Media Arts for Elementary Grades Collection
Students will practice what they know about story structure and various components of a story, such as characters, setting, conflict, and goals…
Students will learn how to properly construct an outline and write a script for a video or audio project…
Students will learn how to interview someone appropriately through various scaffolding activities. They will go through the steps that must be taken to conduct a successful interview.
Students will learn about the three steps that go into any filmmaking project: pre-production, production, and post-production. They will also learn about how many different jobs go into creating a video project.
Students will learn how to record audio with proper microphones, know how to record sound in the best way possible and recognize what microphone is best to use in different situations.
Students will explore and understand how different types of lighting affects how a video looks. They will see how important lighting is to video projects.
Students will review what they know about current events and the news and gain an understanding of the importance of staying aware.
Students in Grades K-5 will learn filmmaking vocabulary and tips and participate in a hands-on activity where they are able to explore the filmmaking process.
Students will review what they know about video editing and learn different video editing techniques that they can use in their own post-production process.
Students will be familiar with the main ideas of podcasting as well as what elements go into making a podcast episode and collaborate with their peers to demonstrate how teamwork is pertinent in creative situations.
About
This collection of ten elementary-level media arts lesson plans from WQED offers educators a comprehensive, hands-on pathway for guiding students through the full creative process of storytelling and digital media production. Beginning with foundational skills such as storytelling, storyboarding, and scriptwriting, and progressing through interviewing techniques and an introduction to production, these lessons intentionally scaffold student learning. Students then deepen their understanding of technical elements—including sound recording, lighting, and general filmmaking tips—before applying their knowledge in authentic tasks like reporting current events, creating videos, editing footage, and even producing their own podcasts.
Designed to build both creativity and technical literacy, this collection of lesson plans empowers students and educators to become thoughtful media creators and communicators. Each lesson emphasizes active learning, collaboration, and real-world application, making it easy for educators to integrate media arts into core content areas while fostering critical thinking and digital storytelling skills. Whether used as a full unit or as individual lessons, this collection equips educators with engaging, standards-aligned resources that inspire students to share their voices and connect with their world through meaningful media projects.
Credits: WQED and Izzy Voltz.
Standards
Arts & Humanities
9.1.3.A Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.
9.1.3.B Recognize, know, use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original works.
9.1.3.C Recognize and use fundamental vocabulary within each of the arts forms.
9.1.3.D Know and use the various styles, techniques and tools of the arts.
9.1.3.E Demonstrate the ability to define objects, express emotions and relate experiences through creation of works in the arts.
9.1.3.F Know how to use traditional and contemporary technologies for producing, performing and exhibiting works in the arts.
9.1.3.H Handle materials, equipment and tools safely at work and performance spaces.
9.3.3.A Know and use the critical process of the examination of works in the arts and humanities.
9.4.3.A Know how to respond to a philosophical statement about works in the arts and humanities.
English Language Arts
CC.1.4.3.A Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly.
CC.1.4.3.B Identify and introduce the topic clearly in writing.
CC.1.4.3.C Develop and analyze the topic with facts, definitions and details.
CC.1.4.3.D Organize ideas and information using appropriate structures.
CC.1.4.3.T Write with an awareness of audience and purpose.
CC.1.5.3.A Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.
CC.1.5.3.B Determine main ideas and supporting details from spoken text.
CC.1.5.3.C Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker.
CC.1.5.3.D Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and details.
CC.1.5.3.F Speak clearly with appropriate pacing and expression.
Reading Informational Text
CC.1.2.3.G Use information gained from text features and digital sources to demonstrate understanding.
CC.1.2.3.H Describe how an author connects sentences and paragraphs to support points. CC.1.2.3.I Compare and contrast key details presented in two texts on the same topic.
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