Going Digital With Morning Messages

Last school year, I decided to make the leap into recording our morning pledges at school.  Traditionally, I would get on the intercom and have students say the pledges with me.  I was wanting it to be more exciting.  Well, I took on the challenge and began to search for a platform to create our videos.  In doing my research, I found WeVideo.  I used this platform for the majority of the school year, and will do so again this year.  I shared this idea on social media and other administrators have since shared their favorite platforms.  Google Hangouts is one that seems to be another popular option.

HOW WE USE WeVideo

Forgive my dog, Roxie.   She loves the camera.  She makes an appearance in some videos throughout the school year.  My students know my dog by name!  I love that though.

1.   If you are just starting out, decide if you want to tackle this endeavor or turn it over to someone who’s not afraid of the technology.  It is very user-friendly site.  It does take a little time to figure it out. 
2.  Advice first.  Create a template.  This will save you tons of time.   With this template, all we have to do now is add any special information to the end of the daily template.  For example, birthdays, event news, a book read aloud, a joke of the day, or even a YouTube video.  The sky is the limit on this.
3.  We chose to create slideshows for the pledges.  We can get students involved in this section instead of having the slideshows.  Slideshows are a time-saving piece that we decided to do on our end.  However, you do what works for you and your school. 
4.  A special link is sent to your email after completing the recording.  Share the is link with your staff. 
5.  Inform your staff of the time in which you want the pledges to be played.  Our scheduled time is immediately following the 8:00 bell.  Teachers all have projectors in their classroom.  They just click play.
6.  We plan the week out in plenty of advance so teachers have the links by Sunday night.  This year, the counselor also created a Google Drive Folder with a document with all the links by each month.  This saves us the step of having to share all the links by Sunday night.  We can now share the file and build the videos several weeks in advance. 

If I can give you another piece of advice, I will say do what works for your campus.  For the moment, this works for us.  However, that might change throughout the year.  I’m okay with that though. 

LET’S TAKE A LOOK

1.  WeVideo works best in the Google Chrome browser.
If you have ever used iMovie, it is very similar.  You will build all the layers of text, music, transitions, etc…
2.  I record the First Day Announcement using my Macbook’s tool called QuickTime. 
3.  Record your special announcement.  Upload it into WeVideo.  
4.  Insert the video in the order in which you want it to play.
5.  Click the FINISH button to save your file.
6.  Copy the link and email it to your teachers, place on social media, or play at your next assembly.  

MORNING PLEDGES AND VIDEO LINE UP

1.  Good morning slide
2.  Pledge to United States Flag
3.  Pledge to Texas Flag
4.  You Matter (I Matter)
5.  Moment of Silence
6.  Hawk Song (school song recorded by my students)
7.  Special section- Principal message, Assistant Principal message, Counselor, student message, birthdays, upcoming event news, etc…
8.  Ending- Have a Great Day.  The Choice is Yours.

WATCH OUR VIDEO

As I tremble at the thought of having everyone critique me on my video, I also don’t proclaim to be a pro.  I am pretty certain everyone can do this task at a higher level of success than I can.  However, I am growth-minded and will improve my skills as I use the platform more and more.  

My Video

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Stephanie McConnell

I’m Stephanie, and I’m the face behind Principal Principles. I’m a former principal turned educational consultant, presenter, and edupreneur. I’m obsessed with giving school leaders the tools they need to lead a successful school.

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Hi, I'm Stephanie

Hello friend! Welcome to Principal Principles. I’m Stephanie, and I’m the face behind Principal Principles. I’m a former principal turned educational consultant, presenter, and edupreneur. I’m obsessed with giving school leaders the tools they need to lead a successful school.

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