Famous First Graders!

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Students will learn about each other.

OBJECTIVE

Students will:

1. Interview each other.
2. Tell information about themselves.
3. Take digital still and video photos and edit them.
4. Write about the Famous First Graders.

MATERIALS

1. Digital still cameras
2. Digital video cameras
3. Cable to connect to computer
4. Tripod (optional)
5. Microphones (optional)
6. Macintosh computer with Mac OS 9.2 or higher
7. iPhoto software
8. iMovie software
9. Background for interview area
10. Red carpet (roll paper)
11. Stool or chair for Famous First Grader to sit on
12. A pretend limousine for the Famous First Grader to arrive in (optional)
13. Name badges for Paparazzi and reporters.
14. Microphones for reporters
15. Popcorn (optional)
16. Invitations (optional)

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Create a Famous First Graders background. I used dark blue roll paper with the words Famous First Grader enhanced with glitter.
2. Roll out the red carpet and place a seating area at the end of it.
3. Create a roped off area around the Famous First Grader so that the Paparazzi can't get too close.
4. Name badges for Paparazzi and reporters. These could be printed out on large address labels or the children could use the large address labels and design their own with markers.

DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Separate the students into their roles. There may only be as many photographers as you have cameras. (Some could use pretend cameras.) About half of the students could start out as Famous First Graders. They just wait in their limousine (chairs lined up) until it arrives at the Big Event.

Step 2: Talk about how the Big Event is about to begin. The Famous First Graders are about to arrive at anytime. The groups need to get their equipment and take their places. Remember to be considerate of each other and be a good team member.

Step 3: Go over how the scenario might be played out: The first limousine arrives. An usher opens the door for the Famous First Grader. The crowd briefly cheers or oohs and ahhs. The paparazzi take a picture. The Famous First Grader walks down the red carpet to the interview area. A reporter asks his or her name. Another reporter asks, "Tell us why you are famous." When the interview is complete the Famous First Grader excuses himself to go into the Big Event. This person becomes a crowd member. The rest of the students rotate to the next position. Continue until all of the children have been interviewed.

Step 4: After everyone has been interviewed, have the students edit the photos and create an iMovie. This could be done in a computer center. Creating the iMovie could be done as a large group if the computer was connected to a large-screen TV.

Step 5: Preview the movie. Decide if it needs any further editing.

Step 6: Invite parents, principal, specialists, or another class to view the movie. Popcorn is a nice touch to this Big Event.

LESSON EXTENSION
Create a Famous Teachers movie and run it during lunch in the teachers' lounge.

ASSESS STUDENTS
Observe how well the students worked as a team. Have children tell what they learned about another child and their name.

EVALUATE THE LESSON
Ask the children what they learned, what they liked the best about the unit, what was easy to do, and what was difficult.

Gayle has been a teacher for 35 years. She has helped teachers throughout the nation learn about technology, the Internet, and creative ways to use both in the classroom.

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ARTICLE	A Look at Tools for Assessment and Accountability Technology is becoming more and more important to the efforts of new teachers to measure and account for student progress. First year teachers, see how you can use computers to conduct assessments and manage student data.
UNIT PLAN	Unit Plan: Famous First Graders In this unit, which includes 4 lessons, students interview each other and make a short film with the goal of foster teamwork and self esteem.