Same Example Different Essay
Do your students always claim they have no good examples to write about in their essays? Tired of them always using the same people for every topic? We know we are tired of reading the same old cliché examples. We needed to help our students come up with different and original examples. But how?
First Try
We thought it would be great to have students learn about different people and keep a log of them. We decided on index cards on a binder ring that students could use as a bell ringer every Monday. The students would label the top of the card with the name of the person or event. Then they would use the lined side to write a summary based on a video or short article. On the back, they would identify themes or prompt topics they could use this example for.
First Fail
Although the idea behind the rings was working, the binder rings and index cards were not. Students were using different and unique ideas on their essay, but sometimes needed to look back at their index card. Now, what could go wrong with trusting a high school teenager with a little loose book of important information? You guessed it. LOST! Then you deal with students having to create and make new ones and start all over. Because some of the bell ringers were short videos and short articles, we were stuck trying to get them the articles again, making copies, sending them links to biography videos, and trying to find a way to get them organized. Great idea, but too much work
Let’s Try This Again
We know the concept behind the index cards was working, but how were we going to make this easier for the students to access this and easier for myself, a motivated but oh so tired teacher? Well, we found a way!
Problem Solved
Instead of using index cards, we decided the best thing to do was to have already printed papers they could keep in their binder. We also needed to find a way to make it easier on students who were absent and easier on the teacher. We found a way! We had students make one of the dividers in their binder a “People Section,” then we created a document where all their summaries would be in one place and organized.
Then, we made it even better…
For every entry, there is a QR code for the article or 2-5 minute video the students will be writing the summary based on. Print these at the beginning of the year, and have students place them in their binder. All a student has to do is turn on their camera from their phone and hover it over the QR code and WA-LA the article/video pops up! Students then read the article, watch the short clip and can write their weekly bell ringer entry.
No planning on your part. No continuous copy making. No searching the corners of the internet for good videos/articles to use. Great work with almost no work on your part.
How To Use These
Now for the big questions…
Will my students be engaged? How will this benefit your students? What skills are they actually working on doing this? What can they use these entries for? What if my students don’t have a phone?
First off, students get to use their phones or iPads. Now you are not only a prepared teacher, you’re the super teacher that found a way to use technology in a meaningful and engaging way in the classroom. In the kid’s lingo, you are the cool teacher. Yes, you just convinced these funny, moody, intelligent, lazy kids that you rock because, let’s face it, if you are taking the time to read teacher blogs like this one and look for cool new resources, YOU REALLY DO ROCK!
In this activity, students are practicing one of the skills they have the most difficulty with- Writing! They write about events and people on a regular basis, and this will positively transfer to their work. One of the big issues, besides students not ‘having a good example,’ is writing body paragraphs that include enough details. That’s where this activity can be beneficial. When they write these body paragraphs, they can reflect back on all these historical, famous, relevant, inspiring, and not-so-famous but awesome people. They can incorporate these examples and writing skills into the essay process. Now, you can have essay with some variety, details, and, hopefully, better scores.
If you have students without a device, like we do because we work in an area with high poverty rates, then this may look like a challenge. However, this can be resolved in many ways. First, you can have 1 to maybe 3 extra devices in your class for those kids, or you can simply use the QR code to quickly pull up the article and print it (still less copies) for your students. You can even put the article or video up on the screen if you want. Your choice!
Our students really love learning things about celebrities and artists that they didn’t know. They also like learning about people that are not so famous but their actions definitely prove they should be. If you decide to include this into your curriculum, I hope you have the same positive outcomes.
