Thursday June 15, 2006
iMovie
Description
Standards-based teaching and assessment is becoming a part of many schools. This is making curriculum integration a more popular option for teachers. Success is happening when teaching literacy in the context of inquiry-based science and technology instruction. IMovie software and digital video editing are being used.
Findings
The article, I Read, I Learn, iMovie: Strategies for Developing Literacy in the Context of Inquiry-Based Science Instruction by Randy Yerrick, is based on findings in California school systems. However, this applies to many other school systems across the nation. In the United States, elementary students are performing poorly on science tests. Studies show that children in early grades are not being taught science. Literacy is the major focus. Times are changing and science is soon to be part of the state assessment. This article describes how to integrate science, reading, and technology. The goal is to find an area where science and literacy overlap. Once identified, students are engaged in hands-on science experiences, reading and writing opportunities, and supplemental instruction. IMovie desktop video is used to write stories, make predictions, design projects and report events. The aim is to deepen science understanding through inquiry versus a textbook.
Four different approaches are used to promote integration between literacy and science instruction.
1. Expand students? experience and science vocabulary through external artifacts and events.
2. Stimulate creative writing and graphical representations through inquiry lessons.
3. Expand knowledge of literary genres through the writing, editing, and production of public service announcements on scientific topics.
4. Foster development of students? voices and their understanding of audience through writing about science problems with societal impact.
Reflection
Young children have a natural curiosity. Integrating science and literacy will build upon this and make learning more meaningful. I have read several journal articles and studies about inquiry-based classrooms and its impact on literacy. Struggling readers prefer nonfiction books. They can relate to the pictures, photographs, etc. My goal for next year is to incorporate more nonfiction books into my classroom. This article gave me several ideas to implement as well. One of our science goals is to study and compare living organisms. We set up aquariums and terrariums. I like the idea of a field trip to a pond to collect pond water and the view it under a microscope to see more plants and animals not seen with the naked eye. Filming video footage of the trip and creating an iMovie is something I would like to try. After viewing the video, students could write about their trip and write stories about life as a pond animal. Writing is also a part of inquiry lesson, note taking, recording observations, etc. To expand knowledge of literary genres, students can read about different animals and plants (nonfiction, fiction, Internet). Our first grade team takes a field trip to Asheboro Zoo each year. Next year, I would like to ask parent chaperones to take a video camera or digital camera to capture students exploring and learning about different habitats. I would collect the footage and create an iMovie. Because students are in small groups of two to three and explore the zoo at their pace with a chaperone, we don?t all see the same exhibits. An iMovie would allow everyone in the class to experience all parts of the zoo. It?s a big place and we never make it to everything. An iMovie would allow children to see parts of the zoo they did not get a chance to visit.Posted at 10:52PM Jun 15, 2006 by ALLEN, LYNNE in General | Comments[0]
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