Classroom Resource: Fatima’s Drawings
This resource is part of our Media Highlight Series, which aims to support curriculum about migration through the exploration of storytelling – this includes literature, film and more. We align selections of media with questions in our Learning Arc.
Filmmaker Magnus Wennman’s Fatima’s Drawings tells the story of a nine yeard old refugee’s journey from home in war-torn Syria to Sweden where she is rebuilding her life. The prize-winning short film, tells the story through Fatima’s quiet narration and gently animated versions of Fatima’s drawings of her experiences.
Teaching Ideas:
- Every experience of migration includes life before migration (and the reason’s why people migrate), the story of the journey, the shock of transplantation and arrival, and stories of acculturation in a new land. What do we know about Fatima’s migration story?
- Listening to her, what words stand out from the narration? Why did you choose them?
- Fatima’a narration is in Swedish, her second language. How does that influence your response to her story?
- Take a moment to map the ecology of Fatima’s identity. Consider her identity has changed from the time she lived in Syria to today.
- What do you think will help Fatima to acclimate to life in Sweden? What will enable her to feel at home?