Using Flipgrid for Authentic Learning

In writing classes, students in grades K-4 Middleton Schools are learning about Facts and Opinions.  When they get into 5th and 6th grades, this transitions into persuasive writing.

This year, some 6th grade students got to turn their persuasive writing into something more "global,"

The assignment was to choose a charity, research that charity, then write a report using persuasive writing skills to get us to want to donate to that charity.  They spent a lot of time learning about the charity and finding the "hooks" that make someone want to donate.

Once their research paper was completed, they used the information that they learned to write a brief summary of their charity, then give 3 reasons why you should donate to them.  They used this information to create a video commercial using the program "Flipgrid."

"Flipgrid is a website that allows teachers to create "grids" of short discussion-style questions that students respond to through recorded videos."  (Source)

6th Graders

When the 6th grade students finished their videos, they had the opportunity to VOTE for the best representative for the charity.

Check out all of the videos:

Mrs. Butler's Homeroom

Mrs. Harris's Homeroom

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Mrs. Thomson's Homeroom

Here are the top 14 charities that were chosen to be in the running for the all Middleton vote.

Students in grades 2-5 were given the opportunity to VOTE for the most persuasive Charity video.  They watched each Flipgrid video, then cast their vote on a ballot sheet.  After the vote, students are able to create a Flipgrid video reply to different videos stating their opinion for why they like this charity.  Full Circle!

Vote for the charity that you think should win a $100 donation.  Pick only 1.

_____ ALS

_____ Boys and Girls Club

_____ Children’s Cancer Research

_____ Disabled American Veterans

_____ Jimmy Fund

_____ Juvenile Diabetes Foundation

_____ Make-a-Wish

_____ Ronald McDonald House

_____ Save the Children

_____ Shriner’s Hospital for Children

_____ St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

_____ Special Olympics

_____ UNICEF

_____ Water for Sudan

1st Place Winner for $100 donation is...

St. Jude's Children's Hospital by Liam S.

I'd like to thank everyone who participated in making this project such a successful, authentic experience for our students!  

Thank you to Flipgrid for your amazing program!  We have Flipgrid Fever!

Massachusetts 6^th Grade ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS AND LITERACY Standards

W.6. 1. Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

W.6. 4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

W.6. 9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

L.6. 1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

L.6. 3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

RI.6. 7. Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.

SL. 6. 2. Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.

SL. 6. 5. Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information.

Using the Green Screen to be in a Wampanoag Village

Students in 3rd grade learned about the Wampanoag people.

Essential Questions

Who were the Wampanoag people?

How did the Wampanoag use natural resources?

What were the traditions and customs of the Wampanoag?

Who were the Wampanoag leaders?

 In this unit of study, teachers taught the content through a Google slideshow.  See below:

Students created a Wampanoag story book, a poem, pictures, and answered questions to help them understand the life of the Wampanoag people.

Students worked collaboratively in groups to create murals and three-dimensional projects for Wampanoag villages during each season.

Students "fell" into their mural projects using Green Screen by Do Ink and iMovie.  They wrote their scripts, practiced their lines, and acted in their video.  Check out their videos below.


Mrs. Goldstein's homeroom video:



Mrs. Magner's homeroom video:



Ms. Nardone's homeroom video:

3^rd Grade Massachusetts Social Studies Standards

3.2 Identify the Wampanoags and their leaders at the time the Pilgrims arrived, and

describe their way of life. (H, G)

3.2.2 Observe visual sources such as historic paintings, photographs, or illustrations that

accompany historical narratives, and describe details such as clothing, setting, or

action. (H)

3.2.3. Observe and describe local or regional historic artifacts and sites and generate questions

about their function, construction, and significance. (H)

Technology Standards: W 6, W 10, SL 1 Use digital tools for communication and collaboration.