Lights, Camera, Action: A Video Camera Helps Third-Graders to See Themselves and Learn

I am writing on behalf of a team of elementary school teachers who all teach at a school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Our school serves students from low-income families. Approximately 96 percent of our students participate in the free lunch program. Students in my class enjoy doing what we call social issue book clubs. Groups of four students engage in reading and discussion about an important issue, such as racism or bullying, over the course of a few weeks. They then present their ideas about what they learned to the class through skits, music and art projects. This year I was able to borrow a video camera to film these presentations, and I was amazed at the reaction of my students. They were not only thrilled to see themselves, but were also able to evaluate and be articulate about their strengths and weaknesses in speaking and social skills. It also helped engage them in doing more reading! Our students also learn through what is called reader's theatre, group plays that focus on developing social skills and reading fluency (ideal for second language learners). Because these projects have been successful, this year we will be teaching a poetry unit that ends with a poetry slam -- a way to create a positive spin on their interest in hip-hop music. It would be wonderful for the children to be able to see themselves in these projects, and I am asking for funding to purchase a video camera. In all of these projects our students would greatly benefit from being able to see how they perform and speak. It would help them with literacy skills and bolster self-confidence. Also, many of our students have guardians who are unable to make it to school performances. Having a video camera would mean we could provide them with a tape of their children that would give guardians a chance to celebrate their child's accomplishments, participate more in their education and connect with the school community. Please help us to create positive learning and lasting school memories through the use of a video camera. Thank you for your time and consideration.