Dear Saul,

     I'm so glad I went to the teacher conference!  I didn't think it would be worth the time and money, but it was!  I went to sessions on ESL, video literacy, and even digital video production seminars. 

     First, I learned about "video grammar," which consists of establishing shots, reaction shots, and perspective shots, respectively.  Just as grammar manipulates language to convey specific meaning, different video shots can communicate to the viewer.  But that's not all!  Music, sound effects, and lighting can all effect the conveyed meaning!

     How does this apply to teaching?  Why, my students can create and "deconstruct" film, developing their own ideas of our literature would look on screen!  Deconstruction allows the students to understand the relationship between reading and writing.  Finally, as the keynote speaker explained, the students can "construct personal stance on literature."  I cannot wait to use film in the classroom!

     Perhaps you were right after all!  Maybe I do need to be more open to multimodality in the classroom!


                                                                                                            Much love,
                                                                                                                      Sara