The series of ten tasks (lessons) are designed to gradually increase the student’s skill sets (technology) and knowledge (biological Sciences, insect Life Cycles), that is necessary to complete a digital story that encaptures the Life Cycle (ACSSU072) of a Minibeast. In addition the students will learn about the 'predator prey relationship' (ACSSU072) and decide on an interesting fact about their chosen invertebrate or arthropod.  

 

Participating in this learning journey will provide students with the skills needed to plan, draft, edit and publish their final product (using online video making tool Adobe Spark). Please refer to the below instructional videos at the bottom of this page).

 

Through the learning journey (process) students gain an understanding of the stages in a Life Cycle of their chosen Minibeast and it’s natural predators. The knowledge acquired grows to encompass other arthropods and invertebrates (Minibeasts) when they watch the presentations of the other year four students.

 

Completing this project will enable your students to become Minibeast experts!

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TECHNOLOGY AND END PRODUCT

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During the process of 'making' students will research their chosen Minibeast and edit their final creation.

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Lesson 1 and 2 (split over two sessions).

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• Class discussion / modelling (research, copy right). During this discussion advise students to use Pixabay for all photographs and images. This is because attribution is not required (optional) under Pixabays licencing. However, its always nice to be aware of paying credit to artists. 

• Form small groups of 2-4. Choose a Minibeast on the list and research its Life Cycle using google/internet. There is also information provided in the 'research' and 'Life Cycle' pages of this website (use the drop down task menu above).

• It is advised that students use the class ‘connect’ network to store and share information. You also have access to the 'Shared Links' page on this website (use the drop down task menu above).

• Create a group plan of your digital story on a Minibeast Life Cycle. A short explanatory video in below and presents the basic information that students need in their plans. 

• Identify two natural predators. Continue class discussion and elaborate if necessary. 

 

Lesson 3 and 4 (split over two sessions).

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• Class discussion: recap of lesson 1 and 2, modelling (copy right, where to get free images, credits, how to store). Remember to utilize the 'Minibeast photographs' section of this website (use the drop down task menu above)

• If students wish to find their own images it is recommended to use Pixabay (copy right free). At this stage it is recommended that students refer to their plan so that they can focus their energy on finding images that they need for their digital stories. Images can be saved to 'connect' or a designated folder on each computer. 

 

Lesson 5, 6 and 7 (split over three sessions).

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• Finish collecting images. Remind students to refer to their plans. Remember to focus students (what images do they need for their digital story slides)

• Create a visual story in Adobe Spark (add images to the slides, collaborate, use creativity). Please refer to the instruction video below which details everything that you need to know about using Adobe Spark. It is suggested that you watch this prior to commencing the project and again before each additional lesson. This will enable you to mentor the students.

 

Lesson 8. Add voice over and change music to suit the theme.

 

Lesson 9. Editing and finishing touches. Click share, copy link, submit to teacher. Or if the students have a personal 'about Me' page you can upload the digital stories directly to this. The students may need additional help to do this. Refer to the instructional video below for support and advice. 

 

Lesson 10. Part of this project is 'authentic learning'. This is achieved when students present the finished Minibeast Life Cycle digital stories to their 'buddy class' (the other year 4 class). 

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Congratulations! Now your students are Minibeast experts...

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