Most educators who have discovered Flipgrid can easily see its vast number of uses and the power it holds for students. For me, as a teacher librarian, Flipgrid is a great way to teach the research process even if we are not completing a “traditional” research project.

I work with preschool to second-grade students. Research at this level looks a bit different than it does as you move into the older grades. The process, however, is still similar. Our school uses a modified Super3 research model to teach the research process. We introduce the terminology plan, do, and review. We also add share; because sharing is so important we separate it from review.

What is so great is that Flipgrid does all of these things. First, you have to plan what you are going to say. Sometimes this planning is complex and others it is a simple sentence you practice in your head, but you always have a plan. The doing is the recording of your video.  The reviewing is the watching it back to make sure you have said what you planned to. The sharing is when others get to see your videos and leave feedback. This view lays the foundations for two projects that are highlighted below.

Monthly Character Journal with First Grade:

How It Began:

Like many schools, we have a character education curriculum. This curriculum focuses on a character trait each month. Lessons involve activities that give students an understanding of each trait. The first-grade teachers were looking for a way to have their students reflect on what they had learned throughout the month related to that character trait. Flipgrid was the answer!

The Project:

Each month the students in first grade plan what they are going to say. They write out a script related to that theme. Then they record their script using an iPad and the Flipgrid app. Each child adds to the grid on a monthly basis so by the end of the school year they will have nine videos that highlight each trait. It will also show the child’s progression throughout the year.

As part of our social media procedures we do not share student names with their faces online. To work around the first and last name requirement we titled the videos with the month and the trait. Here is an example of one of the grids with September and October traits completed.

Manners Matter with Kindergarten:

How It Began:

The first unit in kindergarten is about having good manners. This allows the teachers to incorporate the classroom rules and expectations into their instruction. This unit culminates in a Manners Matter Breakfast for the parents where the children use their manners to share what they have learned.

The Project:

Part of this unit is the creation of a class book where each child creates a page of dos and don’ts. This year one of the classes used Flipgrid to turn their print book into a digital format. Each child had two videos sharing their do and don’t. This was shared as a QR code for parents to view. Here is their grid so you can see their digital book.

Both of these projects are not traditional research projects. Yet, they allow students to understand and apply the process in a simple way. Additionally, it allows students to share their thoughts all at the same time!

Author: Kelly Hincks

I am the librarian at Detroit Country Day Lower School in Bloomfield Hills, MI. I have worked as a school librarian for the past eleven years. I was a classroom teacher for four years prior to that. I have worked in charter, public, and private schools. My favorite thing about being a school librarian is the opportunities I have to work both with students and teachers. I love the co-teaching opportunities and connections I have been able to make! I have served on AASL committees as a member and chair. I currently serve as secretary of my state association, Michigan Association of School Librarians (MASL).

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Categories: Blog Topics, Community/Teacher Collaboration, Student Engagement/ Teaching Models, Technology

Tags: character education, collaboration, Research, school librarians, Technology Integration