Poetic License

Youtube and teachertube are such addicting sites. It’s no wonder my teenager spends so much time on youtube. A few weeks ago I found him asking about flammable liquids and was clued into the fact that he was watching a youtube video on making fireballs. So…although youtube has many applications for educational purposes, such as “How To” do something, as adults, youtube needs some monitoring but should not be blocked at school sites. I do believe that teaching responsible usage is a part of tech education for our students.

I explored some civil rights videos to correlate with my Watsons go to B’ham, 1963 unit. I watched old film footage, listened to Joan Baez sing “Oh Freedom,” watched people get their noses and tongues pierced, found the video on fireballs my son must have been watching, learned how to make sushi, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

There are many applications for watching videos in the classroom – to illustrate a time in history, to bring to life a poem, to teach kids how to do something. There are also ways to show off what students have created for all to see. Next year, I’d like to post our Poetry Slam video.

Below is a video from a spoken poetry night. I remember receiving it a few years ago. It’s about what teachers do. Always inspirational, especially when we are contemplating going back to school so soon.