So I'm increasingly reminded of my experiences at MS 219 and how each one left an indelible mark that can never be erased (I'm glad!). I have spent this year (so far) building on those experiences and really expanding the scope of my knowledge as an educator.
I'm currently developing educational programming and look forward to working with 219 in yet another capacity real soon.
Keep your eyes peeled for the next episode of "Where's Tate?"
Monday, July 27, 2009
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Update on the Digital Documentaries...
It seems that this final project that offered the hope of creating a canvas where my students could express all the different abilities and skills honed and acquired throughout the year, is doomed to remain incomplete!
The students lost momentum when it came time for their research outside of the classroom to begin. They rejoined the process when scriptwriting became the focus. Now that their scripts are nearly complete and ready to be executed, we are five days from the close of the school year! To their credit, they have not given up. They continue to meet with their crews and make decisions. But, I have the heartbreaking task of telling them that we have no access to the cameras and laptops with iMovie or MovieMaker to continue their processes. Sad, indeed! They wish to continue to the end but are stopped in their tracks.
Perhaps, another group will have the opportunity to complete this project.
The students have really impressed me with how thoughtful they have been in selecting supporting images, sound, and research to accomplish their primary goals. They do show greater recognition of the power of media to influence and recognition of how they have been influenced by that power. I am delighted to see that they have taken their work seriously and have become more media savvy!
Oh yeah, taking them to the BMA (Bronx Museum of Art) to look at the photography of Jamel Shabazz was eye opening! They looked as if they had never seen before, asked what they had never known to ask, found what they did not know was there inside of an image. We loved it!
The students lost momentum when it came time for their research outside of the classroom to begin. They rejoined the process when scriptwriting became the focus. Now that their scripts are nearly complete and ready to be executed, we are five days from the close of the school year! To their credit, they have not given up. They continue to meet with their crews and make decisions. But, I have the heartbreaking task of telling them that we have no access to the cameras and laptops with iMovie or MovieMaker to continue their processes. Sad, indeed! They wish to continue to the end but are stopped in their tracks.
Perhaps, another group will have the opportunity to complete this project.
The students have really impressed me with how thoughtful they have been in selecting supporting images, sound, and research to accomplish their primary goals. They do show greater recognition of the power of media to influence and recognition of how they have been influenced by that power. I am delighted to see that they have taken their work seriously and have become more media savvy!
Oh yeah, taking them to the BMA (Bronx Museum of Art) to look at the photography of Jamel Shabazz was eye opening! They looked as if they had never seen before, asked what they had never known to ask, found what they did not know was there inside of an image. We loved it!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Creating Digital Documentaries...
So...I have another hair-brained idea! Yes...I know you are wondering what now Tate? Well, what if we could teach reading and writing skills up to a certain point in the school year and then teach the application of those skills through real-world value projects.
I am a proponent of inquiry-based instruction but to me, I feel that successful units that utilize this mode are successful because the students feel confident and exhibit success applying basic reading and writing skills. The project then serves to push their level of cognition right on up Bloom's ladder.
Right now in my class, I am planning a culminating project, a.k.a. an exit project. The students will complete digital documentaries that will require them to work in real-world production teams to present research and perspectives on a theme.
Since we have been doing a lot of discussions about the power of media (tv, radio, and print) to influence the thoughts and decisions of a society, I figured it's time to let them play with that power. They have started questioning media and the messages that are being presented. But what will happen when the students have that power? What will they use the platform to say? On what level will they apply such skills like responding, analyzing, critiquing, and recommending?
The million dollar question of the day: "Will this project show that my students have abilities that the NYS ELA exam says they do not?"
Only the results will tell...stay tuned
I am a proponent of inquiry-based instruction but to me, I feel that successful units that utilize this mode are successful because the students feel confident and exhibit success applying basic reading and writing skills. The project then serves to push their level of cognition right on up Bloom's ladder.
Right now in my class, I am planning a culminating project, a.k.a. an exit project. The students will complete digital documentaries that will require them to work in real-world production teams to present research and perspectives on a theme.
Since we have been doing a lot of discussions about the power of media (tv, radio, and print) to influence the thoughts and decisions of a society, I figured it's time to let them play with that power. They have started questioning media and the messages that are being presented. But what will happen when the students have that power? What will they use the platform to say? On what level will they apply such skills like responding, analyzing, critiquing, and recommending?
The million dollar question of the day: "Will this project show that my students have abilities that the NYS ELA exam says they do not?"
Only the results will tell...stay tuned
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