Honouring Stories

DRIVING QUESTION:

How can we amplify and celebrate the voices of marginalized communities in Canada?

Project Overview:

In this project, students will learn about social justice, prejudice, and different cultures by listening to the stories of people who are a part of a marginalized community. Students will engage with guests and listen to stories of marginalized communities and create a product to represent their guest’s story in a meaningful way to honour them and their cultures. Students will have the opportunity to be creative in how they represent aspects of these stories.

Throughout the course of this project, students will learn about the challenges that are specific to this marginalized population and will also be enlightened by a deeper understanding and appreciation for their culture. In this project, students will understand the power and value of listening and amplifying voices. Through listening and responding to the stories of others, students will emulate Jesus and His passion for reaching marginalized peoples.

As a final product, students will create a portrait and write a poem to honour their person’s story. Students will display their projects in a “story walk” display for the other grade 6 classes as well as a broader audience in the PBL showcase.

Challenges:

Finding stories for students to engage with

Displaying the stories for the story walk (public place/audience

Celebrations:

Listening lessons

Students are proud of their work

Empathy for the stories

Students have shared how meaningful this project has been

Bethany Bakker, Jordyn Erickson, Kalicia Kelbert, and Kirsten Klompmaker: ACS Teachers & Project Designers

Product/Presentation:

Portrait
Canvas art/poem
Story walk display for an authentic audience

How has this engaged students in ACS’ mission and vision?

Engaging Minds: By knowing the history of marginalized communities in Canada and defining key terms.

Nurturing Hearts: By deep listening and engaging with the stories of others.

Shaping God’s World: By honouring stories and amplifying voices, sharing with a broader audience.

How has this learning experience served or connected to our community?

The story walk display provides an authentic experience for students to engage with stories of people from marginalized communities. Through this learning experience, students are able to identify marginalization within Canada and their community.

Why is it important to listen to stories of people who have been marginalized? “To hear different stories of racism and hurt from different people and perspectives. To hear all the mean and crazy things some people in our world do. It makes me want to help people going through these things. I want to donate. I want to be more respectful of others.” Emmy M.

“It helped me be like Jesus because He would go around helping marginalized people, and I can try to do something similar.” Gavin L.

“We learned to love others no matter their race. We learned how to listen.” Ella A.

“Why is it important to listen to stories of people who have been marginalized? “ So that we learn from our mistakes and don’t repeat history. Also so we recognize how they felt and know that they can still be angry.” Jordyn J.

“I thought marginalized people were helpless, but I think they’re brave when they fight for what’s right.” Reuben F.

What do you hope people will learn and understand by looking at our projects? “That people will see the damage that people have brought on marginalized communities.” Brielle R.

“I hope others will learn that it’s not about what’s on the outside, but on the inside. You shouldn’t assume things off of people’s looks.” Elissa H.

“This unit has helped me to be more like Jesus because Jesus would get to know people who are treated differently and that is what I did with Tiger Woods.” “It’ importantly to learn how some people have been treated differently because of their race.” Madison D.

Student Reflection