1. Using iMovie in the Elementary
Classroom
Charice Wilczynski
Technology Integration Specialist Presentation

2. Pedagogy
What does the learning look like?
iMovie allows students to apply their 21st century skills:
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
How will this tool change the learning?
By using the green screen feature on iMovie,
students can present information from any given
location/setting, thereby making learning
authentic and meaningful.

3. The Task
Grade Level: 3rd
Subject: Science
Lesson Topic: Space Unit
Learning Objectives: The students will…
 Write a narrative that describes an individual
planet’s position, rotation, size, gravity, orbit,
atmosphere, composition, rings, and discovery
 Present this narrative behind a green screen
 Import the presentation into iMovie
 Insert background pictures that correlate with the
narrative of the video

4. Materials
1. Digital camera or an iPad/iPod
2. Green or blue construction paper
3. A Mac computer with the iMovie
application

5. Step 1
Using a digital camera or an
iPad/iPod, record a video of the
student.

6. Step 2
Plug the device into the computer’s
USB drive. Drag a copy of the video
file on to the desktop.

7. Step 3
Launch iMovie and import movie from
the File menu.

8. Step 4
The video will appear in the event window.
Select the entire video and drag it into the
project library.

9. Step 5
Click ―Preferences‖ from the iMovie menu.
From the ―General‖ tab, check ―Show
Advanced Tools.‖

10. Step 6
Find a picture to use as a background. Save
the picture to the desktop. Drag and
drop the picture on top of the background
clip in the timeline.

11. Step 7
Select ―Green Screen‖ from the popup
menu. Finalize the video under the ―Export‖
toolbar.

12. Summary
Teacher testimonial:
―Rather than relying on
static materials such as
textbooks and films,
students can create a
report from any place in
the world using iMovie’s
green screen effect. This
has made learning
experiences interactive for
every student—all without
leaving the comfort and
safety of the classroom!‖
“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our
children of tomorrow.” -John Dewey
iMovie allows students to apply
their 21st century skills:
• Communication – writing/speaking
• Collaboration – heterogeneous
grouping
• Creativity/critical thinking –
narratives will challenge students
to use their imagination and think
flexibly