Seeing & Celebrating The Depths of Who We Are @Resvt @alessiacara #ScarsToYourBeautiful #Writing #ReflectingThroughArt

In reader's workshop, we have started our unit on social issues.  We are reading texts that open our minds and help us to reflect on the issues our society faces today.  Recently, we focused on love and acceptance by watching and discussing Alessia Cara's music video for her song, "Scars To Your Beautiful".  Students reflected on what parts of themselves they struggle with, that may actually be their greatest strengths.  We then wrote paragraphs focused on our reflections.
Some students shared their writing and thinking with the class.  We then celebrated our awesome unique selves through art.  Students created self portraits that focused on things they struggle with and yet value about themselves.  As they drew, they continued to reflect on how our struggles make us stronger and more empathetic people.  We thought about how our struggles can help us give more love out to the world.
Below you can watch Alessia Cara's music video and see our powerful art!  We will continue to reflect on how we can be more open, understanding, and accepting of ourselves and others.

Link to "Scars To Your Beautiful" video: https://youtu.be/MWASeaYuHZo
(If you watch this with your child from the start of Alessia's video, you may to choose to skip the scar images from 0:56-0:59 & 1:58-2:03 as I did when I shared this with the class.  This link starts after that moment.)

Our Incredible Art:


Lin to video: https://animoto.com/play/RCQujsyZwHrLKqJC0H60ag

We Start Vlogging Next Week!!! So, Why Vlog? @resvt @BenWhiteEdu @MichaelBerryEDU @CaseyNeistat #StudentVlog #Vlog

Over the past few weeks, we have been studying vlogs.  Mr. Berry and I started vlogging with students in 2015 because we realized its value.  Vlogging gives students a voice and allows them to share the story of their day through videos and filmmaking.  
As a classroom teacher, I watched how vlogging strengthened my classroom community, while also building people's confidence.  Vlogging also allowed students to share the parts of themselves that we don't get to see at school.
This year, Mr. White will be vlogging with us and meeting individually with each student to support them in the editing process!  This will be a time for them to connect with Mr. White and strengthen their skills as filmmakers!  Mr. White will also take on the vlog challenge by answering our questions by making vlogs himself!
As we study vlogs, it is clear that the best vlogs are those where people are honest.  Vlogging is about sharing your truest self--messy hair, messy house, just talking into the camera and being yourself! There is no pressure for everything to be or look perfect.  Kids should not plan things out, however, they may place the iPod down to record themselves coming inside or leaving the house, etc.
You can watch the vlogs we have made in the past by going to the links on my class blog.  We are so excited to start this journey together!!!

Why Vlog?  Casey Neistat is someone we study to learn the art of vlogging.  He is incredible at storytelling and creating beautiful, yet real, films.  You can watch the video below to learn more about the power and purpose of vlogging!


When your child is ready to vlog, they must go to Google Classroom to review the rules they need to follow when making and editing their vlog.  Knowing the structure is important before they start, so they are sure to get the necessary footage.  Also, It is a lot of work to change the start of the film in WeVideo when you have used multiple tracks.  So kids need to take their time when putting their vlogs together, editing each piece before moving onto the next.   

Know the rules:

Vlogs Must:

(Make sure to get the necessary footage!)

Each vlog must start with a title and date--See below expectations:

*Video of a moment in your life

*Video of a setting (May do time lapse/ fast or slow motion)

*Overlay Title of Vlog   L4_Vloggers

With vlog number under title   Vlog_001

*Video of a second setting--if possible (May do time lapse/ fast or slow motion)

*Then overlay the place Richmond, Vermont

With the date under the place January 4, 2018

*(Look at Casey’s Title and date as an example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU8AuQeB788 )

End with a hold on your face

After the hold on your face, don’t forget to:

*Site music used (Don’t have to site WeVideo music)

-Remember to use http://makerbook.net/ to get awesome music.  
The best sites for music on Makerbook are Bensound & YouTube!

*Credit/show our production company:

Orange Productions

*Be honest--don’t worry about what you look like or sound like or if your house is clean.

*Be thoughtful in your music choices--make sure we can hear the talking over the music

*Site music used

*Vlogs can’t be too long--Take out the unimportant parts (Remember that transitions
are important!)

*Have fun!!!

Helpful FYI:

Remember to go to Google Classroom for help!  You can access Google Classroom
through your school email--Look for the squares on the top right of the page.  Google
classroom has directions to help you upload photos & videos to your Drive and WeVideo
account, log in to WeVideo, & troubleshoot problems when making your film.

Remember to really secure the first part of your film, then the second, and so on.  It is
very hard to revise the first part of your film when you have a lot of footage that follows--you
have to personally move around the parts on each track.  So, take your time and complete
one part of your film before moving onto the next.  Do your best and follow the above vlog
directions/expectations closely.  You do not want to have to make big changes/additions to
the beginning of your vlog.  

Your school email is always: firstname.lastname@cesuvt.org

Your password is the one you use to log in to your Chromebook

Here are a couple examples of student vlogs:

My Teaching Philosophy @resvt #TeachingPhilosophy

In these three magical days, I have quickly come to realize how lucky I am to be your children's teacher! Thank you for sharing them with me!
I want to take a moment to introduce to you who I am as an educator.  TEACHING CHILDREN IS MY PASSION!!!  I studied drama and elementary education at Saint Michael's College, and received my masters in Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University.  It is my goal that your children will love learning and love coming to school each day! Below is a video that helps to explain my teaching philosophy.


Link to video: https://animoto.com/play/BR6bmdB3Swur1eP8LbeHFQ