Creating Green Screen Videos

Have you ever wondered how to create a video using a green screen? Do you consider yourself a novice when it comes to some aspects of technology? If you said, yes to either of these questions, I felt the same way.

For the past few weeks, my class has learned all about the weather. I knew that I wanted my students to become meteorologists. I saw many creations like this one on Twitter that inspired me to stretch myself as a teacher and learner.

Using the app DoInk, I was able to layer a video and image with a few easy steps.

Weather forecast presentations. The class had a blast creating these. #doink #greenscreen

A video posted by Mrs.Parker (@learningwithmrsparker) on Apr 18, 2016 at 9:14pm PDT

First, I found an area in my room to film. I choose a small corner which did not interfere with our day to day learning. It was a large enough area where I could hang my green screen which I created by using this. Then, I filmed my students in front of the screen using my smartphone.

The app will merge your video and an image together to create the video.

Ta-da! You've just created a layered video! Save and your done!

I wish I could show you the videos my students created. They are as precious as they are. We had a viewing party of Friday as a conclusion of our learning. It was a great way to incorporate technology in a meaningful way.

Please note: DoInk did not ask me to write about their product. 

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Simple Science Weather Experiments

Weather science is fun!

Here are a few simple science experiments that you can use in your classroom to teach about different aspects of weather.  

Each is easy to do but yields high student engagement and learning.

RAINBOW IN A JAR

Rainbows are always a hot topic in my classroom.  For some reason, kindergarteners LOVE rainbows.  They can not get enough of them. They write about them. Draw them and talk about them. 

My class could not believe when I told them that we were going to make a rainbow.  

You'll need some mason jars. 

Fill the jars with water.

Add food coloring.

Assemble in a sunny spot.

Watch your rainbow appear.

RAIN IN A JAR

This simple science weather experiment in always a hit.  (Just look at her mouth in amazement.)

The shaving cream acts as the cloud.

Water in a vase or jar represents the water in our atmosphere, lakes, oceans and other places.

Food coloring is the water vapor which becomes rain.

By creating a rain cloud, you can show how water vapor absorbs in a cloud. Once it is heavy enough, rain begins.

Afterwards, we used our new learning to create an interactive writing piece.  Working with groups of students, I could differentiate the content based on student need.

WIND CATCHER 

Who knew learning about wind could be so fun?! We did three simple science experiments based on wind but these wind catchers were their favorite.

We learned that wind is moving air.  Our wind catchers helped us see it. 

Simply tie a piece of yarn around the handles of a plastic bag to make your wind catcher.  If it is windy enough, you can even run and "fly" your wind catcher. 

There you have it! Simple weather science experiments that will have you and your students engaged!

Happy Learning!

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Clouds, Clouds and More Clouds

It was a great week for cloud watching in southern California!  The kids really loved watching the clouds and naming them using their newly found knowledge.  We created this anchor chart together as we read The Cloud Book.  I also had one of my students take notes for us on a dry erase board as we read.  Some of the work is displayed. As we created the anchor chart, students wrote a fact or two onto their Cloud Book.  




Later in the week, we made cloud mobiles.  Students needed to place the clouds based on where they are located in the sky.   Students also wrote a few facts about clouds. One of my little ones described cirrus clouds as "clouds that look like duck's wings."  Love it!

Lastly, we created a bulletin board displayed based on It Looked Like Spilt Milk.  I turned out so cute and will be a welcoming treat for families as they visit for conference week.  Here are a few up close views.  

  A butterfly                                                                                         An octopus

Happy Teaching and Learning!

P.S.  All the graphics are from Lettering Delights!  Go grab yours today!

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Over the Rainbow

A few weeks ago, I was lucky to win Abby's Wizard of Oz unit.  I was so inspired by her work.  This became a launching point for creating a weather unit which would focus on some of the weather related phenomenon in the book but also would allow us to enjoy this literature inspired unit.    

In teaching, sometimes, timing is everything.  St. Patrick's Day is this week.  So,  I plan to use Rachelle's Rainbow Science Experiment included in her St. Patrick's Day mini unit.   We will also enjoy some delicious cupcakes courtesy of Family Fun topped with the cute Leprechaun hats from The Teacher Wife.

I am looking forward to how everything turns out.  I hope to take pictures and be able to upload photos soon.

Happy Teaching and Learning!

 

PS- Thank you, ladies for being such an inspiration!  

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