What do children learn?
Film is a very popular medium for telling stories, explaining ideas, and expressing
emotions. It is also a very sophisticated medium. It integrates the immediate, visual
aspects of theater with new technology to add special sound effects and visual effects.
As with good literature, good movies allow us to enter other worlds. Movies appeal to
our imagination in an exciting, multi-sensory way. Additionally, movies are recorded so
they can be viewed and reviewed. They can serve as a way of documenting ideas and
events.
Movies and television have become the most popular media, so it is important that
students become critical consumers. They must understand how the information they
receive is either created or edited by others. LEGO Studios allow students to look behind
the screen.
Students can also use the material to create props or sets. Of course, other LEGO
elements than those in LEGO Studios can be used for modeling purposes or for creating
new storylines and settings.
Perhaps the best reason for using a camera as part of the school environment is the
opportunity it gives students to tell their own stories: They become the ones who
interpret, explain and express ideas. The camera and computer give them a powerful
medium for expression on many levels: using words, sounds, visual images and music.
Telling stories about themselves or about something meaningful to them provides
a motivating approach to many content ideas. This personal approach to interpreting
information, explaining ideas and expressing themselves helps students come to
a better, deeper understanding. The section good project ideas describes several
possible content-related movie ideas.
How do I start?
You and your students can begin creating simple movies right away with The LEGO &
Steven Spielberg MovieMaker materials. Then, as students learn more, they can utilize
more elaborate sets, props and special effects.
There are new vocabulary words and processes that students need to understand in
order to make a movie. You can get started by creating a short introductory film about
the members of the class. That way everyone has an opportunity for some hands-on
experience with the camera and software. Let's call the movie Favorite Things. ( See the
next section for the steps to follow to help your class make its Favorite Things movie.)
First steps for the teacher:
1. Skim over The LEGO & Steven Spielberg MovieMaker Book to get an idea of the
contents of the various sections.
2. Set up the software, camera and building materials in an area next to the computer.
You are probably going to want some additional lamps nearby so you can control
the lighting on the "set".
3. Photocopy the Ideas Sheet and the Storyboard Sheet copymaster pages for each
student.
4. Follow the Moviemaking Process to create your class Favorite Things movie.
By completing this introductory activity, all students will be familiar with the skills
needed to create a movie.
3.
