Teacher Idea Factory

Teacher Idea Factory

END OF THE YEAR CLASSROOM MOVIE – PASS THE TISSUES PLEASE

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Oh my word folks, I just put the finishing touches on my end of the year movie and previewed it all the way through as a completed project.  I am darn near a puddle on the floor. What a ride . . . 

I know I posted about this last year, but I got some great ideas from the comments during the last go around and figured I’d see if I could draw more classroom movie goodness out of the woodwork.  Do you make a video for your babes?  If yes, I’d love for you to share your thoughts and tips below!  Keep reading to see my current classroom movie vision . . .   

Personally, I use iMovie.  I find it VERY user friendly for all types of movie makers.  You can slap one together or get über precise (just call me Kelley Speilberg come early-May). You can pick from numerous themes/templates (I always go with the photo album version (but that’s just me). I totally dig that you just drag and drop the pictures you want included into the project section.


You can have the computer dictate the length on each photo or you can easily adjust it.  Cropping and adding motion is easy too.  However, this is what takes the MOST time.  I probably spent roughly 10-12 hours on my video this year, but I am obsessed.  You could knock one out in a few hours . . . don’t let my obscene numbers scare you off!



I always progress through the year rather than going by theme, so the parents can see their babies grow.  And, let’s be honest . . . it’s how I think.  


This year’s video is 22:20 minutes in length.  I know.  I know.  I ALWAYS GO WAY OVERBOARD.  I just can’t help myself.  My goal is to get the kiddos in numerous times throughout the gig.  To ensure that everyone’s screen time is pretty even, I preview sections of the video as I make them.  I print out a class list and tally every time I see one of my babes on screen.  This is my 7th year making one of these and I still caught two poor kiddos who were kind of “left out.”  By previewing as I go, I was able to slip additional photos of these little cuties into the mix before going public!   


I believe that music makes the whole gosh darn thing and I have a strategy that I implement each year.  You hook ’em in with a cute peppy tune.  Then you slow it down a bit.  Next, you transition into a dreamy misty-eyed song.  You must pick it back up and save the day with a happy song.  Depending how long you are, you may need another heartfelt song here with super deep meaning (I suggest that it’s upbeat as well). Finally, go for the big finish . . . insert the song that can move mountains.  You know – that one perfect song that will bring ’em to their knees.

Now, I choose to take the music aspect a step further . . . but, then again, I’m a nut.  I actually add movement with the pictures to match the music.  Peppy songs have quicker transitions.  The slower ballad-type tunes get slower fluid movements.  I add fades to the beginning/end of each audio clip for dramatic effect.  I also trim songs to increase variety.  {Now that I’ve typed that, I can see the ridiculousness in my detail driven productions . . . but, it still makes me smile.}


Speaking of music, below I listed out the song line up that made the cut this year . . .


1) We Belong Together – Randy Newman (fun intro)
2) Rainbow Connection – Weezer w/ Hayley Williams (BEST version ever)
3) Happy – Pharrell Williams (perfect pick me up – I trimmed it down)
4) Perfect Gift – Natalie Hemby (aligns with Christmas photos in movie)
5) Somewhere Over the Rainbow – IZ (need I say more)
6) Forever Young – Bob Dylan (love the message – I trimmed this one too)
7) Never Grow Up – Alyssa Golden (grab your tissues).


I change up the order and song usage every year – I don’t want siblings to get the same movie.  Here are some AMAZING songs that also fit into these movies so well . . . 

You’ve Got a Friend In Me – Randy Newman
Monsters Inc. Intro – Randy Newman
Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
You Are My Sunshine – Ray Charles
In My Life – Beatles
Good Life – One Republic (get the clean version)
Bright Side of the Road – Van Morrison
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head – Burt Bacharach

**Count On Me (Bruno Mars) would be a killer one to include too.  It’s on my 
list for next year!!!


There you have it. That’s my theory for creating amazing movies each and every year (in a nutshell).  Oh, and just for the record, it ain’t just the parents who tear up in my room every year.  By the time it’s all said and done, I have probably seen the the video at least 12-15 times to help desensitize myself. However, I still loose it a little every time I watch it with the parents that first time (Open House).  I have to go to my “happy” spot.  What can I say?  I am a total sap.  And, they were my babies for an ENTIRE year . . . sigh.  

On a mildly related note, the first screening of this is shown at Open House.  I finished 1.5 weeks early this year so I am sitting pretty.  That night I set up the desks, get all dolled up, and tape a special sign to the TV.  It just adds a little extra “sizzle” to the movie premiere 🙂  

CLICK HERE to grab this sign 🙂

I do give copies to parents as my end of the year gift, but it is just too insane to get them all copied right now.  So, I wait to dish these out until the end of the year.  You can also milk an extra activity out of these disks.  Instead of me making a cover for the movie, the kids create their own.  I simply provide a piece of paper cut to the size of the DVD holder and let the kids fly.  They always take such pride in their work – slate a good 30 minutes for this activity. 

Alright, that’s my low-down on how I roll with and EOY Class Movie.  Thanks for visiting my friends!  Again, if you have anything to add or share on how you create your flick, I’d love to hear it!  Merry Saturday . . . see ya soon 🙂



      

Comments

  1. Luv My Kinders says

    Thanks for ALL the great ideas! I am going to start working on my end of the year video this coming week. You're not a nut about the details and music I am exactly the same way…lol. I am showing our video for our Kinder graduation ceremony. Hopefully I will be able to hold it together.

    ~Laura
    Luv My Kinders

  3. Molly says

    I need you to make mine, please! How do you do it all!?!?! Love the idea of the kids making the cover! Congrats on finishing up early – you've earned a glass of wine (or four!)

    Molly
    Lucky to Be in First

  4. Palma Sarah says

    Hey Kelley, I love your post! I make a video every year too, but I was in need of some new song ideas. I LoVe your suggestions! Thank you!
    Palma kfundamentals.blogspot.com

  7. Beadboard says

    ok…. now you'll know how techie insufficient I am. is iMovie a program I need to purchase? how do I get the songs? Do I purchase those on iTunes? each & every suggestion appreciated. here is my email. smskdg@hotmail.com

  8. Christa Lyons says

    How cute! I created a DVD of pictures for my students last year as end of the year gifts too! I used Toast to burn the DVDs. The parents loved it! I chose Randy Newman's "You Got a Friend in Me" for my 5 minute DVD. I'm not that experienced with iMovie; I'll need to check it out!
    -Christa
    learninbooks.blogspot.com

  9. Victoria Hoover says

    I used to do this when I taught kindergarten the last 5 years. Mine was always about 30 minutes. I used to take individual shots of the kids on Halloween (I'm just a Halloween nut) and give each kid a moment to shine with an individual picture with their name on it so that way when the kids are older and maybe forget the name do a kid who left the school after K they will remember them. I repeat most of my songs and maybe change one each year. My favorite is let them be little. I also use the song from despicable me from the carnival scene, my wish for you, you'll be in my heart, never grow up by Taylor swift, we are family, and maybe a few more, can't remember now lol. iMovie is the best tho….I think it's great you do this for your kids….I thought I was the only nut 🙂

  10. Misty says

    I do the same thing with my class also. I love giving the "movies" out on the last day. It is such a special gift. However, I always have trouble transferring the imovie to idvd to burn on a disk. Any suggestions for a better way to do this or another program to use? I'm slightly techy but have to work at it. 🙂 I use a macbook pro when making these. Thanks so much!
    mmoore@franklin.k12.ga.us

  11. susan says

    I use IMovie also but really could use some step by step help. Do you know of a site that offers this? Thanks

  12. Laurie Foote says

    You read my mind and put it all in your blogpost! I try for 10 minutes and it ALWAYS goes to at lease 20. I used the "For Good" song, from Wicked for one of my all time favorite classes…I don't think I can use that one again. Add Let them Be Little, Dream Big (Ryan Shupe), Life is Beautiful (Vega4) and Send it On (a Disney song) to your music list.

    Laurie
    chickadeejubilee.blogspot.com

  13. Lynnette Stevens says

    HI! Love your blog!! When I create my slideshow in iMovie, then I have to move it to idvd to burn it right? But do I have to use an idvd theme to make it play in a dvd player?

  14. Kristin says

    Um . . . we are exactly the same when it comes to our movies. Exactly. You are preaching to the choir!! Thanks for some of the song suggestions!!! I needed some new ones. 🙂

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