A Bridge Too Far

Speaking of digital visuals in the classroom, I'm in the process of making a video from footage we shot in our class. The grade 5's built popsicle stick bridges for our structures unit and the bridges have to hold a live load of lots and lots of textbooks. We set up the bridges and then began piling on the weight. The class was buzzing as we watched the piles grow higher and higher, then the cracking sound of impending doom filled the room. It was a blast.

Prior to the destruction we did a drama activity where the kids had to introduce their bridge as if they were an actual construction company. They discussed how much the project cost, how long it took their company to complete it, where the bridge was going to be used. It was a neat opportunity for some creative writing and role-playing. I'm going to start the video with those interviews and then cut to the action of bridges being smushed and smashed.

I wouldn't have been able to do all of this and still maintain some semblance of order in the room if I didn't have a responsible, enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer behind the camera. As it turns out, my co-op student is a budding Steven Spielberg (except that she's a girl... so, Stephanie Spielberg?) This is one of the major stumbling blocks of using technology in the classroom. The school's cameras are garbage, so in order to use a good camera, I had to bring mine from home. In the junior grades it's still a risk to hand over expensive hardware to the kids, which means you need lots of adult assistance and intervention. I know the kids will be excited by the end product so in the end, its worth the planning and effort. Plus, maybe Universal Studios will buy the rights so that I can finally retire from teaching and focus on golf full time. ...maybe not.