A Phenomenal Woman

Earlier today, my students and I learned about the transition of Dr. Maya Angelou.   We discussed her life, work and contribution to the African-American community and the world.  People of my generation remember her work in the Civil Rights and Women's Right's movements.  My student's generation was introduced to her through Tyler Perry movies or social media, then later fell in love with her poetry.

Her advocacy on the issues of today provided us all with clarity and kept us on track.  For example, just earlier this month she tweeted about the tragedy of the Nigerian girls who were kidnapped by an extremist Muslim group in west Africa.

Being the creative group of teens that they are, my students worked in two groups and created two short tributes for this remarkable, phenomenal woman.   #RIP Dr. Maya Angelou!

Character Mock Interviews

This was a really nice project.

My co-worker Ms Henderson recently completed an interesting projects where the students conducted character mock interviews.  During the three day class period, students took on the persona of a biographical character in history.  They composed questions and answers based on what they read in their biographies and for recording a mock interview as if they were the character.

Here are two excellent projects that I would like to share.  Using iPads in the Library Media Center, the  students used the iMovie 11 app to complete their assignments.   In post production one of my students Cameron, provided the voice over at the beginning of the video introducing the projects.  I think we have a new James Earl Jones!


The WP2 Collaboration Writing Project - Nelson Mandela from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.
Nelson Mandela - https://vimeo.com/89641929

The WP2 Collaboration Writing Project - Chris Gardner from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.
Chris Gardner - https://vimeo.com/89673996

The Breathing Zone

This app really works!

The Breathing Zone

Lately I've been in 'discovery' mode with the new iPads. Sometimes I'm successful, but more often I fail miserably. Frustration levels can get high and sometimes I feel like I didn't accomplish anything.  I really like The Breathing Zone app because it helps you return back to a 'normal' state of mind and just calm down.

This app works for me and I discovered that it works well with my students too.   My student *Stacy came into the Library Media Center, fired up about the typical 'girl' drama.  I immediately grabbed my iPhone, instructed her to sit down, close her eyes and listen to the breathing instructions.  After three minutes, Stacy came back from the edge of teenage drama.

I was really fortunate to catch this app when it was posted free for 24 hours in the app store.   For those who are considering purchasing this app, it is well worth the $3.99 price.  You can set the time, music and male/female voice in the settings.  In addition, there is a nice log that can track your progress over a period of time.  The breathing analyzer provides a deeper monitoring of breathing activity and encourages the user to meet goals for optimal breathing patterns.

Just try it!

*For privacy purposes, the student's name has been changed.

iMovie Tutorial

February 5, 2014

Digital Learning Day is about giving every child the opportunity to learn in a robust digital environment everyday, with the goal of success in college and a career.  Read more about this day dedicated to technology at:  www.digitallearningday.org.  Below is the Behind the Paws student news crew's video submission for this year's celebrations.  Junior level students Jordan and Myiah provide viewers with a descriptive hands on demonstration of the powerful app, iMovie.

Enjoy!

CPS Tech Talk - Part I

     Here's my slideshare and pictures from the first of two presentations I recently gave at Tech Talk.  Tech Talk is a Chicago Public Schools conference that celebrates educational technologies used in a K-12 setting. This year, two of my students Jordan and Myiah joined me.  They described some of the videos they produced and performed a short demonstration on using iMovie.  I am really proud of these young ladies and my hope is they will continue to embrace technology as they move into their senior year.  Below is the presentation and some pictures.  Enjoy!

Producing a Student TV News Program Using iPads from K.C. Boyd

The audience

Techie Girls Myiah and Jordan

Myiah and Jordan presenting a video

iMovie and Librarians

Today I am presenting at the Chicago Public Schools 'iPads for Librarians Professional Development Session'.  This journey describes by 18 month journey using the powerful iMovie app and how it has changed my job description and duties at my school.  Just click the arrow at the bottom to advance each slide.

Enjoy!

iMovie and the School Library from K.C. Boyd

My Avid Reader

     This is Davion a high energy and a voracious reader.  I will never forget the first time I met him.  It was August and he was a freshman student excited about attending high school.  He came into the library media center with a laundry list of Street Lit. titles...some I had not even heard of.  It is Davion that I credit for changing my policy on students checking out adult Street Lit. books.  

    Until I met Davion, I only circulated the books to my juniors and seniors.  I wanted to guide my freshman and sophomore students into reading young adult books that they had not been exposed to in grammar school.  Davion like other students that year really challenged me.  They had read Street Lit. young adult books while enrolled in grammar school and they wanted to read the adult versions.  I couldn't tell them no, so my principal and I devised a plan for the circulation of the books with the parent's permission.

    I've experienced much criticism for circulating the adult titles to teens.  The interesting thing is the parents support the circulation and they read the books too.  Since implementing this, I've had less than a handful of parents that have rejected it.  At the end of the day, literacy is spread in the home and the student enjoys reading a good book.

     In part 2 of 'Conversations at the Circulation Desk' sophomore student Davion describes why he enjoys using eReaders, participating in the Phillips book club and shares some of his favorite books.  If you would like to view part one of the series, just click the link provided below.

Conversations from the Circulation Desk, part 1 - http://theaudaciouslibrarian.blogspot.com/2013/09/conversations-at-circulation-desk.html 

Apps for Research

I'm really excited.  Gale has an app for iPhone/iPad and Android for their databases.  So that I won't be repeating myself a million times after database orientation, I created a short tutorial in iMovie for the students.   I just hope they will find the mobile app to be a helpful tool when working on research papers/projects this year. 

"Breaking The Cycle"

I shared the video below with a couple of fellow 'Warrior Librarians' earlier this week.  After much encouragement from Dr. Vanessa Irvin Morris, I decided post the video here so that everyone could view it.  

My students tackling a difficult subject

My co-worker Ms Banks recently assigned her freshman writing class an interesting project.  The students were instructed to work in teams and create a persuasive advertising commercial.   The concept was solely the students as Ms Banks allowed them to be creative.  These students worked for weeks developing the concept/script  and used the Library Media Center iPads to shoot their commercials.  One group in particular, created a powerful commercial that brought tears to the eyes of some of the staff members at Phillips High School.

The honest fact is that students in today's society are dealing with real issues.  Sometimes these issues affect their behavior, self-worth and overall view of life.  Though very raw in presentation, the message is very clear.  I was not a part of the creation of the skit with the students and Ms Banks, I merely collaborated with them to edit the video in post-production.   Also if you look carefully, you will see Ms Banks standing behind the glass partition observing the students shooting the video. 

I hope you will enjoy this presentation and please feel free to leave a comment in the comment section of this post.  All comments will shared with the students.

Banks Project #11 from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

iMovie Fun

After attending the Chicago Public Schools iPad Academy this summer, I've become more proficient with using iMovie.  Here's a recent video I produced for my school's first assembly program.  This video is called, "We Are AUSL Wendell Phillips."  It features students, teaching staff and my Principal.  Enjoy!

We Are AUSL Wendell Phillips from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

Another iMovie...

Here's another iMovie made by one of my summer camp students, Jasmine. In this video, Jasmine wanted to discuss the senseless number of CPS students that lost their lives to gun violence.   I think you will all agree, the message conveyed by this teen speak volumes.

Enjoy!

  
Stop the Violence by Jasmine F. from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

Success Using iMovie!

All of the photo/video release forms have been signed and returned!  What a relief!  As promised, here's one of the very first student produced iMovie trailers.  My teens really enjoyed telling their personal stories about the Phillips Summer Camp through iMovie.   Since they did such a good job, they are now working on the next project.   Please enjoy my student's iMovie below.

Until next time, K.C.
 
Student iMovie #1 from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.