For my project, students will be working with a template in mind of what they are supposed to be doing. For example, they are going to be editing sentences using PowerPoint and creating a presentation, but they will be doing so by using the slides the teacher has previously showed them as their guide. The teacher and I are encouring them to not give their slides background colors or designs because it could interfere with the colors they are using to edit and diagram the sentences on their slides. So, in an effort to try to encourage the students to be more creative, we have two routes. The first one is for students to create sentences that are creative, witty, or even funny to use as the sentence they will be disecting and correcting. The second one is for them to give a creative performance when they are being videotaped as they show their sentence slides to the class and "teach" the class. The only trouble with option two is that they are middle school students who may be either apathetic to this whole thing or may be a little too dramatic/comedic to the point where the focus is no longer on their sentences/slides but on them being actors in videos.
For that last point mentioned, I may even take out the video aspect of the project. However, my teacher seems to like the idea so she may want to keep it.
Any thoughts or comments?
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Sounds like you've got some great ideas! I can't wait to hear about some of the sentences you get! The 5th graders I did my student teaching with always made the most HILARIOUS spelling sentences; my mentor and I always got a kick out of reading them. I think that allows for some creativity!
ReplyDeleteWill they be allowed to put in any clip art? Otherwise, I think the video could add some good creativity, as well! :)
I agree with your point about the video, even though I like using video in class, sometimes if you aren't careful the actual learning focus can take a back seat to the "acting".
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can help this with your rubric assessment of the video, where more emphasis is on the "teaching" of the lesson. Maybe if they know it's worth more they will focus more on it. It's the whole "setting high expectations" thing :)
I also agree with your point about the video. I teach middle school and know how this age group can be. Many can be very apathetic, as you mentioned, and will either not want to participate or if they do they will sit there like bumps on a log. Like Lance said, if you include very specific instructions in the rubric assessment for the video at least the kids will know what they are expected to do and how it will affect their grade if they don't do it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments! I think that I should make a very detailed rubric with specific instructions to keep them from getting out of control and silly...and also to get them motivated to make this worth their while.
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