This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
Books come alive when first graders are on film! Reading, writing, acting, sharing is so much fun, especially when the “show” is shared with students from a different school.
I am the Library Media Specialist in an inner-city K-5 elementary school. I would like to collaborate with a Library Media Specialist in another urban elementary school within the same school district. For this project, we will each work with a first grade class of approximately 22 children.
These 2 schools are about two miles apart and yet the children have two very similar limitations. They have a limited vocabulary and limited background knowledge. There are few experiences beyond their own home or school. During story time in the library, a ten minute read-aloud book can take 30 minutes to read because we discuss the vocabulary, pictures and background knowledge needed to understand the plot.
I would like to buy 2 flip cameras, 1 for each school library. A flip camera is a very small camera that is so easy even a 1st grader can use it! It only has 4 buttons, only 1 cable that connects to a TV, and doesn't even need cassettes! One flip camera holds up to 60 minutes of video.
1st graders will become camera operators as well as stars of their own videos. First, we will work on compare/contrast by sharing information about our school/class/home via the camera and then using the information to make double bubble maps to show how we are alike and different.
Then students will write about the books we read during library story time. As a class, they will write book commercials, book reviews, or questions to ask viewers. Students will practice speaking loudly and clearly and looking into the camera; then the camera operators will videotape.
The nice thing about a flip camera is that it just plugs into a computer via the USB connection. When downloaded we would share our projects between schools. We can also record up to 60 min. and then switch cameras between schools and show the videos on the TV.
Our students retain more information when they not only hear and write information but when they SEE and actively participate as well. Your help will make it possible for our students to communicate in a 21st century way.
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