Ideas-Videos in the Classroom

Grade Level: K-5th Subject: Social Studies Topic: Historical Figures TeacherTube, YouTube, Vimeo and other video-sharing sites have made the possibility of learning information from someone else or in another place that much more accessible. As an elementary teacher, I have been able to incorporate video on a daily basis in my lesson planning. The great thing about these video-sharing sites is that one can find a plethora of different types of videos, ranging from music, home-videos, and educational. As far as the educational videos, I have most frequently found videos for my science and social studies lessons. For science I have found videos from Bill Nye the Science Guy and my students are always fully engaged with the music and video. In a way I find that they grasp the concept better. Video is great for students who are visual and auditory learners. The way I have used videos in my classroom is as an introduction to the lesson I will be teaching. The videos give the students a background knowledge they may not have had before. As far as for a social studies research lesson, I would have my have a collection of videos ready for my students to watch independently when we go to computer lab. Here they can take notes and pause the video at their own convenience. Another great way to use videos is having the students make their own videos using sites such as Animoto, Windows-movie maker or iMovie. Students can make a video as a reading project. After students read a novel, they can with pictures or actors recreate the story including setting, characters, and the plot. Although making an actual video themselves requires time and effort any grade level from 3rd and up can easily do this. This could be an activity that can be using for a unit in reading, where more time is given to the students to complete quality work.

Benjamin Franklin-Video