Morning Shows in Elementary Schools:Teaching Life Long Learning Skills
From LIS5313
by Rachel G
To introduce my article, I created a Podcast entitled Elementary Media Minute. It gives a brief overview of how elementary school morning shows sucessfully teach life long learning skills. A friend was the show announcer, and I was the "guest speaker". The background music during the introduction and closing is entitled Genes.mp3 by TexasMusic Forge.
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Each morning many of us wake up and watch or read the news as part of our morning routine. This important ritual lets adults see what is going on in the world around them. In more and more elementary schools, students start the day with a morning show that gives them school related news, weather and current events for the day. As valuable as it is for adults to know what is going on, it is just as valuable, if not more, for students to know what is happening around them.
The students do all of the work in producing a morning show. You might think, “Wow, what teacher has time to do this?” The teacher, usually a media specialist or instructional technologist, only facilitates. The students run the show. Fourth and fifth graders are the reporters, news anchors, camera people, sound mixers, and all of the other jobs needed to produce a morning show. This might seem like a monumental task to teach the students all of the jobs; however, students are highly interested and pick up the technology skills needed very quickly. They also “pick up” many valuable skills that will last a lifetime.
[edit] Morning Shows Teach Media Literacy
The first time I heard the term media literacy, I had no idea what they were talking about. I was like mny teacehrs when it came to really knowing what media literacy it. Hobbs (2004) states “In early-childhood education, media literacy may be directed at parents to emphasize the value of selecting programs, setting media use limits, and developing family communications strategies that promote media as a learning tool” (p. 45). I think this happens in many schools becuase teacher don't know what media literacy is. It is automatically assumed that it is how to use computers and the internet. Using the computers and the internet are just a small part of what media literacy really is. According to Worsnop (1994) "media literacy is the skill of experiencing, interpreting/analyzing and making media products." Through their work in TV production; students take an active role in their media literacy learning. Morning shows empower the students to learn media literacy skills in a valuable, real-world experience.
[edit] Morning Shows Teach State Standards
Every state sets forth standards that guide what educators teach. As educators, we must start with these standards and plan with them always in our mind. Morning shows cover a wide range of standards in addition to the other life long skills that allow students to become successful.
Standards covered in morning show production include reading and language components such as, communication, information and media literacy, vocabulary development, reading comprehension, writing applications, and the writing process. In Texas, “the state education framework also mandates that students use a variety of media formats and technology tools – such as photography, video cameras, microphones, presentation and graphic design software – to create their own media messages” (Hobbs, 2004). Many states are mandating similar requirements in order to produce media literate students who are able to become productive citizens in an ever-advancing technological world.
[edit] Morning Shows Teach Life Long Learning Skills
As early as 1962, schools began to see the benefits in TV production in elementary schools. One school in particular pioneered the elementary morning show. Murray Avenue Elementary School a Larchmont-Mamaroneck public school in Westchester County, New York, started their program with one camera, a gift to the school. Moody (n.d) shares that this one donation “sparked the imagination of Jean Baity, a parent volunteer who had been formally educated in speech and television at the University of Michigan.” She saw the benefits of TV production to students’ learning and fervently worked to make it a success. Luckily, the principal and other administrators saw the benefits as well and the morning show thrived.
Doing a search on the internet brings up schools all over the United States who utilize morning show type TV productions in their schools. I was surprised at the number of elementary schools that produce morning shows. It is easy to see how morning shows can be produced in middle and high schools, but it is much more difficult to teach younger students the skills it takes. Many schools make the morning show a part of their gifted curriculum. Others use an application process that includes teacher recommendations and parental permission. Using gifted students or students who go through an application process, teachers can ensure they have students who not only can learn the technology but who are motivated to do a good job.
There are many benefits beyond state mandated standards. Students learn skills that will begin the students’ foundations to becoming successful, educated, life long learners.
- Some of these skills include:
- technology skills
- cooperation
- creative writing
- self-confidence
- responsibility
- communication skills
[edit] Technology Skills
Who would have thought that elementary school students could run a video camera, edit the video they recorded and combine live and pre-recorded video into a morning news show? Some would say this is impossible, that it is way above what a fourth or fifth grader can do. Think again! In todays technologically advancing world, elementary students have become very successful in this realm, learning the technology skills quickly and effectively. The students are not just given the equipment and set free. They are given lots of training, on their level, in how to use the equipment and software to produce a morning show. In Regards to teaching students how to produce a morning show, Kollie(2006) states “use a curriculum. There will be a certain small percentage of students who will be naturally talented and have the instinct to be camera operators and announcers. But most students will need to be taught how to use the equipment and the steps involved in making a production." Using a curriculum also help make sure you are teaching at their level and not over there heads. This will ensure their foundation of technology skills is solid.
[edit] Cooperation
What a better way to learn cooperation than doing a fun interesting activity like a morning show. Elementary school teachers try to teach cooperation on a daily basis. To do this the students need meaningful activities that they want to do. Forcing them to cooperate will not foster students cooperation skills. However, if you give them a authentic activity where cooperation is an essential part of it, students will want to work together and the skill of cooperation is ingrained in them. In an interview with Keith Kyker on April 16, 2008, teamwork was the skill that he kept coming back to throughout the interview. He said it is the most critical part of a morning show. He beleives that there are not many things in the real world that you can do alone so learning teamwork early is vauable for future sucess. A morning show is the perfect way to accomplish this without really trying. Prager and Alderman (2000) also feel morning shos foster a cooperative environment because “Students seem more willing to compromise and cooperate in this noncompetitive environment" (p. 23). So many parts of a successful morning show are brought together for the final production. Students must work together in order for the pieces to fall into place. Students learn early in the process that if they do not cooperate with each other the final production is not very good. “By assuming the roles of practicing professionals in the field, such as reporter, director, producer, news anchor, videographer, and editor, gifted students learn how a team of professionals work together to produce a daily news broadcast” (Vestavia Hills Elementary School, 2002). Employers look for people who can work together in a professional manner. These students have a leg up on the competition because they have seen the value of cooperation from an early age.
[edit] Creative Writing
While writing is in all state standards, being able to write creatively goes beyond these standards. Writing bullet for bullet the daily news is boring! Taking something that might be dry for listeners and making it something that the students are excited to listen to takes talent. Not everyone can do this, but with direction from his or her teacher, students involved in morning shows learn how to write creative, interesting pieces to hold the viewers attention. Thinking creatively, lets students use their imagination, and think outside of the box. Learning to write creatively, not only improves their writing but is a stepping block to thinking creatively. Thinking creatively leads students to becoming creative problem solvers. Both writing creatively and thinking creatively are skills that the students will use throughout their lives both personally and professionally.
[edit] Self-confidence
Self-confidence is something that many students lack, especially at the elementary level. Doing the same day to day assignments in their classes does not foster self confidence, especially if they have academic difficulty. Morning shows help students build self-confidence in a realistic, meaningful environment. It also lets students learn new skills in a non-threatening environment. Whether behind the camera or in front of it, students can find their niche and be successful, thus building their self-confidence. Having confidence in themselves helps students become successful in many areas of their lives. Lacking self-confidence can lead students to do poorly because they do not feel they can do anything. Having good self-confidence can lead to great things because students believe they can accomplish their goals. There is no better way to build confidence than to have your peers tell you what a great job you are doing. Morning shows give students an opportunity for their successes to be viewed by a large audience, who gives positive feedback directly to the students.
[edit] Responsibility
Elementary students have a hard time taking responsibility in their lives. Morning shows inherently teach this skill. The students have to be responsible for their portion of the production. If they are not responsible, they don’t just let down their teacher, they let down the whole team. Prager and Alderman (2000) believe “Participation generates a high level of responsibility and positive peer pressure” (p. 24). Part of being responsible is being able to give and recieve constructive critisism. I agree with Prager and Alderman's (2000) statement that "Valuable life lessons are learned about gracefully accepting both critisism and complimants" (p. 24). In this way the students accept responsibility for their work and can improve themselves. Responsibility is a valuable life long skill, as it leads to productive students and employees.
[edit] Communication Skills
There are a small number of standards that deal with communication, however this is a monumental skill that will benefit students throughout their lives. Morning shows not only teach communicating a message to an audience, but it teaches communication among peers. According to Prager and Alderman (2000), “Enhancement of oral communication skills is a direct result of this type of program" (p. 23). In order to have a successful morning show, students must communicate with each other. Discussions on what they want to include in the production, how they want to present it, and what needs to be done behind the scenes to make a great show are all ways that students communicate for success. The students also must learn to communicate their stories to the viewers. Learning creative writing can enhance this, however, that only deals with the written part. Students who are the anchors and reports must use good body language and voice inflection to keep viewers interested. Harrison (2002) state, “A high quality broadcast requires communication and teamwork, allowing students to enhance communication skills in a real world setting" (n.p). The communication skills that students learn while working on a morning show are yet another life long skill that will lead to a successful future.
[edit] Why Morning Shows Are Successful in Teaching These Skills
There are many reasons morning shows foster valuable life long skills. First, students are working in a real life job that has meaning to them. The students want to do their best and be successful. In striving for success, students inherently learn life long skills.
Second, morning shows are fun. Making learning fun is the best way to teach a child. They are willing to do what it takes to reach the goal, without thinking about what they are really learning in the process. When children have fun learning, the skills are ingrained easily.
Third, there are no grades, meaning there is no preassure. Inherently, students want to get a good grade, without the confines of grading; students can relax and enjoy their learning. Students want to learn how to produce a morning show so they will learn what it takes without realizing how important the skills are.
Fourth, students strive to be successful. Morning shows allow students to be successful, through a non-threatening environment. Support from not only their teacher, but more importantly from their peers allows for meaningful success.
Finally, in my interview with Keith Kyker on April 16, 2008, Mr. Kyker said something that really made me realize the vital importance of morning shows in elemetnary schools. He said that "morning shows make students part of something bigger than themselves". They are part of something that was there before them and will be there after they are gone. Students can look back proudly and say "I was part of that". There are not many opportunities like this in the elementary setting.
[edit] Morning Shows in Action
There are a variety of ways a morning show can be formatted. Morning shows can be done live or taped, daily or weekly. The equiptment you have and the time constraints will dictate the format that will work best for your school.
Pleasant Grove Elementary School in Stockbridge, Georgia has produce Kids News Network (KNN) since 1996. The crews are comprised of gifted students. According the the KNN website, they tried the first year to have fourth and fifth graders audition. Unfortunately, since the show is produced during the school day students were having to be pulled out of class and missed important learning. The second year it was decided to use the Sage (gifted) students. This has worked well for them. Their team consistes of anchors, the production crew, the reporting crews, and KNN CareActors. Their studio has grown over the years adding equipment that allows for more technological advanced editing. Click the link to see pictures of their crews in action.
In a different format, Meadowview Elementary in Meadowview, VA produces a live daily morning show that serves as their morning announcements. Their show has a crew of six fifth graders with three alternates. Their website did not share the jobs that the students do, but there are pictures of the students at work. At the bottom there is a link that will soon enable you to watch their morning show.
[edit] Conclusion
More and more Elementary schools are starting some form of morning show, whether daily or weekly. This is a sign to me that teachers and administrators are seeing the true value of morning shows. In the future, I look forward to morning shows being a staple in all elementary schools. While morning shows are a lot of work for the teacher that oversees them, I agree with Prager and Alderman (2000) that “the fun that students and teachers have producing the show is well worth the work and effort" (p. 25). It is not just the fun that makes it worth the work and effort; it is the learning that occurs during the process that build successful life long learners.
Prager and Alderman (2000) share a story of a girl on the morning show crew at Pleasent Grove Elemetnary School in Georgia. The fifth grader scored a perfect score on a writing assessment. When she was congratuatled she said "I think writing all of those scripts for KNN had a lot to do with it!" (p. 22). The girl did her job as part of the crew but also learned valuable writing skills in the process. Fun authentic opportunities for her to write let her learn the skills without realizing it until she passed the assessment. There are many examples of learning like this in students who are members of an elementary morning show. The leaves no doubt that morning shows have a valuable place in elementary schools.
[edit] References
Harrison, Craig (2002). The WKEY morning news: Fourth and fifth graders fulfill language arts and technology standards through a daily video broadcast. Learning & Leading with Technology. 30(2). pp. 40 - 44.
Hobbs, Renee (2004). A Review of School-Based Initiatives in Media Literacy Education. The American Behavioral Scientist. (48)1. p. 42-59.
Kollie, Ellen (2006). Improving School Communications with Television. School Planning & Management." 45(8). pp. 39 - 42.
Prager, Diane and Alderman, Cathy (2000). Stand by to Roll. Gifted Child Today. 26(2). pp. 18 - 25,65.
Roodia, Becky (2001). Delaware Valley: Magic on the air. Teaching Pre-K-8. 31(6). p. 40 - 43.
Williams, Patty (2000). In-school Broadcasting: Capturing the excitement. Media & Methods. 36(5). p. 6
Worsnop, Chris (1994). Screening Images: Ideas for media education. Wright Communications. Mississauga, ON. Canada. Accessed from http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/teachers/media_literacy/what_is_media_literacy.cfm.
[edit] Resources
Carter, Kevin (2008). Maplewood Elementary Students Create Their own Television Show. Retrieved April 10, 2008 from http://www.ocala.com/article/20080329/NEWS/803290337/1025.
Merrow, John (1990/1991). Tech Kids Make TV. Retrieved April 8, 2008 from http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article60.html.
Moody, Kate (n.d.) The First TV Studio in an Elementary School. Retrieved April 8, 2008 from http://www.medialit.org/reading_room/article425.html
Pleasant Grove Elementry School (2004). Kids News Network. Retrieved April 13, 2008 from http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/pges/knn/.
Vestavia Hills Elementary (2002). Broadcastingat VHES. Retrieved April 10, 2008 from http://www.vestavia.k12.al.us/central/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=50.
Waimalu Elementary School (2002). Waimalu Elementary School Video Studio. Retrieved April 12, 2008 from http://www.k12.hi.us/~waimalu/video.htm
Kyker, Keith and Curchy, Chris. (2006) SchoolTV. Accessed April 16, 2009 from http://www.schooltv.com/
