Use student work to improve teaching and learning

Part 6 of Inspiring Excellence: Writing and Speaking with Power

Second graders craft narrative nonfiction and hone their presentation skills. 

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Snakes Are Born This Way
Snakes Are Born This Way: Illuminating Standards Video

These days, it seems everyone is talking about grit, perseverance, 21st century skills, and noncognitive skills, but no one seems to be talking about courage. What does academic courage look like and what happens when students have the courage to overcome fear?

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Get Your Blues On- Illuminating Standards Video

A short film on 4th graders studying The Great Migration through the Blues, joining history with poetry, music, and visual arts. 

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Chemistry & Conflict
Chemistry and Conflict: Illuminating Standards Video

The world is not discipline specific, so how come school is? Ask a chemist what her daily work looks like and you’ll find economics, writing, health, politics, design, and math are all integral parts of the work her lab does.

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Revitalizing Rochester- Illuminating Standards Video

A short film about students' interdisciplinary civic project effecting real-world change in Rochester, NY.

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Peacekeepers of Chicago
Peacekeepers of Chicago: Illuminating Standards Video

What happens when students take ownership over their education and push their learning beyond the walls of their school buildings to activate change in their communities? They develop impactful and transformational projects like the Peacekeepers of Chicago.

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This Is Why I Cry- Illuminating Standards Video

A short film about an 8th grade project that imagines the life of a slave in a fictional but historically accurate piece with a strong voice. 

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A Little More Than Just People
A Little More Than Just People: Illuminating Standards Video

A Little More Than Just People is a project created by the founding eighth-grade class at Four Rivers Charter School in Greenfield, Massachusetts. In this project, students publicly recognize the contributions made by members in their town.

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The 20 Years Project- Illuminating Standards Video

Short film about eighth grade students who project their finances 20 years into the future, connecting math standards to real-life. 

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