Image, Sound, and Story Pre-K — 12 Curriculum
Inspired by our commitment to raising the next generation of visual storytellers, the JBFC developed Image, Sound, and Story, a curriculum that prepares teachers to integrate viewing and creating media into their literacy instruction and classroom culture. In turn, students become creators, innovators, and shapers of narrative. Click HERE to view a short video that examines the power of Image, Sound, and Story in the classroom.
Image, Sound, and Story consists of a series of ten projects that are guided by the JBFC's Learning Framework goals: building skills of observation, comprehension, and analysis for viewing media and developing imagination, intention, and student media production. Through these projects, learners develop communication and collaboration skills as they expand their traditional literacy practices of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Each project in the curriculum is based upon a literacy concept:
IMAGE
SOUND
STORY
CHARACTER
SETTING
STRUCTURE
MOOD
POINT OF VIEW
THEME
STYLE
"With more than a decade of pioneering film and media education as a foundation, the JBFC's Image, Sound, and Story program gives educators a relevant and engaging approach to teaching and learning. By embracing the storytelling technology that students carry around in their pockets, this curriculum inspires young people to communicate and succeed in our highly visual and digitally-connected world" —Ron Howard, Director and JBFC Board Member
Each project features:
Vocabulary and the Visual Glossary
We have curated an interactive resource that illustrates film vocabulary through a selection of fantastic film clips from around the world. Teachers all over the country use our Visual Glossary as an integrated aspect of JBFC curricula to equip students with the language to read and analyze visual texts.
View Now Do Nows
A View Now Do Now (VNDN) is a mini-project designed to spark creativity and quickly get you into the act of viewing and doing. Over 150 VNDNs, inspired by our ten Image, Sound, and Story literacy concepts, are available to use as warm-ups and transitions in support of the learning concepts in the curriculum.
Viewing
Short films, film clips, and production stills allow students to practice active reading of visual texts and apply their new vocabulary set. Sample questions for each viewing experience foster analysis and discussion.
Creating
A step-by-step guide helps you transform your classroom into a creative media-making studio. Handouts, worksheets, and media resources are all available online. Image, Sound, and Story projects are designed to authentically integrate technology, generate a collaborative, process-based learning environment, and reinforce newly-acquired vocabulary and skill sets.
Review, Revise, and Reflect
The closing section of each project is an essential part of students’ creative process as they share work with others, learn to give and receive feedback, revise their work, and reflect on their own experience collaborating and risk-taking. This self- and group-assessment technique can be used at any time throughout the Image, Sound, and Story curriculum.
Participation
Teachers' participation begins with two days of professional development, which provides them with new curricular content and skills. Educators leave inspired to bring new literacy strategies to their class and receive support throughout the school year for successful, customized integration. All of our curricular resources are available online through the JBFC's education platform: lesson plans, alignment with the Common Core, streaming media, handouts, and assessment rubrics.
Image, Sound, and Story Professional Development opportunities are offered during the summer and the school year. For more information, visit our Professional Development page.
Commitment
Collaboration as an Image, Sound, and Story educator requires the following:
- Participation in JBFC’s summer professional development program.
- Attendance at three cohort meetings during the school year.
- Implementation of the three projects over the course of the school year.
- Approval from your school administration to participate.
- Maintain consistent communication with the JBFC staff.
"The Image, Sound, and Story curriculum has brought depth and texture to my classes, giving students a more refined lens through which to experience all types of visual media, and giving them more techniques for their own storytelling." –Johanna Mustacchi, Teacher, Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School, Croton-Harmon School District
Watch this video to hear first-hand accounts of the impact Image, Sound, and Story has had in classrooms!