Project+Hearts+and+Hands

This project would be a perfect enrichment piece for classrooms. One of the goals of Philo Magnet Academy is to provide our students with a worldview...to help them feel a kinship with people around the globe. Project Hearts and Hands combines students innate talents and abilities with the active role as global citizens and the responsibility that entails. The students will use their giftedness with music, video creation, writing, and art to show the world their Heart for the people of Haiti. This page will link with another wiki called PhiloHeartAndHandsForHaiti where students can collaborate and create their own "global electonic card" to explore their thoughts and emotions related to this tragedy.

There is a section for Music--students can use a video creation program (Animoto is the easiest to link with wikispaces) to include pictures of the tragedy linked with a song they feel speaks to the world about the plight of the Haitians. The best videos can be embedded on the page (and I will be happy to show you how or do it for you).

There is also a section for Art--students can draw, paint, and create pictures to tell a story, to explain an emotion, or speak to the world. The best pictures can be uploaded with a scanner and embedded on the page (one again, I will be happy to assist with this process).

There is a section for Words--students use poetry, prose, letters, etc to translate the emotions and thoughts they feel in their hearts to the electronic screen for all to see. We could also use voice recording and add narration to the written pieces as a type of podcast. The best ones could be narrated and added to the page. (I will assist anyone who needs my help).

The page includes a section for service projects. It is important for the students at Philo to give back something to the world around them--use their hands to make a difference in the world. Many schools are working with community organizations like local churches, Salvation Army, and the Red Cross to collect donations for Haiti. Other schools are sponsoring special activities like Hats for Haiti where students and staff can pay $1.00 to wear a hat and help the victims in Haiti. Other schools are allowing staff to pay $1.00 to dress down and donate the proceeds to the Haiti Relief Effort. The page could be used to track progress and keep everyone informed about the fundraising projects.

I have created the wiki entitled PhiloHeartandHandsForHaiti. All of the pages are set up; all that needs to be added is student work. Click on the following link to view the template as a guest, but I will also send everyone an invitation to join along with the rights to edit content. If you have any questions, email me at mjhinerman@gmail.com or leave me a comment on the wiki. Click here to preview http://philoheartandhandsforhaiti.wikispaces.com/.