Video Production

Video production in our kindergarten through sixth grade school has provided learning experiences for students that have exceeded my wildest expectations. They are writing for a purpose, taking responsibility for the shows, and learning how to present to an audience. This year we purchased televisions for classrooms where students view daily live broadcasts. Behind the scenes students work in a small room where we have one video camera, anchor desks, and a computer with PowerPoint that is used as a teleprompter. A typical broadcast begins with a welcome and then moves into the Pledge of Allegiance that is done by two different students each day. The Pledge is followed by the weather forecast and lunch choices. Our principal is introduced with what the students have termed “Birthday-O-Rama” to recognize birthdays and any other announcements. Broadcasts have included sports, interviews, school sing-a-longs, skits, riddles, weird facts, jokes, mini-lessons, and read-a-louds since our first broadcast in November of 2007. Most broadcasts take approximately five minutes. Students are responsible for the entire production: generating ideas for the content, writing and editing the scripts, operating the camera and computer, presenting the news, and directing the broadcast. I am always amazed at their enthusiasm and initiative to create a show that is interesting for the other students in the school.