RYAN DOETCH

K-2 | Reading & Language Arts | Student-created media projects

My Classroom Innovation

I truly believe creativity is the process of having original ideas: and innovation is a way of putting them into practice. Students in my classroom need exposure to different modalities of learning to find their best creative strengths. This to me is a sense of urgency because human intelligence is dynamic and students will be competing in a world that’s changing faster than ever. Students need to keep pace by consistently generating new ideas and adapting to constant change. I use innovative ideas and research based strategies as a conduit which facilitates learning and enhances creativity. During school, we are making movies about books and incorporating Smartboards, computers, and internet to help students interact with reading/language arts. During math we use ActivExpressions and realistic computer models to demonstrate what math looks like in the real world. For writing we use computers, Smartboards, and document cameras to create, edit, and publish original pieces of work into movies. After school, I am creating podcast and teaching colleagues and members of the community on how to use innovation in their own classrooms. I am also demonstrating and working with the school board and legislators on innovative ideas which increase student success and achievement.

How Students were Engaged

Creativity comes with being able to show and tell what you are thinking. My class produces films and DVDs to show parents and others their most original writing piece from the year. We use a scanner and ELMO to project the students work on the board. The students give their opinion of the piece and suggestions to improve it. Students illustrate, revise, and practice reading in front of peers. We film each student on a green screen, put everything together, burned copies for everyone, and host a movie night for parents. This project has 100% engagement from beginning to end.

PBS Program/Content Used

PBS Teacher Activities, STORY WRITING WITH ARTHUR