My 8th graders are an inspiring example of how young people from different backgrounds can form friendships and act as classmates who help each other learn. They love their school! Students come from as far away as Italy, South Korea, Mexico, and Guatemala. They work and learn alongside other students who've never left our county. These young teens care about each other and their families, and they're eager to make positive contributions to their community.
My students don't just strive -- they thrive!
As 13, 14, and 15-year-olds, my 8th grade English students explore how the world works and how they can best contribute. They've begun to recognize what they're good at, what they need to work on, and how complex society can be. They make me laugh and reward me with creativity and hard work.
My Project
My students will use engaging hand puppets to perform scripts they have written, read, performed, filmed, and edited to share with their kindergarten learning buddies at our two nearby elementary schools. These young teens need opportunities to practice important literacy skills in a creative, relational way. They will write scripts from adapted and original stories that emphasize terms and reading strategies that they and their kindergarten buddies should use. They will gain in reading confidence as they perform with a free-standing, two-level stage I have already made from PVC and fabric. They will develop technology skills through filming with an iPad and editing their footage in iMovie before it is shared with their kindergarten learning buddies. Their scripts, performance, and filming will reinforce their understanding of communicating for a specific audience in a clear, engaging way. Most of my eighth graders have good memories of playing with puppets when they were younger, and they are motivated to create a fun literacy experience for their young audiences. Reteaching is one of the most effective means of learning, and my students will learn as they teach!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Jackson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
