As our elementary students explore the world around them, they have a lot to say with distinct, refreshingly honest, and four-foot-high points of view. When our students become documentarians, they tell stories, create art to express non-fiction content, and make persuasive call-to-action films that set their powerful voices loose into the world. Happily, student documentaries also address a range of CCSS ELA Speaking/Listening and Writing standards while immersing students in the art of filmmaking.
In this session, I will share how my students go on powerful investigations behind the camera lens. In one student documentary, my students explore the range of reactions to a public art installation by sculptor Tom Otterness. In other, PSA-style documentaries, they craft powerful arguments to improve their community. I’ll share how I introduce documentary making to my students and the supports I provide (and often don’t provide). It just takes one smartphone, tablet, or camera and video-editing software to empower your students to create amazing documentaries YOU will be itching to show to the world.
