Note from Mr. Bavisotto
Storytelling is an ancient human tradition practiced across centuries, continents, and cultures. When designing a curriculum for pandemic distance learning, I decided it was best to go back to the bread and butter of the English classroom and what humans have always done to cope in difficult times: reading and writing stories.
Storytelling is an ancient human tradition practiced across centuries, continents, and cultures. When designing a curriculum for pandemic distance learning, I decided it was best to go back to the bread and butter of the English classroom and what humans have always done to cope in difficult times: reading and writing stories.
Just 8 weeks ago, the 7th graders at Edward Town Middle School embarked on a social justice journey with me. They read 5 short stories throughout the unit and learned about the components of a story arc, before trying their hand at their own original story. We focused the scope of the stories with a TEDTalk by one captivating storyteller, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, titled "The Danger of the Single Story."Adiche uses personal anecdotes to explain to students what the late Toni Morrison phrased slightly differently; Morrison said, "If there's a [story] that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."
Students identified "single stories," also known as stereotypes, or one-dimensional depictions of people in the world around them. After learning how harmful a lack of representation can be, they worked for social justice by breaking that silence. These students used their writing and voice to interject another perspective into the conversation.
I could not be more proud of the incredible work and creativity of this group of talented writers. It was an honor to virtually work with them these last few weeks. Below you will find the cover artwork they designed and the short story it accompanies. Click the story title to read that story! I am thrilled that others will be able to read their stories and be as inspired by them as I have been!!!!!
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Not Like Other Girls
by Maya
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by Meganne
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by Addison
Miss Popular
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by Gabby
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by Ava
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by Kenny
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by Abby
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by Kayla
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