O'Connor

At This Moment I Am

Over 6 weeks, students explored and reflected on how identity is portrayed and understood in both a public and personal way. They analyzed and discussed multiple news articles, excerpts from a novel, as well as a few poems to have a complete understanding of identity. Finally, they wrote personal statements, which they read and recorded, expressing who they are, at this moment. These students epitomize the bravery, empathy, intelligence, and vulnerability of students at Robert T. Hill.

On December 16th, students presented their identities through a video exhibition as they recorded themselves reading their "At This Moment I Am" statement.

Please watch these exceptional students be confident and vulnerable to an authentic audience of community stakeholders (originally posted on Instagram 12/16/20).

Students worked through 7 phases of the project, each with variations of of essential questions about identity. Within each section, students combined reading, writing, thinking, and communicating skills to further develop their understanding of their own and other's identities. This progression of the phases help gradually grow both academic skills and soft skills.

While the initial phases of the project signaled areas of growth for students' soft skills, it gave concrete and personal connections to academic work. With each phase, students developed their ability to not only communicate, but be vulnerable and trust others with whom they are sharing. Simultaneously, this project bolstered confidence & ability in not only those skills, but in each students' self.

The ability for students to be invested in themselves as a part of academic growth was a significant motivator - and it demonstrated that self-interest as relevance is a significant avenue into engagement. After completing the District's second Common Assessment in December, nearly all students showed growth and close to 40% demonstrated Mastery level performance - an increase of 17% from the first Common Assessment.

Students search for objects outside to create a self-portrait.

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