Past projects 2
Blindspotting: Movie and Discussion
Funded Oct 23, 2018Thank you so much for supporting this project! We were able to take our students to see Blindspotting at the Grand Lake Theater in December. The students were all so excited leading up to the trip after seeing the trailer, and only a couple had seen the movie already. The theater actually hosted a special early showing for us since the movie was no longer in theaters, so we were the only group in the theater, which was really fun for the kids.
The students overall loved the movie! They were all super attentive and engaged throughout the movie. They had fun picking out spots in Oakland that they recognized. They found the movie both funny and emotional, and I think it was a good way for many to think about and talk about the issues presented. Oftentimes, I think that movies about Oakland or about many of the issues touched on (gentrification, police brutality, incarceration) are so heavy and dark--not that these issues are not, but that shouldn't be the only narrative. What the students really appreciated was how the movie really captured the spirit and creativity of Oakland, which is intertwined with a lot of these more heavy issues that we experience every day out here.
On the bus back and after returning to school, students were talking a lot about the ending of the movie--some felt that it was too abrupt, that they wanted to see more. This opened up a good discussion about creative choices, and why the filmmakers chose to end how they did. We talked about what type of endings they would have written themselves, which might open the door for some fun creative writing in the future!
Again, thank you for your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Thomas
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Arts Funder and 4 other donors."Homegoing" Class Set
Funded Jan 29, 2019Thank you so much for your donation! I loved this book myself and am excited to teach using this text. I hope my students will gain just as much from the book. I want to push my students to read more, and this text is a great way to get students excited about reading as well as cover some really important history.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Thomas