Fairview-Marguerite students begin news broadcast program

That’s not Anderson Cooper reporting. Nor are we tuned in to Fox News.

Fairview-Marguerite’s important update will be coming from fourth grader Emylin Dalton, joined by co-anchor fourth grader Mayari Guzman Catalan translating the newscast in Spanish.

Fairview-Elementary Wildcats, led by teacher Elizabeth Hodge, are making BIG news, going high-tech, big screen, and virtual.

In the past, grade-level teachers were responsible for writing and submitting an article each month for the schoolwide newsletter, Hodge explained.

“Traditionally, the articles consisted of grade-level news and classroom expectations,” she said. “Although a brief paper newsletter is still being compiled and sent home to families, we are taking a new approach at communicating our school news with our families and the community.”

Hodge, who teaches fourth grade, wanted to cut down on paper usage and deliver school news in a quick, fun, efficient, and educational way. When she thought about how she received her local and national news, the answer was obvious: technology.

Fairview students, with the help of their classroom teachers, are writing and producing. Not only are they the news writers, they are also the newscasters!

With the help of Instructional Facilitator Darlene Smith, students are being filmed in front of a green screen while they deliver the news. This virtual technology allows them to anchor the news from a traditional newsroom similar to those found on daily television news, or do a “standup” on location.

A student is being trained to film the majority of the news segments, assuming a role in production.

Hodge went on to say, “The vision of the Virtual Newsletter is to continue to film through the school year. The students will assume the majority of the responsibility, and it will be a student-led production.”

Fairview principal Suzanne Wampler embraced the idea. “Technology and media are essential to our everyday lives, so why not allow our students to learn to use these tools responsibly? Students are able to take ownership of telling our school’s stories.”

Students are thrilled to be a part of this exciting news platform.

Fourth grader A.J. Hughes had this to say: “I love filming the news! It gives parents all of the information they need to know about what is happening at school.

“The fun part is that we get to write and read a script,” he added. “When we are finished, it is awesome to see what we look like and that we are really on the TV news.”

“The response regarding the video news project has been overwhelmingly positive,” Hodge said. “Parents are enjoying watching their children and other students deliver the news that they need to know.”

Some students are translating their news so all of Fairview’s parents will be able to understand the provided information. Spanish is the first language of many of Fairview’s families.

“The project, which initially was intended to cut down on paper usage, has turned into a creative outlet for students and provides them a sense of ownership,” Hodge explained.

The video news can be found on the Fairview-Marguerite Elementary School Facebook page and is also being published to YouTube for archived access. A QR code is also placed on the paper newsletter for easy scanning and access.

Scott Ezell, who teaches video production at East High, said he can’t wait to see the Wildcat’s final products.

“Good video production tells a story,” Ezell told the FMES students. “In today’s world, it is one of the best ways we can communicate our message (our story) to the world and to our community.

“Many people do not take the time to read written newsletters from school, but they are willing to watch and listen to their children in a video.”

He challenged the young journalists: “Keep at it, and keep the community informed.”

As for advice for his young friends, “Remember that good quality sound in a video is just as important as a good, quality picture,” he said. “Have fun when you make your videos. Watch videos and movies often to see how other people are doing things and stories they are telling.”

Ezell said he cannot wait until these Fairview students are in his classes at East High.

Video production and green screen technology are being employed in other Fairview projects.

Fifth graders in Lindsey Hayes’ class have been using a video response tool called Flipgrid to take charge of their own learning.

Students are given a daily English/Language Arts review. They answer the questions, work in groups to discuss their individual answers, decide which answers on which they all agree, and use Flipgrid to video their group explaining why they chose the answer they chose.

“The student videos are then shared with the entire class as a review,” Hayes said.

First graders created projects on the solar system. Using the green screen technology, they placed themselves in their project. The projects were taken to another high-tech level.