Grade 4 BA Unit 3
Media Arts
Nature Stories
Review Visual Arts Professional Learning Module
Here’s a link to the Professional Learning Module for Visual Arts. It may be helpful to review the module before beginning the integrated unit, especially Unit 5 (Teaching Visual Arts) and Unit 6 (Assessing Visual Arts).
Overview: 4th Grade California Media Arts Standards
Standards Assessed
4.MA:Cr3.a Structure and arrange various content and components to convey purpose and meaning in different media arts productions, applying sets of associated aesthetic principles, such as balance and contrast.
4.MA:Pr4 Demonstrate how a variety of academic, arts, and media forms and content may be mixed and coordinated into media artworks, such as narrative, dance, and media.
4.MA:Cn10.a. Examine and use personal and external resources to create media artworks, such as interests, research, and cultural understanding.
Standards Not Assessed
4.MA:Cr1 Conceive of original artistic goals for media artworks using a variety of generative methods such as brainstorming and modeling.
4.MA:Cr2 Discuss, test, and assemble ideas, plans, and/or models for media arts productions, considering the artistic goals and the presentation.
4.MA:Re9 Identify and apply basic criteria for evaluating and improving media artworks and production processes, considering context.
4th Grade Media Arts Vocabulary
Balance
Principle of having equal and/or dynamic distribution of items in a media arts project.
Contrast
Principle of using the difference between items, such as elements, qualities and components, to mutually complement them.
Point of View
The position of the narrator in relation to the story, as indicated by the narrator's outlook from which the events are depicted.
Storyboard
A sequence of drawings, typically with some directions and dialogue, representing animation for a media arts project.
4th Grade English Language Arts Vocabulary
Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things. The simile is usually in a phrase that begins with the words "as" or "like." He is AS brave AS a lion. He is brave LIKE a lion.
Metaphor
A figure of speech that is used to make a comparison between two things that aren't alike but do have something in common. He is a brave lion.
Idiom
Word combinations that have a different figurative meaning than the literal meanings of each word or phrase. It was a piece of cake. (meaning... it was easy)
Personification
A type of metaphor in which human characteristics or attributes are given to a non-human object. The plants were begging for water.
Overview: Media Arts Skills
Skills Assessed
Additional Skills Needed
Overview: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY Standards (R, RF, L)
RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
RL.4.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean). (See grade 4 language standards 4–6 for additional expectations.)
RL.4.5 Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text.
RF.4.4b Read on-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.
CA L.4.5a Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
Overview: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY Standards (W, SL)
W.4.6 With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others;
W.4.7 Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.,
W.4.8 Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes, paraphrase, and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
SL.4.2
Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
SL.4.5
Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.
ELA: Connections to BA Unit 3
Media Arts Unit: Enduring Understanding
Essential Question:
How can we use digital media to research and present a topic that demonstrates a strong visual impact and a narrative point of view?
BIG IDEA:
Each student will research and write a narrative from the point of view of an animal from Yosemite. The writing will then be the basis for a digital presentation created on Adobe Spark Video with images, text, and vocal recording.
Integrated Student Learning Outcome
The US National Park Service has asked 4th graders to create nature videos so visitors can learn more about the wildlife they might see in a national park.
Your job is to research facts about an animal that lives in Yosemite and use that information to write a narrative poem from that animal’s point of view.
You will use Adobe Spark to create a digital presentation that includes the text of your poem, images that support and illustrate the text, and recorded narration. Then you will publish your video and share it with others.
Fourth Grade Skill Building
Create a video on Adobe Spark
Lessons to teach BEFORE you start Media Arts Skill Building
Benchmark Advance ELA - What to Do
Fourth Grade Media Arts Skill Building Exercises
Media Arts Literacy 1: Balance
Media Arts Literacy 2: Contrast
Media Arts Literacy 3: Point of View
Balance - The equal and/or dynamic distribution of items in a design.
See-Think-Wonder
Rocky Mountain Sheep
Albert Bierstadt
c.1882 - c.1883
Go to Adobe Spark. https://spark.adobe.com
Use Handout for Adobe Spark along with the video tutorials.
Skillbuilding Exercise 1
Use keywords to find an image on Adobe Spark
Watch Video Tutorial
Contrast - Strikingly different from the objects around it.
See-Think-Wonder
Moon Over Half Dome, Yosemite National Park,
Ansel Adams
1960
HANDOUT: Text from “The Chipmunk” by John Burroughs
Use Text from “The Chipmunk” to select a sentence for your slide.
Skillbuilding Exercise 2:
Create a slide with an image and text.
Watch Video Tutorial
Skillbuilding Exercise 3
Explore contrast with layout and theme.
Watch Video Tutorial
Point of View - The narrator's outlook from which events are depicted.
What point of view is used in this video? Who is telling chipmunk facts?
What facts do you remember?
Skillbuilding Exercise 4
Record narration
Recommended: Use headphones with a microphone.
Practice reading your sentence with a partner.
Listen for accuracy, appropriate rate and expression.
Record your narration on Adobe Spark.
.
Press recorder down.
Wait 1 second before talking.
Wait 1 second after talking.
Replay to hear your recording
Skillbuilding Exercise 5
Select Music
Recommended: Use headphones with a microphone.
You can turn music on and off.
Select background music.
Adjust the volume so it is balanced with your voice.
Adjust volume
Turn music on and off
Skillbuilding Exercise 6
Publish your video.
Publish your video.
Turn
Get noticed OFF
Set to Education
Skillbuilding Exercise 6 (Continued)
Share with a partner
Share your video.
Skillbuilding Exercise 6 (Continued)
Sample Skillbuilding Video
Integrated Unit Part 1
(Building Knowledge)
4th Grade Integrated Media Arts Unit Outline
** Lessons taught before Skill Building section.
Benchmark Advance ELA Connections
Visual Literacy: Analyze video of “Animal Poetry” read by J. Patrick Lewis.
Read the prompt and watch the sample video.
The US National Park Service has asked 4th graders to create nature videos so visitors can learn more about the wildlife they might see in a national park. Your job is to research facts about an animal that lives in Yosemite. Then you will use that information to write a narrative poem from that animal’s point of view. Finally, you will create an Adobe Spark Video with text, photos and a recording of you reading the poem.
Watch the Sample Video
Media Skills
Research an animal from Yosemite.
Select one of the animals at the right.
Click on the name of the animal to find an online article about it.
Online Resources for Animal Facts
Fill out Animal Profile Sheets
Use the Animal Profile Sheets to list interesting facts and descriptive words or phrases.
Integrated Unit Part 2
(Artifact)
Pre-writing activity
You need:
What To Do:
Simile
A simile compares two things using like or as.
He is AS brave AS a lion.
He is brave LIKE a lion.
Metaphor
A metaphor compares two things by saying they are the same thing.
He IS a brave lion.
Personification
A type of metaphor in which human characteristics are given to a non-human object.
The plants were
begging for water.
Idioms
Word combinations that have a different figurative meaning than the literal meanings of each word or phrase. Do you see any metaphors or similes? Examples of Idioms for Kids
Saying | Meaning |
The test was a piece of cake. | It was easy. |
He walked the dog every day like clockwork. | He walked the dog regularly. |
Spring is at hand. | Spring is coming soon. |
He came from out of the blue. | He appeared suddenly. |
She was cool as a cucumber. | She was very calm. |
Figurative language in a poem
Read the poem “Hold Fast To Dreams” by Langston Hughes. How did the poet use figurative language?
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die,
Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field frozen with snow.
Langston Hughes
Power words in a poem
Read and compare the two selections below. The first is written as prose, the second as a poem. What do you notice?
I am a horse that comes from the foothills.
I gallop in the fields.
I am tall and like to run.
I am white.
I spend my days beside a river.
I eat flowers and grass every day.
I am a Palomino horse galloping through the beautiful foothills from which I come.
I am tall and graceful, racing through the emerald fields of life.
I am a creamy white blur through the day with the diamond river beside me.
I grow with the sapphire flowers of the day.
--Carissa J. Age 8
Pre-writing Activity Worksheets
Write a narrative poem using I am statements.
Use the words and phrases from the pre-writing activity to write a powerful poem from your animal’s point of view. Use the following I statement frames as a guide.
You can use all the frames or select one frame and repeat it 5 times.
Be sure your poem has examples of figurative language (metaphor, simile, or idiom).
I am _______________ like ____________________
I live ______________________________________
I always/never_______________________________
I am as _____________ as ____________________
I am _______________________________________
Integrated Unit Part 3
(Synthesis)
Review the prompt and requirements.
The US National Park Service has asked 4th graders to create nature videos so visitors can learn more about the wildlife they might see in a national park. Your job is to research facts about an animal that lives in Yosemite. Then you will use that information to write a narrative poem from that animal’s point of view. Finally, you will create an Adobe Spark Video with text, photos and a recording of you reading the poem.
Create a storyboard.
Create a storyboard with lines from the poem and key search words for images.
You Will Need:
Create a video on Adobe Spark.
Follow the directions to create your Nature Story on Adobe Spark Video.
Log on
Create Video
Create from Scratch
Add Project Name: Grade 4, Student Name
Add text + photo to Title slide
Add text and photos to the rest of the slides
Review each slide for balance and contrast.
Go to Adobe Spark. https://spark.adobe.com
For more support, use Handout for Adobe Spark along with the video tutorials from the skill building section.
Practice Reading Aloud
Practice reading text using strategies for vocal expression and fluency.
Record Narration
Record narration on each slide
Review with Rubric
Use the rubric to review or revise your video. Make any final edits. Pay special attention to the following 3 areas.
Consider the Rubric for Assessment
Use “Critique Protocol” to revise videos
Critique rules:
Be kind
Be specific
Be helpful
Publish and upload link to Mondrian.
Publish your video.
Turn
Get noticed OFF
Set to Education
Publish and upload link to Mondrian. (continued)
Share your video.
11. Log on to Mondrian: