| How to Do a Homeschool Project on Filmmaking Posted: 14 Oct 2020 05:00 PM PDT If your child is passionate about movies, it can seem difficult to incorporate their interests into their schoolwork. However, by assigning them some filmmaking projects throughout the school year, you can let their creative side shine while also teaching them about writing, history, and even biology. If your child is younger, they may need some help with the technical nature of these projects; otherwise, you can give them a general outline and see where they take it! [Edit]Practicing Creative Writing - Creative Writing and Film Making: Every movie and tv show starts out as words on a page, and writers have to be super descriptive as they plan out what the set and actors are going to look like. By encouraging your child to write their own scene, you can give them some insight into how the media works while asking them to put pen to paper.[1]
- For younger kids, you can stick to drawing picture books or dictating their story as they tell it to you.
- Pick out a genre for your child to write in. Every film has a genre, or a category, that it fits into. Talk to your child about which they like best: romance, thriller, comedy, or a combination of any of them. Start with that general theme as you work with your child to write a fun screenplay.[2]
- For a combined genre, try romantic comedy, horror comedy, or psychological thrillers.
- Help your child think of 2 to 3 characters. Every movie has at least one main character. As your child starts their movie, help them come up with 2 to 3 people that would be interesting to write about. They can be fictional, based on real people, or even famous people! For example:[3]
- Martha: 33, lives in New York City, grew up in a small town on the East Coast, works as an engineer, loves seafood and spicy salsa.
- Doug: 31, lives in California, grew up in Los Angeles, works as a banker, loves Chinese food and isn't a fan of chocolate.
- Create a list of descriptive adjectives that your child could use. To set up their movie scene, your child should begin by describing where the characters are. You can create a list of words for them to choose from to help them describe to the audience where exactly the story takes place. Some good words to use include:[4]
- Weather: rainy, sunny, cold, chilly, foggy, snowy.
- Sounds: loud, quiet, chirping, whistling wind.
- People: crowded, lonely, yelling, whispering.
- Describe how to write effective dialogue. For the bulk of your child's movie scene, have them write out what they'd like the characters to say to each other. Have them think about what people talk like in real life, and help them write out each phrase for every character. In actual screenplays, they don't use quotation marks, so you don't need to worry about those for now. Actual screenplays have a lot of formatting rules, but for your project, you can stick to whatever's easiest. For example:[5]
- Martha: I wanted to ask-
- Doug: Yeah?
- Martha: Would you… Could you stay a little longer?
- Doug pauses. Yeah. I guess I could.
- Brainstorm a good conclusion with your child. If you want your scene to end with a twist, try to surprise your audience with what happens at the end. If you want it to be a happy, romantic ending, make your characters embrace or share a kiss. For a horror movie, you might have the characters defeat the monster or get eaten. Talk to your child about what they think the right move is, then have them write it out on their own.[6]
- Try to encourage them to be as detailed as possible. The more details they add in, the more their creative writing skills will improve.
[Edit]Learning About History - History and Films: If your child isn't super into history, getting them excited about historical figures can be a challenge. By handing them the reins on a film making project, you can give them control over what they research and how they present their newfound knowledge.[7]
- Plus, performing a speech or doing an improv bit is a lot more fun than writing an essay for most kids.
- Research a significant person in history. If you've been talking about a specific time period, you can choose someone from that era. Otherwise, have your child do some research on someone from a specific time period who they think changed the course of history. Have them find about their life, their awards, and the most significant thing that they did so your child can accurately portray them.[8]
- For younger kids, you can give them the name of a person and one significant thing that they did as a little introduction.
- Martin Luther King Jr., Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks, and the Queen of England are all great people to choose.
- Use clothing and makeup to dress up. Check out what costumes you have in your closet or your kid's playroom, then use those to create a character. You can also use makeup to add a bit of glitz and glam if your child is dressing up as someone glamorous![9]
- Wigs are a great addition to a costume, but you don't have to go out and buy one.
- Write down what this person said or did as a script. If the person you're going to be acting as had a famous speech or moment in history, you can go off of that. Or, you can make up a scene and write out what you think this person would have said.[10]
- For example, if your child is acting as Martin Luther King Jr., they might say his "I Have a Dream" speech.
- If you want to make this a little tougher for an older kid, have them skip the script part and let them improvise a conversation with you as they pretend to be their historical figure. You can ask them questions about their life, achievements, and what they did throughout history to test their knowledge.
- Act out the scene in front of a camera. Set up a smartphone or a digital camera on a tripod and face it toward your child. Have them act out their scene and record it to make your very own short film! You can show it to your child's friends or other family members to prove how much they've learned about history.[11]
- To make the assignment a little tougher, add an essay for your child to write about the person and what they did in history.
[Edit]Watching Nature in Action - Nature and Film Making: Watching plants grow in real time isn't an interesting activity, and it can take days for a seed to sprout. By doing a little movie magic, you and your child can witness nature in action without waiting for days on end.[12]
- If your child is super interested in nature and film making, you can combine the two by setting up wildlife cameras in your backyard. Then, take a look at the shots that your camera captured during the night to see who (or what!) traipsed through your area.
- If a long project like this isn't your scene, consider watching an educational nature documentary, like March of the Penguins or Life.
- Plant a bean seed in a small pot. Purchase a packet of bean seeds from your local nursery and pick out a small pot with a drainage hole at the bottom. Fill the pot up with potting soil, then make a small imprint with your thumb in the center of the dirt. Put the seed in the hole and cover it up with dirt, then water the bean seed so it starts growing.[13]
- Planting an edible food is a great way to teach your child about biology and nutrition at the same time.
- You can also put a damp paper towel at the bottom of a glass jar and place your bean on top of that. This way, you don't have to deal with messy soil (so it's great for little ones.)
- Beans sprout fairly quickly, which is why they make an ideal plant for this project.
- If your family isn't a fan of beans, pick out a plant that your child really enjoys instead. That will make the project much more interesting.
- Set up a camera facing the bean seed. Use a digital camera or a GoPro and set it up in front of the bean seed. Check the viewfinder to make sure the top of the soil is completely in view, and try to leave your camera in the same spot for the whole project.[14]
- If you don't have a digital camera, you can also use your smartphone. However, it might be a little tougher to keep it in the same place since you'll be picking up and using your phone throughout the day.
- Water the bean seed and make sure it has enough sunlight. The aim of this project is to watch the seed grow, and it will need both water and sunlight to do that. Make sure you and your child are keeping track of the bean seed and watering it every day, as well as moving it into the sun, if you need to.[15]
- Bean seeds grow the best on a windowsill where they can stay warm all day.
- If it's winter time, keep your bean seed inside so it can stay warm. If it's summer, you can put your pot outside.
- Take 2 to 3 pictures of the bean seed every day. Keeping your camera in the same spot, take photos of the bean seed in the morning, afternoon, and at night. At first, it will just be photos of dirt, but as the bean grows, you'll eventually see a green sprout pushing up through the soil![16]
- When you keep the camera in the same spot, it will make your short film at the end look much smoother, like you actually took a video of the bean seed growing.
- Put all the photos together to make a short film after 15 to 20 days. Your bean seed will be fully sprouted in 8 to 10 days, but it will continue to grow for much longer after that. After you've taken photos for 15 to 20 days, upload them to your computer and edit them in a slideshow to make a stop motion film. You can watch your bean seed sprout and grow all over again![17]
- You can also print out your photos and turn them into a flipbook, if that's easier.
- The Art of Film: The props, the lights, the actors, and the camera are all captivating, and the project allows your child to use their creativity as an asset. Younger kids might need some help with the setup, but older kids can recruit their friends to be actors or set managers for their very own movie.[18]
- If your child has friends who are also interested in film, consider putting on a little film festival in your home with everyone's homemade movies!
- Help your child create props for their scene. Sometimes, you might need more than the setup in your home or outside to make your scene look like the area it's set in. You can paint cardboard to look like buildings, rearrange the furniture in your home, or head outside for a nature scene instead.
- Painting props is a fun way to involve younger kids as well. They can make flowers, clouds, or stars for outdoor areas!
- Hand out copies of the lines to your actors. Take your child's script and print out multiple copies, then hand them out to your "actors" so they can memorize their lines. Your actors can be the members of your family, a few friends, or even you or your child playing multiple characters.[19]
- Try to give your actors a few days to memorize their lines before you put them in front of the camera. That way, you don't have to keep stopping to give them a chance to remember what they're supposed to say.
- Pick an area where the lighting looks natural. As you and your child set up to shoot the scene, scout out an area where the lighting looks good through your camera's viewfinder. If you're shooting indoors, angle some lights toward the ceiling so they light up the whole room without being too harsh.[20]
- You can try out a few different ways of lighting your shot after you set it up to see what you like best.
- Have your child set up the camera to get the shot they want. Talk with your child about how they want to set the scene. They could angle the camera to get the whole room, zoom in on an object, or set it up to follow one of the actors. Help your child with the tripod if they need it, but let them decide where everything goes.[21]
- They might need you to hold the camera and follow them around as they act.
- Assist your child as they shoot their short film. Press record on the camera, say "action," and watch the actors take charge. Move the camera around to get different angles of the same scene, or keep it in one spot the entire time. Let your child be in charge of the creative process, but offer help if they need it.[22]
- Your child may want to do multiple takes to make sure they like how the lines are said and the way the scene is set up.
- Help your child with technology to edit the film. Upload their film onto a computer, then sit down with them and open it up. Pick out the takes that they want to use, then use a movie editing software to put your takes together or add music to the final cut. If your child is proficient with computers, they may be able to do this part on their own. Otherwise, you can help them out or offer assistance when needed.[23]
- iMovie on Apple computers and Windows Movie Maker on PCs are great tools to start out with.
[Edit]Learning Objectives - Preschool (2 to 5 years old): Kids this young might not be able to do much of the film making on their own, but they can still have fun acting out their favorite characters and coming up with their own stories. Encourage your little ones to get creative with their world-building, and assist them in putting together a fun, entertaining movie that they would enjoy watching.[24]
- If your child isn't comfortable in front of the camera, you could have them act out the scene with their favorite toys or dolls.
- Elementary school (6 to 8 years old): Children this age might be showing an interest in films or tv shows, so showing them how to make one on their own can give them an outlet that isn't sitting in front of the TV. Help them with the heavy lifting stuff (navigating the camera, doing the research), and give them a few ideas for different films to make. Don't be afraid to get a little hands off if they'd like to take their project in a new direction, though. Focus on seeing a project through until the end, even if it gets a little hard.[25]
- You can tailor each project to your child's interests to make them more engaging.
- Tweens (9 to 12 years old): By now, you'll be able to tell if your child is interested in movie making. If they are, let them explore their creativity with new ideas of their own. Emphasize how much hard work goes into making movies, and encourage them to use their creativity by coming up with their own prompts and ideas.[26]
- You can also encourage social relationships by involving their friends in the filmmaking process. This can teach your child how to work with someone their own age on a group project.
- Teens (13+ years old): Teenagers often won't need much direction at all. Give them the basic outline of a project and let them get creative with it. If they need help from you, let them ask first instead of stepping in yourself. Encourage your kid to think on their feet and come up with solutions to problems that might arise.[27]
- You can even change some of the projects to be more focused on specific types of film making, if they're super into it. Stop motion, claymation, and silent films are all fun for older kids to make on their own.
- Give your child loose guidelines, but be open to switching it up if they want to try something different.
[Edit]References |
| How to Make a Plant Hanger Posted: 14 Oct 2020 09:00 AM PDT Hanging plants are a great addition to any room that can set a real cozy mood. However, hanging planters can be expensive. Luckily, you don't need to buy one! Macrame plant hangers are super easy to make yourself with just a few dollars and some rope. In a few minutes, you'll have your very own plant hangers to decorate with. [Edit]Cutting and Sizing the Ropes - Get at least of thin rope or twine. For a standard planter about high, you'll need each piece of rope to be , or a little more than long. Get at least of cotton rope. Most hardware or craft stores have rolls of rope for just a few dollars, so this shouldn't be hard to find.[1]
- You could also use a different type of rope for this activity. Jute or polyester are popular choices. Also look for colored rope if you want to be more decorative.
- Make sure the rope is thin enough for you to tie knots with. If it's too thick, it won't work for this project.
- Cut 3 sections of rope long. Unroll the rope and measure out , then cut the rope. Repeat this to get 3 equal pieces.[2]
- It's always best to cut each strand a bit longer so you have plenty of room to work. You can always trim away any excess when you're finished.
- The original length of the rope will give you a hanger a little less than half as long. of rope will give you a planter about long. If you want it shorter or longer, you can adjust the rope length. , for example, will give you a hanger, or a little over .
- You could also use 4 strands, or even more, depending on the look you're going for. The process isn't much different. You'd just have to tie a few more knots if you have more rope.[3]
- Loop each rope halfway through a carabiner. Hold the 3 pieces of rope together and insert them through the opening in a carabiner together. Pull the pieces through until you reach the halfway point.[4] Fold the rope so you have 6 individual strands in total.
- Remember that the number of strands will be different if you use more rope.
- You could also use a plain metal ring if you don't have a carabiner.
- Tie a knot with all the strands just below the carabiner. Hold all 6 strands in one hand. Then loop the carabiner around them and pull it to make a knot. Make sure it's tight so all the strands are held together.[5]
- Try to get this knot as close to the carabiner as possible. Feel free to undo the knot and try again if you have to.
- If you're using more strands, then make sure you loop all of them into a knot. Don't leave any sticking out.
- For a more decorative approach, you could also tie colored string below the carabiner to hold the strands together.[6]
[Edit]Tying the Strands into a Hanger - Lay the strands out flat and divide them into 3 groups of 2. It'll be much easier to work on the hanger this way. Lay the rope out on a long table or the floor. Spread each strand out straight. Then group them into 3 pairs of 2 by pairing each strand with the one next to it.[7]
- For this project, the pairs would be the 1st and 2nd strands, the 3rd and 4th strands, and the 5th and 6th strands.
- You'll have more pairs if you use more pieces of rope. For example, if you used 4 pieces instead of 3, then you'll have 4 pairs.[8]
- Some people prefer to work on the planter while it's hanging. In this case, you can hang it up by the carabiner and tie the rope afterward.
- Attach each pair of strands together from the top knot. Take a ruler or tape measure and measure down from the top knot. Then take the first pair and loop them around each other to make a simple knot. Repeat this for the other 2 pairs of rope.[9]
- Make sure each knot is at the same height or your hanger will be uneven.
- These knots are where the top of your planter will rest, so you can adjust the height if you want to.
- Tie the 2nd and 3rd and 4th and 5th strands together below the knots. Once again, take your ruler or tape measure and measure down from the knots you just tied. This time, don't tie together each pair. Instead, tie the 2nd and 3rd strands together. Then tie the 4th and 5th strands together as well. This creates a tiered hanger for more support and decoration.[10]
- These knots are about where the middle of the planter will sit. If you're not liking the height for your hanger so far, you can always untie the knots and make adjustments.
- Join the 1st and 6th pieces of rope together. Complete this pattern by folding the 1st strand across the other strands to the 6th one. Then tie these 2 together.[11]
- This pattern will be a bit different if you use more strands for your hanger. If there are 4 pieces and 8 strands, for example, then you'd tie the 1st and 8th ones together.[12]
- Make a final knot with all the strands below that pattern. Measure more down from the previous knots and hold all 6 strands. Loop them around each other and pull to make a knot at the bottom of the hanger.[13]
- Make sure this knot is tight. If it comes undone, the planter will fall.
- You could also use less space in between the knots and add more for decoration. You can try this if you make more than 1 hanger.
- Trim the excess rope at the bottom if you don't want it to hang. This depends on what you prefer. If you like the look of the extra rope dangling at the bottom, then leave it. If not, then trim it away with scissors.[14]
- You could always wrap colored string around the excess rope to make a decorative pattern.[15]
[Edit]Hanging the Plant - Install a nail or hook into the wall where you want to hang the planter. You can use either of these to mount your hanger. Find the spot where you want to hang the planter, then locate the nearest stud. Drive a nail into the stud or screw a hook into the wall where you want to mount the hanger.[16]
- You could also screw a hook into the ceiling if you prefer to mount the planter like this.[17]
- Put the carabiner over the nail or hook to hang it. Once the hook is mounted, then hanging the plant is easy. Start by taking the hanger and looping the carabiner over the nail or hook. Make sure the hanger is secure before putting the planter in.[18]
- You can test the hook by giving the hanger a light tug to make sure it doesn't come loose.
- Rest the planter inside the hanger. Once you're sure the hanger is secure, you can mount the planter. Pick up the planter and tuck it into the hanger so it rests on the bottom knot. Adjust the strands so they wrap around the planter and hold it in place.[19]
- Hold onto the planter and let it go slowly to make sure it doesn't fall out.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Rope or twine
- Scissors
- Nail
- Carabiner
- Ruler or tape measure
- If you have a few planters to hang, then you can make several hangers at different lengths for a more decorative effect.
- You can also braid the strands together if you want to try a different style for your hanger.[20]
[Edit]References |
| How to Prevent over Watering in House Plants Posted: 14 Oct 2020 01:00 AM PDT You love your plants, but maybe you don't have a green thumb just yet. Properly watering house plants is challenging for a lot of people, so don't worry if you're having trouble keeping your plants healthy. If your plants are overwatered, you can change your heavy-handed watering habits with a few super easy changes. Soon, you'll be caring for your plants with confidence! [Edit]Watering Your Plants Properly - Push a finger into the soil to ensure it's dry before watering. You might be following a watering schedule so you don't accidentally forget. However, this is a recipe for overwatering. Instead, wait until the soil feels dry before you add more water. The best way to check the soil is to stick your finger under the surface.[1]
- Don't just go by the topsoil, as it'll dry out first. Put your finger into the soil to see if it's still moist underneath.
- Get a moisture meter for your plant if you don't want to feel the soil. You might hate getting your hands dirty, and that's okay. You can find moisture meters in most gardening stores or online. Simply push the moisture meter into the soil near the edge of your pot. Check the meter daily to see if it says "dry."[2]
- Read the instructions that came with your moisture meter to make sure you're using it correctly.
- You can find moisture meters for less than $10.
- Water the plant until the excess drains out when the soil feels dry. Once you confirm that the soil is dry, it's time to add some water. Pour the water over the entire surface of the soil. Keep pouring until you see excess water draining out of the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot.[3]
- If your pot doesn't have drainage holes, saturate the soil with water, then place the plant in a sink or tub and turn it on its side. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour so the excess water can drain out.
- Check the soil again in a day or 2 if it feels moist to the touch. Don't add more water to your plant if the soil feels wet. Instead, wait a day or 2, then push your finger into the soil again. Keep checking every day or so until the soil feels dry.[4]
- Don't worry about how much time goes between waterings. It may take longer for the soil to dry under certain conditions. For instance, your plant may only need water every week or 2 during a cool month, while it might need water several times a week during the hot months.
- Try a self-watering stake if you struggle to get it right. A self-watering stake goes into your soil and waters your plant when the soil gets dry. All you need to do is keep the stake's reservoir full. Follow the directions that come with your stake to insert it into your plant's soil. Then, check the reservoir 2-3 times a week and add more as needed.[5]
- You can buy self-watering stakes at gardening stores or online. They start out at less than $10 and go up from there.
- Read about the best growing practices for your plant. Waiting until the soil is dry will keep most plants healthy. However, every plant has its own watering needs. It's best to learn about your plants unique water preferences so you know how to best care for it. Use online resources to learn about your plant or ask a nursery employee for advice.[6]
- When you get a new plant, it might come with information about the plant. Check for a label or small plastic garden stake with this information listed on it.
[Edit]Repotting Your Plant - Repot your plant in a container with drainage holes if it doesn't drain. A pot that doesn't drain may drown your plant, even if you try super hard to water it correctly. Unfortunately, these pots trap the water around the roots of your plant, which can rot the roots. Check the bottom of your plant's pot to see if it has drainage holes. If not, consider moving your plant to a new pot.[7]
- If you don't want to change pots, try using a pot liner that has drainage holes. Many plants are sold in pot liners, which are basically thin plastic pots. Buy a pot liner that's the same size as your pot or slightly smaller. Then, repot your plant into the liner and place it into your pot. When you water your plant, lift the plant and liner out of the pot and place it in the sink. Water the plant, then return it to the pot once the excess water drains away.
- Try using a terracotta or unglazed pot because they release water. You may prefer to pick out a pot that fits your style, and any pot with drainage holes should work fine. If overwatering has been a problem for you in the past, however, it might help to change the type of pot you're using. Terracotta and unglazed clay drain better than other types of pots. Consider switching to this type of pot to prevent your soil from getting too moist.[8]
- As an example, you might switch from a plastic pot that doesn't breathe to a terracotta pot that'll release more water.
- Pick a pot that's wider than your plant's root ball. You might think you're doing your plant a favor by putting it in a bigger pot so it has room to grow. However, you might accidentally be hurting the plant because the bigger pot will hold more water around its roots. Move your plant to a new pot if its current pot is the wrong size.[9]
- When your plant starts to look like it has outgrown its pot, transfer it to the next size pot. Expect to repot your plant every year or 2.
- Switch to a soil with better drainage if your plant still gets overwatered. If your current soil isn't draining very well, water may pool around the plant's roots, preventing air from circulating within the soil. Fortunately, you can easily fix this problem by replacing the soil. Pick a potting soil that says it's well-draining. Then, remove your plant from the pot and shake away excess dirt. Re-pot the plant using your new soil.[10]
- Soils with gravel, peat, and compost mixed into them all drain better than a fine dirt soil.
[Edit]Recognizing Overwatering - Look for yellow or spongy leaves. Overwatering creates similar problems to underwatering, so you may be confused about what's going wrong. Examine your plant's foliage carefully to look for yellowing. You might also notice brown splotches or spots on the leaves. This can be a sign of overwatering.[11]
- Don't forget to check the soil to see if it's dry or moist. If the soil feels super dry, yellow and brown leaves could be a sign of underwatering.
- Check the leaves to see if they're drooping or falling off. You might think your plant is wilting because it's not getting enough water. However, it could be overwatered, which can cause the plant to drown. Look for dead leaves collecting at the base of the plant, as well as drooping leaves that have lost their shape. If you see this, it's likely you have a watering problem.[12]
- Like with discolored foliage, check the soil to see if it's dry or moist. This will help you figure out if the problem is overwatering or underwatering.
- Look for mold on the plant or soil. Look for white or black splotches on the surface of the soil, along the plant's stem and on the leaves. If you see black or white patches that flake off, it's likely your plant has mold. This is a sure sign that you're watering your plant too much.[13]
- Try not to worry if you see mold because it's not too late to save your plant.
- If you find mold, you'll need to get rid of it. Remove the plant from its pot and wipe off any mold you see. Cut off any leaves or roots that have mold you can't remove. Wash the pot out in clean water, then repot the plant in fresh soil.
- Sniff the plant to see if it smells rotten. Your nose can help you figure out if your plant is so overwatered that it's rotting. Notice if the plant smells like old garbage or spoiled eggs, which can be a sign of rot. If your plant is rotting, you're probably watering it too often.[14]
- Cut away rotten foliage and roots to try to save your plant. If you act fast, it may be possible for your plant to make a recovery.
- Watch for fungus gnats that are attracted to decaying plants. Fungus gnats look like fruit flies, so they're fairly easy to spot. Look for small black or grey flies that are about long. While the flies won't hurt your plant, their larvae can eat your roots. If you spot these gnats, change your watering practices so your plants aren't overwatered.[15]
- Generally, the gnats will go away once you stop overwatering your plant.
- Examine the roots to see if they're black and mushy. Healthy plant roots are usually white and stiff, though you may notice some mild discoloration from the soil. Unfortunately, too much water can rot the roots, which should be noticeable. Remove the plant from its pot and knock away some soil so you can check the roots. If you see rot, your plant is probably overwatered.[16]
- You may notice some healthy roots and some rotten roots. If so, you may be able to save the plant by removing the rotten roots and repotting the plant.
- When you buy a new plant, ask a nursery employee for advice about how often to water it.
- Expect to water your plants less often during winter than you will during the growing season.
[Edit]Warnings - Don't follow a set schedule when watering your plant because this often leads to overwatering. Always go by the soil dryness.
- It's actually worse to overwater your plant than to let it get too dry, since the plant can rot if it's too wet. Wait a little longer before adding water if you think you're overwatering.[17]
[Edit]References |
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