An unexpected encounter occurs in the middle of the ocean in this claymation by the Walt Whitman Video Club.
The Tale of the Pink House
One day, The Walt Whitman Video Club made chalk drawings on the neighborhood sidewalks. Here is one by Claire and Berlie. Although Claire and Berlie were not thinking of it at the time, they later said that the story reminded them of the earthquake in Haiti; many other students had a similar reaction. As the sun set in Flatbush, night also fell in the chalk drawing, adding to the symbolism and power of story.
The Universe of Names
This fall, we have been discussing the themes of identity and community. We have done projects focusing on names- what they mean and where they are from. Here is a chalk drawing animation by Latea, Denisia, and Barbara in which their names and identities are expressed though design and color (not to mention matching shoes), and music.
Our Trip to Brower Park
Our Trip to Brower Park
by Alison Mercure
When school was over at 2:20, I went downstairs to the cafeteria to BCCP and I saw that they were asking students to sit down. Some students had to leave because they did not get their trip slips signed. So, I got a snack. I ate pretzels and Graham Crackers with Apple Juice. Miss Jill was taking attendance for those who were going, and I was one of them. Before we left, we had to go use the restroom. I took Hadja with me, and then we had to go.
When it was time to leave, we gathered our stuff and we had to walk all the way to the Church Ave station. We had to take the 2 train to Franklin Ave and then we transferred to the 3 train to Kingston Ave. We got off and we were in Brower Park in Crown Heights. We met Phil and he showed us how to plant daffodil bulbs. Phil showed us how to dig in the dirt with a shovel and put the bulbs in order. Then, we covered them with dirt. And work, work, work we did. Meanwhile, we finished. So, we went over to the other side to help Veronica rake the leaves and put them in black garbage bags. I raked the leaves in to a pile and picked them up. I collected the leaves and we finally called it a day. Before we left, we took some pictures and grabbed our backpacks and we left for McDonald’s.
Well, I have to say, the trip was so cool. But, the train ride, not cool! It was so crowded because it was rush hour. Everyone almost fell on the floor. We took the 3 and 2 train back to Church Ave and we got off. We went to McDonald’s and we had McDouble’s and McChicken’s. I ate a McChicken with BBQ sauce and it was the 2’nd time I ate it. Unfortunately, the staff said everyone had to go home. I took Hadja back to the school and there was my Mom. My mother had been waiting for me since 5:30 P.M. Hadja met my mom and she walked home. This was the best day ever! The End!
Walt Whitman visits Brooklyn College!
We had the pleasure of hosting class 803 and 804 at the college this month! Thank you Mr. Thornhill and Ms. Caughman for making these trips possible. The kids had a great time exploring the campus and doing the scavenger hunt, as well as doing arts workshops with Miss Arin…check out some of the photos:
Monsters in the Park
Inspired by a myth about the sun and the moon, as well as a commercial that features a certain Ozzy Osbourne song, the students at MS 246 created this AWESOME animation. We spent a day cutting out shapes for our scenes, which turned into a nice day at the park (except for some brief inclement weather). The next day we animated the scene by using frame by frame animation. At the end of the day, some really adorable monsters showed up and ate everything in the scene.
CUP Screening at Anthology Film Archives
CUP Teaching Artist Douglas Paulson and students from the BCCP’s afterschool program at Walt Whitman Middle School looked deep into the emptiness and investigated hidden uses, ownership patterns, and alternate futures for the lots right near their school. They interviewed a community development consultant, an affordable housing advocate, a real estate expert, and asked property owners some tough questions to uncover the surprisingly full lives of empty lots. They collaboratively produced a documentary called “The Good, The Bad, & The Empty,” which premiered at Anthology Film Archives on Tuesday, June 1.
Congratulations to Alex, Ragjay, Shanice, Evette, Latifa, Stephan, Deshawn, Freddie and Angela!!!
“The Good, The Bad and the Empty”
A truly amazing group of 8th graders here at Whitman worked with CUP Teaching Artist, Doug Paulson, to investigate, film and create a documentary about abandoned lots here in East Flatbush…they did an incredible job and had a premiere at Anthology Film Archives on Tuesday night…everyone was so impressed with the students and the film, they really couldn’t believe that they were only in middle school!
The Good, The Bad, & The Empty from The BCCP on Vimeo.
Talent Show!!!
“Divas in Motion” from M.S. 246 performed on Friday at BCAL’s Talent Show, alongside AMAZING talent from all of our Sites…singers, poets, ragtime pianists and more dancers…so much incredible talent was exhibited, everyone should be very proud of themselves!
- On our way…
- The Divas…
- Rodeisha, Isreal, Kayla, Kermana, Chantelle, and Tyshana
- our first fashion show…
- Aryian and Shanida
Ice Skating on Valentine’s Day!
Yesterday we took a trip to the Pond at Bryant Park…where there was lots of skating, laughter, and falling…lots of falling. It was a great time!
- Kevin (amazing intern)
- Miss Jill and the crew…
- Alex, Rodeisha, Leroy and Klarisa
- Carnell (supercoach), Kris and Gabriel (wonderful interns)
- Miss Sheena and Miss Oasa, Clyfford and Jose
- Alahnie and Treysean
- Leroy and Kenny
- Devante and D'Andre
- Edwins!
- Tiffany (fantastic intern) and Tamia
- Alahnie
- Shanida and Aryian
- Devante!
- Omar
- RoRo
- Leroy (pro ice skater)
- Edwins as penguin
- David as penguin
- amazing interns, waiting in line…
- Kenny and the B train
- Jose and Omar
- Leroy
- RoRo, Tyshana, Clyfford, Devante, Ralph, Jeffrey…
BCAL News – Community Outreach
BCAL News – Community Outreach from BCCP Video on Vimeo.
As part of our collaboration with Sustainable Flatbush, we are reaching out to the community to get involved in the Church Ave Community Garden. Here is a little report on a recent community outreach excursion…
Community Gardening – Reusable Materials Workshop
On Wednesday we walked over to the Church Ave Community Garden site to help decorate some vegetable planters…
We learned that Sustainable Flatbush had reused olive containers from the food co-op to create these planting pots, and we helped them to decorate them! Stay tuned for a news report as well…
New Song from Treysean, Tamia and Tyshanna
Featuring Gabriel [one of the best musicians I've ever met] Charles,
check it out:
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BCCP/Walt Whitman Basketball! – It’s Official!
More than we ever imagined possible…thank you so much Carnell for creating this fantastic athletics program!
Clockwise from left: Dante, Jose, Jamario, Sean, Damario, Bryant, Kennedy, Gregory, Sidik, Kenny, Alex, Rivington, Gerald, Kiyafi, Junior, Clyfford, Henry, Gordon, Treysean, Zach, Omar, Mac, Jeffrey, Ralph, Jarod, Clevens
Class 704 @ Brooklyn College!
It was a really fun trip! We learned a lot and it made me think about going to Brooklyn College…and it was great to make this song with Mr. Entrified!
-Jamario and Kimani
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The BCCP Music Club @ Walt Whitman 2011
Everyone designed a cover and we made them all! Special Editions for Everyone!
1. They Won’t Break Me Down
Malik Manmohan and Gabriel Charles
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2. Be Myself Again
Gabriel Charles, Treysean Perry, Jose Etienne, Tamia Cody,Alahnie Bailey, Tyshana Greene
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3. What’s Up With This Jealousy
Tamia Cody, Tyshana Greene, Kermana Clarke
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4. You Can’t Give Up Love
Leroy Lecky, Chantelle Coote, Alahnie Bailey
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5. Heartbroken
Jennifer Louis, Hadriana Leveque,Guypshamma Beneche, Charline Clerveau
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6. Rising Star
Tamia Cody, Alahnie Bailey
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7. H.R.G. (Hood Rich General)
Frantz François, Treysean Perry, Tyshana Greene, Mark Mackenzie, Gordon Sarah
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8. Five Stars In The Sky
Klarissa Dejesus, Tamia Cody, Roberto E Perez (keys)
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9. This Is My Moment
Leroy Lecky, Treysean Perry, Tamia Cody, Gordon Sarah, Omar Perry
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10. Look At Me Now
Trevaughn Gallimore and Gabriel Charles
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11. Funky Mama
Lyndon Achee, Tyshana Greene and The Crew
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12. Thank You For Everything
Class 704
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Knowledge is Power! Choosing a High School 2011
Last night, the BCCP hosted a special event for parents and students from Walt Whitman MS 246, aptly named “Knowledge is Power – Choosing a High School 2011.” Ms. Terry, Walt Whitman alumna and Brooklyn College Undergraduate Admissions Director, gave a warm and welcoming opening address. Denise Paige, BCCP College Access Director, provided a great workshop which helped parents to navigate the often confusing and sometimes tricky NYC High School application process. In what was barely the third week of school, myself, Ms. Richardson and Ms. Vixamar (Parent Coordinator) from MS 246 promoted the workshop, helped to get everyone to BCAL (Brooklyn College Art Lab) and pulled the event together. This is the first of many workshops for Walt Whitman parents, stay tuned for more!
What’s in a name?
This week in Video Club we created our own alphabet with “found letters,” which we then turned into our names. We also found out the origins of our names, for example, “Denisia” comes from the Latin Dionysos or Dionysus, referring to the Greek god. In Art Club, we also played around with our names, but this time on T-Shirts. Thanks Miss Arin and Miss O!
Shot Composition Scavenger Hunt
In order to better understand the visual language of cinema, the Video Club at MS 246 learned about the different types of shots there are in video, such as high angle, pan, and extreme close up. We also discussed the different emotional and psychological effects these shots have on the viewer. Then the students took to the neighborhood streets and the school’s hallways in a scavenger hunt for the different types of shots. It was fun to be in front of the camera as well as behind the camera. Here is a compilation of some of their findings, many of them beautifully composed and lit.