From canvas to camera: using green screen and landscape painting to amplify student voices in Filipino

OVERVIEW

This multi-day, cross-curricular project invites Grade 5 and 6 students to become environmental advocates — using their own voice, their own art, and the power of iPad tools to create a compelling video message entirely in Filipino.

Students first paint a Philippine landscape in their Art class. In Filipino class, they research and script an environmental issue that affects that type of landscape. They then record themselves delivering their message using an iPad and a green screen backdrop. Finally, they use Keynote and iMovie to composite their painted landscape behind them — producing a short, student-authored advocacy video that is entirely their own.

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

• Speak and present confidently in Filipino using topic-specific vocabulary
• Identify and explain a current environmental issue affecting the Philippines
• Create an original landscape painting inspired by Philippine geography and culture
• Reflect on the connection between Filipino cultural identity and the natural environment

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Day 1 - Art Class: Paint your Philippine landscape

Students choose a Philippine landscape that connects to their environmental topic — rice terraces, coastline, forest, river, or urban environment. Using watercolor, acrylic, or any medium available, they paint the scene on paper or canvas. Encourage students to research the landscape before painting — photos of Batad rice terraces, Palawan coastlines, or Mt. Apo forests are excellent references.

When the painting is dry, photograph it using the iPad camera with good, even lighting. Save it to the Photos app.

Day 2 - Filipino Class: Research and write your script in Filipino

Students research their chosen environmental issue and write a short 1–2 minute script entirely in Filipino. The script should include: an opening statement naming the issue, two or three key facts or observations, and a call to action directed at the viewer.

Introduce and practice key vocabulary before writing. Students then rehearse their script aloud, focusing on clear pronunciation, appropriate pace, and expressive delivery.

Day 3 - Recording: Record with the green screen on iPad

1. Set up a green screen or large green poster board flat against a wall. Make sure the lighting is even with no shadows on the green surface.
2. Open the Camera app on iPad. Switch to video mode. Position the student in front of the green screen, framed from the waist up or full body.
3. Record the student delivering their Filipino script. Encourage 2–3 takes for confidence. Save the best take to the Photos app.

Day 3 - Keynote: Resize the video in Keynote

1. Open Keynote. Create a new blank presentation and set the slide dimensions to match your target video size (1920 × 1080 is recommended).
2. Tap Insert → Media and select the recorded green screen video from the Photos app.
3. Resize and reposition the video on the slide — make it smaller so it will sit naturally in the corner or center of the final landscape composition.
4. Export the slide as a video: tap the three-dot menu → Export → Movie. Save to the Photos app. This resized video will be used in iMovie

Day 4 - Keynote: Remove the green screen and compose the final video

1. Open iMovie on iPad. Tap the "+" to create a new Movie project. Add the landscape photo as the background clip in the main timeline.
2. Tap the "+" above the timeline to add a clip above — this is where green screen compositing happens. Select the resized student video from the Photos app.
3. With the student video selected in the timeline, tap the overlay icon (two overlapping circles) and select "Green/Blue Screen." iMovie will automatically remove the green background, leaving only the student.
4. Adjust the position and timing of both clips so the student appears naturally in front of the landscape painting throughout the video.
5. Add a title card at the beginning with the student's name and topic. Tap the share button and export the final video to the Photos app or Camera Roll. 

GUIDING QUESTION FOR STUDENTS

"Anong nangyayari sa ating kalikasan — at ano ang magagawa natin?"

("What is happening to our environment — and what can we do about it?")

Attachments

Sample Video.mp4

Download  (34.4 MB)