Paper Clips

Paper Clips was a very interesting video, chucked fool of good ideas and possibilities. Trying to start any kind of topic of interest in a middle school setting is no simple task. What the teachers did here at Whitwell Middle School was a large step for their education. Creating this project about the Holocaust enlightened many children who were still very unaware about the history of this subject, which allowed the students who chose to take part in this project to be motivated and interested. Though the idea of the project was very successful and developmentally appropriate for the 7th and 8th graders, I feel as if they lose sight of the true goal along the way.
Part of the problem I had with this documentary was that their constant lack of individual learning. It seemed as if they weren't learning anything on their own, or taking the initiative to further their knowledge in this subject; they just learned what they had to in the classroom and then would work on the project of collecting paper clips. I feel as if the teachers could have provided the children with a little more direct information. F0r example, something that stuck out to me was that when they were sent the suitcase full of Anne Frank letters and notes, the teachers asked the kids if they knew who she was... Personally, I think knowing this historical figure is very basic when it comes to the Holocaust, and if there was enough teaching going on, the educators shouldn't have to ask the kids if they know who it is. Also, once the project expanded tremendously, they lost sight of knowing the information, and just worrying about how many paper clips they received, who sent them, what their address was, and blah blah blah. And when it comes to them collecting paper clips, they got lucky. I feel as if they would not have fallen into such popularity if it were not for the two Washington Post journalists. The teachers were losing motivation before they arrived, and it seemed like the project was at a stand-still. There are many teachers elsewhere who could have achieved this goal with less help I believe, and with much better educating involved. So like I said, this was a great idea for a project and full of possibilities, however, I feel as if it was not totally completed.

FIRST BLOG

Well, here is my first blog for all of you to read... I am tall, not so dark, but still handsome.