Video Buddies

The more we learn about other cultures, the more we learn about ourselves. The charge, “to reach across the void and touch each other and believe in each other and work together” (B. Obama in reference to his mother Ann on page 357, A Singular Woman) is call for all teachers and parents. It speaks to us as citizens of our world, of our country, of our city, of our family.
The goal of this proposal is:
A. for young students from the USA to become familiar with the language and culture of China.
B. for young students from China to become familiar with the language and culture of the USA.
Brain research supports learning a second language early in life. Social research tells us that exposure to different cultures should begin early. This proposal supports both social and physiological research and addresses the need for people to realize that, And realize that, “beneath our surface differences, we’re all the same”. (Obama, 357)

Learning Objectives:
Students will learn to speak and write basic Mandarin/English.
Students will learn about life in China/USA.
Students will learn how to use Skype, operate a video camera, and create a PowerPoint presentation.
Middle school students will develop mentoring skills.

Timeline for project
September, 2012:
Hamden and Beijing teachers will use email and Skype to share lesson ideas.
Hamden Middle School technology students will learn how to Skype, use a video camera, edit videos, and create a PowerPoint presentation.
October, 2012:
Hamden teacher will visit Beijing teacher, meet the students, and finalize lessons.

November-April:
Primary students will correspond with each weekly through Skype and videos.
Hamden Middle School technology students will help primary students Skype, edit videos, and create a PowerPoint presentation.
May, 2013:
Final project will be a PowerPoint shared between classes.
A formal presentation of project will be made available to parents and board members

Specific Lessons:
September
Hamden Middle School students will learn how to edit and create videos, make power points, and use Skype.
Hamden Middle School students will teach Hamden, Connecticut kindergarten students to use the video camera.
Beijing middle school students will teach Beijing kindergarten students to use video camera.
October - February
Children (Chinese and American) will take turns taking home the video cameras. The children will use the video camera to introduce family members and pets and record important events such as birthdays and holidays.
Hamden Middle School students will edit videos and prepare for presentation to Chinese video buddies.
Chinese middle school students will prepare the videos for presentation to American video buddies.
Using the internet and a smart board, students on both continents will share their videos weekly.
Students will communicate through Skype weekly.
March-May
Hamden Middle School students will research and read aloud folktales to Shepard Glen students. These readalouds will be shared with Chinese students.
Chinese Middle School students will research and read aloud folktales to Kindergarten classes, record on video, download onto computer, and share with American students.

May-June
Hamden Middle School students will prepare a video of all activities which took place while participating in this Video Buddies project.
Hamden Middle School students will share video with school board.