Blog on Synthesizing Mind

In order to utilize technology across disciplines, I will incorporate video (both viewing and making/editing) and online PDF files and graphs into a project on Writing (storytelling), Spelling, and Video Camera usage/editing. I plan to do this project in the fall with my 6th-8th grade students that I tutor in Spelling and Reading. They will work in groups of 3-4 to tell a digital story which will explain a spelling rule. Obviously, this project will take numerous class sessions to complete. I've just given the bare bones of how it will look.

1) We will discuss the traits of good storytelling (which has already been taught) then review how to make a good video. I'll Use AFI's Handbook for Educators at http://www.unitedstreaming.com/videos/42845/D2B15956-1279-3B00-CD01B9EA8FD93498.pdf as well as Discovery Education's "Lights, Camera, Education!" video segments on DE Streaming for tips on teaching. I'll show them a model video that I made and have them critically look at more student-made videos at The San Fernando Education Technology Team's iCan Film Festival at
http://sfett.com/html_movie/Ican/4.html

2) I'll have students write, storyboard, act out and videotape a 1-2 minute story which will explain a spelling rule.

3) They will view and critique each story and provide valuable feedback on parts that were successful and parts that could use improvement. There will be three different scoring rubrics used: One with scores pertaining to the actual story success, one with scores pertaining to video techniques, and one pertaining to synthesis (with points such as how well they worked as a team-listening to input and various perspectives, how well do they remember the spelling rule taught, and are they able to transfer the knowledge on an actual spelling test and/or written work.)