#sschat Archive
#sschat is a network of educators, resources, and ideas that started on Twitter, but has expanded to Facebook, an annual NCSS unconference, and more. Join us to chat asynchronously on Twitter or Facebook, or chat with us live on Mondays from 7-8pm EST.
Monday April 11, 2016
While such participants are unaware of how individuals construct meaning across a wide array of purposes.
This is my first and I’m honored to share time with you. Welcome to all! Thanks for joining and please introduce yourself.
This is my first and I’m honored to share time with you. Welcome to all! Thanks for joining and please introduce yourself.
Chris from Bloomington, IN. Teach world history for online HS affiliated w/ Indiana University. One of the co-leaders. :)
Matt from Missouri. I teach 7th grade American history.
I run BYkids – Their World, Their Films. Our first five films are a new PBS series called Films BYkids.
Joanne from Missouri. 7th grade world history and 11th grade modern global issues.
Jacqueline, NJ Social Studies teacher, joining the chat!
Larissa from New Albany, IN. HS World History teacher.
Jackie from CT; HS social studies, library media, peer coach
How's the weather in Indiana?
Do I want to know what the Velcro thing is about?
Hey Doug from Clifton Springs NY. Teach 7th/8th grade SS
Good evening everyone! Brittany from NJ 6th grade ancient civ
Jacob from TN. I teach 11th grade US History.
Bruce from NC Glad to be here !
Dane, NJ Preservice Social Studies Teacher, in class but I'll definitely be checking out the chat when it's posted!
Adam, 5/6 social studies, St. Michael School, Independence, OH. Taking this in for the first time!
We believe empathy, critical thinking, global citizenry can be taught through short documentary films made by kids around the world.
As a way to ignite important cross-cultural conversations. I will provide video links throughout the hour of our films and our work.
Hi , this is Bill Chapman, a retired secondary social studies teacher, checking in from Berkeley, CA.
Q1: What does the term "documentary film" mean to you and your students?
When you say "short," how long are the films typically? https://t.co/KztVUwHwP3
We believe empathy, critical thinking, global citizenry can be taught through short documentary films made by kids around the world.
Glad I brought some headphones. Kids are watching The Force Awakens at our library & I'm in another area working. :)
A1: Documentary film: non-fiction, capturing a moment in current of historical crisis; explores players involved and solutions
They are 27 minutes each. Perfect for a 45 minute class with our curriculum. Thanks
A1: To me "Documentary film" is a visual aid that conveys the reality of a time period or event
A1) Documentary films to me are those that focus on something true, to go deeper into it, provide understanding and context.
Ken from Western Oregon Univ. in the college of ed
A1 Non-fiction of the film variety.
A1: a video that tells a story of history that I cannot do on my own. It provides 1st person knowledge that needs to be shared.
has just begun! Join the discussion until 8pm EST! https://t.co/Ponaj2fyDQ
Q1: What does the term "documentary film" mean to you and your students?
Was there a link to the questions for tonight's ?
A1: Many Ss see them as busy work. I want them to see them as a chance to see a new or familiar place through someone else's eyes
A1 In our class we talk about docs as containing primary video sources. Films are mostly considered a secondary source
Great read. Imagine turning this into a social studies assignment. How do xenophobic laws hurt the U.S. https://t.co/mK1Z4jkzZI
A1: To me it means a good opportunity to examine facts and bias. Visuals help to understand better. To students, boring 😴
A1 non-fiction film that is providing a perspective on historical, geo, &/or cultural event or group(s)
A1 Documentary films use unstaged footage to create the filmmaker's message. Perhaps less fictional than non doc films.
Documentaries can be like visual essays. Offering different perspectives to move though the filmmakers's argument.
Thank you. A follow-up question, how long do students typically take to make a 27-min. film? https://t.co/eJBgPlvv0L
They are 27 minutes each. Perfect for a 45 minute class with our curriculum. Thanks
A1: Documentary films mean visuals and a lesson in
A1 In ancient civ documentary film often means learning through an archaeologist's journey
And that is often so fascinating! It's a perspective we don't often get to see.
At least the portions of it that the documentarian and archaeologist want displayed.
History is written by the winners
Love it! Thank you for the info! https://t.co/5kI0oZXZXE
So with BYkids, our young filmmaker is chosen to work with a master filmmaker for a month. And then the kid oversees editing.
.I will agree most of my Ss see it as a time to check out, but it can be a great teaching aid.
A1: but these documentaries need to pertain to the subject at hand. Not just information that's filler. Have a specific purpose.
BYkids provides kids around the world with the training and the video cameras to make short documentaries about their lives.
A lot depends on Ts not checking out but using it as one resource. High quality, high impact, real voices.
Renowned filmmakers mentor these young people in the art of filmmaking.
Or using intentional excerpts to highlight a particular point of view or point of investigation.
A1) I hesitate to show a full documentary, I usually just use clips that help me expand on my instruction.
Q2: What role does documentary film have in your classroom or do you see it having?
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Clips are great. So it the pause button. Class discussions and/or "turn & talks" are helpful.
A1: To document an issue and challenge the audience to view the issue through a different lens. https://t.co/qaZxtYanjr
A2: Students are so exposed to media, showing media in class must include deep discussions of bias and media literacy
A2) Often use excerpts to highlight particular point of view or aspect of topic we're studying. Can be great way to intro topic.
Storyteller choice film as media for delivering message is important; if it isn't gripping, it didn't work!
I think my Ss were shocked if we ever watched something for longer than 10 minutes w/o me hitting pause.
Matt from Pennsylvania - going to be mostly lurking today but could not stay away from this topic 😉
My Ss produce their own documentaries on Mesopotamian life. They view documentaries & then get behind the camera themselves.
. YouTube is my best resource for doing just that.
in my future class, I'll use docs to debunk the myth that history is boring and irrelevant in modern times
Documentaries can have different roles in the class - as intro, provide various perspectives, discussion points, as background info,
. A2 and also ask their opinion about the media. Interesting to hear their perspective on it!
A2: Allows for students to study media bias, perspective, & often challenges status quo.
. I always rip clips from youtube just in case it gets taken down in the future!
Indeed, critical thought & discussion must be applied to video as much as to print, spoken word, etc.
A2: I use it as supplemental info. Usually Ss want more info on a topic and a film can achieve that. It can build more intrigue.
A2 film clips can be great for perspectives on history &/or a cultural rep of how one period interprets another period. Also to c/c
You can't say documentaries without saying :)
A2: I too use excerpts . Docs in my class are mixed w/popular media, scholarly and popular. Basically, all over the map.
Hate to miss another Lurking as I cook dinner. Will come back later to see all of your great ideas! Have a good week!
A2: bc I also teach ELLs I use clips as intro before reading text so they get a visual understanding. Helps all Ss as well
Yes! So great for media bias!
a2 I also use documentaries to showcase how an area looks in modern times, i.e-docu on modern day Cairo
So many great films. The Roosevelts seriously had me swooning.
The group Citizens United brought suit over attempts to censor their documentary on HRC.
A2: I use them to compare our world to the history we are discussing. Ss tend to see only the present, so documentaries bridge that.
A2 As said earlier, for an ancient history class we are talking archaeology.
A2 Use doc films to add perspective, challenge notions of events/ideas, provide diff visuals
His film on Jackie Robinson is airing on tonight.
Use film to do what print can't: sight and sound; it is another kind of text S's need to learn to unpack
I love giving Ss opportunities to see archaeologists at work - of course, looks faster/easier in film. ;)
Absolutely! I teach AP government so we cover that case every year. https://t.co/WKzJwIqDL1
The group Citizens United brought suit over attempts to censor their documentary on HRC.
A2 I think that perspective is a key point especially if you are teaching American History 50s-90s. OJ miniseries anyone?!
Of course, years of work is presented in an hour or so.
Q3: What concerns do you have about using documentary films with students?
Hatred & bigotry, bad ideas pre-Trump, are now ALIVE for analysis by Ss in every classroom my blog: https://t.co/1FmJUTicH6
A2 Doc film that use authentic voices of historical figures pull students in, especially pairing with primary sources
A3) Often they are long & don't have enough time to use whole film. Clips can be used as mentioned earlier.
A3: I have to frontload on bias & pov. Many Ss (& adults) buy whatever's sold to them.
A3 My main concern is that Ss will give more credibility to documentaries than to other forms of human communication.
I am concerned that they might use it as time to tune out if no formative assessment is used in conjunction
And there in lies the bias - in the choices made. But that's ok, as long as viewer is aware.
And even to secondary sources - I read "River of Doubt" b/c of it seeing author on "The Roosevelts" series.
Timing. Quality. Access.
Concerns for using documentaries.
I also (personally) dig neat graphics.
A3: You need to make sure you are teaching multiple perspectives and how to detect media bias. https://t.co/PxE14jY43v
A3 Losing Ss w/2much background info often hard to skip around. My kids are eager to watch something not narrated by the BBC man
A3: finding good ones that engage the students.
A3 make sure to spend time for reflection, media lit Qs. These Qs good. https://t.co/Bepm0HNPe0 . No analysis often = misconstruing
There is a stigma about video being a babysitter. This is not true! It is a powerful way to get kids to connect!
And, asks and attempts to answer the question, "What has been left out?"
A3: overwhelming Ss. Sometimes documentaries can be full of info that Ss are not fully prepared for, no matter how much you do!
once was new media, now is creatable & consummable by anyone: game-changer like any media that adapts to tech change
Sometimes I was a documentary that doesn't sanitize history. Y'know.
Ha! Ran into that when using mid 90s A&E series on the Crusades w/ Terry Jones narrating. IN kids were like, "What!!!"
nice point on perspective-I also like to point out and talk about how docs are works of art...the artist's perspective
Valid & constructive criticisms of documentaries. https://t.co/pvQqQrEKYe
Timing. Quality. Access.
Concerns for using documentaries.
I also (personally) dig neat graphics.
Absolutely! Same as we do w/ written sources.
A3: Ss hear "documentaries" they assume it is going to be some old guy droning on in a boring voice. Hard to get past that mindset
Some documentaries sanitize history.
Bill, you book sounds great. https://t.co/PIZ1juNBkE
And, asks and attempts to answer the question, "What has been left out?"
The solution to that is to find and show them engaging films.
Q4: Where do you typically get documentary content for your classroom?
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Question is where did they get that mindset? Someone wasn't choosing films well earlier in their experiences w/ film...
I think that's were Ss filmmaking can enter into the conversation. Realize it's more than "some old guy droning on..."
Primary sources in docs give impression of truth, but a documentarian makes many choices.
In my case a legit fear bc of the BBC voice. I often hype up whatever drama/action they are "listening for" to happen
A3 maintaining line between entertainment value and educational quality. Using film doc as a source not the source
Agreed. I used to show "Inside Job" to my AP economics class & some of it got lost in translation. https://t.co/eQXtWQzqKC
A3: overwhelming Ss. Sometimes documentaries can be full of info that Ss are not fully prepared for, no matter how much you do!
A4: History channel, YouTube...
A4) Used to get from school or public library often or from other Ts - or what I had taped from t.v.
Which YouTube channels do you recommend?
I find documentaries from word of mouth (colleagues, Twitter), the librarian, suggestions at historic sites, and hours of searching.
A4) YouTube,Netflix or my schools library.
Exactly. Compare with other visuals. Film makers choose what goes into film
picturing them getting excited for the video cart now
My generation is the same way though. Documentary = boring. Saying movie instead of documentary changes mindset going in
A4: Youtube, PBS, Independent Lens, Folkstreams
Ha ha ha ha! Always the fear that the t.v. would come crashing off the cart.
Mine, too, but I watched a lot bad documentaries in school when I was a kid decades ago
A4 these days often Youtube. Also, PBS, Discovery, Nat Geo. Often bought in past
A4 History Chan, Nat Geo, Museum websites, organizations that do excavations all via you tube
A4: we have united streaming...but YouTube...Netflix...Amazon. Do what I need to do.
Which YouTube Channels do you recommend?
American Experience, Frontline, The Great War, etc. PBS rocks it!
Netflix has a lot of great choices and variety!
That one doc clip can make a lesson-and yes, takes time to find! My colleague shares helpful time markers! https://t.co/8oyJdueBGD
Timing. Quality. Access.
Concerns for using documentaries.
I also (personally) dig neat graphics.
A4: Ss get into History Detectives, Secrets of the Dead, etc. anything that brings that mystery vibe.
we need to break that trend
A4) Anyone remember that A&E series Footsoldier host by Al from Tool Time (Home Improvement)? A&E Biography, TLC Great Books series.
Q5: What activities do you do with your kids around film that resonates with them best? ,
A4 Mostly youtube, also history channel.
Hidden Histories & another one called ancient mysteries are up that alley, adding suspense keep Ss engaged
Hi ! I am asking everyone for their YouTube channel recommendations... do you have any?
Youtube is great because I can embed clips in presentations BUT on iPad, it doesn't let you jump around (on clips) when a slide
Anyone have an example of a really terrible, possibly just wrong, documentary for teaching media literacy?
A5: Ss have fun learning about Jamestown before watching clips of Disney's Pochantas. We watch clips about Columbus through the yrs.
Yup ! docs can be historical, but they're also an art form...something that's worth talking about w/ students!
I plan to use film to show my Ss that events that they read about actually occurred to real people & make it come to life
, had one of the best YouTube channels!
Does anyone like/use Crash Course?
Woo hoo, thanks! In my acceptance tweet I'll definitely thank the team! ;)
I sometimes daydream of working on a documentary. Doing background research or something.
Love it for me, often has inappropriate content sprinkled in for my students specifically
A5 using vid tool like or helps embed ?s in vids for discussion
A5: I have Ss take 20 notes/facts they learned. Guided video sheets. Ss need to reflect upon how they would react in the situation.
My Ss LOVE them in my online course. Usually pair w/ other sources & ask them how they are similar/diff & why.
. yes crash course is great. My Ss complain they talk too fast. I say watch it again.
I also like that often gets into historiography which opens up lots of interesting discussions.
A5 using media lit Qs to compare films' perspective to textbook, lecture, &/or other sources & then analyze & c/c
I am split because Green covers a lot in detail, but he also talks very fast! Ss have difficulty keeping up @ times
A5: In my former school, my students made how-to videos and short films after AP exams.
We are here tonight if anyone is looking for a song to add their US History lesson!
YouTube: I like BBC Radio 4, CGP Grey, Blank on Blank, AllHistories,
Yes! I started using this semester & Ss have responded very well.
Not docs, but I like Horrible Histories and Living on One (these are docs).
My student teacher passed around a notecard. "Write a fact & passed it around."
At the end they saw what was written (& importance)
Bingo!! Real people=real stories=real emotion=real learning=real change in the world.
How about the upcoming climate denial film, Climate Hustle?
When teaching F2F I had Ss answer ?s about video or complete graphic organizer, reflection piece, etc.
I have an ongoing love affair w/SHEG. No denying it.
never used will check it out
I teach online but love using to add in pause points, ?s, add background info (like maps), etc.
I used them for my WH classes while student teaching. Need to check ahead of time though b/c it's not 100% everytime
I'll watch for it. Thanks, Bill!
A5) I use Google classroom, you can attach videos, and have Ss answer questions pertaining to the content.
Hey I'm a SS major I absolutely love documentaries. Great tools for in some ways
Q6: We have films around bullying and immigration. What are topics that are difficult to teach that documentary film could help with?
Many of my Ss love Horrible Histories. I like the amount of discussion Ss will have after a HH comedic skit.
You might also want to explore Leni Riefenstahl's 1935 Triumph of the Will.
A6 child human rights (e.g. bonded labor, slavery, soldiers, etc.)
I just wish we could buy them here in the states. Old clips pop up and disappear.
There was also lots of controversy around Waiting for Superman a few years ago.
terrorism, ISIS, Islamophobia
A6b prez elections & their use of media - Living Room Candidatehttp://www.livingroomcandidate.org/
I think some on poverty like were very eye opening! Great dialogue starter!
Horrible histories are hysterical & well written. You could do an in front of room read & Ss would love
A6: human trafficking...Holocaust...racial tension/civil rights...
why not direct and film your Ss in a mini documentary about a local cultural experience?
That is awesome! Love Frontline. Their stuff on Rwandan genocide is amazing. Ss were on edge of seats.
Have to go. Time for me to take daughter to ballet. Thanks for another great topic !!
A6: I think it would be great to see something on genocide in Africa & gmo food
A6: some on human trafficking and poverty like . Great convo starters!
Just in the news last week was the successful effort to force Robert DeNiro to pull the anti vax doc from Tribeca.
Check out - they have excellent programs on Rwandan genocide. Not sure about Sudan.
a5 I think the best docus take years to make.10 years from now we'll show Ss docs on the rise of Isis, outsiders as pres(maybe)
Would be powerful to compare 2 documentaries pro & con re many issues.
Teachers in my department show Hotel Rwanda that one is up there with Killing Fields
Teachers in my department show Hotel Rwanda that one is up there with Killing Fields
Indeed. Compare Climate Hustle with Merchants of Doubt and An Inconvenient Truth.
Always recommend that to Ss. Show a few clips but enc to watch the movie w/ their families. KFs, also.
A6: Any good links to president election docus??
Great call!
https://t.co/75bohNC8nD
Indeed. Compare Climate Hustle with Merchants of Doubt and An Inconvenient Truth.
A5 New epidemics-ebola, Zika, other things that in 10 years from now will be considered the AIDS of this generation
On the topic of comparisons, have you read Deborah Tannen's The Argument Culture?
I'm excited to have a look at the BYkids films! Will share, too.
Think has had some programs about Ebola. May be mistaken. Don't get to watch as often as I'd like.
Q7: What is your fav documentary film that you have used with students and/or resources for finding student-appropriate docs?
Showtime is doing a series called "Circus" it is following the primary candidates.
Game Change? There are lots of satirical films (not docs) that invite student research into the parody and commentary
Will put on my list to follow my current reading of The Defender, about Chicago-based black newspaper. Fascinating.
also great Frontline episode called "Gunned Down" which shows the power of the NRA.
Thanks so much. Let us know if you have questions or suggestions! We want our films to help create global citiizens.
Ready Ta Nahesi Coates Between the World and Me... excellent
Reading Ta Nahesi Coates, Between the World and Me; excellent, vital conversation
a7 Not an area I'm currently teaching but Vietnam HD (History) is one of my favorites
Q9: I LOVE a documentary called "The Dropbox", it is such an inspiring and beautiful story that follows the life of amazing people
A7: A bit dated now, but I like to show scenes from Spike Lee's "When the Levees Broke" to discuss the pitfalls of federalism.
Thanks! We librarians cannot resist recommending books, even during an discussion on documentaries!
That's on my to-read list! Saw on campus last fall. Powerful.
A7: I've used Eyes On the Prize. A couple of random ones. Lot more resources discovered tonight though!
A7: current favs, Mankind & NatGeo's America bf Columbus
yes, a good discussion on how interest groups can influence public policy.
Eyes on the Prize was beautiful, Ss glued to screen 4 hours, also incredible https://t.co/RJe5IIxAPf
Q7: What is your fav documentary film that you have used with students and/or resources for finding student-appropriate docs?
OMG! I am obsessed w/ Eyes on the Prize! So, so awesome. Used a lot w/ US history Ss back in the day.
TRUTH! We could have a slow chat recommending titles on different topics... getting ready for summer reading!
It would be great to do a documentary on voter turnout & compare/contrast differences globally. https://t.co/qUBpuvEvCD
Thanks so much. Let us know if you have questions or suggestions! We want our films to help create global citiizens.
Reminder: Tonight on PBS First part of Jackie Robinson by Ken Burns Tomorrow is second part.
Thank you so much for the engaging conversation, its been a pleasure talking with all of you!
