E-mail contact
Margaret Hoyt
mhoyt@boston.k12.ma.us

Teacher Bio
Margaret Hoyt teaches Television Production in the Media Pathway at West Roxbury High School, a Massachusetts Service Learning Leader school where her signature course provides hands-on integration of English Language Arts skills and video/computer technology. A National Board Certified, English Language Arts /Young Adult teacher, she is also a Massachusetts Master Teacher, Boston Lead Teacher and Mentor to several beginning teachers. As member of the National Faculty and a MetLife Fellow, she was honored as Boston's Human Rights Teacher of the Year. Maggie is liaison to Suskind Young at Arts at Boston's Wang Center. After nearly thirty years of teaching, this TeachNet web advisor still loves her profession because kids and the arts are her passion.

Subject Areas
Television Production I & II

Grade Levels
11 - 12

Students
High School students (inclusive) mentor Grade 5 bilingual students

 
 

Women of Substance ~
Broadcasting Their Stories

Authenticity

Key Question How can high school students combine English Language Arts & Multi-Media skills to educate their peers and younger children about three women represented in a recently dedicated public art sculpture?

Overview Students research the Boston Women's Memorial (BWM) celebrating three historic figures Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley, and Lucy Stone whose writings continue to challenge the American consciousness. The high schoolers accompany fifth grade buddies from a neighboring school to the Adams National Historical Park and exchange reflections. Composing scripts for a Public Service Announcement (PSA) and a Monologues Series, they polish writing and role-playing skills. The school community applauds their final videotaped portraits broadcast on WRHS TV3, the school's closed circuit Channel 1 Station. As they write letters to the editor and assemble displays for the school Service Learning Festival, the young producers persuade their peers and younger buddies to value both women of substance and public art.

Active Exploration + Applied Learning + Adult Connections
Classroom Activities
Community Activities
Career Activities
• Take a virtual or actual tour of BWM.
• Research lives of Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley & Lucy Stone.
• Prepare video scripts for monologue, interview or news report.
• Create storyboard for a 30-60 second PSA featuring 3 women of substance.
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Record for school airtime.
•
Assemble BWM display for school library & Service Learning Festival.

 

 
• Review BWM & send letters to editors to local papers.
• Mentor Grade 5 buddies on visit to Adams National Historical Park.
• Begin project journal & share reflections with National Park Rangers & buddies.
• Broadcast PSA & monologues on WRHS TV3.
• Invite buddies to Service Learning Festival.
• Distribute What Did You Learn? after sharing videos & displays at Learning Festival.
• Research BWM sculptor Meredith Bergmann.
• Conduct Internet search of careers in National Park Service.
• Interview theater teacher/amateur actor on role-playing for monologues.
• Exchange email messages with Boston Women's Heritage Trail (BWHT) organizers & BWM supporters.
• Receive feedback on videos from professional producer.


Academic Rigor
Learning Standards English Language Arts
• Connect what is read with experiences and experiences of others.
• Employ effective research & study skills.
• Engage in historical analysis & interpretations.
• Conduct effective discussions.
• Make effective presentations.
• Analyze, interpret & evaluate literature.
• Understand and use the writing process effectively.
• Understand and express different points of view.
• Employ various conflict resolution strategies.
• Employ various formats & technologies to complete and enhance work.

School to Career Competencies
• Practice communication and literacy skills.
• Organize and analyze information.
• Problem solve.
• Use technology.
• Act professionally.
• Take responsibility for career and life choices.
• Complete entire activities.
• Interact with others.
• Understand all aspects of the industry.

Assessment

Journal reflections on students' experiences and group process follow the DARE method (Describe, Analyze, Reflect, Evaluate). Students and teacher periodically hold feedback sessions to screen and edit video footage. Written and oral presentations are assessed by Did I? Sheets for PSA and Monologues with clearly established rubrics. Peers and teachers review Learning Festival process and evaluate Feedback Sheets completed by visitors.

Software or Materials Used For Technology: digital camera still & video; IMOVIE editing program & fire wire connecting cable to computer & digital camera; for Monologues: second-hand clothing and objects to create costumes, props and sets; for Research: Adams National Historical Park Teacher Materials from People and Places Program: Pen & Parchment; From Penn's Hill Pennsylvania; The Bostonian Society Resource Guide from Teaching Boston History Workshop: "Abigail Adams, Lucy Stone, Phillis Wheatley ~ Patriotism, Poetry and Persistence"; "The Boston Women's Memorial Curriculum Writing for Change: The Power of Women's Words" (contact BWHT for availability and ordering information); Boston Women's Heritage Trail Guidebook.

Teacher Developed Materials BWM dedication video and photos; photos of Adams National Historical Park visit and class projects; Did I? Sheets on PSA and Monologues.

Student Developed Materials Project Journals, Scripts for Monologues and PSA, Letters to the Editor, videos on Women of Substance for PSA and Monologues, Feedback Sheets.

Web Sites Abigail Adams; The Phillis Wheatley Page; "To His Excellency, General Washington" poem by Phillis Wheatley and explanation; Lucy Stone; Boston Women's Heritage Trail; City of Boston: Boston Women's Memorial.

Final Words Students remember the ladies by getting in the subjects' skins. Role-playing women of substance makes a difference. Even the boys become involved with "Herstories."

Teacher Tip I keep boys engaged by adding male characters who interact with the women during their Monologues. President John Adams enjoys life with Abigail after the Presidency. George Washington reads Phillis Wheatley's letter and poem. Lucy Stone's husband Henry Blackwell and President Abraham Lincoln voice their support of the heroic abolitionist.
 
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