Essential Question: How can we leverage our media arts skills and knowledge to create impactful and meaningful projects in 8th grade?
Concepts: Review of 7th-grade media arts, goal setting, CompetesEDU platform, creative expression, collaboration
Materials: Examples of student work from 7th grade, presentation tools, internet access for CompetesEDU
Vocabulary: Reflection
Learning Goals:
Reflect on their 7th-grade learning and achievements
Set goals and expectations for 8th-grade Media Arts
Get reacquainted with the CompetesEDU platform
Learning Objectives:
Identify key skills and knowledge gained in 7th grade.
Articulate their interests and aspirations for further development in media arts
Understand the key focus areas and expectations for 8th-grade Media Arts
Explore CompetesEDU and understand its role in showcasing their work and receiving feedback
Learning Outcomes:
Students will create a “Media Arts Growth Portfolio” showcasing their best work from 7th grade and outlining their goals for 8th grade
Students will actively participate in class discussions about the 8th-grade curriculum and expectations
Discussion: Facilitate a class discussion about their 7th-grade Media Arts experiences, highlighting memorable projects, skills learned, and areas for growth. Encourage students to share their expectations and goals for 8th grade.
Demonstration: Showcase exemplary 7th-grade projects or other inspiring media works to set the tone for the year. Review how to navigate and use the CompetesEDU platform.
Doing (Guided Practice): Guide students in creating a short “Welcome to 8th Grade” video or presentation, showcasing their personalities and media arts interests.
Doing (Independent Practice): Students create their “Media Arts Growth Portfolio,” incorporating their best work from 7th grade and outlining their goals for 8th grade.
Reflection: Students write a reflective journal entry about their 7th-grade experiences and their aspirations for 8th-grade Media Arts.
Connection: Students share their “Media Arts Growth Portfolios” on CompetesEDU, inviting comments and feedback from their peers.
Materials: Storyboarding templates or software, cameras or smartphones, examples of short films
Vocabulary: Cinematography
Learning Goals: Students will explore the fundamentals of narrative filmmaking and develop their storytelling and technical skills
Learning Objectives:
Understand the elements of a compelling narrative (plot, character, setting, conflict)
Learn how to create storyboards and shot lists to plan their films
Practice basic camera techniques
Learning Outcomes:
Students will collaborate in small groups to create a storyboard and shot list for a short narrative film and submit it to CompetesEDU
Discussion: Discuss the power of film as a storytelling medium. Analyze examples of short films, focusing on their narrative structure, character development, and visual storytelling techniques
Demonstration: Demonstrate basic camera techniques, such as framing, shot composition, and camera movement. Show examples of how these techniques are used in films to convey emotions and create impact
Doing (Guided Practice): Guide students in creating a simple storyboard for a short scene, focusing on shot composition and camera angles
Doing (Independent Practice): Students work in small groups to develop a story idea and create a storyboard and shot list for their short narrative film.
Reflection: Students reflect on their storytelling and filmmaking choices, considering how they can use visuals and camera techniques to enhance their narratives.
Connection: Groups submit their storyboards and shot lists to CompetesEDU for peer feedback and constructive criticism.
Week 3: The Art of Sound: Music Production & Sound Design
Essential Question: How can we use music and sound to create atmosphere, enhance storytelling, and evoke emotions in our media productions?
Concepts: Music production, sound design, digital audio workstations (DAWs), Foley, sound effects, emotional impact of sound.
Materials: Digital audio workstations (DAWs) or online music production tools, headphones, MIDI keyboards (optional), audio recording equipment, examples of media with impactful sound design
Vocabulary: Soundscape
Learning Goals: Students will explore music production and sound design techniques, creating original compositions and soundscapes
Learning Objectives:
Students will experiment with creating melodies, rhythms, and harmonies using DAWs or online tools.
Students will explore sound design principles and experiment with creating sound effects and Foley
Students will understand how music and sound can be used to enhance storytelling and create specific moods and atmospheres in media
Learning Outcomes:
Students will create an original music composition or sound design project and submit it to CompetesEDU
Discussion: Discuss the role of music and sound in storytelling and media experiences. Analyze examples of media with impactful soundtracks and sound design, highlighting their emotional impact and contribution to the narrative.
Demonstration: Demonstrate basic music production techniques using a DAW or online tool. Showcase how to create simple melodies and rhythms using virtual instruments or loops. Also, demonstrate how to create Foley sound effects using everyday objects
Doing (Guided Practice): Guide students in creating a short musical loop or sound effect using the provided tools
Doing (Independent Practice): Students choose to either compose a short musical piece or design a soundscape for a specific scene or theme
Reflection: Students reflect on their creative process and how they used music or sound to express their ideas or create a specific mood
Connection: Students submit their music compositions or sound design projects to CompetesEDU for peer feedback and appreciation.
Week 4: Graphic Design & Visual Communication: Designing for Social Impact