Video Projects: Emote
Sometimes a video producer wants to connect with people at an emotional level. Use video to convey the wide range of human emotions including happiness, sadness, fear, joy, empathy, and affection.
Watch Anne Frank in Our Hearts by middle school students.
Watch The Picture Box, a silent movie by high school students.
Show, Not Tell
Involve students in creating a silent movie that shows emotions rather than describes them with words and narration.
Watch Writing - Show Not Tell from Teach 21 to see how one teacher created "show-not-tell" projects with her children.
- Elementary Example
- Bullying: A View from the Inside, a silent movie
- Bullying: A View from the Inside, a silent movie
Share Insights
Rather than the traditional book review, try a media review. Watch a movie, listen to an audio recording, or view a television program. Then, write a critical review. Or, provide a video-based book critique. Ask:
- Has something you read changed the way you think or feel about something? When, How?
- Has something you've read made you think about another person's point of view?
Connect to Emotions
Rather than a traditional view of animals, think about their relationships. Do animals fall in love? How could you show this in a video?
- Middle School Example
Watch Fashion in Furs (1964) on YouTube. How many people do you know that wear furs today? What has changed? Why? What emotions does this video convey? How would the emotions have been different 50 years ago? What other topics have changed over the past 50 or 100 years? Check out other ideas at AV Geeks.
Activate a Poem or Short Story
Write an original poem or use an existing work. Use visuals and motion to convey additional meaning.
- Middle School Examples
- High School Examples
Demonstrate Character Traits
Create a video that reflects a character trait such as honesty, perseverance, self-discipline, fairness, respect, integrity, courage, compassion, or loyalty.
Go to The Foundation for a Better Life. Notice the topics in the left column. Talk to students about how the value is reflected in the video.
Convey Abstract Concepts
Use video to explain an abstract concept such as freedom, mindfulness, hope, liberty, poverty, or justice. Or, visualize vocabulary from a subject area.
Also, use visuals to express action words, descriptive words, opposites, positions, and other concepts. Create a video for younger students. Consider a project that includes figurative language.
- Elementary Example
- High School Example
Record Oral History
What was it like to live 10, 50, or 100 years ago? Record a video interview to collect oral histories and stories. Put the clips together to build an understanding of a person, place, or time.
Watch Storycorps for some great examples. While some of the stories are audio only, others have been animated. These stories could also incorporate historical photos and other visual resources.
Watch Lessons from the Heart from Teach 21 to learn about how one teacher uses oral history in the classroom.
- Middle School Example
- High School Example
For teaching ideas, read Immigration and Oral History from the Library of Congress.
Try It: Focus on Emotion
Design an assignment that connects with students at an emotional level. Use the ideas above to start your discussion.