Joe's+Final+Project

[|Link to my Windows Movie Maker Assignment on the Underground Railroad]
 * Final Project- w/ 5 to 7 second pauses**

[|click here]
 * Final Project- Revised w/ 10-12 second pauses**

Windows Movie Maker is an application that allows users to create well polished presentations that incorporate images, sounds, text, and a variety of effects. With a little hands on practice, creating a movie is easy and quite intuitive. There is definitely a PowerPoint feel to this application.
 * A Note about Movie Maker**

One drawback to Windows Movie Maker is that it does not have a spell check feature. If you notice any spelling errors, and I just noticed one, let me know.

When I was student teaching, a veteran teacher once remarked to me that the more actively involved in the learning process students are, the more engaged they will be, and the more they will learn. This sounded quite basic to me back then, but actually applying this wisdom in the classroom is not always easy. After close to a decade of teaching, I can confidently say that more often than not, active/engaged learning occurs in my classroom. Teaching in a block schedule format had made this easier. Windows Movie Maker is a great application when students are actively involved in the creation of a movie. If a teacher only uses Movie Maker to create movies to show students, the novelty of these presentations will wear off quickly. In order to effectively teach students how to use this tool, a teacher needs to make their own movie, so that they can learn all of the short cuts and quirks associated with it and pass these along to students.
 * Windows Movie Maker in the Classroom**

I would use my movie both as an example of how to use Movie Maker and to introduce students to the Underground Railroad and continue their examination of primary sources. I would also try to set up a field trip to some of the local sites referenced in the presentation. Once the movie is finished, here are some suggested activites that involve the Underground Railroad and primary sources.
 * How I Would Use My Movie**


 * Objectives and Activity Ideas**

-Discuss the economics of American slavery. -Explain how the American Founding Fathers dealt with the issue of slavery. -Explain the Constitutional significance of the year 1808 and discuss Congress' decision in this year concerning slavery. -Define "Underground Railroad." -On a map, illustrate the general path of the Underground Railroad. -Discuss the role that local Pennsylvania communities played in the Underground Railroad.
 * Objectives**

-Before viewing/while viewing this Movie Maker presentation, students can -Create a KWL chart about the Underground Railraod. -Identify on a blank map of the United States, slave states and free states. -Using a labeled map of the United States, predict the states involved in the Underground Railroad. -Examine any of the primary source photos in the presentation using the 1) NARA photo analysis handout or the 2) SEA graphic organizer. -Examine the photo [|of slave's back] and the engraving [|slave family]. Consider the following questions: -What do both images tell us about slavery in America? -How realistic is the image of a slave family? What are some political/psychological/sociological reasons this image may have been created? -Listen, again, to the two spirituals that play in the presentation. In small groups, have students complete an NARA song analysis sheet for both songs. Consider the following question- What messages are these songs trying to communicate about slavery? Find additional spirituals about slavery and discuss their messages, similarities, and differences. Students could use a Venn Diagram to complete this activity.
 * Activities**


 * Sources**

Spearing Tobacco http://rationalrevolution.net/images/spearing_tobacco.jpg

January 1, 1808 []

Triangular Trade [] (broken link) Founding Fathers [] Free States, Slave States [|videoindex.pbs.org/.../mapsandgraphs/map03.html]

Image of Slave's Back [] Slave and Master [] Slave Family [] Garrison [] Levi Coffin [] North Star [] Boat [] $50 Ad [] Ran Away [] Kennet Banner [] Johnson House [] Johnson House Sign [] Brown House [] John Brown [] Slaves Playing Music http://www.authentichistory.com/diversity/african/engravings/1890sc_Engraving-Slaves_Playing_Music.html

Myths http://teacher.scholastic.com/ACTIVITIES/bhistory/underground_railroad/myths.htm

Lancaster County Map http://www.pamagic.org/pamagic/cwp/view.asp?A=2046&Q=504416&pp=3

Music (get links)

Swing Low Sweet Chariot- [|From Edison Master] Steal Away-[|Link to Song]  final project sources- used/unused

Hi Joe: I love the use of the spirituals as the underlying music of your video. It really has impact and makes for an effective introduction to the topic. I also really like the question: If you were a slave, what would you do? That draws the viewer into the video, I think. You have some great primary sources here, too! One suggestion I would have is that you may want to allow for a little more screen time for some of the slides that are text intensive. Some of the slides, especially at the beginning, go by pretty fast to process. Thanks for sharing! Diane

Diane, Thanks for the feedback. Because of how many times I've watched my presentation, my wife has said those two songs are banned from my house :) I wondered about the timing.

Joe - I would never have thought of using Movie Maker in this way. This is a very innovative way to use technology to create multimedia-based presentations (and the software is FREE!). I have to mirror Diane's comment about your use of the music in the video ... it really helped set the tone for the project. I also agree that there could be a bit longer delay between slide transitions, to allow your students to read and comprehend as they go. I had to watch the video a couple of times before I was understanding everything completely. Very well done overall! (Rob)

Joe, we are so lucky to live in an area that is rich in the history that shaped our country and us. My husband is a Civil War buff--not a reenactor-- just a buff. He will enjoy this project too. I will pass all these sites on to him too. I had forgotten that "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" was a slave song. I loved that song and hadn't thought about it in years. The music will give a sense of the longing that the slaves felt. Have a great month until school starts. Mary

Joe, this was an awesome way to present your material. I think it was a good decision to slow the slides down. I was having a hard time keeping up at first, and I'm sure some students would tune out if they found themselves struggling to keep up with the slides. Slavery is a very important issue that too often gets glossed over in our classes. Many students know very little about the Underground Railroad other than Harriet Tubman used it. The slave song is also a very important piece of this part of history, and I'm glad you incorporated that into your presentation. Great job Joe!

Joe what a fantastic job you did! I loved the way you presented the information and the activities you have the students complete! With your permission I would absolutely LOVE to borrow this! Jeanine