Interest-based Learning and Passion Projects

This short article illustrates ways a teacher can engage colleagues in professional learning and provides examples of classroom activities that build connections between EL students, their parents and their community. Engaging students in creating digital movies to document the history of discrimination along with the impact of the Civil Rights Movement, Katie McKay encouraged students to consider how agents of change have been successful in securing individual rights. This multimodal, multi-disciplinary piece could be helpful for new teacher leaders or those finding themselves seeking ways to create authentic intersections with their colleagues and their English speaking and EL students built upon respect for all learners.

When designing a digital storytelling workshop, it may be easy to forget that it's really about the telling of stories and the writing practices that generate powerful narratives. This piece provides a good conceptual starting point and reminder that in such settings, students are more engaged, willing to work harder and write longer pieces--and all the while quite adept at figuring out the technology. This is important for teachers nervous about not knowing the latest digital tools.

This holiday season, explore curated lessons from 826 Digital that spark creativity in young writers and their teachers.