Changing By The Minute
One year in a startlingly upbeat public middle school in New York City — that mixes 5th – 8th graders in most classes, and somehow it actually works.
a screening page for The Center School and friends
I spent one year embedded in the Center School and created two documentaries (62min, 10min) that provide a view into this unique community that embraces early adolescence with joy, flexibility, and deep acceptance.
These films are intended as a celebration of Elaine Schwartz and the tremendous school staff but also as a tool to help reverse the narrative of early adolescence as a negative time. The documentary tool kit is currently being used by AMLE (Association of Middle Level Education), Success Bound, Youth-Nex Center for Positive Youth Development, Middle Grades Collaborative, schools and colleges around the country, and more to come. (You can read more about the project here).
Watch both films from this page. Share with friends, families and colleagues (especially middle school principals, parents, PA and afterschool leads). Would love to hear what you think.
Thank you for everything and congratulations, Ms. Schwartz!
Camilla Calamandrei
RollingRiverMedia@gmail.com
Ps. Drop me a note if you have questions or would like to organize a screening, I am especially interested in expanding our reach to parents and PA groups.
Pure joy!
— Sara Davis Powell, Belmont Abbey College
A novel and extraordinary window into the world of early adolescence.
— Penny Bishop, University of Maine
A terrific documentary and an authentic portrait of what it means to be an early adolescent today.
— Phyllis Fagell, Author “Middle School Matters”
Documentary and Tool Kit
The Changing By The Minute documentary tool kit includes two films, bonus clips and discussion guides developed by subject matter experts to:
- Engage 10-14 year olds in meaningful conversation that increases a sense of school belonging
- Catalyze dynamic professional development sessions with teachers and administrators
- Prepare teacher candidates and afterschool staff to work most effectively with students
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Connect with parents and families about what to expect developmentally during these years.
From this page you can access:
- Changing By The Minute – 62 min documentary by award-winning filmmaker and child development experts
- Y’All R Real Ones: Middle School Moments – 10 min short documentary (based on the same footage but meant to be used on its own)
- Bonus Clips for Educators– 28 min additional commentary, anecdotes, insights
- 6 discussion guides for using the short and long films with students and educators
- 1 discussion guide for using the bonus clips with educators
Headphones / external speakers recommended. Laptop speakers not recommended.
Click “expand” button on lower right of each window to view full screen.
TURN captions on or off via CC symbol, in lower right hand side of player.
Trailer (3 min)
Changing By The Minute (62 min documentary with sections)
SECTIONS
00:00 The School
12:11 Friendship
16:09 Identity
31:41 Choices
46:29 Community
Y’All R Real Ones: Middle School Moments (10 min documentary)
Bonus Clips
Click here to access seventeen short clips of commentary, anecdotes, and insights that are intended to augment the 62 min. documentary film Changing By the Minute and provide jumping off places for additional conversations.
Discussion Guides
Discussion Guide for using short film with 10-14 year olds, during school and afterschool
Discussion Guide for using short film with new teachers, teacher candidates, and school counselor candidates
Discussion Guide for using 10min short film in professional development sessions with teachers, administrators and school staff
Discussion Guide for using 62min film with 10-14 year olds during school and after school.
Discussion Guide for using 62min film in professional development sessions with teachers, administrators and school staff
Discussion Guide for using 62min film with new teachers, teacher candidates, and school counselor candidates
Discussion Guide for using Bonus Clips with teachers, administrators, teacher candidates, college students, after school staff
To learn more, see: ChangingByTheMinute.com
If you know a school offering middle grades instruction or teacher education that would like to review the documentary tool kit, have them contact: RollingRiverMedia@gmail.com