Two Ideas for “I-Search” Projects In Depth

1-Performing Arts in the Classroom: I feel that by thinking outside of the "pen and paper" model will allow navigation of the "pen and paper" model  to become much more fluid for students. This is because by discovering how the words come alive through movement; the students are able to use more than just their hand and brain. This moves away from the essay format in order to get the students excited and prepared to go back to the essay format without the feeling of the task being daunting and boring. This process also allows the student to feel what they will later need to communicate with words, giving the writing a much richer insight.

     I would do extensive research in books and on the internet to find classrooms that implement this similar format, sharing the results. I would also look deeper into how this affects the students writing and feelings about the assignment. I want to see how approaching writing in this way changes the students engagement with their own perceptions and words.

     Since I am a huge advocate for the arts in the classroom, I know that this topic will keep my excited interest while playing to my greatest passions in the arts and of helping students find their own voice. Doing this research would prove why the arts are so fundamental to a student’s well-being. The evidence would advocate positively for how the students involvement with the arts can give them opportunities to discover who they are in ways the traditional courses just cannot offer. Nothing matters to me more than proving this so hopefully I am not disappointed by the results. I don’t believe I will be.

2-International Discussions: Enabling students to communicate with other student from various countries would offer them different perspectives on their own language. As the students from other countries share what they think the fundamentals of English are, they can be guided students towards seeing what they think is important within their own language and style of writing. In gaining a new perspective from someone whose first language is structured differently, they can see how their writing fits or fights against other languages structure. They can discover through each other’s writing what keeps their attention and what hooks them as a reader so that their writing can improve.

     There are already classrooms that use this technique around the world so I would look into hands-on cases closely to see how this approach works or doesn’t. I want to know if in speaking with others, the student gains a new appreciation for the written word. I want to know what the pros and cons of such a clash of customs are and on the flip side, how the similarities are helpful. Perhaps, reading the writing of someone who has English as a second or third language actually takes away from the American students learning because of mistakes or misinterpretations. This may show that this kind of study only works with countries whose first language is English.

     Acceptance and tolerance are two aspects I am very passionate about cultivating in students. This idea would open the world up to our students, allowing them to engage with the unknown. Instead of fearing people who are different than you, they can see how those differences are not something to fear or judge.


Picture Links:

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