Giving Students A Voice

Tech as a Voice Tool

While we were away this summer on our family vacation to Nashville, a tragedy struck. One of our family dogs escaped her boarding and was hit by a car.  Our sweet dog was killed because she was able to find a way out of her own personal run and the fenced in yard. (Two locked fenced in areas)  This was so hard to deal with as we were so far away and so unexpected.  There was no chance to say good bye. 

As many of you know I have three children. My youngest is under a year so the grief didn't make an impact on my wee little babe.  My older two children however we devastated.  It was difficult as a parent to help them grieve, especially when it felt so abstract and unfathomable.

 The only idea that I had was a slide show of images.  We do this at funerals for people as a way to say goodbye and honour their memory. Perhaps doing the same thing would help my children say goodbye and honour her.

That is what we did.  As a family we created a slide show.  My children choose the images, template and wording. They needed a little assistance with music, transitions and speed. Keep in mind they are younger and this was their first slide show. (You can watch it below if you would like)

What did I learn from this? 

The technology was a tool for my children.

 It gave them a voice when they didn't have the words or understanding.

1. The video empowered my children.

They felt in control of how they presented the information. They wanted to convey to the world how sweet Evee was.  They wanted the whole world to know her the way they did. Giving them the chance to create this slide show gave them that sense.

2. They wanted to share

So often I have thought about how controversial at times it is to put student work out in the real virtual world.  Yet, when the slide show was completed the first thing my children asked for was for me to share it. 

"I want the whole world to know her".  

Even at a young age they know the power of connection. They know they are sharing with people they know and people they don't know. They know what they are doing will be watched, will serve a purpose and will make an impact.  Giving them that chance-empowered them.

3. It gave them a voice

They are little people who are still learning their way in this world. Sharing and creating this slide show gave them a voice. They were able to share with the world how much of an impact our family dog had in their lives. It gave them a voice to communicate their feelings and emotions.  

Technology so often in classrooms is used as an add on.  We all have been guilty of it and have witnessed other teachers do it as well.  I have learned from this experience to not take that for granted. Technology is a very powerful tool to help students experience, communicate,explore, evaluate and share their world.

"Technology is a very powerful tool to help students experience, communicate, explore, evaluate and share their world."  -M.Verwey

As educators we should help them and give them time to do just that. This year I promise to try to use technology as just that....a tool for them and not just and add on to a lesson or as something cool to do. 

The Power of Words-Inspire your Students

The Power of Words

While I was feeding my addiction to Pinterest I came across a post that linked to the art work of Steve Rosenfield.  The Project is entitled "What I Be".  Looking at the images I was really moved.  Really moved.

What I Be Project by Steve Rosenfield

The art work displayed words written on the body and face of the subjects which revealed their biggest  insecurities. Some of them actually brought tears to my eyes.  How moving to see how someone sees themselves at their darkest.

This art work reminded me just how powerful words can be.  Especially the words we choose for ourselves.  In the image above the woman believes she is ugly.  How can that be?  I look at her and see such full lips and strength. I don't know this woman but looking at her picture I see someone strong ready to stand for what she believe in.  

Before winter break a student of mine wrote me a private letter.  In the letter she thanked me for putting up positive words around the classroom.  The big bulletin board that I don't change all year round is full of words and quotes that I had hoped would inspire them.  The idea was inspired from Pinterest of course.  The link to the original is here.  Here is a picture of my bulletin board.

I do have to get up on the ladder and fix the quote that is falling down.  

With these two ideas in my mind I thought.....Wouldn't it be great if students revealed some positive thoughts about themselves?  Instead of thinking of their insecurities...what about the parts of themselves that they were secure about? Seeing this might inspire them everyday!  If not everyday then in the moments that they might need it while staring around the room.

This inspired my Power of Words project. The object of the lesson is for students to think of positive words about themselves and display it in a photograph very similar to the art work of Steve Rosenfield.  They don't have to write on themselves if they don't want to. The student could show the word or words on a sign or in another creative display.  The students will send their photograph to me and I will print them off.  

I am excited about this lesson.  My other bulletin board that is in my class is very high as well so I only change it once a year.  Right now it looks like this:

My bulletin board will look different in the future as I plan to develop the picture of the students with their positive words and post them under their name.  How powerful to see that "you matter" with their name and a picture of their face with a strong quality that they believe about themselves.  I am excited about this project!

My package that I used for my students is available on teachers pay teachers if you would like to use it too.

The link for that is here.  I hope the students enjoy this idea as much as I do!

If you have any other creative ways that you plan to display the images, let me know. I would love to hear them.