This Day in History

The goal of the project is to create a cumulative digital assessment for all 8th graders as they leave middle school and begin their transition into high school. The project will be an interdisciplinary collaborative implemented by our Humanities team (Social Studies and Language Arts departments) in inclusion classrooms throughout the grade level. Students will be required to create a news broadcast for a specific day in US history (1960-Present). Students will create a script in their language arts classes and will perform and edit their video production in the Social Studies classroom. Students will begin by using digital tools to look up their specific date and the events that occurred. (NETS 3, 8.1.8.A.5). They will be given time in the library media center to use our search tools such as EBSCO, Destiny, and Grolier Online. Next, students will begin to compile information and write up a script to be used in their broadcast. (NETS 2, 8.1.8.A.5) After scripts are written and reviewed by the Language Arts teacher they will film their news broadcast in Social Studies class. (NETS 6) Once all of the filming is complete, students will edit video and incorporate actual footage from that day in history into their presentation using Windows Movie Maker. (NETS 1/6, 8.1.8.A.3) Once all projects are complete, videos will be streamed over the district website and teachertube.com so that other students and educators from around the world can gain access to our collaboration. (NETS 2, 8.1.8.B.1)
Project Implementation and Activities: The implementation of this project will build upon skills that the students have learned in their three years here at Carteret Middle School. We have put an emphasis on the use of technology in developing a student centered curriculum. Students begin using technology in the 6th grade classroom and build their skills as they make their way through middle school. This project will push the students to their technological limits and make them look back on all of the strategies they have learned over the last three years. The project will be based around our Humanities approach of infusing Language Arts, Social Studies, and technology into a comprehensive curriculum so that all concepts are reinforced in core subject areas.
Technology Component: Students will learn how to work both behind and in front of the video camera. They will create a news broadcast using the resources available to them. This will include using Windows Movie Maker (a free application) to design and edit their final project. Students will cut and edit audio/video clips and infuse multimedia videos from discovery education and history.com.
Number of Students Impacted: The immediate impact will be to the 300 8th grade students we have here in the building. However, the impact of presenting these videos over the internet will hopefully go much further than just our town of Carteret. We will be using both general education and inclusion classes to implement the project. Proper modifications will be made where necessary.
Resources: We currently have the computer resources that will be necessary to implement this project. We have a Library Media center with 40 computer terminals and a lab with 30 computer terminals. They are all equipped with Windows Movie Maker which is what the students will use to edit their videos. We are in need of audio and video equipment. We need to purchase a video camera and audio microphone set so that we can record the presentations. We would also like to purchase a green screen video studio so that we can incorporate effects into our presentations. These resources will not only be used for this project but also for future endeavors in video production. We hope that this project is the first step in creating a permanent integration of incorporating audio/video projects into our curriculum.
Evaluation: Students will be evaluated in both Language Arts and Social Studies. They will be graded based on a rubric which will include: quality of script, use of research time in the classroom, presentation of broadcast, validity of information presented, and overall quality of video. The project will be evaluated at a school level by the technology integration teacher. The teacher will monitor students throughout the process and make sure that the project addresses and meets all of the technology standards set forth in the project plan.