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Math in the Movies


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Keywords: Math, Math concepts, Scripts, Advertisements, Team,
Subject(s): Video, Social Skills, Technology, Writing, Animation, Calculus, Information Skills, Algebra, Photography, Geometry, Drama, Math, Speech and Language, Trigonometry
Grades 8 through 12
NETS-S Standard:
  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Research and Information Fluency
  • Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
  • Digital Citizenship
  • Technology Operations and Concepts
View Full Text of Standards
School: West Point Junior High, West Point, UT
Planned By: Chadley Anderson
Original Author: Chadley Anderson, West Point
M&M
MATH IN THE MOVIES
BE A STAR IN A MATH MOVIE
1. This project will be a collaborative effort involving up to 4 student in each group. You may choose the people you want to work with. If you do not have a group I will assign you to one.
2. This project will have several deadlines.
________ submit the list of group members and their chosen responsibilities
________ Submit project title (math concept) and general outline
________ Rough draft of advertisement and script.
________ Advertisement due
________ Script due
________ Presentation/evaluation

PROJECT; Collaborate as a group to find a math concept that you can portray in a math movie. Build a script and advertisement around the math concept. Be sure your concept is explained in the production so that others will understand the concept. The final movie will be shown in class.

3. Each member of the group will have one of the following roles:
a. DIRECTOR/PRODUCER – Person in charge of keeping the group on task in accordance with the deadlines and seeing that deadlines are met. They are to see that the roles and work are divided evenly. The D/F will proof all work and be responsible for the final script submission and movie.
b. GRAPHIC ARTIST – Person in charge of the final submission of the advertisement. They should make sure that the actors are identified, the math concept is given sufficient emphasis and the advertisement is submitted on time.
c. WRITER – Person in charge of submitting the final script. They are NOT responsible to write the script by themselves. That is a group activity. This person makes sure it is written up and submitted on the day that it is due.
d. TECHNICAL PERSON - Makes sure that any necessary materials are available for the filming. They may also do the filming if needed. This person is responsible to check out the camera and see that it and other technology equipment is returned in good shape.
4. Advertisement: Make a 30-60 second video clip giving: the name of the movie, the characters and their names, the math concept being shown, a ‘hook’ that will make your audience excited to see your movie. This will be submitted a week before the movie is shown to the class.
5. Script: Dialog written in script form. Remember this is math and your explanation of the concept you’ve chosen must be complete and easy to follow. Creativity is a must. Check for math errors. Check for spelling errors.
6. Performance: You may choose to have the prop person do the filming or you may all be in the production. It should be 4-6 minutes long.

Look for ways you can be creative. Consider:
Drama
Comedy
Animated (legos)
Series of still pictures
Narrator
Shoot and stop
Be creative


POSSIBLE MOVIE TITLES

Who Framed Roger Rabbit Who Framed Roger Radical
Monty Python and the Holy Grill Monty Python and the Holy Reciprocal
Fiddler on the Roof Fraction on the Roof
What Women Want What Slopes Want
Miss Congeniality Miss Coordinate
The Emperor’s New Groove The Emperor’s New Theorem
Out of Africa Out of Triangles
Over the Hedge Over the Fraction Bar
Alpha and Omega Alpha and Omega Variables
Secretariat Secret Numbers
The Chronicles of Narnia The Chronicles of Circles
Tangled Tangled Tangent
Legend of the Guardians Legend of the Congruents
Megamind Nevermind
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse The Twilight Saga: Invisible numbers
Robin Hood In the Hood
The Social Network The Postulate Network


Comments
This is a valuable lesson because it allows students that may struggle in mathematics to have a successful experience. It concentrates on one concept so the students can focus. The students will learn additional technology as they work with software to edit and improve their production.
Cross-Curriculum Ideas
Script - May be taught and/or evaluated in English classes
Video - Drama classes could teach and study the production techniques
Depending on what the students choose to record it could apply to many areas. ie. A movie incorporation skateboards that use slope could be applied to a woodwork, building, or landscape class.
Follow-Up
Advertisements will be shown about one week before the final movie to stimulate anticipation and excitment. The final production will be shown to the class and perhaps used in English and Drama classes as well.
Materials: Flip Video, Camera Bags, Flash/USB Drives, Tripods, Batteries, Memory Cards, CDs and DVDs, Cables, Video Tools
Other Items: 10 Flip Video Cameras
10 Camera Bags