This resource materialized as a result of a seemingly ordinary evening when I was captivated by news broadcasts. It struck me how certain boys within our school were disengaging from literacy and the act of writing. Situated in the south side of Glasgow (Scotland, UK), our school boasts a distinctive demographic. Notably, our male students had lost enthusiasm for the conventional curriculum, which they perceived as incongruous with their aspirations. The question arose: could I construct a conduit that interwove their passions – namely technology (specifically iPad usage), gaming, and football – while simultaneously bolstering their literary, digital, and creative proficiencies?
Thus, I embarked on a journey utilizing Keynote, investing countless hours meticulously crafting Breaking News templates emulating renowned global channels like BBC, Sky News, and CBS. The endeavour expanded as I contemplated how to kindle their engagement with French language studies. I recreated prominent European channels such as RTE (Spain) and France 24 (France). However, the pièce de resistance proved to be football – a realm that resonated profoundly with these young minds.
In the realm of replicating these templates, my creative prowess surged beyond measure. My ideas flowed like an unstoppable current onto the digital canvas, metamorphosing the templates into intricate, content-rich creations. The crescendo of this creative expedition was the football score centre, a culmination of my creativity. The concluding slides of the Keynote presentation represent the World Cup of my endeavours – the zenith I was diligently striving towards. This is where I captivate and immerse these young minds in the realm of literacy once more.
The slide deck that I humbly present is adorned with editable text, ready to be tailored by the user. Certain elements need to be strategically repositioned to allow the ticker tapes to seamlessly operate. Peculiarly positioned shapes, meticulously embedded, serve to authentically replicate the templates. I further imparted training to our esteemed Education Quality Improvement Officers in Glasgow, elucidating the nuances of utilizing Keynote for presentations. It's amusing to note that my customized text proclaimed "QIO discovers Magic Move," an initiative met with commendation, albeit accompanied by mild bewilderment as to why I found myself on BBC News.
Yet, the most gratifying moment unfurled when I showcased my creation to my P7 boys. Witnessing their awe at the meticulously recreated Sky News and BBC templates, coupled with their amusement at my satirical Trump headlines, was a delight. However, it was the resonance with Sky Sports and BT Score that ignited a spark within them. This marked the threshold of their literary reawakening. Almost instantaneously, they plunged into spirited discussions about what they would articulate, the manner in which they would convey their thoughts, and, most notably, who would be the messenger. An ardent desire to grace the television screen coursed through their veins, and with Keynote slides tailored to their preferences (a choice bestowed upon the students), exported as captivating movies with the magic of Green Screen in iMovie, this aspiration transformed into reality. The allure of literacy was rekindled through a solitary spark, ignited within me as I gazed upon the news during an exceptionally damp and blustery evening in Glasgow.
Hence, I humbly present my One Best Thing project, an offering for educators to embrace within the corridors of their institutions, fostering literary prowess and linguistic dexterity among the youthful intellects under their tutelage. Infuse it into literacy lessons, intertwine it with modern languages, infuse it with levity and creativity, transforming the banality of everyday news into a whimsical portrayal of school life. Consider inaugurating a monthly school news channel, but above all, employ it as a lifeline for that one student who has drifted from the joys of writing, for the one fatigued by monotonous language teachings, for the one fervently passionate about football but aloof from the act of expression through written words. Present them with that elusive spark, capable of reigniting the fervor for writing. Extend this catalyst, for within it lies the potential for that minute spark to burgeon into an incandescent flame of creativity!
November 26, 2023
Wow, Señor Chris- you sure haven't drifted from the joy of writing! Your reflections are infused with both passion and joy. I love this idea and have downloaded it to use with my rugby-mad students in New Zealand. Thank you 👏👏👏
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