Final Reflections
I really enjoyed this project and learned a lot along the way. I think the process of collecting supporting sources was very useful in reinforcing my understanding and offering greater understanding. I appreciated the personal nature of the project, and really enjoyed getting to explore something I am personally interested in. Hamilton found its way into my heart in the last several months, and this project really helped me refocus on the academic value of the musical as a text for educational purposes.
I think there are countless ways to creatively and realistically bring Hamilton into the classroom, and I really enjoyed developing ideas to use it as a teaching text in the English Language Arts classroom. I have a lot of new ideas and am excited about the future possibility of teaching a unit centered on Hamilton.
Obviously, there is so much further I could take this project. I am interested in what lessons can be taught through other Broadway musicals, and what the best way to introduce each might be. I am interested in the historical considerations of Hamilton, and would consider using the musical as a resource to teach the art of Compare/Contrast in the ELA classroom.
I am also aware that I largely skimmed over the controversial issues and language within Hamilton, so this is something I need to further explore. How can we appreciate the text as a whole without supporting the controversial subtopics and events? Do we need to provide an alternate text for differentiation, or students who are not comfortable with the story's content? And if so, what would be an appropriate and similar resource?
Through this project, I realized how much passion I can infuse into my planning when I truly care about a subject; I think students put in what they see their teacher putting in. If I am passionate about a unit or topic of study, my students are likely to share the same optimism and excitement. As I prepare to take over an ELA classroom next month, I have realized how important my own affect towards an activity is. This project has really helped me to analyze the effort I put into projects, and how my style of learning and passion drives the work of my students.
While I have completed this phase of my inquiry project, I don't intend to set it aside and forget about it. I intend to continue researching the way music can be used to teach a variety of subjects, and introduce music into my own classroom. Further, I intend to encourage nontraditional routes to traditional learning, and above all, encourage passionate learning in my classroom.
7/23/2018
Thank you, Brittany! Part of the valuable learning experience will be exploring the controversial aspects of Hamilton and any other play, book, piece of literature, video, etc. for it is grappling with different perspectives that meaningful learning actually occurs. Superficial knowledge does little to challenge us to action, a cause or to pique our interest. This is where meaningful learning takes place and be willing to take the risk to explore it, Brittany!
ReplyDeleteRemember as Cooper and Collins (1992) said: "Experience without reflection is hollow" (The Power of Story, p.52)
https://books.google.com/books?id=qlgDrWZF81QC&lpg=PA52&ots=V4iWaPILkM&dq=%22experience%20without%20reflection%20is%20hollow%22%20Cooper%20and%20Collins&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=%22experience%20without%20reflection%20is%20hollow%22%20Cooper%20and%20Collins&f=false
Hi Brittany! It is Joy Cushman from 438 class. Can I tell you how totally impressed I have been with your blog!! I had gathered all these resources and sites, pictures and readings, SOOOO much. But hadn't done anything with it. Then I saw your work and felt inspired in several ways.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I felt inspired to see "Hamilton". I have never seen it and heard such positive things. But your blog made me want to see it, hear it, listen to it, study it, and maybe even teach it! I can tell you are so passionate both about music but also about this musical in particular. When did you first see "Hamilton"? What was it that MOST resonated with you? What song was most inspiring? Have you been able to see a large scale production?
Second, I was inspired by your infographics. I had struggled on another site and once you talked about using canva.com, I decided to go there and had a far more positive time. Thanks for the recommendation to use canva.com.
Finally, I have used your work as a guideline for my own project. With every post and page I have asked myself "Is it at least as good as Brittany's blog?" Seriously. You set the standard girl! I honestly feel that the day will come that you choose to pursue your Master's Degree and you will excel and stand above the crowd. Keep up your excellent work. I look forward to hearing wonderful things about your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Joy Cushman
joy.cushman@zpsd.org
Hello Brittany! I enjoyed reading your post because your passion is demonstrated and I see how you want to continue learning and researching the way you did. Thank you for sharing. I am sorry to post on your blog even though someone else already has, (I will be going camping in the middle of nowhere for the weekend and you are the only other blog at the moment). Anyway, your reflection will help you in the future on how to present as a teacher and how you can better your lesson; those are great characteristics of an educator.
ReplyDeleteFinal Thoughts:
ReplyDeleteYou ask about exploring "controversial issues and language within Hamilton." You ask: "How can we appreciate the text as a whole without supporting the controversial subtopics and events?" You need to unpack the controversial subtopics because we do not know our own accurate American history, because we lack the courage, honesty to want to know?
Your question: "Do we need to provide an alternate text for differentiation, or students who are not comfortable with the story's content?" If you communicate with your students (and parents) and prepare them that you will be exploring the difference between historical myths and truths about our own Founding Fathers and what they will learn in the process is part of rectifying their understanding of our history. If you do not feel comfortable tackling the controversial topics, then collaborate with a history teacher or another colleague so he/she can lead this line of inquiry. We need to be courageous enough to teach our own American history with more accuracy. If not we are perpetuating inaccuracies and this does not benefit our students in the least.
Appreciatively, Frances