Past projects 3
Building Empathy through Critical Literacy
Funded Aug 12, 2024My students and I are so grateful for the opportunity to complete this project. They loved reading this story and the difficult conversations we were able to have because of the beautifully developed story in the graphic novel Long Way Down.
Students devoured this story and many even read it a second time. We used the text to explore various themes, such as forgiveness, desire for revenge, and the perpetual cycles of violence. Students identified how the structure and rhetorical devices used by the author contributed to the development of these themes as well as author's purpose. This allowed students to understand why the author introduced these ideas and how he wanted to convey his message to adolescents. They loved and hated the ending, which required students to draw their own conclusions. It allowed us to discuss why an author would make such a choice. It allowed them to think about what they would do in that situation.
Over the course of our unit, we were able to explore ideas of grief and how different people and communities respond to events, especially those connected to violence. This opportunity allowed students to connect with a high interest text, while getting to explore difficult and emotional topics, which really allowed them to develop empathy and critical literacy skills they might not have been able to acquire with a different text. Thank you again for your generous contributions and for allowing my students the opportunity to learn and grow in a multifaceted and meaningful way.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Owen
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org Teen Mental Health Initiative.The Graphic Novel: Visualizing Language for All
Funded Sep 3, 2023I can't begin to thank you enough for contributing to our classroom and the learning experiences of students. Throughout the semester, we incorporate reading in a variety of ways, whether we are reading as a class or independently with our choice novels.
For my graphic novel students, they have the unique opportunity to read and learn in different and engaging ways. They can use the rich visuals and purposeful language and style choices and apply their understanding to more complex texts. The most rewarding part though is the ability to spark a love of reading with students using literature they want to read. It's the moments where a previously struggling reader cannot put down their book because they are so engaged in it.
This semester students read choice graphic novels and then used their learning to analyze rhetorical devices used in the graphic novel adaptation of The Great Gatsby. They then created their own visual representations of important symbols and metaphors connected to themes within the novel. Without your support and generosity, my students would not have had this same enriching experience. Thank you again for supporting education and my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Owen
This classroom project was brought to life by Colorado Department of Education.Graphic Novels: Giving Students a Choice
Funded Aug 31, 2023I can't begin to thank you enough for contributing to our classroom and the learning experiences of students. Throughout the semester, we incorporate reading in a variety of ways, whether we are reading as a class or independently with our choice novels.
For my graphic novel students, they have the unique opportunity to read and learn in different and engaging ways. They can use the rich visuals and purposeful language and style choices and apply their understanding to more complex texts. The most rewarding part though is the ability to spark a love of reading with students using literature they want to read. It's the moments where a previously struggling reader cannot put down their book because they are so engaged in it.
This semester students read choice graphic novels and then used their learning to analyze rhetorical devices used in the graphic novel adaptation of The Great Gatsby. They then created their own visual representations of important symbols and metaphors connected to themes within the novel. Without your support and generosity, my students would not have had this same enriching experience. Thank you again for supporting education and my students.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Owen
This classroom project was brought to life by LOFT and 2 other donors.