A Year at Mission Hill: Beginning of the Year and Making it Real

You may have read Mark Phillips' blog post about the ongoing documentary project A Year at Mission Hill. A month after the launch of the video series, the buzz has only grown. With a fantastic and artful Prezi about the series, new videos released every two weeks, and resources tailored to each episode from orgs around the world including Ashoka's Start Empathy project, What Kids Can Do, Responsive Classroom, Learning Matters, and more, this is shaping up to be a new kind of Web resource for those interested in education reform on a grassroots level. I'm excited to share episodes two and three here.

Chapter 2: Beginning the Year

What are the roots of a strong school community? Watch what happens in the first week of school at Mission Hill as the teachers and students come together to develop class rules, build relationships, get to know one another, and lay a foundation of respect and trust.

A Sample of the Resource Links for Chapter 2

• WATCH: Playlist of 9 Short Videos Focused on Teaching Strategies for the Beginning of the Year (NEFC/Responsive Classroom)
• READ: "How to Balance the Art & Science of Teaching," by Sam Chaltain
• LISTEN: Susan Oliver: A Teacher Unlocks Hidden Talents (WAMU / American University Radio)
• DO: Who Are You? A Questionnaire for Students on the First Day of School (What Kids Can Do)

See all resources for Chapter 2.

Chapter 3: Making it Real

What makes a mind come alive? In this episode, we get a first-hand view of how teachers develop their curriculum together, and how these experiences unfold for the students across subjects and grade levels.

A Sample of the Resource Links for Chapter 3

• WATCH: Dan Pink - Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us (RSA Animate)
• READ: "Is It Time to Stop Making the Grade?" by Sam Chaltain
• LISTEN: R. Dwayne Betts: Expanding Boundaries In Prison (WAMU / American University Radio)
• DO: Become Skilled in Critical Friendship (Faces of Learning)

See all resources for Chapter 3.

Follow the Twitter hashtag #YearatMH to stay up to date, or keep track on the Year at Mission Hill website. And stay tuned for more episodes to come!