Lesson: Make Your Own Flocab Video
Students at PS 57 in NYC created this fantastic video for Flocabulary’s “Chinese Knowledge” song from Hip-Hop History of the World: Part I. Acting, costumes, props, choreography–they did it all! We were blown away and think you’ll be, too.
A film project is the perfect way to wrap up a year of Flocabulary. This easy-to-follow lesson plan will help you make your own video. When you’re done, send it our way—we’d love to see what your students can do!
The Lesson Plan:
Part One: Learn the Content
1. Choose the song and unit.
2. Divide the song into sections. Assign each section or topic to a student or group of students.
3. Students research their section. Students can use information from the Flocabulary book, as well as other textbooks and internet resources.
4. Using the info they’ve gathered, each student or group completes one of the following projects about their assigned topic.
- Poster
- Newspaper article
- Skit
- Song
- Story about the topic
- Original idea
5. Students teach each other by presenting their research to their classmates. Students should take notes on other presentations. Make sure to clarify key points from each presentation.
Part Two: Make the Video
1. Hold a brainstorming session (or several) to discuss ideas for the video. Elements to discuss include:
- What characters do you want to include? Who will play these characters?
- What should the scenery look like? Who will make it?
- What choreography do you want to include? Who will choreograph?
- What “scenes” will you have? Who will direct them?
- What props do you need? Who will bring them in or make them?
- What technology will you use to film and edit the movie? Who will film the scenes? Who will edit the movie?
2. After the brainstorming session, make sure that each student is assigned a role from one of the above topics. Set a specific schedule with deadlines to complete each task.
3. Rehearse. And then rehearse some more.
4. Film the scenes.
5. Edit the video.
6. Screen the video and celebrate! (Note: If you are going to post the video online, make sure to follow your district policy for getting appropriate permissions).
7. Send it to us! We love to see students’ creativity!