My Voice Matters
INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING INSPIRED BY STUDENT INTEREST
MVM uses Inquiry-based learning inspired by student interest and journalistic methods to engage and inspire students at risk who are performing well below their grade level. MVM targets and increases “media fluency” – the capacity and ability to communicate and share information, ideas and concepts in a variety of media in an emotionally engaging, effective and productive manner, even within a resistant context.
My Voice Matters (MVM) activates and supports student Voice and Agency through student- based inquiry using the tools of journalism, experiential learning, media, creative writing, storytelling, presentation and publication.
MVM targets “media fluency” – the capacity and ability to communicate and share information, ideas and concepts in a variety of media in an emotionally engaging, effective and productive manner, even within a resistant context.
The MVM Method ignites a connection between student and mentor based on the mentors interest in WHO the student is, not data being shared or problems being solved. Teacher, Student and Mentor are all learning together, all are on a discovery of learning that originates with and is owned by the student.
Within the context of the class, MVM students have visited the USC bio-mechanics lab, the BOC stadium and LAFC offices downtown and interviewed national recognized artists, writers and musicians. When integrated into class work emphasizing reading, writing, co-creating and oral presentation, these experiences significantly extend students “horizon of opportunity” and give them the essential life-long learning tools to choose, shape and create their lives.
MVM LA is designed to meet the unique demographic and cultural needs of students and has achieved significant success at Lennox Middle School and The Accelerated School. We are in discussion with Lennox Middle School to expand MVM school wide and with the Lennox District to expand the program to other district schools in 2019. We are proud to have earned the support of USC Experiential and Applied Learning who is a content partner for our programs.
Considered our Core Program that introduces schools, teachers and students to the methods and benefits of our program, MVM Community and Culture engages and sustains students in active learning by first exploring who they are as a person, the history of their family and the heritage of their community and culture. We do this using the valuable tools of journalism and reporting: asking questions, doing effective interviews, connecting with your subject, doing and verifying research, writing, editing and revising working in teams, accepting productive criticism, working to schedules and deadlines and presenting your work to the class, school and public through a variety of media.
OVERVIEW
Produced in partnership with the USC department of Experiential and Applied Learning (EAL), and the Department of Bio-Mechanics at USC, Breakthrough LA’s My Voice Matters (MVM) presents PEAK PERFORMANCE SPORTS– sports themed STEAM workshops and programs that uses experiential learning techniques combined with journalism and presentation techniques and STEAM content to focus on achieving and sustaining peak performance in sports and the benefits to quality of life and careers.
Peak Performance Sports is an extension of the successful inter-curricular MVM Peak Performance Soccer Program and Summer Camp at The Accelerated School (TAS) and Lennox Middle School made possible by the generous support of LAFC Foundation and Tara Guber.
PEAK PERFORMANCE SPORTS BELIEVES
- Knowing Why is more important than knowing How:
understanding the underlying bio-mechanical principles of sports informs and enhances ow to play the sport and achieve Peak Performance. Being conscious of your thoughts, beliefs and emotions are powerful tools that help you realize and achieve your full capacity, not only in sports but also in life.
- Sports is a Powerful Model and Allegory – a “POV lens”- for Meaningful Learning.
Concepts and programs that emphasize the benefits of lensing ideas through spots that apply “off the field” will connect with the significant number of students (and teachers) who are not active and / or competitive players.
- Coach as Mentor Expands Students Capacity and Horizons
Viewing the Coach and Classroom Teacher as mentor and co-learner in learning behaviors, not just as an instructor in performance skills, is essential to the Meaningful Learning process and lifetime achievement.
PEAK PERFORMANCE SPORTS CORE PRINCIPLES
What you think and how you feel are powerful tools that help you realize and achieve your full capacity, not only in sports but also in life. Understanding the bio mechanics of the body not only unlocks your physical peak performance potential but also releases an incredible array of chemicals and hormones that affect your mind and your emotions; essential elements to attaining holistic Peak Performance.
CONDITIONING – Principles / Skills / Behaviors
COLLABORATING – Teamwork / Communication / Delegation
CO-CREATING – Innovation / Invention
PEAK PERFORMANCE SPORTS PROGRAM BENEFITS
– A powerful and effective student engagement tool
– Integrates sports, community and culture
– Connect sports to essential science and life skills
– Activates experiential and project-based learning elements
– Integrates essential research, interview, writing and presentation skills
– Facilitates one on one and group coaching / mentoring sessions
– Delivers a Full spectrum of STEAM elements
– Spotlights career opportunities in sports business and entertainment
