If kids can do it, they should...

Have been warmly welcomed by Tim McNamara, the HTHSCV students, faculty and staff in several classrooms, activities and projects during the last two weeks. At the moment, I’m looking at how the overall curriculum is designed and organized with a keen interest on interdisciplinary/thematic course offerings in a project-based/open sourced environment. There are many exceptional places and spaces to experience with engaging, innovative, and creative instruction and learning.

I was invited to spend time with Enrique “Chikle” Lugo (Digital Art/Mixed Media) and Dr. Maria Teresa Cesna (Humanities/English) and participated in an interdisciplinary action research project known as “The Community Arts Project – Paradise Hills Elementary School Mural.” The “Project” encourages students to understand space and environment to shape their sense of belonging and safety (which in turn shapes their moods, creativity, productivity and overall potential. They use these findings to collaborate with community members to design, propose and create a meaningful piece of public art, leaving their unique mark on the community. Class activities include the basics of visual note taking (combing text, images, and structure) in overall project design; a “community walk” of the area that includes interviews with residents (ethnographic research methods), journaling, and discussions with community leaders. Student-lead discussions are held after the initial field visit that outline new learnings and next steps/phases of the mural design and completion.

The next class I’ve been working with is the VIP Club (Voices in Politics) that provides students opportunities to engage in a myriad of conversations related to the multidimensional nature of political thought, philosophy and theory, and discourse. Under the wonderful facilitation and mentorship of Alan Botterman, Director of the CrASH Program, the club is preparing events for Black History Month. A highlight of the month will be an examination and discussion of the film, “I Am Not Your Negro,” the critically acclaimed documentary about James Baldwin and his intimate relationships with Malcom X, Medgar Evers, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the times before and after their assassinations. This event will be presented to all 11th and 12th grade students, with discussion and a Q & A session by members of the club.

What is noteworthy about these discussions is the depth and breadth of student knowledge and information in preparation for the Black History Month film event. Once again this exemplifies a student group “as a learning community” that is engaging, thoughtful and thought-provoking in student leadership, problem-based learning, critical thinking, and embracing the importance of diversity and inclusion. They actively listen to one another, and support as well as challenge each other with a sense of civility and respect.

When reflecting upon teachers as curriculum designers, project-based learning, and the integration of technology/history/math/science, the work that Colleen Stevenson is doing with her “News Café” activities is a dynamic, innovative and creative way of engaging students. “News Cafe”is an eclectic student-lead series of discussions and research examining current and past historical events. This reminds me of action research approaches that discuss a wide range of instructional strategies (case study, simulation, personal narrative, plays, etc.) and makes the topics and themes “come alive” related to acquiring a deeper knowledge and understanding of history in “360 degrees.” Another class project associated with the “News Café” activity is having students create “a comedy show sketch” (a la SNL, Colbert, The Daily Show, etc.) in an improvisational “design and lens” that promotes comedy as entertainment and enlightenment related to the news. The improvisational nature of this “moves students” into the world of visualization, imagination, and reality as they problem-solve and critically think in organizing their ideas for presentation.

Preparing for new adventures -- an amazing journey thus far!.