Unit 1: Setting Up Our Classroom
In the unit “Setting Our Classroom Up for Success,” educators explore creating an environment that fosters student growth, well-being, and academic achievement. It recognizes the impact of the classroom on social-emotional development and learning. According to Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), aligned practices and supportive environments across classrooms reinforce social-emotional learning and enhance students’ internalization of lessons. To learn more about why setting up the classroom for success is crucial, explore CASEL’s Guide to Schoolwide SEL.
Unit 2: Understanding SEL
In this unit, students will explore the fundamental principles of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), focusing on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.. Through interactive activities, discussions, and reflective exercises, with intentional connections to the filmmaking project, students will gain a deeper understanding of how SEL impacts their personal and academic lives.
Unit 3: Pre-Production
In the pre-production unit, students learn about the essential stages of planning and preparation before actual filming begins. Students will focus on the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively organize and execute a film project, including making a plan and beginning production elements, while also gaining insights into interviewing techniques and developing effective questions! Students come away valuing the importance of collaboration and communication among team members, as well as the significance of pre-production in shaping the overall vision and success of a film.
Unit 4: Production & Post-Production
In this unit, students focus on the exciting and dynamic phase of bringing their creative vision to life on the screen. Learning more about the practical aspects of filmmaking, students develop essential skills related to the use of B-roll and their film project story development. Through hands-on experiences, students gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges of capturing the stories they want to tell. While continuing to work collaboratively in teams, they will assume different roles and responsibilities, ensuring a smooth and efficient production process. Students also explore the importance of effective communication, adaptability, and problem-solving as they navigate production dynamics.Toward the end of their project, this unit empowers students with the skills and knowledge necessary to transform raw footage into a polished, engaging, and impactful final product. Focusing on editing, sound design, visual effects, students also explore the importance of ethical film practices in relation to post-production, such as the understanding how the use of tone and bias can inform a final product.