"I don't think of it as alternative methods, I think of it as just good teaching."
~Ted Wells (Fourth Grade Teacher) 



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Book Trailer

In this Activity: Students will write a short summary of a book they have read in class that will then be used to create a trailer for said book using video footage or found/drawn images.
 
Literacy: Reading for pleasure and visual learning
 
Why?: Increase young people’s interest in reading by exploring the main ideas in a text through visual learning.
 
Ages: Third Grade – Fifth Grade

Introduction to activity
  • Have you ever seen a movie trailer?”
  • Movie trailers are designed to give you an idea of what happens in a movie to entice the viewer without giving away major details, or most importantly the ending
  • Book trailers are meant to do the same, excite someone to read the book by giving a taste of the book.
  • EXAMPLE TO YOUR LEFT

How?
PREPARATION:
  • Split the students into groups of three or four people
INTRODUCTION:
  • Have each group pick a book that you have read in class that they would want to create a trailer for.
    • SLIGHT MODIFICAITON: Each group can also work off the same book
  • Have the students collaborate to write a short summary of the book
    • NOTE: This should not be the same as the summary on the book sleeve
  • Have the students create a storyboard depicting the element and sequence of the book trailer, based on the previous summary. 
  • This storyboard should just be a rough idea of the sequences of images and text that will create the trailer
    • This should be rough hand drawn picture to represent the images that will be used later
    • Link provided below
  • Have the students search for images on the internet that correspond with what is mentioned  in the summary
    • NOTE: These should not be images from the book, or googled images of character’s names. Instead have them be images that are related to the summary and that capture the main events and ideas of the book trailer.
    •  ex. What pops into the student’s head when they think of the specific characters?
      •  “What color is the character’s hair?”
  •  Have the students use iMovie or Microsoft Photo Story (link to download provided in specific resources) to create a 30 to 45 second book trailer
    • These programs have voice recording software, text typing ability, and are user friendly
    • PREPARATION: I suggest you take 15 minutes to look over the software to become more familiar with the material.
  • After the book trailers are finished, have a screening for the students
    • Maybe bring popcorn and set the tone of a movie theatre
  • If possible put these videos on YouTube to help share your student’s projects with others
    • Vimeo is also a good place to put up work (Link available in 'specific resources' below)

Common Core Standards
               Third Grade
RL.3.3: Describe characters in a story and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
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RI.3.2: Determine the main idea of a text
​SL.3.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one and in groups) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. ​
                 Fourth Grade 
RL.4.2: Summarize the text



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​RI.4.2: Determine the main idea of a text
​SL.4.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one and in groups) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
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                   Fifth Grade
RL.5.2: Summarize the Test




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​SL.5.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one and in groups) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
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Assessment
​-> Do the students understand how to write a synopsis?
-> Did the student create a Book Trailer that sparks an interest to read the book?

Modifications
​-> Pick a favorite book over the summer
-> Pick a book that they would like to recommend to someone else

Additions for Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade
-> Use a short story from English Class

Specific Resources
http://microsoft-photo-story.en.softonic.com/
Microsoft Photo Story Download
  • A tool to help Microsoft users be able to create book trailers
  • Look over for fifteen minutes to become more familiar
http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/mgeary/booktrailers/
Book Trailer – Movies for Literacy
  • Examples of book trailers that have been made by students
https://vimeo.com/
Vimeo Website
  • A place to put up students work when it is finished
https://www.youtube.com/
YouTube Website
  • A place to put up students work when it is finished
https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7021.pdf
“7 Things You Should Know About Digital Story”
  • An article explaining why digital storytelling is a useful tool to use with young people
  • This article defines clearly what digital storytelling is and how it can be used

Activity PDF
Below is a downloadable PDF of the activity you have just read
book_trailer.pdf
File Size: 73 kb
File Type: pdf
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