The Power of Storytelling through A Unique Student Filmmaking PBL Curriculum!

Harnessing the power of storytelling through student filmmaking is a transformative way to engage middle and high school students, This Project-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum is designed to empower students to become storytellers, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration while building essential character education skills. Our curriculum cultivates crucial life skills, encourages self-expression, and instills a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Additionally, students develop deeper media literacy skills, allowing them to critically analyze and navigate the media landscape, and the user-generated content they create helps forge stronger community engagement.

We have developed four (4) delivery options to meet your needs related to time, available resources, student proficiency, and outcomes desired . Directly after this overview, you will find the 4 Option Deliverables and Scope and Sequence Charts, which detail both CWK and School/Organization deliverables, as well as the actual lesson layout and the time commitment needed for each option.

The Options and Scope and Sequence information take the guesswork out of which option to choose!

So how are the actual lessons structured?

Options 1-3 are based on the 10 foundational lessons and are designed to be delivered in 45-50 minute blocks, typical to a class period, customized by time available. These lessons can be delivered during the school day, such as advisory time, core or extended core content classes, or during a designated after school program.

Homework assignments, a project rubric and extension projects are offered as options and allow students to tailor their learning experience to their interests and teachers to extend the learning beyond the 10 lessons. The 10 lessons are structured into 3 main parts, sith sections compacted & customized by our professional production staff based on the option you choose.

Tuning In

This inclusive Opener provide the lesson’s Essential Question, sets the purpose, expectations, and bridge to the day’s lesson material.

In the Frame

This part serves as the main lesson covering one of the critical components necessary to make a film. Relevant concepts such as B-roll, Interview Tips, Editing and more are covered through Pre-Production, Production and Post-Production. Lessons are designed to ensure students not only make compelling films, but also understand the ethical and other implications of their creations. Additionally, we have included 11 professionally produced What’s Your Story videos as part of. In the Frame section that a) provide a fun and engaging way to for students to get excited about telling their own stories and b) serve as on-demand reinforcement of concepts when needed.

The Final Cut

The last part of the lesson has 2 main functions. The Closing of the lesson and the optional daily homework extension (Which we call the Epilogue). Both serve as a reflection on the learning that just occurred as well as a bridge to the next day’s lesson

Option 4 is our unique, fast paced and fun 3 lesson curriculum called Triple Take. It is designed for the educator who needs efficiency and where the student capstone video is the focus, with concepts in film, SEL and media literacy compacted into 30 minute sessions. A pre-lesson is also included for teacher use with students.

All curriculum documents are delivered on your customized StoryTruths digital platform, and include 24/7 Help Desk support. A unique platform landing page is also included for final student capstone videos. A great tool to memorialize and celebrate projects each year!

As you embark on this exciting filmmaking PBL journey, we hope you enjoy the opportunity to see your students thrive in hands-on, authentic learning, strengthening critical skills while they tell stories that matter to them.