Utilizing a New Literacies Studies framework, this article presents critical lessons in film production from a multiple site case study. Examples of children's classroom experiences demonstrate how filmmaking and play come together in a process of storying--a collaborative and multimodal approach to text composition. Students in both preschool and…

Examines Walt Disney's formula for reducing children's literature to mass entertainment, as well as the liberties he took in interpreting the literature on which he based his animated films. (HTH)

Describes draw-on filmmaking as an exciting way to introduce children to the plastic, fluid nature of the film medium, to develop their appreciation and understanding of divergent cinematic techniques and themes, and to invite them into the dream world of filmmaking without the need for a camera. (AEA)

The art of filmmaking is an excellent means of covertly teaching reading and other communication skills.

Discusses learning how to compose a film as one way children can learn the valuable lesson of how to give form to ideas and shape to thought. Presents the stages of composing a film and a sequence of filmmaking activities for introduction at progressive grade levels. (HTH)

Describes a project in which children learn about the language of film and how to use language or action to express themselves. Outlines the steps of a class filmmaking project, including brainstorming, plotting, writing, making film props, and filming the movie. (HTH)

Describes a number of nonnarrative films and suggests ways to use them to integrate media into subject areas, to teach production techniques, to critique films and other visual productions, and to develop good visual taste. (DD)