2018-2019 GSP Partnership Report: New Brunswick Public Schools

Woodrow Wilson 6th Grade

ELA/SEL: Immigration and Starting a New Life

How can students make connections between their source material, in class texts and personal experiences?

The 6th graders of Woodrow Wilson Elementary used the novel, "Esperanza Rising" and current event articles to make deeper connections and create their own original plays exploring themes of riches to rags, starting over, and taking risks. The students connected easily to these texts, even drawing parallels to their own lives and other reading materials. All three classes focused on what it means to take risks, have courage, and make choices that will change lives. The final culmination demonstrated clear connections, deep empathy, and bold theatricality.

October 2018 - December 2018

Our Play Was About...

The Story of Samie

Narrator: Samie and the others were able to be smuggled out of the country and into a refugee camp in New Guniea.

Samie: Hi, I’m Samie. I have all of my paper work.

Shayla: Everything is in order.

Samie: How long will I be here?

Steph, Shayla, Marilyn: We’ll let you know.

The Story of El Gato

Young Family Member: We’re just going to leave? Our home is here!

Gabriel: We really don't have a life here, we don't sell a lot of belts and don't have that much money.

Young Family Member: But, our friends are here! Once we leave we won’t have anyone.

Oldest Sister: It doesn't matter, we have each other and we have to do this.

The Story of Mazen

Papa: There is a civil war. The Free Syrian Army will do anything to get the people on their side, even kill. Today a boat will come to the dock to take refugees to America. Mama has a brother that lives there. You will go to him.

Rimas: Why can’t you go Papa?

Papa: The boat is already filled, only children will fit now.

Mazen: I can’t leave you papa. I’m scared I’ll never see you again.

Papa: We must do this for the good of the family.

"I was impressed with the students that were vocal and volunteered to speak. Even though they were shy, they still gave it their all."

-- Brittany Hall, Educator

"We talked a lot about raising the stakes. I was impressed that the students had the courage to make bold decisions for the greatest impact in their storytelling."