The Trapped Librarian

Make your library the center of your school

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • Books for Kids
    • Bulletin Boards and Displays
    • FUN!
    • Helpful Hints
    • Library Advocacy
    • Life
    • Organize It!
    • School Library
    • Technology
    • TPT
  • Shop
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
You are here: Home / Technology / Quick And Easy Green Screen Projects For Your Library

August 25, 2018 by: Laura

Quick And Easy Green Screen Projects For Your Library

Last Updated on September 2, 2018 by Laura

Green Screen technology (or Chroma Key as it is known in more “techy” circles), used to be so complicated! I first tried the available technology with my fourth grade students about 20+ years ago.

This post contains affiliate links.  If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

I remember setting up green bulletin board paper & filming my students in front of it. Next I would import the movie into my computer and use a program to overlay the video onto a background. Finally I could export the movie to show to an audience.

Thankfully, those days are over! Now it’s so easy to photograph or film your students using green screen technology – anyone can do it with very minimal preparation! Recently I used a very simple green screen set-up to take photos of fourth grade students in the midst of a scene from a country they were researching. Let me share my time saving tips with you!

1. Purchase the Do Ink Green Screen app.

It costs $2.99 in the Apple App Store and works on both iPad & iPhone. The tutorial within the app lets you see some of the possibilities & shows how it works. I showed the introductory video to all of my classes  – it really got my students excited about using the technology.

2. Buy a tripod adapter for your iPad.

Like me, you probably already have a tripod in your library.  I just needed the adapter, which I found on Amazon here. It’s really convenient to be able to set the iPad up in one place – no worries about shaky hands or cutting off part of the picture!

3.  Purchase an inexpensive green sheet.

This is something else I found on Amazon.  A friend recommended I get  the largest one available for more versatility.  I staple the top to a bulletin board and let it hang.  Wrinkles don’t matter, so I just roll it up and put it in the cupboard when we aren’t using it.

4.  Have students choose their background photo ahead of time.

For the 4th grade project, everyone used World Book Online to find a photograph from their chosen country.  When they came up to the iPad for their turn, it was quick and easy for them to find the photo in World Book and save it to the camera roll.  Then we opened the Do Ink app and took the photo right then too.

Managing the time:

With this easy set-up I was able to get through 8 students in a 30 minute class period.  We used the class time for others to conduct research on their countries for their reports.  Since the students were creating report board projects, I printed their green screen photos for them to use in their finished projects.  Since the photos are saved as jpegs, it would be very easy to use them in digital products as well.

Some other ideas:

We also took pictures of second graders with the planet they were studying and had some students appear to hold up planet Earth for a fun Earth Day writing project!

You can use the Do Ink Green Screen app to take videos too!  I’m going to ask my students what kind of project we should do next to try out this feature! Let us know below if you’ve tried this before and leave any helpful tips so we can all learn!

Be well and have fun! –

  • Become a Better Friend with Nerdy Birdy!
    Get Creative With Your Students on International Dot Day!

    Comments

    1. Molly Allen says

      August 26, 2018 at 6:30 AM

      I have really wanted to try using a green screen and your post has made me decide to go for it! I am in charge of the morning broadcast and want to do a Where in the World is the Principal segment – we would give clues to the country (or maybe even state) all week and the kids would have to guess where she is. We would draw a winner from the correct answers for an ice cream pass. Thanks for the great article!

      • trappedlib says

        September 2, 2018 at 2:08 PM

        Your “Where in the World” idea sounds so fun!! I’d love to hear how it goes for you!

    2. Kathryn says

      January 8, 2019 at 7:46 PM

      I attended a workshop today and another librarian said she was using this as a fundraiser! Each month she selects a background and the kids pay a dollar to get their picture taken and then she goes to Walmart to print them! She said it costs about $0.10 to print them so she makes $0.90 off that one picture!

      • trappedlib says

        April 27, 2019 at 2:38 PM

        Wow – that’s a great idea! I’ve been showing our pictures on an electronic photo frame by the checkout desk.

    3. Kristina R Morris says

      April 26, 2019 at 8:08 PM

      Love the easy to follow steps you provide here. Is this research that you headed up yourself, or something that the students were doing in their classroom?

      • trappedlib says

        April 27, 2019 at 2:33 PM

        Hi Kristina! I’m glad you’ve found this helpful! The students were doing research projects in their classrooms, and I was supporting them with some research time in the library as well as the green screen photos.

    4. Dana says

      July 13, 2019 at 12:57 AM

      Do you have any other green screen project ideas for the classroom? I am totally new to this, but would love to integrate it into my classroom. I teach 5th grade. My students have chrome books but not tablets. I have my teacher iPad we could use for the projects.

      • trappedlib says

        July 15, 2019 at 1:06 PM

        I follow DoInk on Instagram and also GoodWinnovate and it seems like every day they are posting great green screen ideas that can be used in the classroom!
        This past year our 5th graders were doing a musical program about movies over time and we did photos of each student with a famous film star. They projected them on the screen before their program and printed posters to hang as well.

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Past Posts

    Categories

    Find it Fast

    Books for Kids Bulletin Boards and Displays Collaboration Distance Learning Freebies FUN! Helpful Hints Inspiration Library Advocacy Library Decor Library Events Library Lessons Library Management Life Organize It! Professional Development Remote Learning Research School Library Seasonal Technology Tech Tips Test Prep TPT Uncategorized

    TPT Shop

    Facebook

    Pinterest

    Instagram

    thetrappedlibrarian

    📚 Elementary School Librarian
    🌟 NBCT 2011
    👩🏻‍🏫 Teacher Author
    Blog: trappedlibrarian.org

    ⭐️ 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀!⭐️ These book series lists will keep your students reading and hook them on books that they love.

𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 25% 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗬𝗢𝗨25!
 
Features of this time-saving resource:
✅  Lists of popular chapter book series in order
✅  Printable or Digital lists
✅  Printable bookmarks have fun quotes on the back
 
📚  Grab this versatile resource and make it easy for your students to find their next favorite book! 📚

Grab them today! >>>>> https://bit.ly/3efDOze
    𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀!
This big bundle of year-round library resources is 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 30% off…
🎉 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 — you can save up to 25% 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 during the TPT sale with code 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗬𝗢𝗨25! (Today & tomorrow May 6-7)

⭐️ ALL of my monthly library bundles
⭐️ 30% off individual prices — plus extra sale savings!
⭐️ Bonus guide to help you plan each month
⭐️ Lessons, bulletin boards & more to carry you through the year

✅ Preview here: https://bit.ly/3v2Pc9R
    ✨ 𝗠𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗧 ✨ 𝗠𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗕𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗬𝗢𝗨! ✨ Need some fresh ideas to wrap up the school year? The Library Helpers newsletter has you covered!

Here's a peek inside:
⭐️ An idea for 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 + 19 more fun National Days!
⭐️ Intergalactic Research Report
⭐️ Popsicle-themed trivia game for review fun
⭐️ An ocean-themed library catalog practice

💻 Don’t miss these time-saving resources—click "𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀" in bio!

 #libraryhelpersnewsletter #elementarylibrary #teacherlibrarian #librariansofinstagram #elementarylibrarian #librarymediaspecialist #schoollibrarian #schoollibrary #librariansofig #schoollibrarians
    Looking for a fun way to keep your K–2 students Looking for a fun way to keep your K–2 students moving and engaged? 🎒
⭐️ Grab this FREE School Supplies Scavenger Hunt — it's low-prep, high-fun, and perfect for your library or classroom!
Sign up and get it sent straight to your inbox. 📬

👉 Download it today at the link in bio!

#ElementaryLibrary #LibraryLessons #LibraryActivities #SchoolLibrarian #KindergartenTeacher #FirstGradeTeacher #TeacherFreebies #ActiveLearning
#MovementInTheClassroom #ScavengerHuntFun
    ☀️😎 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘆/𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 is here to help you finish the year strong and start dreaming about summer! This issue is packed with practical ideas for your school library.

 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲: 
 ☀️End-of-year library lesson tips!
 ☀️Lots of book lists!
 ☀️Great ideas to promote Summer Reading!
 ☀️Resources to motivate your kiddos to return their books!

📬 Check your inbox or click the link in bio to read it now!

 #libraryhelpersnewsletter #elementarylibrary #librariansofinstagram #teacherlibrarian #librarymediaspecialist #elementarylibrarian #schoollibrary #schoollibrarian #schoollibrarians
    ☀️Get ready for May with great ideas for your ☀️Get ready for May with great ideas for your library lessons! 

✅ Library Review and Assessment
✅ Ocean-themed storytime
✅ Calming Yoga
✅ Summer Reading Challenge

😎 You'll be 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗲𝗱 and 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 for the month!

🤓 Read it on the Trapped Librarian Blog!
>>>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/2022/05/18/may-library-lessons/

 #maylibrary #schoollibrarians #elementarylibrarylessons #librariansofig #schoollibrarian #elementarylibrarian #schoollibrary #elementarylibrary #librarymediaspecialist #librariansofinstagram
    ⭐ 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 ⭐ 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵! ⭐

Do you celebrate Poetry Month in your library??

It's a great time to....
✅ Encourage creativity
✅ Strengthen collaboration with classroom teachers
✅ Renew interest in your library's poetry section

➡️ Get more ideas over on the blog >>>> https://trappedlibrarian.org/2021/04/4-fun-poetry-month-activities-for-the-school-library/

 #poetrymonth #teacherlibrarian #elementarylibrary #librariansofinstagram #librarymediaspecialist #elementarylibrarian #schoollibrary #schoollibrarian #librariansofig
    𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙤𝙧 𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙩: 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨, 𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙯𝙯𝙚𝙨, 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚! By Gena Chester | Capstone Press, 2025 | Ages 8-11 

🩷 Swifties of all ages will love this engaging title packed with vibrant photos, fun facts, and interesting tidbits about the ever-popular Taylor Swift. The book includes interactive quizzes that both test fans’ knowledge and invite future fans  to learn more about the star’s life, music, and career. With its colorful design and high-interest content, it's sure to grab the attention of young readers.

🩵 If your students are anything like mine, they can’t get enough of Taylor Swift — and this book will definitely feed their fascination. It’s perfect for skimming, reading cover to cover, sharing with friends, or diving into solo. 

💜 I highly recommend adding it to your collection, and you might even want to grab more than one copy. It’s bound to be in high demand!

Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone Press for the opportunity to read a digital review copy of this title. Available 8/1/25

 #elementarylibrary #teacherlibrarian #schoollibrarian #librariansofinstagram #swifties #schoollibrarians
    We all know how lively school can get in the sprin We all know how lively school can get in the spring! 🌸 Sometimes, a calming reset is exactly what students need. These yoga books for kids offer a gentle way to introduce mindfulness and movement, helping kids refocus and build self-control. 🧘‍♂️💫
Check out this new blog post for 14 of the best yoga books to add to your library!
🔗 Link in bio. https://trappedlibrarian.org/2025/03/19/yoga-books-for-kids/
#YogaBooksForKids #ElementaryLibrary #MindfulnessInSchools #YogaForKids #LibraryLife #SpringReset
    Follow on Instagram
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
    • Privacy Policy

    © 2025 // Design by Laugh Eat Learn // Theme by Pretty Darn Cute Design