Hot off Youtube! My 11 year old son, Max and two of his classmates are delivering a presentation next week for their social studies class. Their topic? Racism. This is their first year in french immersion though have been learning french since Grade 1 along with their other subjects. So it will be their first presentation completely delivered in their second language. It will be accompanied with their video presentation they worked together to compile. Great photos, great flow........powerful song...... For a first attempt, mighty fine!
It's powerful as well as a bit irreverent in their choice of pictures they interspersed throughout the people pictures. A 1 1/2 minute snapshot of history through the eyes of wide awake 11 year old boys.
What I love about this assignment is how interactive it is on so many learning levels....! It's multi-sensory.....it's critical thinking...........it's connecting with others to make it work. Now, if we could just pull this little microcosm of what happens in good energy filled creative classrooms and apply it on a global field? We'd have it made!
What I love about this assignment is how interactive it is on so many learning levels....! It's multi-sensory.....it's critical thinking...........it's connecting with others to make it work. Now, if we could just pull this little microcosm of what happens in good energy filled creative classrooms and apply it on a global field? We'd have it made!
Here is the link to the video.........for the life of me I couldn't imbed the darn thing here, even with step by step instruction!! So, please check it out by following the link, and let Max and I know what you think. :) thanks.
7 comments:
This is mind bogglingly good. I've sat through presentations by supposedly professional adults that weren't even in the same league as this.
I love the breadth of imagery used to illustrate pioneers in breaking the bounds and proving the hollowness of the racist's argument. I also love the whimsical touches tossed in here and there (the Oreo, for example...brilliant and thought-provoking.)
If this is 11, I'm excited to see what comes next. You're obviously raising a very thoughtful, message-aware kid.
Racism through the eyes of an 11 year old child...wow! I am blown away by the simple, yet strong message this video sends. Give that boy and high five from me:)
Now if only the rest of the world would get the message. What happens to people between the age of 11 and 30. Children get it right more often than adults. Makes me sad really.
Carmi...Max was all smiles when he read your comment. I thought it was good too, but you know how difficult it is to be balanced when it's your own kid. Max is very interested in social politics and has thrown his passion right now into a program called CISV (Children's International Summer Villages). there is a chapter here. He is applying to attend one of the villages next summer (all 11 year olds....4 per delegation, from 12 countries). They meet for a month at a camp setting and learn about each other's lives and cultures. He's hoping to go with a couple of his friends to Italy next July. there are a bunch of activities, all pertaining to global awareness, social conciousness, peace and working together that we as a family will be involved in this winter as part of the CISV program.
He's also very interested in music and has a dry wit......the combination will produce many interesting projects I suspect.
Nelson Mandela is his hero.
m2p.....It's funny how we think children are ego driven, but it seems like there is an age where they wake up and see beyond their front yards....11 is a prime age for that. We need to be more aware of this and harness their interests because they truly are out leaders of tomorrow.
I thought it was stunning and I know what you mean exactly about children at this age realising the larger world - I'm also thinking that we could learn a lot from your schooling and education - seems to me you have something we lack here....
To Max and pals, I think that was brilliant
Katie...Will pass your feedback onto Max. thanks. I don't know if it's any different than other places....in fact the Maritimes is always scoring lowest on the education totem pole compared to the rest of the country. ON paper, it seems to be lacking big time.
I think we have lucked out to some extent with great teachers. WE also moved into an area with the knowledge that the elementary school my kids both attended was superior because of the teachers, the high level of parent involvement, and a great principal to pull it all together. Many of the skills and interests shown here were nutured by a great teacher last year and by conversations we have at home.
Max has been following Barak Obama's campaign pretty steadily for over a year.... he has his Dad who has a strong history and social studies background and passion to bounce many thoughts and question off.
So, I think its a combination. This year, Max is in a class of 11 bright light kids......a major fluke, albeit a great one. He's turned on to learning right now...it's good to see.
What a wonderful effort. I loved some of the imagery especially the black foot and white foot and all the hands holding the globe of the world. Truly inspirational and impressive. Please pass on my sincere congratulations to the boys Dana. You've got yourelf a smart young man there with an impressive social conscience.
Gypsy....the presentation was today and a big hit! The boys have received great feedback from peers, teachers and friends AND bloggers! Thank you all for watching the video. It matters.
Now, if anyone can tell me where to get a Mandela T-shirt with his prison number on it? Max wants one and I would like to find one for Christmas.
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