Title: We Are Together
Duration: 40 minutes
Objectives: Students will be able to engage in discussions about local stories and histories that were experienced by others.
Vocabulary: Community, empower, understanding, vulnerability
Materials: paper, basket or bin, writing utensils, soft music
During this lesson, parents/guardians will be invited to participate virtually or in person while sharing an experience from their personal narratives. Parents/guardians may also bring an item to share with the students after the Narrative Activity.
Anticipatory Set: The teacher will bring out the paper chain that students made in lesson 3. Students will be invited to rip one link from the chain and read it aloud to the class. Then students can volunteer a positive response or understanding for the experience that was written. Complete until all links are torn. Tell the class that a chain of negativity does not have to remain with them. Students are strong, open minded, equal, and kind. Carrying this chain would be too heavy.
Narrative Experience: The teacher will tell the students and family guests a story about a difficult experience or a moment of triumph. While the story is being told, the teacher will not reveal that the story is actually a personal account of the teacher. Here is an example:
There was once a person who struggled with reading and was often teased in class. They felt left out during small group reading time because it was difficult to keep up with the group. Kids in the classroom made assumptions about her not being able to read by saying that her family was probably too poor or couldn’t read because they were from a different country. At home, the student would watch YouTube read- alouds, and continued to read each and every day. One day, the teacher called on the student to read aloud to the class and she read every word correctly. She felt so proud. The class was shocked that she read so well and the students that teased her no longer had anything mean to say. That student was me.
After revealing that the individual was actually the teacher, the students may ask a few questions about how she felt and how she stood up for herself. This will lead to a quiet writing and reflection time for all students and parents who are participating. Participants may write, type, or record their experiences. Then, the class will share and discuss anonymous stories together, in a large circle. The author of the narrative may then reveal themselves. The experience promotes understanding for one another, vulnerability, perspective, and respect. During this time, the teacher will encourage positive words of affirmation to be shared with one another as stories are shared.
Celebrate! Now that students have formed an understanding for themselves and one another, the teacher may provide students with a certificate for learning about their community and the importance of embracing all people.