Past projects 2
Creative & Critical Thinking With Akwaeke Emezi's Pet
Funded Jan 31, 2022Thank you so much for your donation which allowed us to read Akwaeke Emezi's Pet in our 9th grade classes this year. In our Socratic Seminar and in student essays, we asked students to generate their own questions and ideas about what was meaningful or interesting to them in the book. Students chose to discuss whether one of the main characters of the book received justice at the end of the text and how we should see the adults in the story who try to protect their children by denying the existence of monsters. Student essay topics included 'The Representation of Truth', 'The Effect of Rage on Judgment', or, as one student wrote, "that one's true nature travels beyond labels". At every step of the unit, we saw students engage with the characters, themes and ideas of the text. Students also appreciated how Emezi represented the book's characters and community. In a survey we completed at the end of our unit one student wrote that what felt meaningful to them about the book was "getting to read a story with representation without it being about the problems and discrimination minority groups face". We are so glad for the chance to teach this book this year and in future years.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Mogulescu
American Dramas: Help Expand Our Play Library
Funded Sep 3, 2018I want to tell you how much our students have appreciated the chance to read Angels in America and Doubt. Our play unit focuses on plays that explore American concerns; all students read Arthur Miller's Death of A Salesman, and then students got to select a second play, which they read in a small group with 3-4 peers. It was wonderful to watch them engage with and discuss these texts, stopping to clarify confusing moments or talk through themes. Students each created a digital portfolio, where they examined the major conflicts and symbols in the play, looked at the role that secondary characters play, and considered the staging of key scenes. Then, they worked to develop an individual oral presentation around an aspect of the play they felt particularly interested in.
Presentation topics range from the symbolism of Antarctica in understanding Harper's character in Angels in America to considering the impact of church hierarchies on decision making in Doubt. Students take weeks to develop their ideas for these presentations and write lesson plans detailing how they will teach and engage the class for ten minutes. So far, students have used art, music, animations, scene studies, poetry, games and even cookies to make their concepts clear.
The plays have made a tremendous impact on a number of individual students. The philosophical questions raised by Doubt so intrigued one student that he came after-school to chat for 45 minutes about the author's choices. The students reading Angels in America in one class became so engaged with the play that instead of only reading the required first volume, they elected to read the second volume as well. Students have felt inspired and challenged to learn about communities and history they've never encountered before. We are so glad to have had the chance to give them this experience and we thank you all for your generosity.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Mogulescu