Krofton Montgomery, Jeremy Scott, Josh McCorkle Engaged Learning Project - Dr.

Williamson

Title of Project: Make Your Own Historical Movie!

Subject(s): US History
Grade Level(s): 9-12

Abstract:
Students will be developing an end of the year multimedia project that covers a standard
mastered during the year. The standards will come from the revised Georgia Standards of
Excellence (GSE) SSUSH1-SSUSH25. Allowing the students to choose their standard will make
the project more authentic/relevant for them. This project will be completed following the US
History Georgia Milestones Assessment. This student-centered project has differentiated aspects
throughout each phase of the process. In Phase 1: Students are to design a movie poster like the
one you would see in the movies or a Brochure using Microsoft publisher or Glogster. In Phase
2, students create a trailer or “preview” for their movie. Students will use Animoto, Windows
Moviemaker, or IMovie. In Phase 3, the students create an actual movie based on the historical
standard mastered. This project is to be authentic and creative with the initial audience being
classmates and posted to YouTube for an even wider audience. In this project, students will
assume the roles of actors, producers, and digital artists. Mr. Montgomery from West Hall High
School, Mr. Scott from Camden County High School, and Mr. McCorkle from Central High
School will video conference between the three classrooms and students will present their
posters, trailers, and movies to each class of students through Videoconferencing. Each class will
upload their movies, trailers, and posters to a class created Weebly website. These will be viewed
gallery style between the three classrooms. Finally, Central High School will host an “Academy
Awards” community event in its auditorium which will collaborate with the Fine Arts
Department. Both Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Scott’s classrooms are invited to attend the event,
but it will be recorded and streamed on Facebook Live if they are not able to attend. During the
event, the top 5 projects as voted on by their peers will receive their awards, have their movies
presented to the community, the Fine Arts Department will present a historical drama, and a
local Veteran will address both the students and the community. Donations will be accepted
during the event and will be given to the Georgia Veterans Fund.

Learner Description/Context:
The grouped learners will consist of students from three different schools: Camden County High
School, Central High School (Macon), and West Hall High School. Listed below is a
demographical breakdown of each high school:

Central High School

Central High School is a Title I public school in Macon, Georgia. It has a total population of
approximately 950 students. The principal is Emmanuel Frazier, serves predominately African-
American students, and is 100% free/reduced lunch.
 Central High School

Ethnicity School

White, non-Hispanic
8.
9%
Asian 1.1%

Black, non-Hispanic 86.3%

Hispanic 1.3%

Multiracial 2.3%

Native American or Native Alaskan 0.1%

Camden County High School

Camden County High School is a Title I school located in Kingsland, Georgia. It has a total
population of approximately 2,500 students. The Principal is John Tucker. Camden County
High School has 66% free/reduced lunch.

Camden County High School

Ethnicity School

White, non-Hispanic 61.1%

Asian 1.2%

Black, non-Hispanic 25.4%

Hispanic 5.9%

Multiracial 5.5%
 Native American or Native Alaskan 0.6%

Pacific Islander 0.4%

West Hall High School

West Hall High School is located in Oakwood Georgia. It has a total population of
approximately 1,200 students. The Principal is Scott Justus.

West Hall High School

Ethnicity School

White, non-Hispanic 44.9%

Asian 2.2%

Black, non-Hispanic 5.1%

Hispanic 46.1%

Multiracial 1.5%

Native American or Native Alaskan 0.1%

Pacific Islander 0.2%

Time Frame: This project will take place over two weeks after the Georgia Milestones
Assessment. Guidelines are given to the students to have the Poster finished by the second day,
Trailer by the fifth day, and the movie will be finished by the tenth day. The three classes will
video conference, and each group will present their projects not only to their classmates, but also
to the other two classrooms. Some outside work will be necessary to finish the project. The
school will provide all necessary equipment to complete the project.
Standards Assessed:
US History GSE SSUSH 1-23
NCSS Standards 1-10
1 CULTURE
2 TIME, CONTINUITY, AND CHANGE
3 PEOPLE, PLACES, AND ENVIRONMENTS
4 INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT AND IDENTITY
5 INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, AND INSTITUTIONS
6 POWER, AUTHORITY, AND GOVERNANCE
7 PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND CONSUMPTION
8 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
9 GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
10 CIVIC IDEALS AND PRACTICES

ISTE Standards
1A. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
4D. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions
3C. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness
to specific tasks
2A. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of
digital environments and media
2B. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of
media and formats
6B. Select and use applications effectively and productively.

Learner Objectives:
The student will demonstrate the ability to use multimedia software such an Animoto.com,
Windows Movie Maker, or IMovie.
The student will demonstrate collaboration and the ability to work with peers by using online
collaborative software.
The student will produce promotional posters using Desktop Publishing software such as
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, and/or Glogster.
The student will show the mastery of US History GSE standards through the completion of a
multimedia project.

The “Hook” or Introduction:

Have you ever wanted to be an actor in a Hollywood movie? Have you ever wanted to write and
produce your own movie? Now is your chance. In this project, you and three of your peers will
choose one standard covered in United States History this year. You will be required to create a
poster for your movie, a 1 minute movie trailer, and a movie which is at least 10 minutes in
length. Through this multimedia project, you will demonstrate mastery of this standard. You
won’t be working alone. You will be working with two other classrooms across the state of
Georgia. You will present your movies not only to your class, but also to their classes. Finally,
you may even get a chance to win an Academy Award! All the while, you will be helping fund
Veterans across this state. Now is your time to shine!
Process:
Students will be divided into groups of four. Their objective is to have an authentic, complete
project ready to present at the end of the 10 instructional days. Each phase will be given a
timeline. Students may work ahead if they complete the phase before the scheduled time.
Phase 1: 1-2 Days, Phase 2: 3-5 Days, Phase 3: 6-10 Days.
In Phase 1, students will design a movie poster or brochure about their movie. Students can use
Glogster, Publisher, Photoshop, or any other publishing software. The teacher will be circulating
around the classroom and helping groups with the software necessary.
In Phase 2, students will create a 1 minute preview of their movie. Students can use Animoto,
Windows Moviemaker, or IMovie to create their previews. The teacher will be there for
guidance if necessary.
In Phase 3, the students will create their 10 minute movie using Windows Moviemaker, IMovie,
or some other video editing software.
Presentation: Each group will post their poster, trailer, and movie to their class specific Weebly
website which will be moderated by the teacher. Each group will present their products not only
to their class, but also the other two classes through Skype Video Conferencing.
Academy Awards Community Event at Central High School: Awards will be given for the top 5
movies from the 3 high schools. The top 5 will be voted on by all three schools through an online
survey using Google Forms. Each winner will be presented at the community event. Following
the presentation of the movies, a local Veteran will speak to the community. Donations will be
taken and given to the Georgia Veterans Fund following the event.

Sample Timeline
Phase 1: Movie Poster (30 points) Day 1-2
● View and discuss exemplary poster from previous years.
● To design a movie poster or brochure, like one would see at the movies. Give your
movie a name, and any catchy phrases that you would like. Be sure your
poster/brochures attractive, and makes the audience want to watch it
● Poster or brochure is to be made digitally using an online platform
● Students are expected to share content and materials via google docs
Phase 2: Movie Preview (30 points) Day 3-5
● View and discuss exemplary preview from previous years.
● Create a 1-minute minimum preview of your movie. This should be a movie
trailer like the one you would watch at the movies. You can use any type of
software like animoto, windows moviemaker, IMovie, etc. to make the trailer. It
must be at least 1 minute.
Phase 3: Movie Presentation (40 points) Day 6-10
● View and discuss exemplary movie from previous years
● Movies must be historically accurate and graded based on historical accuracy and
participation of all group members.
● You will present your project not only to your class, but also to two other high
school classes in Georgia through Skype Video Conferencing.
● Movies, Posters, and Previews will be posted to Weebly website
Product:
Students will use the steps to create the best knowledge of their topic that they can possibly
find. Other classes, parents, peers, and adults will enjoy and learn at the same time about
controversial aspects of US history in an authentic way. Assessment is broken down by parts to
ensure the process continues. All assessments will have a rubric to score and students will be
rating and evaluating their peers’ work.

Technology Use: Animoto, Windows Moviemaker, and/or IMovie will be used in the creation
of the movies and the movie trailers. The students are not confined to use just one specific
program. They can use whatever tools they have access to. The teacher will facilitate the proper
use of the technology and answer any technological related questions the students may be
having. Glogster, Publisher, Office 365 may be used to create a Movie Poster/Brochure. Weebly
and Youtube will be utilized to upload their projects. Skype will be used to connect three
different classrooms from three different high schools together. Facebook Live will be used to
livestream and record the Academy Awards event. The school will coordinate with the local
news station to generate interest within the community. Students may use Google Docs to keep
their information accessible to their group. The technology for the project will support engaged
learning indicators. This will create an authentic, challenging, culturally responsive, project rich
in student production and exploration.

References and Supporting Material:

Videos, laptops/computers, cameras, and access to group collaboration areas needed.

Georgia Standards of Excellence - US History https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-

Standards/Documents/Social-Studies-United-States-History-Georgia-Standards.pdf

Glogster - http://edu.glogster.com/?ref=com

IMovie - https://www.apple.com/imovie/

Weebly - www.weebly.com

Youtube - www.youtube.com

Animoto - https://animoto.com/

Google Docs - www.googledocs.com

Skype - www.skype.com

Office 365 - www.office365.com

Google Forms (for Voting) - https://www.google.com/forms/about/