We and They
About this lesson: Students work collaboratively to create illustrated children’s stories that explore issues of conformity and belonging.
Implementation:
Step One: Brainstorm Story Ideas: First, have groups identify their target audience, brainstorm ideas for their story, and then develop one or more characters and the setting.
Step Two: Consider the Central Conflict of One’s Story: Then ask groups to think about central conflict of their story. You might ask them to consider why their main character struggles with identity and belonging by exploring the possible causes of tension–a desire to fit in, external forces like peer pressure, being reduced to a “single story” by others, “in” and “out” groups–and the consequences of these feelings.
Step Three: Create and Identity Chart: Engage the students in pre-writing activities, such as creating an identity chart for their main character and any other minor, but significant characters, discussing how the main character views themself and how other view them. You might also have students write a journal in response to a question about group membership from the point of view of one or more characters.
Step Four: Outline Stories Using a Storyboard Template: Next, have groups outline their stories using a storyboard template. While you might choose to end the project here, groups might also take it one step further and “publish” their stories in a Powerpoint presentation or in a book format. If you teach at a school with younger children, your students might share their stories in a cross-age celebration of learning.
