Moving Stories: The Path Forward
Developed by the New York City Public Schools, The Moving Stories Unit – The Path Forward is a curriculum designed to engage 11th- and 12th-grade high school students in a meaningful exploration of migration. This unit emphasizes storytelling as a tool for understanding personal and collective experiences related to migration, fostering empathy, and advocating for community and social change.
Key Features:
- Mission-Driven Framework: The unit aligns with the Re-Imagining Migration mission to promote inclusive practices within classrooms.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Structured around nine sections, the unit includes a detailed mission statement, an arc of impact, lesson plans, core curriculum connections, and reflection opportunities for educators.
- Inclusive Approach: Designed to be adaptable for diverse student populations, the unit provides strategies for educators to support multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and those with varying backgrounds related to migration.
- Engaging Activities: Students participate in a variety of interactive lessons, including discussions, research projects, and creative assignments that connect their personal stories to broader immigration themes.
- Advocacy and Action: The culminating project encourages students to draft letters to their U.S. representatives, advocating for immigration reform based on their insights and narratives.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will:
- Develop a deeper understanding of migration as a shared human experience.
- Enhance their empathy and advocacy skills through storytelling.
- Analyze historical and contemporary immigration issues, fostering critical thinking and civic engagement.
Acknowledgments:
The “G11/12 Moving Stories Unit” was developed by the NYC Public Schools’ Division of Multilingual Learners in collaboration with Re-Imagining Migration. Joel Troge led this initative and special thanks go to these NYC Public School teachers:
- Ali Burch, The International High School at Lafayette
- Evan Braunschweiger, Benjamin Franklin High School for Finance and Information Technology
- Melody Kwan, Baruch College Campus High School