CElebrating Differences Day
Eagles Nests
Make Your Own Music Video and Bake Walk
While student teaching, I lead the intern committee in designing a student activity to be held at the same time as a parent stress management program. We decided to split the students into lower and upper EL, and have them rotate between two activities. In the gym, I led students through learning short, simple choreography to a student-voted song (Kidz Bop's version of Party Rock Anthem). We videotaped the students, created DVDs of a music video, and distributed the DVDs to all participants the following week. When the students were not music video stars, they were participating in a bake walk, winning small treats to take home and enjoy.
Talent Show
I was asked to be assistant director for this year's talent show. About 30 students participated in the after school program, which met for 2 hours every Tuesday for a 4-week period. Students selected their talent, practiced and received guidance from their group's teacher, decided on costuming, rehearsed on-stage, and performed a night-time performance for parents, as well as an all-school assembly for peers. I was in charge of setting up and supporting the emcee's portion of the night, as well as rotating to all talent groups to call upon my theatre, choir, and dance background to give effective and constructive feedback.
Harry Potter Night
At my school, Java Night is the biggest night for parent involvement. Parents enjoy coffee and a presentation about their students' learning, and were able to work hands-on with the new iPads. We were again in charge of the student portion of this night, and marketed a Harry Potter night to go along with March is Reading Month. Students again rotated between active Harry Potter games in the gym, and drinking a magical punch concoction while making magic wands. I was in charge of gathering materials as well as budgeting for this event. We had a record-breaking 70+ students present.
At-Home Reading Program
For March is Reading Month, every student was given a magic-theme coloring page, segmented into 15 parts labeled "15." For every 15 minutes of reading done at home (with or without a family member), students were to color one portion of their coloring sheet. When they had finished the whole sheet, they had to get it signed by a parent. The grade that turned in the most coloring sheets won a PTA-sponsored pizza party. To promote this program and Java Night, I recorded a short "commercial" video, which was shown a few times in anticipation of the event.