Green Screen Ideas
1. Make Word Problems Come to Life, Have students use a green screen to act out math word problems visually, such as by having students act out a scenario in which these word problems come to life. For instance, students could recreate the word problem, “John drove 55 miles in an hour. How many miles could he drive in 36 hours?” could be illustrated using a green screen and actually mapping out the distance on a map, and then using green screen and stock footage to show John in his new location. Visualizing word problems often helps students translate those words into real concepts—and kids can have a lot of fun coming up with props to demonstrate the various parts of the problems. Bonus: These videos can be used later to teach students how to solve word problems!
2. Tour Body Systems: Students can “tour” the human body by using anatomical diagrams as the background, and props to explain how body systems work. For example, imagine classmates acting as red blood cells, traveling to and from the lungs (shown behind them on a green screen) to pick up oxygen and carry throughout the body and back to the heart.
3. Demonstrate Laws of Science: “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.” Many scientific laws are best understood through demonstration, but might not be safe or convenient to demonstrate in a classroom. Why not use a green screen so students can act them out? Thermodynamics, anyone?
4. Reading Fluency: Film the pages of a storybook, pausing on each page long enough for a student to read it. Drop the filmed pages of the book into the background, then film the student reading the story. Position the student so the words are still visible, and you’ve got a read-along video, as well!
5. Video Book Report: For a more advanced approach to a “green screen story,” students can literally become part of their favorite story or book by dropping illustrations, stock video, or photo backdrops into the background while they offer an oral book reports. They can then discuss or act out their favorite parts of the story, or even interact with story characters (actors) in the setting of the book. (Note: If students bring in imagery from around the internet, always ensure that downloaded videos and photos are free for students to use, and always credit sources!)
6. Time Travel is (Almost) Possible: History is full of stories that are perfect for green screen illustrations. Students can travel back in time to interview famous people, or at least actors playing the part. Students could also reenact historic scenes using a green screen and photos of historic backdrops, similar to the foreign language travel videos listed above.
7. Perform With The Stars: Can you imagine playing onstage with Louis Armstrong or dancing with Anna Pavlova? Using a green screen and stock footage, students can! This is a great way for students to discuss technique and gain performance confidence, and performing in front of an audience is nothing when you’ve already performed with your idol.
8. You’re the Coach: Students can explain rules and techniques of sports using footage of an actual game in progress. They can freeze the frame or use slow-motion at certain points to step into the frame and discuss what’s going on. This is also a great way for students to critique their own performance and discuss ways to improve next time.
9. You are a Weather Forecaster. Students can learn the main elements of a good weather forecast and how a weather forecast works. They can learn the importance of meteorology and how weather data is created by a team of weather forecasting experts.
10. Reader's Theater: Students can learn how to read better by public speaking skills and gain confidence when performing in a public setting.
2. Tour Body Systems: Students can “tour” the human body by using anatomical diagrams as the background, and props to explain how body systems work. For example, imagine classmates acting as red blood cells, traveling to and from the lungs (shown behind them on a green screen) to pick up oxygen and carry throughout the body and back to the heart.
3. Demonstrate Laws of Science: “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.” Many scientific laws are best understood through demonstration, but might not be safe or convenient to demonstrate in a classroom. Why not use a green screen so students can act them out? Thermodynamics, anyone?
4. Reading Fluency: Film the pages of a storybook, pausing on each page long enough for a student to read it. Drop the filmed pages of the book into the background, then film the student reading the story. Position the student so the words are still visible, and you’ve got a read-along video, as well!
5. Video Book Report: For a more advanced approach to a “green screen story,” students can literally become part of their favorite story or book by dropping illustrations, stock video, or photo backdrops into the background while they offer an oral book reports. They can then discuss or act out their favorite parts of the story, or even interact with story characters (actors) in the setting of the book. (Note: If students bring in imagery from around the internet, always ensure that downloaded videos and photos are free for students to use, and always credit sources!)
6. Time Travel is (Almost) Possible: History is full of stories that are perfect for green screen illustrations. Students can travel back in time to interview famous people, or at least actors playing the part. Students could also reenact historic scenes using a green screen and photos of historic backdrops, similar to the foreign language travel videos listed above.
7. Perform With The Stars: Can you imagine playing onstage with Louis Armstrong or dancing with Anna Pavlova? Using a green screen and stock footage, students can! This is a great way for students to discuss technique and gain performance confidence, and performing in front of an audience is nothing when you’ve already performed with your idol.
8. You’re the Coach: Students can explain rules and techniques of sports using footage of an actual game in progress. They can freeze the frame or use slow-motion at certain points to step into the frame and discuss what’s going on. This is also a great way for students to critique their own performance and discuss ways to improve next time.
9. You are a Weather Forecaster. Students can learn the main elements of a good weather forecast and how a weather forecast works. They can learn the importance of meteorology and how weather data is created by a team of weather forecasting experts.
10. Reader's Theater: Students can learn how to read better by public speaking skills and gain confidence when performing in a public setting.