One thing I love about my school is that we are encouraged to tackle the big items. Not just the ones that we have viewed as important in the past, but the stuff that is going on with the students right now. This was introduced to the school just over two years ago thanks to @gvogt. He came to me one day and said “Read this and tell me what you think.”
I am not sure if you have heard of it, but the title was 13 Reasons Why. I have never read a book so fast in my life – I was definitely done in one sitting. So, when I went back to Graham, I said “We need to do this!” Not only was is a engaging story, but it was stuff that they were dealing with on a daily basis – social media, peer pressure, bullying etc. At the time, our Grade 9 students were not being nice to each other so to have them all reading the same book where we could have controlled conversations about stuff they can relate to was so impactful. We also had some great activities going on so we could drive some themes home. Of course there were parents that were not happy with our choice, but one we explained that they are dealing with these issues on a day-to-day basis and we were doing them no service by ignoring it, they were more understanding.
So what do you do when something works? Make more work for yourself and make it bigger!!
Last year, we did a Grade 9/10 read where both grades were engaging in the same novel. We read This is Where is Ends, a story about a school shooting. We started this just after the Parkland School Shooting – relevant to our kids. We did the same thing: discussion questions, conversations, activities, whatever we could squeeze in. The kids responded and were already asking what we would be reading this year.
The answer is The Hate U Give. Yes, we are doing it. I am tackling race – and I am scared! This is a story about a young black female who witnesses her friend being wrongfully shot by a white police officer. She is also a girl who goes outside if her community to go to a predominately white private school. She struggles with her identity and what she should do next. The story itself does not scare me, but having conversations with students of different races does.
In our Grade 9 and 10 class, we have 5 black students. 5 out of 109! How can I get up in front of them as a fairly privileged white female and ask questions about racism – something I personally have not had to deal with?
The first thing I did was speak to these 5 students before we even started reading the book. I explained the concept to them and that we would be having class discussions and that if they are every uncomfortable, or they are not happy with how the conversations are going to come talk to me. I also did not want them to feel like because they are black, that they should feel like they need to answer everything. They have all lived very different lives. I am lucky that I have a good relationship with all of them and they actually thanked me for speaking to them first!
We are in our first week of the read and with a class discussion coming up next week, I am getting nervous. I have lots of questions ready but I am worried that these questions are not going to have the impact that I am looking for. How can I reach these kids in a powerful way?
Here is where I need some help. I would love to find a good Ted Talk, or even speaker to come to our school to talk to the students. I want them to get it – to feel what someone real has gone through.
The good news is, I think I am doing something good. I received an e-mail from a black student who graduated last year thanking me for doing a novel with a strong, black female character. She felt it was something that was missing at the school and is excited that her brother is getting to participate in this experience! I guess if that’s not a sign to keep going – nothing is! Wish me luck!
P.S @gvogt … missing your support! 🙂
