Accepting Who We Are Through Empathy, Sensitivity and Self-Worth

Funded Oct 1, 2024

Thank you very much for all the materials. The students completed writing tasks that incorporated altruism and empathy. This was done through the lens of a Socratic Seminar and restorative justice circles in which students sat in a circle and spoke freely on whether or not the world is empathetic and altruistic as a whole. I told them I received materials from donors and they became very excited. This was apparent when we read, studied and analyzed John Steinbeck's masterpiece of a novella, Of Mice and Men. The book's setting is the Great Depression in Salinas California which is the perfect umbilical to critical thinking and writing about altruism and empathy.

Most students felt empathy for one of the main characters named Lennie. Due to his disability and low IQ he is the ideal character to study in depth. Lennie represents the less fortunate in society that are taken advantage of because they serve as "prey" for the predators. What makes the book unique is that Lennie has a best friend George who consistently comes to his defense as his caretaker. Eventually, George's loyalty is put to the test and he is forced to make the life-altering decision to kill Lennie--if he doesn't another man will. George kills Lennie out of love and mercy.

Students had a pretty visceral reaction to Lennie's murder. They consistently contested and debated Lennie's death. It made me feel very proud as a teacher due to the idea that students really dug deeper introspectively and metacognitively about George's decision to kill Lennie. I truly think they understand the motif of altruism and empathy in a world so adverse to the idea of vulnerability. Thank you again for your materials.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Fadul