The end...?

Yeeeah, so we weren't so great at updating this thing as we went along.  I'd like to think it's just because our classes were so spaced out and there was testing and stuff in between and trips and... stuff... but... yeah.  Here we are.

So basically, our kids did great.  They wrote, they drew, they planned and argued and rehearsed and choreographed and shot and edited and wrote music and created sound effects! They fixed things, they figured things out, they made things happen.  We had a final screening of the four films last Friday in the auditorium and the entire 8th grade turned out for it!  The students laughed and "Awww"ed at all the right parts and our kids all seemed to be a little more excited than they were willing to let on once we put them up front for Q&A. I might be able to go back later and post separately about each of the reflections we had them doing along the way (writing grades+progress tracking+self assessments for everyone involved), but for now how about I just post some of my favorite comments from the last couple of months? (*Note: Students A, B, C, etc are not necessarily the same students from one prompt to the next)

Prompt: Describe how creating a movie is like writing a paper. How are they similar and different?

• Student A: "Creating a movie is like writing a paper because o many ways. one of the ways is that we have to outline, like we do for every long paper we have. Storyboard and script are our outlines. Also, rehearsing is an outline as well. we practice, you give you feedback, and we learn from our mistakes. Doesn't that remind you of our essays and extended response drill? haha. the are different because instead of writing a final paper, we act out a final act for our movie."
• Student B: "Making a movie and writing a paper both have its likes and differences. It's obvious how different they are, but they are still similar. They both have a purpose. A movie does what to a person? It can make you cry, or laugh. Its purpose is to entertain someone. A paper can do the same. Depending on the paper, it can be narrative that can do the same as a movie. Or it can teach something. Its purpose can inform someone. So can a movie, like a documentary. Both things can have multple purposes, but they both got one. The main difference between making a movie and writing a paper, is that one you see and one you don't. With a paper, it's just words and a person must use their imagination to picture something that could be going on. With a movie, all the visuals are right there, in front of your eyes, for you to watch."
• Student C:  "a movie is a cinematic version of essays"

Prompt: What was your favorite part of this project? Explain.

• Student A: my favorite part of this project was surprisingly working with my team to come up with the movie and film and work on scenes it was nerve recking at times but also fun and funny. 
• Student B: bullying sidra!!!! I think it was good like I could some how feel what it was like to bully some one else and to see how the person might have felt. 
• Student C: my favorite part of the project was being able to watch the final product and knowing that it was what we hard worked so hard to make. 

Prompt: What did you learn from doing this project that you didn't already know?

• Student A: I learned that projects can be very fun! By far, this is one of the best projects i ever did. It was very fun and it brought out the creative sides of everyone. we had a lot of fun doing this project, it was great. I also learned responsibility. How we were each responsible for our own actions. Each of our jobs were our own responsibilities. It felt nice.
• Student B: I learned that cooperating in a group and taking the time to listen and evaluate the things we have done and things we need to do will take us very far.
• Students C: I learned that you don't need professional actors and equipments to make a great movie. 
• Student D:   I got to know the good side of responsibility. We had fun and we were responsible for our actions. I did not know that responsibility would be this much fun.  

Prompt: How did it feel to watch your final movie with a large audience? Why do you think you felt that way?

• Student A: i was so happy and i feelt like that becase for the first time i made something and the whole 8Th grade saw it. and the liked it.
• Student B:  I think that watching the film with a big audience made me feel kinda joyous and a little sad since the movie viewing signified that all that we had done over the last few weeks is now over and nothing could be changed and also, it showed me that I really don't have much time left in this school, since the movie was supposed to end near the let days of the school year.
• Students C:I felt proud and happy. And I laughed a little. I felt this way because I never made snything like this. I would like to thank ms green and hoerner for providing the information to even do this project!

Gyah! I love them!

On that last day, one of our kids told Stephanie and me both, "I hope you don't do this again next year so that we can say we were the only class that ever got to do it." He's a funny kid, and think we were both completely touched and amused by the sentiment.
 

Catch up(date)!

I had almost forgotten how giddy I feel after a great teaching/learning session.  Today reminded me.  But first, an update... a kind-of-long-but-filled-with-student-commentary update:

Over the last two weeks, our kids were taking the ISAT and killing time while other kids took the ISAT (while I was on a tropical vacation).  Stephanie and I talked a lot about what they could be working on during those two weeks so we could really dive right into the project this week and came up with a plan.

While I was away, Stephanie led discussions about Choice and the everyday choices people have that might go unnoticed, and for homework the kids had to respond to the following reflection questions on Edmodo:

1. What do you think is the most important thing (or things) to think about when making a choice? Why? Do you feel that you already do this? Explain.

2. What kind of choices do you make in your life? How do you make those choices? Do you feel you mostly make good choices? How do you know?  

Some responses:

Student A:
1. I think the most important thing to think about when making a decision is the consequences or outcome of that choice. Like what we were discussing today, if you chose to drop out of school then you get no education, no job, no money, and eventually your living on the street. I know not many people think about that when making a choice. I personally do it once in a while not all the time but if its something big I make sure to do so.

2. After today conversation, I realized I make way more decisions than I thought. I choose to do many things even if its the simplest things as charging my phone or putting on my glasses. I also don't really notice the outcome of my choices most of the time. All I really know is that some of my choices are good like being able to see by putting my glasses on and some are bad like not being able to contact anybody during an emergency because my phone died from me not charging it. Which is mainly why its better to think long-term rather than short-term most of the time.

Student B:
1) I think that the most important thing(s) to do is that you should mostly or always listen to your heart instead of your mind. I always/mostly listen to my heart and the decision is mostly right. The mind thinks practical and your heart speaks the truth with emotion. I am always correct when I listen to my heart well mostly.
2) I choose to go to school and turn in my homework on time no matter what happens. I make these choices by finishing my homework, not procrastinate, and go to school by waking up at 7:50 A.M. I also finish my long-term projects before time. When I know the day a project is due and that is the day that I need to go somewhere I turn in my work at least the day before it is due. 

Student C:
The most important thing to think about when making choices is about the long-term outcomes because what you do know can have a big effect on your life later even if it doesn't happen instantly. I feel that I some times do this because at most times I think about what will happen if I do a certain thing, and most times I just don't think about it and just make certain choices based on gut instinct and don't think about it.
The kind of choices I make in my life is sometimes good and bad, I make these choices based on my surroundings and influences around me.

The next day, as an experiment we were both very interested in, Stephanie told the kids, "You have an hour and a half. Get in groups and make a 30 second movie." Bam!  And guess what they did? They made four movies!  And not only that, they critiqued their movies and reflected on them later for homework.  When I asked them about the process today, the class seemed to be in agreement that, as it turns out, having a plan before you start filming (or doing anything) can make the process a whole lot easier. The kids seemed really prepared in the reflections to assess their group work and the products in an honest and clear way. Super exciting!!

Stephanie also introduced the class to how films use different techniques to create a mood and convey messages (and how they already know some of those techniques from Language Arts!) through clips from Up!, Dark Knight, and a youtube playlist I created for them.  Here are some responses they had to the clip-watching day:

Student A:
I learned a lot about film making today. I learned the basics of film faking today. We saw what mistakes we made, by reviewing our films in class and I knew what we could've done better and what we didn't do. Like in our film, even though I was in another classroom taking the ISAT, I saw what our group could have done better. We needed a resolution. We just kind of left it hanging at the climax. When [K] got mad and left, we should have showed some more. We should have at least showed [K] realizing her mistake and she would apologize to [F]. Maybe we could've put some low music in the part, we should have made of [K] realizing her mistake. Then we should have showed them being happy friends and everything. Well, now we know what to do. Also I learned about a bunch if different film making techniques which I would like to use in my project. Such as the cutting and putting them together, that's definitely helpful to the mood and tone of the person. I'm gonna do that. Basically, it's editing. A lot of editing. I also learned about the different camera angles could make a person look superior or inferior. How low camera angle can make a person look big. And how a high camera angle can make a person look small. Interesting. I learned about the structure of a film. Everything basic. 

Student B:
Today, I learned many things. I saw things I don't usually notice while watching a movie like the music in Up. It's like you don't sense it but you feel the mood change. In The Dark Knight I never noticed that they all used dark colors besides Joker. I just used to think they had really bad lighting. I'd really like to use a lot of this stuff in my movie

Student C:
I found things interesting today in photoshop class. I really like the video [Papillon] because it gave such suspense and kept having you think whats gonna happen. I also like the fact the they used mirrored images to make the video. The mirror shots really made the video stand out and gave a really creepy yet sad tone. I would really love to try using the mirrored images in my video. I also like the video of the moth, only to find out that it was only moth wings stuck to tape and being rolled down on a camera for a minute. I found that interesting and cool because I never saw something so simple be turned into a video that looks like a real moth flapping! I also learned that little things in movies or videos might make a big difference in the actual meaning. Like if it's a sunny day or there's one flower sitting on a coffee table it might mean something. Today I really that little things make a big difference. 

Student D:
I think that what stuck to me good was the type of colors that were been used. I think that the colors are important because it determines the mood. Also, for example if the movie is scary we should wear dark colors, or if the mood is happy, we should wear bright colors. I think that this is cool because it's just a little detail but it helps so much in a film and at the same time it's important to include, as well as the shapes and music. Music was another thing that kind of stuck to me because if something is scary it has a low sound but if it's exciting it's a loud and high tone

 Can't say enough how awesome Stephanie is.  To have the kids responding in these ways is thrilling, and in talking with them in person it's clear that they aren't just regurgitating things. They are really thinking about this stuff as a group and as individuals and it's just so exciting.

Stephanie also had them respond about how they are feeling about the project at this point.  They're in small groups and they've been working on scripts and storyboards so we're well into the process and it's important to both of us to know what's going on in their heads.  The specific questions were:

1. How do you feel about the project so far? How is it different from what you usually do in school?

2. How do you feel about your group? Do you feel things are going well so far? Any problems or concerns?

3. What concerns do you have about the project at this point? Anything confusing or unclear? Anything you are worried about? Any questions you have?

And some of the many interesting responses:

 Student A:
1. feel really excited about the project so far. It really is different from all the other things we do for school. We have a really wide range of topics we can choose from and we get to decide how to make it and stuff. Today's activity was basically to find our topic, outline it, we worked on our storyboard and script as well. we just basically got started into the project. It went pretty well.

2.i feel okay about my group. well first of all because all of them are my friends, which helps me express my ideas better than if they were other classmates. The fact that they are friends help a lot. i think we started off on the right foot, lets just see what happens. i wonder if we could use the smart board to be our background place? do u think that's possible? no problems so far, thankfully. just that i hope i can act. its gonna be hard, i think i might keep on laughing.

3. so far there is no concern except that do we have to go to the beach (one of our movie's settings) to film or is there another way? nope nothing confusing so far. im just worried about my acting, but nothing more, haha. no questions.

Student B:
1. I actually really like the project! Its different from any other project I ever had because its our own thought and there's no teacher direction. We aren't completely on our own but we still have the freedom to do what we want. Plus, the topic of our films is really great because we can really relate to it. But also, I've never been filmed while doing a project! :D

Student C:
1. I feel pretty confident that this project will be something fun because this is kind of new to me. This is really something really different because this is kind of like a longer project.

Student D:
1. i feel great about the project. what usually different is that i think its fun, we get to move around, helps us make better choices and think about them, we get do whatever we want and be creative.

Student E:
1. I'm really enjoying this project. We are all excited of how our movie is going to turn out! This project is very different from what we usually do in school. I think it's a great way for students to get involved in the visual arts. It's also a good way to build our independence, since we are on our own.

2. I'm glad with my group. I'm glad of how much progress we've already made. We've got the story, the storyboard, the conflict... I feel like we are ahead of schedule! There aren't any problems or concerns. We've been working hard, we've been working well together and we've made great progress.

Student F:
I feel that the project is doing good. This is different from what we usually do in school because we get more responsivility. I feel that my group is doing good because we are working together. Things are going good because there are a lot of team work. I don't think that there are any concerns.or problems for now.

Student G:
1) I think the project is challenging and quite different from what students usually do in school. It is different from what students usually do in school because normally teachers make the rubrics, give the students a topic, and give the students deadlines. But now it is like the students became the teachers even though there are still some deadlines (but students don’t have to follow them and can create their own).
2) Our group is getting a lot done and is really having fun but sometimes we have just too much fun and forget about our work. My only concern about our group is that sometimes we get off task and goof around a little, but after that we really get into work.
3) My only problem is that we should have more time for a short film like about 5-6 minutes instead of 2-4 minutes. Also about one more thing which is when the final project will be due. Can we get out of school during school hours? 

Gah, I want to post so many more!  Even a group that has had some personnel problems thus far has been able to articulate the problem and stay optimistic and ambitious.  Swoon.  I love this class!  Long post over, brief update on today's session to follow!

Video reflection about our first class!

Standards

While "the standards" are not the end all, be all of education, the reality is that I do have certain standards that I am held to meeting. The following are the standards that Michelle and I feel this project will address.


Illinois State Standards

Writing
3.C.3a Compose narrative, informative, and persuasive writings (e.g., in addition to previous writings, literature reviews, instructions, news articles, correspondence) for a specified audience.

3.C.3b Using available technology, produce compositions and multimedia works for specified audiences.

Arts
26.B.3b Drama: Demonstrate storytelling, improvising and memorizing scripted material supported by simple aural and visual effects and personal background knowledge needed to create and perform in drama/theatre.


Common Core Standards

Writing
3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured
event sequences.
a. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
c. Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events.
d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and
events.
e. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.

4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

5. With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying
a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.


Speaking/Listening
1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

2. Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.

Planning updates!

Stephanie and I met up last week and worked out a lot of details needed for our planning sheets for CAPE.  I think I'll post here some of that planning stuff and I'll come back to defining a teaching artist later.  Here are some screen shots of our planning docs! Click the images to see them larger.

Note to self:

In this context: What is a teaching artist?

Also: Planning mtg update!

What is Design Seminar?

I updated the left sidebar with CAPE's description of this program we're participating in, but I've also spent a good long while thinking about what the program means to me on a more personal level.

Full disclosure: I work for CAPE in another capacity- as a research assistant- and so I've been exposed to CAPE's language, ideas, and practices for longer than many of the other Design Seminar participants, and I'll be the first to admit that exposure, which has and continues to complement my academic and personal research in arts education, has me feeling so prepared and so excited to take on the additional role of "teaching artist".  Since last spring I've experienced a degree of jealousy toward the artists whose in-classroom work I've been observing and recording as a researcher, because the ideas and the projects they get to explore with their teaching partners and students are so interesting and innovative and worthwhile, and their impact can often be seen immediately, right there in the moment.  Also, I'm a big fan of collaborative work/art/play but I spent many, many months working in isolation on my thesis; seeing people similar to myself (and incredibly different!) getting to teach and learn the way teacher-artist pairs do made me genuinely pine for such a project and voila!  Such a project is in the works.

So within the boundaries of "such a project", I hope Stephanie and I will be able to work with each other and our students to develop and address Big Questions that have broad implications for all our lives starting right this moment.  I also hope we can model for our students what collaborative learning/teaching/making/doing/asking/exploring can look like, in ways they can understand and articulate.  On top of all that, it's been a long time since I was free to focus on my own art-making and I'm kind of out of practice... I hope to find fresh inspiration and motivation through working with a class full of young people and their very energetic teacher, Stephanie.

Note to self

I'll do this from time to time, post a note to myself when I think of something I can't do right this moment but don't want to forget.  This time:

"What is Design Seminar?"

We should try to answer that question now, in a few different ways, then address it again at the end of this first year, maybe?

Questions I'm curious about...

Some of these questions are adapted from concerns I developed while researching and writing my thesis during 2010-2011.  They were initially developed from the perspective of a budding academic with the loftiest of goals for community arts space and youth empowerment, and I'm excited to have the chance to explore them within the very standardized structure- in terms of power dynamics, rules, expectations, etc- of a public school classroom.

1. How can classrooms in CPS schools be inviting, comfortable, democratic spaces for students and teachers?
2. What happens to classroom dynamics when behaviors, lessons, and traditional authoritative hierarchies are recalibrated?
3. How, as an adult learner-educator, can I engage young people in a way that clearly respects their lived experience and areas of personal expertise and welcomes them into our shared space as also learner-educators?
4.  What happens when young people help create the rubrics by which they will be assessed (by themselves, their peers, and their classroom teachers)?  Will they understand/embrace/reject that degree of responsibility and autonomy?  How will we assess what is happening?

These are just a few on the list.  Has anyone out there in CPS or other public school or community systems explored these things with their students lately?  Any ideas/tips?