I started reading 'What Schools Could Be' by Ted Dintersmith this past spring and was inspired by an ongoing theme: Do we focus on doing (obsolete) things in the classroom better; or do we simply do better things? This led me to Ken Robinson's TED Talks, including "Do schools kill creativity?" And all this led me to an urgency to guide my students, to facilitate their creativity and critical thinking, and open up their capabilities in the English classroom.
I want my students to feel that they are truly part of this world and can contribute to it meaningfully, despite their age and background.
They strive for a passion project and something personal. They're excited to create, even though some of them are hesitant and uncertain about what their products could be because they've never been asked to do it before. These students are beginning to understand they will venture into a world that wants them to harness technology and information versus recall and memorize it.
My students want to make movies, are interested in cinematography, want to record podcasts, and graphic design posters centering on a topic they care about. They want to have a voice.
My Project
Students get excited, nervous, serious, and accountable when they know they are responsible for sharing and unveiling their products to a larger audience. The project becomes more authentic and real-world, and they, in turn, come to realize the impact of their contribution to the learning community in the classroom. So this year I wanted to incorporate a true Genius Hour each semester, where the student chooses a personal pathway and topic, research an idea, struggle with the design of a concept they've chosen, tap into their creativity and critical thinking and problem-solving. Adding HDTV to our classroom, which will be compatible with our mobile TV cart, and AppleTV for streaming will allow individuals and groups to properly "exhibit" what they've accomplished. I want them to work on that collaboration and communication, those speaking and listening skills so critical in English Language Arts (and all disciplines for that matter). I want the HDTV to be mobile and utilized by each group in the space they've been working, drawing others to their design space in the classroom.
Whether they exhibit their writing, their film or music video, their documentary or graphic design, I want my students to feel proud in sharing what they've accomplished.
And this product will help enhance their exhibition, re-enforcing how to harness the 21st-century tools available to them and continue their journey in a collaborative community of sharing ideas.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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 Mr. Hollweg and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
