- · Reading Sylvia Kluth’s book on restorative justice and then working with her in an RPS High School as videographers/documentarians, capturing and describing restorative justice in practice.
- Working with RVATSJ to construct a “Talking
About Testing” Booth
- Developing and delivering a poetry unit for middle/high schools students at an alternative school. The culmination of the event was an open mic/slam poetry event.
- Organizing a book donation system that culminated in a book giveaway at a branch of Richmond Public Library that serves poor and otherwise marginalized communities.
- Working with a local elementary school to
gather/disseminate info. on healthy food choices. The group created
an interactive bulletin board and used it to find out how and where families
find fresh produce and other healthy food.
- Working with an RPS middle school to design a curriculum to use with their learning garden. This group also wrote a grant to get the garden more supplies.
Friday, February 3, 2017
February 7...Brainstorming ITAG Ideas
Much of our Feb. 7 class meeting will be devoted to developing our ideas for ITAG projects. Remember that ITAG stands for Inquiry to Action Groups. At this stage we first need to generate possible projects. For now, please feel free to propose any ideas--we can change or discard them later...the key for this blog is to be generative! For this week, please post twice. Feel free to suggest new ideas or to comment on existing ones. I will post with a few possible projects related to existing efforts that I know about. I will organize the content of your posts into a starting point for our meeting on Tuesday, during which we will continue to brainstorm and begin to narrow the choices. Just to get the creative juices flowing, some past projects have included:
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Hello…Kurt here! I hope that some of you will be interested in using your service earning/ITAG experience to aid in some ongoing efforts. Here’s two, to get the discussion started:
ReplyDelete1. The Teach-In for Public Schools effort. The 4th Tuesday of each month has been designated for these Teach-Ins. This effort could benefit greatly from a group working to promote it through social media and/or in person, from developing and implementing new related initiatives that could be promoted through the website/facebook group, developing new activities/lessons related to public schools and the P-12 curriculum, or other actions. Check it out at publicschoolsmatter.org
2. Richmond Peace Education Center. RPEC has several innovative community oriented programs and would love to have help with what they do. RPEC’s website is rpec.org
The project I am most excited to work on is the Teach-in for Public Schools effort. As a member of RTSJ, I have contributed a little bit to this project already and I am looking to expand the project significantly, in both gathering resources and expanding the contributing base of teachers locally and nationally. Here is a link to some ideas: https://docs.google.com/a/mymail.vcu.edu/document/d/1KMm4MqB0eisTKraE_UifPMX1JnZZz0rPPLJEfBvjiQM/edit?usp=sharing
ReplyDeleteAnother ITAG I am very interested in is organizing with LSEE and the School of Education (and maybe shops such as Plaza Art and Mongrel) to do a school supply drive for teachers in local schools (From substituting experiences, I am thinking either George Mason Elementary School or Reid Elementary School). This is the time of year when teachers run low on basic school supplies (crayons, markers, pencils, paper, etc.) and some students’ families cannot afford to send them more supplies. Even though it is a small gesture, I think it could really help students in the classroom not worry about needing more supplies for the rest of the year.
ReplyDeleteJessica, I agree that this would be a great thing to organize. Teachers do run low on simple supplies, but can't always afford to buy it themselves and neither can the parents of their students. This is a small gesture, but I think it would be greatly appreciated!
DeleteJessica,
DeleteThis would be awesome! I would love to be involved with something such as this. Far too often teachers are faced with the challenges and financial burden of ensuring that their room is well stocked so that their students have everything they need.
This is a great idea! We could also us our power and the power of media (asking family and friends) and maybe we could try to contact bigger companies for donations too.
DeleteThis is a really awesome idea! I would love to help out. I love any project that gets us out in the community, meeting people, and asking how we can help meet their needs.
DeleteThis is another great idea, I can't express how grateful teachers would be to receive additional supplies.
DeleteConnor Brittan
DeleteI think we could even take it possibly a step further than basic school supplies, and possibly update classroom themes that are often changing with lesson plans and topics kids are focusing on. I often here this from my mother who is a 6th grade science teacher that she not only has to replace school supplies, but also update her classroom theme like possible bulletin boards based on current events.
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DeleteThis is a really great idea! I'm sure this could be an idea to grow on, too, and other stores would get interested to help out and donate (hopefully!) too!
DeleteI think a school supply drive is an easy way to help out schools in need right away. And, it is a very achievable project to put into action. I know during back-to-school season, a lot of stores put a cardboard box by their door for donations... maybe we can do that at the VCU library and Commons, as well as other locations in our community like the public library. From my practicum experience, I learned that much of a teacher's supplies are purchased from their own money. I am sure it can be difficult to supply 20+ children with everything that they need! I think this would be a great project to do.
DeleteThis is an awesome idea! We could split up and go to different areas from all over the city to help schools in that city/ area as well! I would love to focus on City of Richmond Schools. We could do school supplies and maybe a second hand clothing drive as well.
DeleteJessica, I love this idea! In high school, my "Teachers For Tomorrow" class actually did something similar in order to collect school supplies for classrooms (of any age, not just elementary classes) that needed them. Without the proper supplies, it is hard (for both the teacher and students) to get the best out of each and every lesson!
DeleteI absolutely love this idea! We can branch out and help so many teachers too. It's such a simple idea but it can also make a huge difference for us teachers.
DeleteI love the idea of a supply drive! I also agree with Connor's idea of trying to help with bulletin board themes. Bulletin boards are super time consuming to make and if we were somehow able to help with them that would be great!
DeleteI too love this idea, especially because there is so much room to grow and take it even further.
DeleteThis sounds like an awesome idea! School supplies are so crucial to a successful education.
DeleteI think this is a great idea! Teachers are in need of so many items, and sometimes even go into their own pocket to provide enough supplies for the classroom. I think it would be a great way to bring the community together and help raise some supplies for teachers who greatly need it, as well as the students!
DeleteAn idea I have for ITAG projects is to educate parents and children are the importance of less screen time (tv, phones, tablets, video games, etc.) and more active time. These days I am always seeing children on electronics and it's crazy because I didn't have those things growing up. It is vital to be physically active if we want to live a long and healthy life and being active also aids in learning. I think setting up a booth at local schools or handing out fliers about this would be very beneficial!
ReplyDeleteAlayna,
DeleteI really like this idea! It is something that I think a lot of parents don't realize, or they just don't realize how much of an impact screen time can have on a child. Being active is so important in promoting learning. I like the idea of a booth as well as fliers, or possibly going to schools to see if we could create a poster for bulletin boards?
This is an idea that is helpful in promoting good health. Reading your post Alayna made me think about the possibility of hosting a day of activity. Is anyone in our class a group trainer or a Zumba instructor? If we could find someone who would be willing to lead a class with a group of student I think this would be a huge success.
DeleteI love this idea! And Brenda, your day activity would be a great way to achieve this. This reminds me of the ESPN's Play 60 program. It would be awesome if we could have multiple stations, almost like a field day, but with guided activities so that kids could choose the kind of activity they wanted to participate in.
DeleteAlayna,
DeleteI also really like this idea! If we can at least get the ideas out there and share the importance of being active, I think it would definitely be beneficial. I also really like the idea of doing a day of activity because I think it would help students to see how fun being active can be!
I really love this idea. Kids become so reliant on electronics and it can affect their attention in school. I think the activity would be really beneficial so they can get some exercise and have fun at the same time.
DeleteI love this idea! Staying fit and knowing information about how to stay healthy is so important. Technology has definitely consumed our people. I like Rachel's idea about having multiple stations and having a mini field day. That would be a lot of fun!
DeleteThe moment I heard we were doing projects, I wanted to do a book drive very badly for low-income families. I specifically want to encourage the books purchased should represent a diverse audience and would love to emphasize the need for books featuring girls and boys of color and Spanish language books. It's surprisingly hard to find diverse books.
ReplyDeleteBooks that I know are high in demand are Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (or anything by her), The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Spanish language books, the Bluford High series, and other. I'd really love to make this happen!
I would be interested in working on this! Everyone should have the opportunity to own books that are meaningful to them. I believe this would be a great way to get print resources out into the community. In addition, we could reach out to public libraries to discuss donations of their used books.
DeleteI love your thinking...as usual Ms. McGee.
DeleteThis is a great idea! I remember in practicum A trying to find diverse children's books and having a difficult time doing so. I think it is so important for children to be able to personally connect with the stories they are reading. I also really like Maria's idea of reaching out to public libraries about possible donations.
DeleteI am interested in working on this idea. A friend of mine did a book drive for my class a couple of years ago. I had enough books for each student in my class to take two and then share with another class. A small start, but a start. We now receive a book once a month from RVA Readers. They bring a book once a month and volunteers read to each class. Each child gets a book to take home.
DeleteI'd love to work with you all on this project! We could talk about it during/after class if ya'll wanted to!
DeleteI am all for this idea! I have actually started buying diverse books/books in different languages for my own classroom library because like Maria said, students deserve the opportunity to have books that are meaningful to them. A book drive such as this would be extremely beneficial for the families/students and such a rewarding feeling for us.
DeleteI love this idea! We could set up lending library that parents and friends could go to and leave and grab books for the weekend. Books could be taken and left as needed! We could ask for donations from publishers, book stores, and thrift stores.
DeleteThis is such a great idea! Access to books, especially access to books with diverse representation is so important. I like Chelsea's idea of having a lending library too.
DeleteI love this idea as well! It would be great to provide these families with books that are relatable and I think there are so many possibilities to make it happen!
DeleteMy idea for the ITAG project is putting up a Little Free Library in an area of need (https://littlefreelibrary.org/). The point of this project is to promote literacy in a community, which we know applies to people of all ages. I have helped my mom with this project over the summer, and I have had hopes to create one of my own somewhere in the Richmond community. It is most fun to do this project in an area with children, but the books can be adult as well. If we did put the library in a place where many students live, we could have an opening "party" to show community members what a little free library is all about. At the parties we usually have food (pizza), lots of books on display for people to take, and the chance to mingle with and learn from those residents in the community.
ReplyDeleteEmily,
DeleteI love this idea! There is a Little Free Library outside of my local YMCA and I have always thought it was such a great idea. I think that bringing that to a low-income/high need area would be very beneficial for the children residing in that area. I also think that a kick-off party would add some fun and excitement to the whole idea!
I really like this idea, and if not enough people show interest in the project I had in mind I'd love to help out. Both of our projects are related. :)
DeleteWhat a great project idea! Establishing a Little Free Library is a wonderful way to promote literacy in the community. I also love the idea of creating an opening party to introduce the new library. In addition, I was thinking we could create fliers to spread the word and speak to members in the community as well.
DeleteOne possible ITAG idea that I had was some sort of recycling program for schools. For example, we could teach students in a particular school about the importance of recycling, what can be recycled, etc. and then have a competition between each grade to see who can recycle the most in a day, week, or month's time. The purpose would be to get students excited to recycle!
ReplyDeleteI like this idea! Schools go through so much material daily and much of it can be recycled. There can be bins set aside for paper in each classroom that the students get to decorate. Even the staff can participate; there is actually a website I stumbled upon once that paid money for used ink cartridges! So it would not only promote a more clean and healthy environment, but it would also raise a little extra funds that could be used to buy classroom supplies or books.
DeleteI love this idea! Morsal makes a good point that schools go through so much... and waste so much. It would be awesome for kids to learn how the recycling process works/
DeleteI like this idea a lot! We can even expand on this idea too! The school I was involved with during practicum A had a program where students learned how to garden and make compost bins and the kids loved it. It's super important for students to know where our trash goes, how their waste can effect the environment, and how they can help out.
DeleteThis is a really cool idea! Recycling is so important and maybe we could even talk about other ways students can help better our environment!
DeleteOne possible ITAG idea that I instantly thought of was working with elementary schools to disseminate information on banishing bullying and/or how to overcome trauma. We could create an interactive bulletin board or even construct a booth where we hand out buttons or flyers with a logo/slogan about dealing with bullying or trauma. I think this would be extremely effective and a great way to connect with students; especially if it is administered in a positive way. Instead of providing a list of things we shouldn’t do or say to people, we should voice to students how we treat each other here at school and within the community. Bullying and trauma can affect our ability to learn in more ways than one. I have seen and experienced this within schools many times and it breaks my heart. Sometimes students don’t know how to handle the situation, they need some advice or even a little pick me up to let them know they are not alone.
ReplyDeleteCandice, I really like this idea! Bullying, especially in elementary schools, can be detrimental to students. If we can find a way to get students to think before they act, we could prevent a lot of broken souls. I love the idea of an interactive bulletin board or booth. I feel like the more the students are told and shown that bullying is not okay, the more likely they are to not do it.
DeleteI love it!! We could do an anonymous website where students and people could submit stories/ personal experiences that they've had with bulying. This way people would be more likely to share and students could realize that lots of their peers go through the same thing, and then maybe hold an assembly where we share some of these and talk about bullying and what to do, how to prevent it, etc.
DeleteThis is an excellent ITAG idea! I also love the concept of an interactive bulletin board. I believe bullying is an issue that needs to be addressed at every grade level. Unfortunately, it occurs heavily in elementary schools across the country. We could also have a few older students come to the school and share their experiences with the younger kids. This could be done either in an assembly form or simply have them visit various classes and/or grade levels. In doing so, I think the elementary school students would benefit in a positive way. :)
DeleteI don't know if this ITAG project would be scalable for our purposes, but I think it would be really cool to have students run a "World Day" or evening program. Students would research either cultures and countries that their families are from or chose one to work on and present them like a science fair. I think it is really important for students to be open to other cultures and aware of them and this could be an interesting way to create an inclusive culture in the school.
ReplyDeleteI support this one 100%. I think the diversity kids are exposed to in school is one of the most valuable parts of the public school experience. Encouraging students to learn about other cultures and also delve deeper into their own culture would be great for the school and community. I love ideas like this that promote open mindedness in students.
DeleteI absolutely love your idea! I believe having students work together to create and run a "World Day" is an excellent way to honor diversity in-and-out of the classroom. Also, it would allow the students to learn from one another and ultimately bring the school community together. I also like the science fair layout of the program due to the vast opportunities for communication among parents, teachers, and students.
DeleteFantastic idea! Students need to be aware of other cultures and can learn about them in a multitude of ways. We could even bring in speakers such as parents to explain to students about their culture.
DeleteI'm not sure if this was the same for everyone else, but I don't recall ever learning any kind of first aid or emergency situation skills when I was in school. I think it would be cool to construct a lesson about basic first aid and emergency situations, especially since students are at a rowdy age and are prone to getting hurt a lot. For younger students, they could meet a doctor, or an EMT so they can learn to be more comfortable with the concept of calling 911 or asking an adult for help. For older students, this could also include training in CPR and AED use.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! It could even been applied to "survival skills" like,identifying basic plant life to stay away from!
DeleteI like the idea of making a video documentary for a service- learning- ITAG project. I think it would be awesome if we could find a way to interview kids to get their voices heard on their opinions of things like testing- but I think that would be hard and we'd face a lot of obstacles. We could interview parents on questions of ethic issues we talk about in class. I think this would be cool since a lot of the subjects we've talked about, we've worried about how parents would take implementation in a classroom setting. We could interview them about different approaches to schooling (like Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia) and how they'd feel about public schools shifting more to than ideal.
ReplyDeleteI have several ideas for the ITAG project. One idea is some sort of Anti-bullying in general or specifically pertaining to LGBTQ youth. We need to show students that they are no different than their other classmates and to be respectful of students who define themselves as LGBTQ. Another idea I have is to clean up Richmond by teaching students to recycle as well as throw trash away they see around the streets. This will show students that they need to care for their community by giving back.
ReplyDeleteSo, I've read through these ideas and love the creativity and community outreach! Selfishly, my under developed idea, relates to my love of the outdoors. Richmond has a great parks system as well as student outreach/ education, perhaps we team up with the JRPS to help students develop a love for nature! Plus, my dog would love to help out.
ReplyDeleteAn antibullying campaign could prove effective, I've done a similar service learning project last semester, which was pretty successful. Learning from the successes and failures from that, an antibullying campaign again could only be more refined.
ReplyDeleteSome sort of colonial day or cultural heritage day could be good. This could be done in elementary, middle or high schools. We did something similar with the pilgrims coming to america in elementary school, with each classroom being a different station, and a culmination in the cafeteria for a feast.
ReplyDelete