VOLUNTEER FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME!

With widespread closings of schools and before- and after-school programs, students and families are being challenged to continue learning in a very different environment. Help our nonprofit partners ensure students stay on track to succeed by recording a read-aloud video for local kids to watch at home!

 

What to Use to Record Your Video:

2 main options: 

  1. If you’d like to record yourself reading an electronic e-book and only have a laptop/computer, you can do so using Zoom (everyone's favorite app this year). Just download a book, pull it up on your device’s screen and then use Zoom to record your screen (the book) so kids can still see the pages. Usually you can share your screen while recording. 
  2. If you have a physical book or an iPad with the book downloaded/on full screen mode, you can simply record using your phone Camera app or your webcam app on a laptop/computer.
  • Please note, these videos will be primarily shared with Kindergarten to 3rd grade students. Some fun examples of books to read include: "Tacky and the Winter Games," "Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups," "The Return of Thelma the Unicorn" and "Dog vs Cat."
  • If you can't find any of your favorite children's books that you have in mind in an e-Book version via a Google search, here are some suggestions of sites that you can use with FREE e-books: https://uwmidlands.galaxydigital.com/covid-19/read-aloud-opportunity-instructions/book-suggestions/

Here's how to record your screen via Zoom (Option #1 Above):

https://blog.smu.edu/itconnect/2017/08/23/using-zoom-create-quick-easy-screen-recordings-free/

 

Filming Instructions & Tips:

  1. Please introduce yourself! An example is: "Hi there! My name is __________(first name only). I hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. I am a _____________(list occupation; e.g., CEO of _______, teacher, medical student at _____, high school student) in ____________ (Nebraska/Iowa). Today I will be reading ___________ (title of book) by ___________ (author/authors of book). I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!" 
    1. Additional tips (optional) to include somewhere in your intro:
      1. Consider mentioning some of the neat things that you do at your job! If you are a student, maybe mention something cool that you do at school and what you plan to be in the future. (maybe include this after you state your occupation)
      2. You could mention why YOU loved reading/your favorite thing about reading when you were a kid somewhere in your intro. 
      3. If you have time and have a cool fact about you that kids may like to hear about, you could include this in your intro too (totally optional).
  2. Lighting: Don't have too much light (e.g., sunlight from a window) illuminate behind you. Try to illuminate light in front of you/directed on your face. This could be light from a laptop, lamp, natural sunlight, etc. 
  3. Camera/Webcam Orientation: If you're not using a laptop/computer or digital camera to film, be sure to film in landscape (horizontal) mode, not portrait (vertical) mode.
  4. Sound: Please avoid any background noise when you film to keep the sound quality as clear as possible. Be sure to test the video's sound briefly before filming. 
  5. Equipment and Filming:
    1. If you are using an iPhone/any phone for filming:
      1. Put phone on airplane or do not disturb mode so that you don't have any unexpected interruptions
    2. If you are using a Mac or PC for filming:
      1. You can use Zoom to share your screen of the book while you read it
      2. OR if you have the book physically or on an iPad, you can merely record with your webcam app on your computer (e.g., Photobooth) 
  6. Conclude your video after you finish reading the book! Some simple ideas to include in your conclusion are:
    1. Mentioning what your favorite part of the book was and what you learned from it (if there's a theme/moral)
    2. Creating some open-ended questions about the book that the student can discuss or reflect on after the video 
    3. A short "thank you for joining me today! I hope that you enjoyed the book!"
  7. Proofread! Watch the video at least once to ensure that the video and sound are clear. Re-record as many times as you would like before sending it in. This all counts in your volunteer hours if you need them! 

 

How to Upload Your Video At the End:

  • Go to www.wetransfer.com
  • Agree to the terms and conditions and attach your file. 
  • Enter our email address in the “Email to” line: communitystrong@uwmidlands.org
  • Enter your email address.
  • Click transfer and enter your email verification code.

Feel good knowing that your video with be shared with local kiddos and that it will brighten their day! :) 

Note:

Most files should be small enough to send through WeTransfer, but if your file is too big, you can create a free Hightail account and upload it to our files here:

https://spaces.hightail.com/space/PPQy80mSWJ