Hi All,
Just Jess again with some suggestions for your video reflections tomorrow and Thursday. I know some of you may still be struggling with what to say, and I thought some sentence starters might lead you in the right direction…
Suggested sentence starters:
- Before the Summer Institute I…
- For the first time, I am…
- Without this opportunity, I would never have…
- I am learning that…
- The Summer Institute has given me a chance to…
- The people I’ve met through the Summer Institute have…
- My writing has…
- I now see myself…
- The last thing I expected was…
- Although I felt…
- When I return to my classroom, I hope to…
Other ideas for your video reflections:
- A “Once I was… Now I Am” poem, outlining the changes you’ve undergone as part of the SI
- An extended analogy–This experience has been (like)… Teachers are (like)… We are all (like)…
- A poem or short story that reflects upon what you have learned, with the refrain “I am learning…”
- A fictional account of what your summer would have been like without the SI
- Any other creative, compelling, passionate, personal response–the sky’s the limit!
Before you record, remember…
- Your first try may be your best, but if it’s not, we can delete and try again.
- Practice reading your piece aloud in a private space. This can help you to revise, and will give you a chance to practice your timing.
- Keep an eye on the clock. Remember to keep your total time to one minute or less. If you run over, you’re reflection will be edited to fit.
- Avoid complication when a simple word or phrase will do.
- Remember your audience. A teacher curious about the summer institute is probably most interested in what they can gain from participating, and whether it is worth their time and effort to apply.
- Strike a balance between heart and mind. There is nothing more persuasive than a heartfelt approach, but be wary of waxing too poetic. Temper your passion with reason. Add warmth to exposition with a personal touch.
