Day 4- Teamwork

Today I got the pleasure to see confidence in action.

This year we have changed or adapted a few of our practices.  The biggest visible one is our morning announcements.  Historically the announcements have been a voice from overhead (usually me or the AP) reading a scripted messaged and covering some requirements.

This year we have turned it into a recorded miniseries that will develop over the year.  We still include the required portions, such as the pledge of allegiance and the moment of silence, as well as the birthdays and school pledge while also including our social emotional learning reminder.  The biggest difference is that these messages are now recorded as a video production and shared via the google classroom with teachers.

When I was in school, recording something like this would take heavy equipment and a closed circuit TV system to share.  Now, it takes a connected device and a distribution network.  I use my laptop to record it with an app called Screencastify.  This is not the simplest tool to use, nor does it have any bells an whistles.  It is probably one of the most basic tools available right now, but that is the point.  Once we are comfortable with this, we switch tools that offer more options.  But this is not my point.

Every day this week we have had a different group handle the recording.  First it was just me, then me and my AP, followed by two kindergarten teams, with two third grade teachers handling this morning.

Today I had to prepare Monday's announcements and did so with the help of a student.  While it remained largely scripted it is an intimidating prospect to be in front of a camera knowing 670 students and 70 adults are watching and listening to you.  The student who did it approached it with confidence.  We practiced one time and I talked through the technology side of things.  He said he was comfortable so I hit record (with about 15 minutes until dismissal) and we started.

What did I expect?  A few attempts, a need for motivational talk.

What I got?  A confident speaker, nailing the script even though I didn't say my pieces exactly as practiced.

The student was cool as a cucumber throughout the whole thing, even my unscripted parts.  I was impressed.  My big takeaway?  If we prepare students enough, they can rise to the unexpected.

#Dogoodbegood  #crenshawcards