Introducing video technology into the classroom can be a great way to engage kids, make learning fun, and help your students develop an interest in technology. Video is an ideal medium for your students to express themselves, and giving them a copy of their project after it is complete is a fun memento parents will cherish for years to come.

Incorporating video projects into your lesson plans shouldn’t take a large financial investment. These days, many affordable digital cameras come with video capabilities, some of them even supporting high-definition functionality. You’ll want to make sure the camera you choose has audio recording functionality as well. Audio will be important for filming your students reciting lines or giving presentations.

The sky is the limit on fun class movie projects that you can do with your students. Here are some suggestions to get your imagination flowing:

  • Video pen pals. If your students are learning about a specific language or culture, have them participate in a video pen pals program. You could even do what this class did, and help out a less-fortunate group of students. Through these exchanges, your students will learn cultural awareness, compassion, and social skills.
  • Events in History.After your students have learned about an important event in history, have them write a script for the event and act it out. Film their re-enactment, and then let them watch themselves. Encourage them to be creative, but insist they try to be historically accurate. (No, aliens did not assassinate Abraham Lincoln.)
  • Claymation classroom. Claymation is a form of stop animation where clay objects are carefully manipulated and photographed, and the photos are strung together to create a video. A claymation project will allow kids to collaborate and use their creativity. Have your students re-create a scene from a famous book, or have them make instructional videos (how birds fly, how photosynthesis works, etc.). You can upload their videos to a service like YouTube or Vimeo to make them shareable. Creating a claymation video can be a lot of work, but having your students work in groups will teach them how to cooperate and compromise, and will help them learn planning skills.
  • Rapping ‘Bout ‘Rithmetic. Kids usually relate well to music. If your class seems musically inclined, consider asking them to produce a music video. They could write rhymes about math, history, literature or science, and turn them into an educational rap video. You could even take it further and have them participate in rap competitions where they battle each other for the best rhymes. Encourage them to try to make their raps as informative as possible, and to keep the language clean. This can teach them language skills, and give them a method of studying that may increase retention.
  • Stand Up for a Cause. Find a cause your students are passionate about, and have them create a persuasive video that appeals to others for support. For example, does your school’s athletic field need new bleachers? Is the local park polluted with litter? Is your school losing funding for much-needed programs? Have your students create a moving video, and distribute it throughout the community. You never know what a difference your students could make. What a wonderful way to encourage community involvement!

Video is undeniably a fantastic learning medium. Encourage your class to have fun, be creative, and be proud of their own creations. The classroom should be a place where children enjoy learning and feel involved throughout the process, and you can foster that enjoyment with video.

Sarah is an Outreach Coordinator for Voices.com, a site connects businesses with professional voice talents. She enjoys helping potential voice talent find creative ways to use their talents.