Guerilla Educators

PROFICIENT AND I KNOW IT!

From my good friends and colleagues at Tech Prep in DC.  Proficient and I Know It! >

Little Cayman Movie; 1970

I was alerted to this video by a gentleman who did a documentary about Little Cayman for a college course in 1970.  He spent 3 weeks on the North Coast at Burgess Meredith's cottage up there.  At that time, there were 17 permanent residents at what he called "South Hole".  Since there were no roads from the North Coast at that time, it was easier to get to Cayman Brac than to get over to South Hole. Take a look...

Hamilton in 5D

This "quick and dirty" video captures in microcosm how a unifying theme for Project Based Learning can be effected systemically.  In this case, we captured a small slice of a post-industrial small midwest city.  Using the river that runs through it and where much of the history of the place has played out, the video underscores how the city can be used in 5 dimensions (including realtime and cyberspace) as a unifying theme to achieve proficiencies across a variety of curricular and civic objectives.  Take a look...

Project Based Learning; Best Practices; Building a Bridge in 4th Grade

This video captures an activity conducted with my students as part of a bridge building project conducted in cooperation with the American Institute of Architecture's, Architecture in Education program.   It was also my first video.  My students were to measure the height of the Henry Avenue Bridge using a plumb bob.  Take a look...

This is a very powerful project that incorporates historical aspects of the American Revolution, geometry, public speaking, working cooperatively, ratio and proportion and a whole menu of grade appropriate curricular objectives and state mandated standards.  It also demonstrates many of the 12 Hallmarks of Effective Teachng and Learning.

End of School Year Appreciation

This is a very sweet end of year appreciation for staff and students at a community charter school in Phiadelphia...

Project Based Service Learning; The Children's Water Monitoring Network

This video demonstrates a wide range of positive academic and civic benefits for students who participate in water monitoring Service Learning projects.   The video is a compilation of Service Learning projects in 3rd and 4th grades at Harrity Elementary an inner city school in Philadelphia and at GreenWoods a Philly public charter school.  Take a look...

The charter school students conducted macrobiotic studies on a nearby stream and the inner city school students did chemical testing. In both cases, test results were sent electronically to the Philadelphia Water Department as part of their ongoing efforts to maintain water quality. It is clear that these students are engaged, doing important work as citizens, and are achieving mastery of curricular requirements in a very powerful, effective way.

Best Practices in Elementary School Across the Grades

Teaching for Understanding Coordinator at MaST Community Charter School, Donna Sole, has created best practices "snapshots" throughout the elementary grades across a variety of disciplines and subject/content areas.  This is powerful affirmation that the MaST teachers whose students are in this presentation are innovative, energetic, and professionally care deeply about their young charges.  It's also a collegial celebration of successes and pulling together as a team to positively affect the lives of their students.  Good work, MaST!  Take a look...

4th Grade Best Practices, Science; The Flashlight Movie

A culminating electrical unit activity for 4th grade students at MaST Community Charter School in Philadelphia was that they were to design and build a working flashlight.  The unit was part of their science curriculum.  A group of students thought so much of the Project they asked if they could make a video of the finished products and conduct interviews.  This film was shot entirely by students and they directed the editing of the raw footage, as well.  It demonstrates how educators can use available technology to make the most of student interests.  It also shows the use of technology applications as a tool to support effective best practices.  Take a look...

Here is another compelling video from MaST Charter School about their newly created Peace Garden.

Elders Meeting in Regina, Saskatchewan

I came across this video, shot by Guerilla Educators in October, 2008, as part of the design process for a new faciity to replace Scott Collegiate High School in the North Central neighbourhood of Regina, Saskatchewan.  This meeting was held by Fielding Nair International to gather input from 1st Nations and Meti groups to incorporate into the design.  Isidore, the presiding Chief, gave me permission to film the meeting but not the opening and closing prayers, which is why those parts of the meeting were over dubbed with audio from a Round Dance at Scott Collegiate, shot earlier.  This was one of the most poignant videos I've ever shot both for the importance these participants attached to their input and for their discussions about how they can be more enfranchised into the decision making processes that directly affect their lives and especially the lives of 1st Nations and Meti sudents.  Take a look...

MaST Charter School Opening Convocation Celebration!

This video was created by Sole Productions for use at the MaST Community Charter School's Opening Convocation for Teachers, in Philadelphia. It demonstrates key aspects of the Project Based Service Learning methodologies and especially the idea of CELEBRATION! Too often, in the rush to achieve our personal, curriculum, and standards-based objectives with our students we overlook how vitally important it is for both students and educators to celebrate our achievements and to have FUN! These slides capture that essence of fun and celebration even while our students make rigorous, data-based academic and civic advances.  Take a look...

MaST Charter School Opening Convocation Celebration! from John Sole on Vimeo.