What Schoolwork Are You Most Proud of This Year?

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “the reward of a thing well done is having done it.”

These timeless words certainly apply to the schoolwork New York City public school students have completed during a school year like no other!

All year long, the NYC Department of Education’s #ShowYourSchoolworkNYC series is highlighting the outstanding schoolwork City public school students of all grade levels (3K–12) are completing in blended and remote learning settings across the five boroughs—and we’d like YOU to join us in celebrating this great work!

So whether you’re an NYC high school student who created an outstanding acrylic painting for AP 2D Studio Art, a parent who is proud of their middle schooler’s family tree project, or a pre-k teacher with students who know all about their five senses, we want to hear all about your favorite school assignments completed during the 2020–21 school year.

Have some schoolwork you’d like to share with us? Fill out our official Show Your Schoolwork NYC Intake Form, and submit photos, videos, and descriptions of the schoolwork you would like us to review. We’ll then follow up with you directly if we’re interested in featuring your entry on the DOE’s official Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages, as well as The Morning Bell.

Tips for Getting Featured on the #ShowYourSchoolworkNYC Series

Want to improve your chances of having your schoolwork highlighted as part of our #ShowYourSchoolworkNYC series? Consider the following tips as you work through our official Intake Form:

• Make sure you complete the ENTIRE intake form

Many entries have been disqualified simply because applicants are not answering every question or uploading any video or photo content. Make sure you reach the “Thank you for your submission!” page, as reaching this page ensures that you have successfully submitted schoolwork to us for consideration.

• Hit us with your best shot.

When taking pictures or video, we suggest you consider some of the following factors, as they can make or break your chances of being featured this year.

• • • Keep your subject in frame: Try not to cut off important parts of your photos/videos with the edges of your frame. Keep your camera level, and watch for visible objects and logos that may distract from your subject.

• • • Better lighting = better visibility: Arguably the single most important aspect of photography and videography is lighting, so pay attention to the amount of light around you when capturing videos or photos. Watch out for any shadows you may be casting onto your subjects during your shoots, and be mindful of blur, particularly if you are capturing photos with writing.

• • • Clean your lens: Taking blurry photos? Try wiping your camera lens, preferably with a microfiber cloth.

• Don’t forget the “journey.”

Sometimes, the story behind your completed schoolwork may be more interesting than the actual schoolwork itself. Provide us with as many details as possible about your selected work. Ask yourself: why are you choosing this example? What did you/your student learn while completing this assignment? Did you have to overcome any challenges to complete this work? How many mistakes were made before completion? Any moments of inspiration?

Also, consider sending us images/photos that were taken over the course of an assignment; we’d love to see how student work can evolve as it is completed.

We cannot wait to see what you all send us in the coming days and weeks! Keep your eyes peeled for future entries for the #ShowYourSchoolworkNYC series on our social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) and right here on The Morning Bell!

Banner photo by RF._.studio. Used under Creative Commons license. Original can be found on Pexels.