I love the story of Peter Rabbit. I know he's naughty, and should not be applauded. But there is something intriguing about the risk he takes when he trespasses in Mr. Mac Gregor's garden. He knows there is something worthwhile on the other side of that garden fence. Was it worth the risk? Only Peter can really answer that question.
For me, iMovie, felt like forbidden territory. iMovie meant real video with real content, posted to a real public place. What business would kindergarten kids have posting their ideas online? What would parents think? What would it look like? How would we do it?
I have found answers to parts of those questions. iMovie looks good, sounds good, and can be done in kindergarten. It takes dedication, and help from willing volunteers with incredible patience. It's awkward, and risky. But it engages students. iMovie gives students a real audience, and they realize their message matters.
Students can evalute their own work after they watch the movies they create. They can learn the power of editing. They are motivated to do a better job because someone is watching. They own what they are doing because they can see and hear what they know. Collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking become essential and meaningful.
So iMovie in kindergarten? You bet. If you have patience, fortitude, and a few volunteers it's worth it. Take a look at the very first iMovie my students created. It's raw, and funny, and a bit odd. But it's place where we are "harvesting" what my students know. Just like Peter Rabbit, he wanted something more, and so do I. I've climbed over that fence and I've taken my students with me.
iMove is where we are "cultivating" the ideas that have been growing in the minds of my students. And the whole audience gets to "reap" the rewards as they show what they know. Bravo, little ones, bravo!
For me, iMovie, felt like forbidden territory. iMovie meant real video with real content, posted to a real public place. What business would kindergarten kids have posting their ideas online? What would parents think? What would it look like? How would we do it?
I have found answers to parts of those questions. iMovie looks good, sounds good, and can be done in kindergarten. It takes dedication, and help from willing volunteers with incredible patience. It's awkward, and risky. But it engages students. iMovie gives students a real audience, and they realize their message matters.
Students can evalute their own work after they watch the movies they create. They can learn the power of editing. They are motivated to do a better job because someone is watching. They own what they are doing because they can see and hear what they know. Collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking become essential and meaningful.
So iMovie in kindergarten? You bet. If you have patience, fortitude, and a few volunteers it's worth it. Take a look at the very first iMovie my students created. It's raw, and funny, and a bit odd. But it's place where we are "harvesting" what my students know. Just like Peter Rabbit, he wanted something more, and so do I. I've climbed over that fence and I've taken my students with me.
iMove is where we are "cultivating" the ideas that have been growing in the minds of my students. And the whole audience gets to "reap" the rewards as they show what they know. Bravo, little ones, bravo!
Here's our first attempt at an iMovie in kindergarten, and here is were I'd like to applaud my parents for working alongside us as we learn how this works, and the students who took some of the photos.
Learning and Creating in Kindergarten is an example of an iMovie created with students, and was the inspiration for our movie.
We've only just begun. Stay tuned for our upcoming iMovie about our "Farm to Table" experiences in the Napa Valley. It is currently under production, and will include student narration, and student photography.
