Optics and Light Science Research Videos by DCS Grade 7 & 8

 The following work is from Mr. Elias Wipf's Grade 7 and 8 class at Decker Colony School. Thank you to this group for allowing me to showcase their work here on the blog.

About our Research Project

These fantastic WeVideo creations were created in our grade 8 Optics and Light unit. All of these research projects were to show that light and wavelengths have energy that can be used in all kinds of applications. We all picked a topic to research, did the research, created a script for the narration, recorded and edited video, uploaded it on YouTube, and made a QR code for it so that people can access it.

Abigail:My project was X-Rays. Once the research was complete, the rest was easy. All in all I think the greatest challenge was the research, and uncovering the meanings of the complicated scientific terms. Although at some points it was challenging, I am pleased to know what is happening as the doctors and nurses are taking X-Rays.

Jesse: My research was about Satellites and Satellite dishes. In the beginning of my research, I had absolutely no idea what a Satellite or a Satellite dish was. I didn’t even know that they were used for live broadcasting. As I started researching my project, it became more and more clear in my mind. After a little more research, I can proudly say that I am now a Satellite and Satellite dish “expert.”

Gabriel: My research project was a microwave. At first my microwave research went awful. I only had about two sentences when the other students had twenty. I slowly started to advance. I was writing more words than the day before. Then I got permission to record. I wasted an entire half hour because I messed up big time. I wanted to throw my laptop through the wall. After a few minutes, I finally got it right. Now I can watch a microwave oven cook food and know exactly how it works.

Matthias: My research project was about motion sensors. I hardly knew anything in the beginning of my research. When I finally started researching, I got an Idea about how it works. I kept building on my information until I knew enough about it to start my video. So here is my finished video for you to enjoy.

Cookies for Tanzania: A service learning project & video contest winner!

Congratulations to the Decker Colony School students in Mr. Elias Wipf's ELA class for winning the Next Vista for Learning Service via Video contest!  Their wining video, Cookies for Tanzania, tells the story of how their school has been supporting projects in Tanzania through their fundraising efforts over the past few years. This contest was created to encourage young people to "tell stories of people serving their communities" through video creation. 

The Cookies for Tanzania fundraiser sales were put on hold this year due to COVID, but this group of students found a way to continue contributing to the cause by raising awareness with their video.  Four students collaboratively planned and created the video, including sourcing images, writing a script and narrating the video to tell their story.  They also worked with students, parents and community members to obtain the permissions required for people appearing in the video.  The resulting video is a great showcase for this service learning project -- be sure to watch it below!

The video is now featured in the Next Vista for Learning video library.  

Congratulations to Matt, Gabe, Jesse and Abby on a job well done and to Elias for supporting his students in their video production project!

Book Trailers released by Rossburn Elementary School Grade 5/6

Along with some other classes from around PWSD, the Rossburn Elementary School Grade 5/6 class has joined me in creating book trailers for some of their favourite books this year!   Similar to the process we've used with other classes taking part in this project, this group of students viewed sample book trailers, set criteria, made a plan for their video and then started designing with Powtoon.

Here are the videos released by RES Grade 5/6:

Where the Red Fern Grows 
book trailer by Deegan


Hockey Superstars
book trailer by Reid


Bridge to Terabithia
book trailer by Anna


Patches
book trailer by Faith


Front Desk
book trailer by Tatum


Where the Red Fern Grows
book trailer by Jackson


The Maze of Bones
book trailer by Natalie

See more trailers by Park West School Division students

Book trailers released by Decker Colony School 

Book trailers by MPS Grade 6

More book trailers by MPS Grade 6 

New Book Trailers released by MPS Grade 6

The Grade 6 class at MPS continues to work on producing book trailers featuring some of their favourite books.   To see previous releases, check out this post.

Once students have their trailer ready in Powtoon, we've been watching them in small groups to give feedback based on the criteria we set at the start of the project.   Students then have the opportunity to make revisions before exporting their video.   Here are the latest trailers from this talented group of young video producers!

Sisters by Raina Telgimar
Book Trailer by Kimy 


Secrets and Scones by Laurel Remington
Book trailer by Tara


I Survived the Children's Blizzard 1888 by Lauren Tarshis
Book trailer by Owen 


The Junction of Sunshine & Lucky by Holly Schindler
Book trailer by Chloe 


Middle School: Just My Rotten Luck by James Patterson
Book trailer by Evan


Too Much Drama by Laurie Freidman
Book trailer by Alexis

Book Trailers by MPS Grade 6

Mr. Baskerville's Grade 6 class at Major Pratt School has been working on creating book trailers to showcase some of their favourite books!   We started by watching some book trailers and determining what elements should be included in a good book trailer.   This process of co-constructing criteria gave students a list of elements and features to include in their videos.

Next, students were given a graphic organizer to plan the content for their trailer.  Once students had done some planning for their trailers, they were introduced to Powtoon and given an overview of the tool.   Students were also introduced to sites for sourcing public-domain images such as Pixabay and Unsplash.

Students then spent additional work sessions putting together graphics, text, animations and music to bring their plans to life!   Some of the book trailers are now complete and published on YouTube (with permission). 

Watch some book trailers below to see the final products or visit our YouTube playlist.

The Truth About Twinkie Pie by Kat Yeh
Book trailer by Julie


Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
Book trailer by Otello


Diary of a Wimpy Kid- Meltdown by Jeff Kinney
Book trailer by Kenneth


Zombies Attack! The Rise of the Warlords Book 1 by Mark Cheverton
Book trailer by Drighton

I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster by Lauren Tarshis
Book trailer by Alex

Can You Say Catastrophe?  by Laurie Friedman
Book trailer by Alexsa

TBH, This is So Awkward by Lisa Greenwald
Book trailer by Charlie



Haunted Canada by Joel A. Sutherland
Book trailer by Caden


I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies by Lauren Tarshis
Book trailer by Katie
Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown
Book trailer by Nathan

Gingerbread Baby: A video by RES Grade 1/2

The Grade 1/2 class at Rossburn Elementary School recently read Jan Brett's story "Gingerbread Baby".   Today, they created their own talking Gingerbread babies using their gingerbread drawings and the ChatterPix  app.   Students had to think about what the Gingerbread Baby might say and then record their ideas.   Their video looks great!