School: Crossroads Prep
Class: 11th ELA
Instructor: Alysia Lee
Client: Black Archives of Mid-America
Problem: How can we use historical fiction and storytelling to help museums like the Black Archives of Mid-America better engage young audiences and preserve underrepresented histories?
Summary
11th grade ELA students participated in a 10-week Real World Learning and CCP that integrated historical fiction writing with professional consultation. Students explored the Great Migration through literature and primary sources, including The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. Using this context, they wrote original historical fiction scenes for graphic novels. To connect with a real-world client, students visited the Black Archives of Mid-America and met with the Lead Archivist. Their task: to recommend ways to increase foot traffic and engagement among young audiences. Students used scrum boards to track progress and aligned their work with the RWL Handbook and DESE ELA standards. The project culminated in a student showcase where they presented their museum proposals and published creative work.
Takeaways
This project was impactful for students because in this course the students enrolled are primarily from marginalized socioeconomic backgrounds and/or the majority qualify for free/reduced meals. Most students identify as Black/AA or Latinx. 65% of students in this specific class test below basic in reading for their grade level.
Advice
Be flexible and have very clear rubrics/expectations.
Standards/Learning Targets
Students will work with DESE standards involving:
Research, Creative/Narrative Writing, consulting, and collaboration