Moms still doing her thing at Horizon Bay! So proud of her! Nobel Prize winning author Pearl Buck said, “If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday.” That was precisely the learning experiences both given and gained by San Marcos CISD middle school students when they shared their thoughts on the struggle for freedom with residents of the Horizon Bay Assisted Living/ Retirement Community, and then discussed the recorded oral histories of those same citizens. The community engagement event was coordinated by the District Technology Integration Instructional Coach Kelly Zarate on the afternoon of October 27, 2014, with assistance of Loyjean Matlock, Director of Resident Programs at Horizon Bay. SMCISD eighth graders had studied components of the American Revolution, such as causes, key people, and turning points. Various styles of learning had been utilized: writing, art, music, and technology. Throughout the unit, students were given opportunities to communicate what they had learned by leadership, public speaking, writing, research, and collaboration. “The final project product bridges the classroom to the community in meaningful and engaging ways,” said Zarate. “Students see the importance of standing for freedom in our nation’s history and are challenged to continue considering freedom in modern contexts through the lens of their own research and personal self-reflections.” The 8th graders designed and made booklet cards that contained examples of their thoughts expressed in artwork, essays, and poems. The cards were shared with the Horizon Bay residents. Pat Criss, a retired teacher, volunteered to read the poems and essays aloud to the assembled group of retirees. Afterward, residents were asked to share any comments or personal stories how they had taken a stand for liberty and freedom that could be shared with the students as part of oral history. Several people volunteered, and their stories were videoed. Some offered to come to the classrooms personally to share their experiences as guest speakers in November. Other SMCISD educators who worked on this project based learning event were Miller Middle School teacher Dylan Jones, Goodnight Middle School teacher Ben Smith, and Technology Integration Coach/Videographer Giselle Robles. Miller principal Ricardo Soliz also attended the event. Zarate said, “Students demonstrated their commitment to continue preserving liberties that have been cherished by people who paved the way for us.” Mila Criss Hightower Kathy Barker Rodney Kelley Liz Kelley Kelley Mathis Kevin Mathis Shannon Mathis Carol Weikman Farnsworth Criss Holloway Scruggs Bridget Holloway Mary Mathis James Davis Richard Davis Laura Cary Davis Teresa Davis Kaldis George Kaldis Steven Zbranek Lorena Davis Zbranek
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:39:06 +0000
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