Hope Floats Student Interactive Blog…

Follow the project through the eyes of the students involved. An interactive blog has been established between 4 th graders at Wiley Elementary in Urbana and 4 th graders at St. Bernard in New Orleans. The students have shared their thoughts regarding tough times they have faced, including experiences surrounding Hurricane Katrina. Track their journey through the project as they build a strong commitment to bravery and determination in order to survive storms life sends their way.

Here are some of their courageous words!

Thanks...

The students involved in this project have been bridging the distance from Urbana, IL to New Orleans, LA via videoconferencing equipment provided and supported by:

Visit the Videoconferencing section that shows this innovative method to improve student understanding of educational material as well as facilitate meaningful cross-cultural connections. Additional links are provided to student thoughts regarding use of this technology in the learning process.

Hope Floats Project Description

This six week project, which began Monday, March 27th, is an interdisciplinary inquiry, built around student interests, and designed to scaffold an age appropriate understanding of earth science, measurement, descriptive and expository writing upheld by our state standards for education. (ISBE Goals 7, 8, 11, 12 and 13). The project relies heavily on teaching with technology. Students will be using laptops daily, presenting information via videoconferencing and interactively blogging with 4th grade students in New Orleans through our classroom website. The technology facilitates meaningful, individualized instruction and allows multiple perspectives to be presented authentically.

The project begins with a week long study of New Orleans history, customs and their incredibly unique culture. The students are learning expository writing and reviewing some important math skills as they gain an appreciation for what was lost in the storm, and why New Orleans matters to those Americans who have come to call the city home. Through a project-based approach to learning, the students have researched topics such as: the elevation and layout of the city with respect to the water surrounding it, Mardi Gras, Cajun and Creole cuisine, and Dixieland Jazz. Additionally, they are sharpening their art analysis skills by the thoughtful study of two works from a local New Orleans artist which depict the culture and history of the city.

The second week of Hope Floats addresses Hurricane Katrina. The students will learn about barometric pressure, storm surge, wind speed, and flooding. Additionally, students will study the Saffir-Simpson scale and learn names of some historic hurricanes. Longitude and latitude will be introduced, as the children learn to track a hurricane. Using video clips, a connection of the scientific concepts learned will be made to Katrina. The students will videoconference with the Educational Director of a museum in New Orleans, where they will ask questions about the impact of the hurricane on the city.

The third section of the project continues over four weeks. Our classroom will be teaming up with Lisa Young’s fourth grade students at St. Bernard Unified School in New Orleans. Serving as a last resort shelter, the school saw the eye of Hurricane Katrina pass over. Students will view a presentation given by the principle of St. Bernard, documenting the preparations to, the arrival of, and the aftermath of Katrina. Administration and staff at this public school have been working tirelessly to reopen and provide education to well over 2000 K-12 students in St. Bernard Perish. Mrs. Young currently has 49 students in her classroom, with more students enrolling weekly. Our classrooms will collaborate weekly via interactive blogging and videoconferencing to share lessons learned from the study of the following two stories of survival:

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

This Newberry honor winning text is the heartwarming tale of Opal, who was abandoned by her mother when she was three. Opal’s story is one of resilience and determination. She learns to deal with her hurt and sadness through building new friendships, including her close comradeship with her adopted dog, Winn Dixie.

I am David by Anne Holm

As a twelve year old boy who grew up in a WWII concentration camp, all David knows is living for the next meal. When a guard arranges for his amazing escape, David begins his epic journey across Europe to freedom. Along his way, he learns to trust again. He realizes that he cannot live life totally on his own. To survive, he needs other people - and other people need him. David learns to forgive the acts of wrongs committed against him and experiences great personal growth along his journey to someplace he can call home.

Through the course of Hope Floats, the students will use expository and descriptive writing as they consider the following:

How do we survive tough times and how can we allow those times to shape us into a better person?

It certainly does not take a hurricane to turn a child’s life upside down. Disaster is no respecter of culture, socioeconomic class, or power. Therefore, in a sense, children’s fears and questions associated with tough times are global. Using the literature as a springboard, the students will discuss emerging themes of courage, perseverance and individuality. With the help of technology, the two classrooms of students will work together to form a resilient bond that inspires a deeper belief in each others valuable culture and unique abilities, a strong personal commitment to bravery and determination, and above all, a sturdy resolve to ride out the storms life sends their way…. because hope floats.