Luminari’s Lesson Plans and Videos: A Growing Impact
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, as schools around the world shuttered and students transitioned to remote learning, the team at Luminari found themselves facing a unique challenge. How could we continue to inspire and educate students from a distance? It was during one of these brainstorming sessions with Luminari President Hilda Pang Fu, Sheila Hyland, Gina Catanzarite and Patrice Lee – conducted over a video call – that the idea for providing educational and engaging video content was born.
Luminari has since been making significant strides in educational outreach through its innovative lesson plans and captivating video content available to teachers for free. Since their introduction, these resources have been downloaded thousands of times, demonstrating their value and impact on educators and students alike.
Impressive Download Statistics
To date, our free lesson plans, directed and produced by Gina Catanzarite and featuring many local professionals and educators, have been downloaded an impressive 3,187 times from the popular online store Teachers Pay Teachers [https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Abcs-Of-Journalism-accuracy-Brevity-Clarity]. This remarkable achievement highlights the quality and relevance of their materials, which primarily cater to middle and high school students, aligning with Luminari’s target audience of rising 8th-12th graders. But the reach doesn’t stop there. Some of these downloads were specifically for special needs and spectrum students, as well as ESL learners, with the “Camp Delicious – Comfort Food” lesson plan being a particular favorite.
Luminari’s story is one of dedication, innovation, and a growing impact on the world of education. Our journey continues, inspiring educators and students alike to embrace the joy of learning.
Here is a breakdown of our most popular lesson plans:
- Teen Writer – Using Your 5 Senses: 667 downloads
- Camp Delicious – All About Herbs: 529 downloads
- Speak & Tell – Overcoming Stage Fright: 487 downloads
- Speak & Tell – Body Language: 311 downloads
- Teen Writer – Verbs: 302 downloads
- Camp Delicious – Don’t Fear the Fish: 272 downloads
- Speak & Tell – Focus Your Message: 250 downloads
- Camp Delicious – Comfort Food: 221 downloads
- Teen Writer – What If…?: 148 downloads
Expanding Our Reach Through Online Video
Luminari’s educational videos have also seen a continuous increase in reach since their production nearly four years ago. These videos cover a range of topics, from public speaking and writing to culinary arts, and are designed to complement the lesson plans. The “pebble in the pond” effect of our videos has been profound, quietly yielding results and expanding our impact while ensuring that more students and educators benefit from these valuable tools.
We Would Love to Hear From You!
Have you had the chance to use any of our online video resources or lesson plans in your classroom? We would greatly appreciate your feedback on your experience. Your thoughts on how the materials have been received and utilized are invaluable to us. Send your response to luminari@luminari.org and share your insights and suggestions so we can continue to improve and support your educational needs.
