectively present this information to our audience?
What do we need to do to make this presentation something that would interest
people?
What are the principles of design to make this video engaging and informative to
our audience?

4. Key Concepts for Unit

- Effective communication
- Principles of Design
- Problem Solving through technology

5. Specific Learning Outcomes for Unit

ELA Outcomes
identify various ways that information can be recorded and presented visually
use a variety of strategies for generating and organizing ideas and experiences in oral,
print and other media texts
develop and follow a class plan for accessing and gathering ideas and information
record ideas and information that are on topic
organize ideas and information, using appropriate categories, chronological order, cause
and effect, or posing and answering questions
present to peers ideas and information on a topic of interest, in a well-organized form

Outcomes from Cross Curricular Competencies: *

Problem Solving
Communication
Collaboration
Managing Information
 Detailed Visual Organizer of Unit Lessons and Assessment

Dates/Topics Outcome Learning Activities Assessment**

March 7th Managing Determine the Formative

information video topic through assessment on their
conversation with the brain-storming sheets
use a variety of students about what Asking questions
strategies for they are interested in. about thought process
generating and Using pen and paper, Have a verbal exit slip
organizing ideas have students each on how they were
and experiences create a list about productive and what
in oral, print and that topic to research. they need to work on
other media Spend ~3min of free to be successful
texts write and instruct We will also go
them that they should through the google
write down anything doc at the end of the
that comes to mind day to see what their
about that certain research consists of
topic/animal. Then, and determine what
choose the top 3-5 needs to be focused
things to research and on the next day.
talk about.
Begin research using
computers and books
at the library. Help
them narrow down
search terms if need
be so they do not
spend excess time
looking at irrelevant
information. Have
students record any
research/interesting
facts in a Google Doc

organize ideas Finish research and written/drawn out

March 9th and information, compile it in a Google storyboard/plan
using Show them different Script written and
 appropriate types of camera edited
categories, angles and shots.
chronological *Provide exemplars for
order, cause and them so that there is
effect, or posing not time wasted
and answering rabbit-trailing online
questions looking up too many
videos.
identify Storyboard what they
various ways want it to look like
that *provide them with
information storyboard templates
can be Write script that
recorded and incorporates research-
presented keeping in mind the
visually question of how can I
effectively
communicate
information through
video?

record ideas Finish writing out edited script

March 14th and the script, and Observation of
information practice reading practicing script
that are on through it to catch
topic anything that does not
sound right. Make
necessary
adjustments and
begin shooting video
in front of the green
screen.
If finished video then
begin editing

record finish shooting completion

March 16th ideas and video and getting checklist
information necessary shots. Observations, and
that are on clarification questions
topic Upload green screen about the process and
footage into iMovie as their ideas. We will
well as find relevant ensure to ask
pictures or animal questions that span
video that goes along Blooms taxonomy to
 with what their story. see how far their
Give them a break understanding of the
down of basic editing process goes. Such as,
steps like how to cut what are you working
video, incorporate the on, why are you
green screen, add choosing to do it like
transitions, etc. this, how do you think
Allow them to explore you could best go
the editing and how about
they want to portray showing/portraying
their video. this?
Help guide the
students through the
process, keep them on
task and answer
questions as they
come up.

March 21st present edit and polish - principles of

to peers video design checklist
ideas and Edit for flow, have
information students check back Verbal exit slip.
on a topic of to the video Principles Reflection on the
interest, in a of Design to check process so far and
well- that the video meets what they have
organized those expectations. learned. Ask them
form Have another friend about their favourite
look at the video and parts of the project
point out any and why they enjoyed
flaws/inconsistencies it. Ask them if they
in presentation of were to do it over
information/things again, what they
that could be would change to make
improved. it even better, if they
would change
anything at all
Also ask them about
their experience
collaborating with
their peers.
 Sponge Activity:

Students will use one of the 3D modelling programs (Sculptris, 123D design,
or Tinkerclad) to create a model of the animals that they discussed in the
video. This would be good to help them to think critically and also problem
solve through the creation design. We could also add the video to one of the
students already made websites as a way to present the information in more
ways.

Resources

http://newmediacreation.weebly.com/story-board.html
http://newmediacreation.weebly.com/types-of-shots.html
http://newmediacreation.weebly.com/techniques.html
https://greenscreenanimals.com/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/