Heart of the Harvest: GoPro POV Perspective of Migrant Harvesting
Review & Reflect
Remind students of the reflection that they completed on the previous day from the perspective of an immigrant to a new country. Ask them to think about what they wrote and share some thoughts on the challenges of this concept. Ask them to share what their ideas were about possible work and schooling in their new homes...
Depending on the amount that has passed or the amount of review needed by each class, the foundational knowledge regarding population and immigration can be highlighted. Ask students to elaborate:
- What do you remember about the state of New Jersey from our data?
- What do you think we are going to do next?
- What seasonal crops do you know of? What, when, and where are they found?
From Field to Table
Think, Pair, Share Activity:
Ask students to pair up and pull the name of a fruit or vegetable from a bag. Have them briefly discuss where it is grown, how it is harvested, how it should be stored, transported, and then used. They may have never thought about this sequence before so let students know that they are about to learn more about the origins of their food. Include some unusual and intriguing content if possible!
Video Part 1: To the Fields
Ask students to watch the first video in this series. As they watch, they can use a Circle Map to write down any 'Ah ha' or 'What about' moments that they encounter. It can be as simple as a word or even a sketch. The circle maps will be the basis for discussion and inquiry later on.
Heart of the Harvest Part 1: To the Field
This is the 1st in a series of 6 Parts of the Heart of the Harvest open education resource on migrant work. In this video, we meet the owner/operator of a Florida-based harvesting company, whose workers are the focus of these videos. We also see the the ways that fields are assessed for cultivation and how workers are transported from labor camp to field each day.Created on GoPro equipment.Filmed and edited by Allison Barajas.
Before students watch the second video, explain that they will be seeing a more up-close view of this type of farm work. Ask students to predict what they expect to see in this video. Accept various answers and use them to compare the students' observations afterward.
Video Part 2: Zachary
Heart of the Harvest Part 2: Zachary
This is the 2nd in a series of 6 videos as part of the Heart of the Harvest GoPro Learning Challenge unit of study. In this video you will meet Zachary, a gentleman from Haiti who works alongside his brother and son in the fields. Zachary has migrated to work with the same farm and contractor every year for the past 10 years. You will also get to see the point of view video from Zachary's perspective as well as a glimpse at the humor and affection among the workers and harvest contractor. Created on GoPro equipment. Filmed and edited by Allison Barajas.
Before students watched Zachary's video, they were asked to predict what they expected to see in this video. Ask students to compare their expectations with what they actually saw. Was the work what they imagined? How would they as a student feel about traveling to another country to work with one of their parents?
Next, ask students to think about what they do over summer break. Take volunteered answers. These may be about a summer job, a family vacation, or any number of experiences. Ask students what comes to mind when they think about the kinds of summer jobs that high school students usually have. Now, tell them that they are about to see a video of one of their peers. Cristian is a 16 year old high school student from South Florida, who travels ever summer with his family. In this video shot in July 2014, it is his first season working in the field and earning his own paycheck as part of the family harvesting business.
Video Part 3: A Student's Perspective
Heart of the Harvest Part 3: A Student's Perspective
This is the 3rd in a series of 6 videos as part of the Heart of the Harvest GoPro Learning Challenge unit of study. In this video you will meet Cristian, who is a 16 year old born and raised in South Florida. He works for the family harvesting business in the summer and you will see his POV from a box truck and fruit receiving line. Cristian is interviewed and shares his views on the business of agriculture and on the life of
mmigrant workers. Cristian uses the GoPro Head Strap Mount and the GoPro App to control his activity during the day. Created on GoPro equipment. Filmed and edited by Allison Barajas.
Created on GoPro equipment. Filmed and edited by Allison Barajas.
Heart of the Harvest Part 4: Vincente
This is the 4th in a series of 6 videos as part of the Heart of the Harvest GoPro Learning Challenge unit of study. This video highlights the process of worker application and verification to work in the U.S. The worker featured in this video is named Vincente. He is a man from Honduras who has been coming to work the same New Jersey farm with the same contractors for nearly 20 years. His joyful spirit and view on life shine through in his POV section. One person migrating to work a season in the U.S. can have a positive effect on the lives of dozens back in their country of origin.
Created on GoPro equipment. Filmed and edited by Allison Barajas.
Heart of the Harvest Part 5: Oldin and Soccer Life
This is the 5th in a series of 6 videos as part of the Heart of the Harvest GoPro Learning Challenge unit of study. The video shows the kind of relationships built in the field among workers. Wilner is a Haitian worker who learned Spanish in the Dominican Republic. Wilner often assists the Harvest Contractor in translation to Creole. In the video Wilner is off camera teaching a young man named Oldin phrases in both Creole and English. Oldin wears a GoPro Chesty Mount. It is Oldin's first year picking and her is from Honduras. Oldin displays the blend of hard work and humor that exists in the field, as he has a friendly battle with a co-worker throughout the video.
In addition, the video contains a POV from a worker named Isreal, who also wears a GoPro Chesty Mount as the workers play a lively game of soccer. Labor camps have soccer matches and compete against each other. Cristian gives an account of his own reflection on the real lives of the workers and how having an open mind has led him to learn about cultures and the human spirit.
Created on GoPro equipment. Filmed and edited by Allison Barajas.
Heart of the Harvest Part 6: Distance and Reflection
This is the 6th in a series of 6 videos as part of the Heart of the Harvest GoPro Learning Challenge unit of study. Migrant work is a complex endeavor that requires hard work and sacrifice from laborers, harvesters, farmers, and the families they leave behind. Harvest Contractor Mario Barajas reflects on his childhood being brought up as a migrant child, and his current life as a business owner. Cristian reflect on being away from his family and a worker who suffered a tragedy is featured and remembered.
Created on GoPro equipment. Filmed and edited by Allison Barajas.