The ability to take motion pictures of activity in the classroom is a nice option, especially when a still picture just will not quite capture the essence of the moment or occasion. Since there is an audio component with the footage, it provides an excellent language sample of the child being recorded. At the beginning of the year, it would be a good idea to find out if the families in your classroom have access to a VCR. If they do, each family could supply a videotape to be used for their child. This offers a convenient way to send new footage home, periodically, throughout the year.
Below are some ideas on how to
incorporate the use of video taping into the classroom –
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PRESENTATIONS – From time to time throughout the year, the children may do some
presentations or special activities that families would like to see. Although
there is always the invitation to come watch in person, that is not always
feasible for the family. Videotaping the child and sending it home for him/her
to share would help foster the connection.
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CONFERENCES – Having a video with snippets of highlights to share at the end of the
year family conference would be a nice addition to the other material that had
been collected. It may include the child singing a song, participating in some
large motor activities that he/she had mastered, building a block structure,
involved in a meaningful dramatic play theme or on a field trip. As mentioned
above, not only would the actions be captured, but the language used throughout
would also offer a great sample of how the child interacts, etc.
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PROFESSIONAL
EVALUATION - making a videotape of yourself, as the
teacher, and then watching it for evaluation of your effectiveness in that
situation is a way to identify your strengths and challenges. It would also
provide a different view and perspective of the room that is not always readily
seen.
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PROMOTIONAL VIDEO – Taking footage of each classroom or of the variety of services and
opportunities and then creating a video is an effective way to highlight and
showcase what your program has to offer. It can be shown to parents as part of
the introductory tour, sent to different community members, shown at the fall
open house or circulated among families, especially those who have difficulty
being at various school events.
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FUN – Sometimes it might just be fun to record something the children are
involved in and then letting them watch themselves on “television”.