Using Green Screen in the classroom doesn’t have to be a challenge or break the bank. This post will give you 10 inexpensive mini green screen ideas that will be easy to implement right away.
You can use anything as a green screen. Smaller items are easy to store in your classroom and use in a green screen work station area. Store them in a small cart or storage box and you are all set to start your movie productions.
1. Painted Pizza Box
A painted pizza box is usually FREE. Ask any pizza place to donate a few pizza boxes to your classroom. Most places are willing to help out a local school. Paint it with green paint or spray paint and store away flat when you are done using.
2. Astrobrights Paper
Astrobrights Paper is pretty inexpensive for a small pack. Use the colors you need for green screen and the rest of the paper pack for other classroom projects. Yes, just plain paper makes a great green screen and Astrobrights has some perfect colors for you. Gamma Green is shown here in the photo but Vulcan Green works too. You can also use the color Blast Off Blue for a blue screen. Try other colors of paper you have available and see if they work for you.
3. A Green Folder
Two pocket green folders are sold at Dollar Tree and Dollar General. The pocket folder can be folded backwards so the pockets are not showing. This makes a great small stage for little puppets or minifigures. The best folders are the ones that are a little thicker with a plastic coating because they are more durable but a green file folder also works well too.
4. Green Storage Cube
You can now purchase Green Storage Cubes at Dollar Tree. They are also available at Ikea and on Amazon. These cubes can be filmed using the sides, back, or inside. Some teachers place two cubes together one inside the other to make a sturdier background.
5. Green Felt of Fabric
Felt and fabric green screens are nice because they take up very little storage space. You can buy a larger piece of fabric and cut it down or just buy a couple pieces of green felt. They are more durable than paper.
6. Green Serving Tray
I found my green serving tray at the Dollar Tree but recently saw them at Dollar General too. Watch out for the really shiny ones because they can create a bit of glare but the right angle of filming works out just fine.
7. Green Plastic Table Cloth
The party supply section at most dollar stores has green table cloths. Drape them over a cardboard box or a small stack of text books. Fold them in half or fourths for a non see through background. If they wear out you can purchase another one for just one dollar.
8. Lego Base Plates
Lego brand can be a little pricy but there are many knock off brands of base plates on Amazon. Sometimes a little texture shows through but that will just add a little character to your project. Usually you can change lighting and sensitivity to get rid of the texture.
9. Playdough
Green playdough can be found at any dollar store or Walmart. This works great for super small objects like minifigures. Fun for filming in any area of your classroom.
10. Altoids Tin
An Altoids tin could be FREE if you have a friend donate one to you. You need to glue some fabric inside with Tacky glue. Add a little bigger section of green cloth on the bottom of the Altoid tin so that it is hanging over the edge. The lid will actually be the floor and the wider part of the tin will be the back. Silly Putty will help the tin stand up without tipping over. Add a little magnet or clip on the back to hold down the background fabric. When you are not filming tuck all the fabric inside. So easy to store and transport about the room. Add a magnet inside and the tins stick if you have multiple Altoid tin green screens This is nice so they aren’t falling all around your materials cart.
So are you ready to get started with a green screen area in your classroom?You may want to read more about implementing mini green screen in the classroom here.
Check out my Readers Theater scripts and puppets which work great with these mini green screens.
What ideas do you have for a mini green screen in your classroom?
