A News Production Project!
Written by Mr. Wilmott
Good day, good day, good day. By all accounts, our recent parent-teacher meetings went well with congratulations, concerns and advice shared between both parties.
That aside, I’m very pleased to be the messenger this week to inform you of an exciting development here at CTBC International Academy. Among the many activities of our educators and students, one really stands out. Ms. Nacar has taken a unique approach in her high school literature class. Ms. Nacar decided to use the graphic novel about the holocaust and Nazi occupation during world war II, Maus.
This book has some heavy themes; dealing with the potential dark nature of people and suffering. To bring some fun into this she has decided to divide the class into two groups with each group acting out a news broadcast of an event in the book. Each group will have a news anchor, a field reporter, witnesses, a psychological analyst and a historical analyst.
One objective Ms Nacar is aiming for is developing empathy. With some of the students being witnesses, they really had to become part of the event which helped with that aim. Each student has to write their own script so that means teamwork. They have to work together to make the newscast flow and look real. Even though the material is grim, the students interacting with each other help lighten the mood and make this easier to talk about and discuss.
“It has been really rewarding watching them step up to share ideas. Even the ‘quiet’ ones are sharing their voices. Everyone is encouraging each other. Even though I’m a little concerned with their final product, the process has been a huge success,” she said.