Reach Out Recess

Yesterday, we watched Speak Luvo Speak Jane (2005), from localfilms.org about kids whose parents have HIV/AIDS in South Africa and Kenya. Fortunately, we followed it with a funny movie made locally by Hein's older brother which had everyone laughing and enjoying good homemade comedy.

Today we watched Starring Us (2004), the earlier collaboration Ms. Perry's 2nd grade students, Steve Schaefer and I co-directed several years ago. Lots of laughter! Everyone has grown up so much they've forgotten how small they once were. They also got a kick out of how much higher their voices were. Ahh...the maturity of 5th grade.

Earlier during recess, we let the students do their own version of Chain Camera (2001), using a camera to video each other and then passing the camera onto the next student. We named it Reach Out Recess.

While the students went to Art, Ms. Perry and I downloaded the videos onto the computer. As a group during class, we watched the videos from recess and discussed what the students liked & disliked about each other's videos and what they learned from watching the videos. We discussed different ways to frame shots, lighting (keep the sun behind the cameraperson) and how to be aware of sound (easily done when there are lots of screaming kids in the background in recess). Another great day! The students are beginning to think visually and watch the videos as if they were the documentarians instead of the audience. Good stuff!