Moving Stories: The Path Forward
The “Moving Stories Unit – The Path Forward” is an innovative educational resource designed to engage 11th and 12th grade high school students in meaningful exploration of migration. This unit emphasizes the importance of 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 empower immigrant-origin youth and 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