My students need a Canon camcorder, a Dual Square Softbox Kit, headphones, and technical equipment so that their visions can become a reality.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Joseph's classroom raised $1,102
This project is fully funded
My Students
Our school is one of New York City's roughly 50 transfer schools. As per the NYC Department of Education website, "Transfer Schools are small, academically rigorous, full-time high schools designed to re-engage students who have dropped out or who have fallen behind in credits." Transfer schools are designed to address those students who did not succeed in the traditional schools.
Of our approximate 200 students 90% of them are from low-income households.
In addition, 30% of our students are in some form of transitional housing or experiencing housing insecurity. These 2 factors of course do not exist in a vacuum. Along with them are a host of other issues which present challenges to academic success.
This description would be terribly remiss if it didn't also mention how creative, intelligent, resilient and big-hearted my students are. Having the proper tech equipment in our learning environment, will give these young men and women the opportunity to share their ideas about the world with a much wider audience. We believe that when this opportunity to project their voice is taken, their occurs a deep validation of their worth and personal empowerment.
My Project
I teach my two senior level classes-ELA-7 and ELA-8-through the lens of a production company. I challenge my students-and myself-daily to suspend disbelief and imagine that when they come to my class they are coming to work at a small production company as producers. Ultimately, the product that each producer is challenged to produce is called the Senior Language Project (SLP).
The first step towards crafting their Senior Language Project is to choose a topic which is intellectually engaging enough to sustain their interest for the length of the class.
Then over the course of about 55 hours of intellectual and physical work, they craft and submit 2 artifacts which illuminate that topic. The first is called the Physical Artifact (PA) and must be some physical piece which articulates their work. Because the class is taught as a documentary film class 85% of the SLPs up to now have been 3-7 minute documentary films. Former producers have explored social anxiety ("Social Phobia", 2017) homelessness ("Gimmie Shelter", 2016) and the dominance of masculinity in the concept of divinity in our culture ("The Feminism of God", 2016).
The equipment we are looking for will allow us to do 2 things. First, having the extra Canon video camera, the microphone and the headphones will allow an entirely separate crew to form. The boom and lights will allow us to improve the quality of our work in the studio.
The producers are expected not only to create thoughtful documentary films, but also sharpen their literacy skills; enabling them to articulate their ideas with authority and nuance. This involves daily writing exercises, as well as composing the Scholarly Artifact (SA). All producers are expected to complete a 3-5 page research-based composition that acts as a compliment to their PA. All current MLA standards are regarded.
Nearly all 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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