The introductory chapter of this paper asserts that film can be an integral part of the classroom language arts program and shows the relationship of filmmaking to literature appreciation, communication skills, reading, and the development of creativity. Chapter two justifies film as a creative art that should be taught to children; chaper three discusses visual literacy and suggests an approach to screen education; and chapter four, which surveys film in the elementary school, discusses the recent increase in student filmmaking, centers of screen education, and teacher preparation for screen education. Chapter five reports a 10-week unit on film study and filmmaking that was taught in grades four through six; the filmmaking procedures used in the unit are described in detail. The final chapter evaluates the unit in terms of children's learning gains in studying and producing films and offers suggestions for future film classes. The paper includes a bibliography of relevant publications, a filmography of films used in the unit, and appendixes that describe the films made by the children and present additional information about their production. (GW)