"I teach 7th and 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies at a wonderfully, diverse, project and arts-based small K-8 charter school in an urban environment. There are many high need families in my classes and our resources are limited. Using the medium of video has served as an inexpensive, intri...
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"I teach 7th and 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies at a wonderfully, diverse, project and arts-based small K-8 charter school in an urban environment. There are many high need families in my classes and our resources are limited. Using the medium of video has served as an inexpensive, intriguing method of reaching all levels and types of learners as we explore the humanities. The budget cuts have hit schools hard and we have no classroom budget for supplies this year and are entirely dependent on donations and the generosity of friends and family. My classroom even lacks student text books and I rely on photocopies from a single copy that I purchased myself. Needless to say, many of the families of the student's population in my classrooms qualify for free and reduced lunch and are not able to provide much in the way of financial support towards the needs of the classroom. As a teacher, I try to be resourceful and have found that combining theater and the medium of video are an inexpensive and engaging way to add depth to the teaching of a subject with the side benefit of a rewarding end product to share with friends and families. For the last three years we have used hand me down cameras with tapes that have been donated to my classroom but, alas, all three cameras have stopped working and I haven't been able to replace them. I would like to replace the cameras with a new one that does not require tapes (an additional cost to me as well) so we can document, create and learn! One way that we have been able to learn and express ourselves is by making videos about the subjects we are studying. At times we fully produce movies and sometimes we use the medium as reflection and an opportunity to get critical feedback to support personal and group growth. As a teacher, I have a special passion for big, in depth projects to balance routine learning. This style of teaching has helped me to not only teach the CA Standards but to create an authentic, in-depth experience that ties the information to each student based on where they are at. In order to teach to all modalities, I have found the use of video technology to be a great way to draw students into a subject by making it participatory and fun. To this day, my former students reflect on how much they learned and still remember from the activities. In 7th grade, we study medieval civilizations and will be reading Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Not an easy book to read, but we are not just reading it, we will be writing, producing and performing our own version to share with all our families as a video play at a special event. In 8th grade, it's US Government and government related monologues. Furthermore, the even more important value of this medium is learning to work as a team to create something amazing. The students write the scripts, create and make costumes, make the scenery/props etc., cast the films with auditions and work on post production as they learn to edit, add music and special effects and render to final format. With a video camera, we can use the technology to reinforce subject understanding, create a product to be proud of and capture authentic documentation of the process. It is a resource that, once purchased, can keep on giving for many classes to come.
My students need a video camera that will be used for many humanities multimedia productions.
The cost of this proposal is $1,540, which includes shipping for any materials requested and fulfillment  ."
HIDE
Mrs. J. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Nov 8, 2009
Dear Judy, Mel & Julie, Lisa & Jeff, Loving Daughter, Valerie, Peg, Nancy, Jay & Bonnie Jeffery, Teran and Michelle and Jae,
I can not wipe the smile off my face! Thank you so much for believing in our future generations. As a project based teacher, I am afforded the opportunity to teach using a variety of approaches that are intended to include all students and their different approaches to learning. A method that I have had great success with is through video recording and video editing. In the last video project, students were required to read a piece of literature, work in teams to create scripts and then act out the scripts in costume to produce, act and edit a collaborative video. Through this process, leaders have risen (by many unsuspecting heroes), comprehension has been achieved (even by those who struggle) and a sense of pride in their efforts has been accomplished by all. It seems like a small thing, but the video camera is important to the work that we are doing in our classroom and more importantly, to the life long skills and self esteem that has come as a result of the projects. Thank you for reaching outside the box and believing that artistic mediums can help teach students where they are at and help them move to the next level they are capable of reaching. Thanks for the gift you have given the students, as it shows them you believe in them, the way I do every day when I go to the best job in the world. With gratitude,
Mrs. J.
Photos coming soon!
Region:
California (North)
Where is the classroom located?
Submitted:
Jun 16, 2009
| Expires:
Nov 22, 2009
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Patty L. (volunteer)
on Jun 19, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested technology and posted this project.
John C. (associate)
on Jun 21, 2009
"I gave to this project because experiencing new activities is the fun way to grow and get smarter. We want you to succeed in life and getting a good education will make it happen. Your teacher is cool too."
Mel & Julie
from Oklahoma
gave
on Oct 5, 2009
"Thank you Mel and Julie...thanks for believing in the power of creativity for those learners who are brilliant and need a way to express ideas that is different! Thanks for believing in me!"
The teacher Mrs. J.
on Oct 5, 2009
"I gave to this project because I believe you have the ability to change your lives and community for the better through positive education and experiences. Good Luck!"
Teran and Michelle
from Utah
gave
on Oct 5, 2009
"I gave to this project because...it sounds like an exciting, meaningful, fun and interactive way to learn history."
Judy
from San Francisco, CA
gave
on Oct 25, 2009
"Thank you so much for your help making this happen. We have just lost another camera in the middle of shooting 3 book play/movies. Thanks for supporting the creative input as it supports the academic brilliance of the students in my classroom!"
The teacher Mrs. J.
on Oct 25, 2009
"I gave to this project because I love the teacher."
Jae
from
gave
on Oct 26, 2009
"I love the donor who has helped me on so many occasions. Thanks for believing in me! From one educator to another!"
The teacher Mrs. J.
on Oct 28, 2009
"My sister works so hard and I love her."
Jay & Bonnie Jeffery
gave
on Oct 28, 2009
"This teacher really cares for her students and works hard to meet them where they are at. This camera will help the students enjoy education in a way that is different and meaningful."
Jay & Bonnie Jeffery
gave
in honor of Loving Daughter from Morgan, CA
on Oct 31, 2009
"We are impressed you raised so much...fabulous! What really inspires us is is a teacher that wants to inspire and engage students. Bravo. We are looking forward to seeing some of this video work!"
Lisa & Jeff
from Oakland, CA
gave
on Nov 6, 2009
"I gave to this project because I want to see art and music thrive as a crucial component of education."
Nancy
from California
gave
on Nov 6, 2009
Peg
from California
gave
on Nov 7, 2009
"Thank you so much for your donation...we are almost there. We start filming Gathering Blue on Monday and it would be so great to have a new, always working camera! This is a great way to help with comprehension and allow students to have a unique relationship with the story. Warmly, Mrs. J"
The teacher Mrs. J.
on Nov 7, 2009
"I wanted to help people in my area and you all are so close to your goal. Have fun with the new camera."
Valerie
from Berkeley, CA
gave
on Nov 7, 2009
Project fully funded!
Happy news
on Nov 7, 2009
"Yes!!! Thanks for helping me reach my goal. I can't wait to tell the students who have been anticipating the camera since the last few have failed us. Thanks for believing in art and the variety of ways in which we learn. Thrilled, Mrs. J"
The teacher Mrs. J.
on Nov 7, 2009
The teacher Mrs. J.
on Nov 8, 2009
Purchased the technology for Mrs. J.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.
Jenni D. (staff member)
on Nov 9, 2009
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