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4th Grade  Project 2 weeks

Reel Reviews: Critics in the Making!

Rocio N
W.4.1
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Content Expertise
+ 1 more
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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage 4th-grade students in a hands-on learning experience where they develop critical writing skills by crafting movie reviews. Through collaborative activities, students will enhance their ability to express opinions using descriptive language, while building self-directed learning skills through feedback and reflection. The project fosters effective communication and critical thinking as students articulate their perspectives and share their work with peers, creating a sense of community and belonging.

Learning goals

Students will learn to craft compelling opinion pieces by using descriptive language to express their viewpoints on movies. They will develop skills in self-directed learning by utilizing feedback and reflection to refine their reviews. Through collaboration with a buddy class, students will enhance their communication skills and gain a sense of belonging and identity within their learning community. Critical thinking will be fostered as students explore diverse approaches to articulating their opinions and supporting them with evidence.
Standards
  • [California] W.4.1 - Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create written movie reviews that articulate their opinions using descriptive language and supporting reasons. By the end, they will produce a video compilation where they read their reviews aloud, incorporating relevant movie clips to illustrate their points. This compilation will be shared with the buddy class, allowing for a collaborative exchange of ideas and feedback.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Movie Magic Day' where students gather to watch a short film, sparking excitement and curiosity. After viewing, facilitate a dynamic discussion where students share their initial impressions, focusing on using descriptive language to articulate their opinions. This engaging activity sets the stage for students to explore the essential question and begin crafting their own movie reviews.

Exhibition

Students will present their movie reviews to their buddy class through a video compilation. The video will feature each student reading their review aloud, accompanied by clips from the movie that illustrate their points. This exhibition will not only showcase their writing skills but also foster a sense of community and shared learning between the classes.