Speaking on a different level

With the technological tools of today, we can engage our students and get them to CREATE on a new level.  Using a simple flip video camera and some audio (this one of a friend playing a Ukulele) students can create their own Poetry video.  They can SPEAK to each other on another level.

Kyle Leonard, who taught with me for 3 years at Eppes Middle School, now teaches at Cal-Mum Elementary near Rochester, NY.  He had one of his top students, Olivia and one of his top musicians from his Uke club, Marcus, collaborate to produce the video below.  The premise is simple with the technology today.  Olivia recorded herself speaking her poetry (listen to the pages turn) and Marcus played a cool tune with his uke (or you can have other music in the background).  Marcus got on an overhead cart (or a rolling chair) and videoed Olivia walking silently and pausing at a window.  Overlay all of that in a video editing program an in less than an hour, students produced this...

http://www.box.net/shared/042xihe4us

I'm a big fan of a book Cheryl Olmstead introduced me to "Annual Growth for All Students and Catch Up Growth for those that are Behind".  I was talking to my grandfather about it last night and he made me think (like he always does).  He asked what will the brightest students do while those that are behind are getting help in the specific reading skills they need.  He asked me how are we going to engage our highest level students, so we don't let them slip through the cracks...I say let them create something...