I am a first year teacher teaching 4th grade in Daly City, California. 70% of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Our Title 1 school has limited resources to integrate project-based learning with access to technological resources and training.
I am pursuing a video camera that will provide our 4th grade students with the tools of digital media to craft, record, share, and value the stories of individuals and communities in ways that improve all our lives. By planning carefully, imagining our students' perspectives, and collaborating with my learning community, I will increase comfort and confidence in my classroom through engaging activities and curriculum.
I believe that there is an art to storytelling and a sequence to unfolding the story to the end. In the process of storytelling, we become more creative, gain communication skills, improve our verbal organizing skills, and our ability to empathize. The process includes planning, writing, editing, illustrating, and producing the components so that we communicate the heartfelt essence, not just the events.
I believe that bridging the digital divide and incorporating digital storytelling will increase confidence in my students when giving them tools to find their unique voice. Our school will benefit greatly with a video camera that will help connect our students' background knowledge with important current events and expression of student driven perspectives that affect our community and the way we live in the world today.
Thank you for your time.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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