Book Trailer

     Creating a book trailer with an animation tool is not something I've done before. Typically when encountering using new technology, I run to my children. This time was different. None of my children had experience using Animoto previously. After visiting the Animoto site, I thought "I can do this!" The site made it simple and basically 'walked' me through the steps of creating the film.  Surprising myself, I was able to easily create a book trailer. I also realized what a valuable classroom asset that Animoto could be for such activities from book reports to "All About Me" presentations at the start of the school year.
     After creating an account for Animoto, choosing a template was next. I chose the template called 'safari' since my books theme was about ways to save the Earth. Using pictures of  animals, tied in with the theme of the story. Adding music and pictures also was simple to accomplish. I chose to use online photos which was easily incorporated into the slideshow 'film' and saved me the trouble of taking pictures of the book myself. There was a large selection of music that can also be easily selected and added to the slideshow. After listening to a few choices, I selected my favorite, and the music would later play once the film was complete. The whole process was simple yet enjoyable to use.
     Once the pictures were completely uploaded, in order, the film could be published. After  viewing the film, I could see changes that needed to be made. Editing the finished process was easy and once again the film was complete. Animoto certainly has the potential to bring books to life. Using this to make a short film about a new science chapter would be engaging to students.  I think fifth grade students could use Animoto for book reports. It would also be a great tool for  'All About Me' projects. Social Studies projects could also use Animototo. Students or Teachers could create a film that contains information about a specific country. I have seen teachers  assign country or state projects. Creating a film to display the information that students have researched would be a fantastic, engaging project.  Animoto is a resource I plan to incorporate into my future classroom. I actually gave my son a quick lesson on how to create a film so he could complete a project for school. I certainly am learning how to embrace technology.