I would love to create a project that brings my passion for movies into the classroom. The goal is to engage students in creating a short film centered around a character who addresses an issue affecting both our school and the elementary school. By focusing on the younger grades as our primary audience, we can foster a stronger sense of community within our High Tech High village. Ideally, this project would be undertaken by an 8th grade class or higher.
To make this project well-rounded and interdisciplinary, it can incorporate various content areas. In the realm of math and science, students would explore the inner workings of cameras and analyze statistics related to the groups affected by the issues portrayed in their short films. In their art class, students would delve into the technical aspects of filmmaking, including lighting, shot framing, editing, and even marketing strategies for their films.
Additionally, in my humanities class, we would study historical instances where marginalized or disenfranchised groups stood up for their rights and achieved previously denied privileges. This would provide valuable context and inspiration for the students' storytelling. Students will begin by honing their narrative writing skills, eventually transforming their narratives into scripts.
Through this project, my students would have the opportunity to become leaders in our community. By taking ownership of their films and the issues they address, they would develop a stronger sense of belonging and care for our school and village as a whole.