Identity Journeys: Exploring India Through Stories

High School Grade

Project
4 weeks

Identity Journeys: Exploring India Through Stories

Raquel Moroles

Purpose

This project invites students to explore how cultural experiences influence personal identity and storytelling by creating personal narratives that connect to Indian culture. Through engaging with Indian literature, hands-on cultural activities, and community partnerships, students will deepen their understanding of identity while honing their narrative writing skills. The project culminates in a dynamic exhibition where students share their narratives with peers and the community, fostering a deeper appreciation for diverse cultural perspectives.

Learning goals

Students will develop their narrative writing skills by crafting a personal narrative that reflects their understanding of how cultural experiences influence identity and storytelling. They will enhance their analytical skills by exploring themes of identity in Indian literature and connecting these to their own lives. Students will also gain experience in digital literacy through the creation of an eBook and audio recordings, and they will practice public speaking by sharing their narratives with younger students.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.9: Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Products

Students will create a personal narrative eBook that integrates cultural connections to India, which they will read to younger students. These eBooks will be printed and displayed in a 'Narrative Walk' throughout the school, with QR codes linking to audio recordings of their readings. Additionally, students will participate in a book club discussion, contributing insights and reflections on identity and storytelling.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Cultural Connections Workshop' where students dive into hands-on activities such as creating traditional Indian art pieces or participating in a cooking session to prepare an Indian dish. These activities will serve as a bridge to understanding how cultural experiences influence storytelling and personal identity. Encourage students to reflect on these experiences and begin brainstorming ideas for their personal narratives.

Exhibition

Students will present their personal narratives in a dual-format exhibition. They will read their eBooks to younger students, fostering mentorship and engagement. Additionally, a 'Narrative Walk' will be set up in the school hallways, featuring printed versions of their narratives with QR codes linking to audio recordings, allowing the school community to experience the stories in multiple ways.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Conduct the 'Cultural Connections Workshop', where students participate in hands-on activities such as creating traditional Indian art or cooking an Indian dish. Facilitate group reflections on how these activities relate to personal identity and storytelling.	Introduce and explore selected Indian literature, focusing on themes of identity and storytelling. Engage students in a collaborative discussion to draw parallels between the stories and their personal experiences.	Guide students through a brainstorming session to identify personal experiences that connect with themes from the Indian literature. Encourage them to begin outlining their personal narratives.
Deliverables	1. Each student creates a reflection journal entry detailing their experiences and insights from the Cultural Connections Workshop and literature discussions.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with the community library to curate a selection of Indian literature and arrange for a book club meeting with a librarian or local author. 2. Gather materials for the Cultural Connections Workshop, including art supplies or cooking ingredients, and set up the workshop space. 3. Prepare discussion questions and prompts to facilitate student reflections on the literature and workshop activities.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Facilitate a book club meeting with a librarian or local author where students discuss themes of identity and storytelling in the selected Indian literature. Encourage students to share insights and draw connections to their own narratives.	Conduct a writing workshop focused on developing narrative writing skills. Guide students in drafting their personal narratives, emphasizing structure, descriptive details, and integrating cultural connections.	Organize peer review sessions where students exchange drafts with classmates to provide constructive feedback. Encourage students to consider how cultural elements from Indian literature can enhance their storytelling.
Deliverables	1. Complete the first draft of personal narratives, incorporating feedback from peer reviews and connections to cultural themes from Indian literature.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with the community library to confirm details for the book club meeting, ensuring access to the selected literature for all students. 2. Prepare a writing workshop outline, including exercises on narrative structure, descriptive writing, and integrating cultural elements. 3. Develop peer review guidelines and feedback forms to guide students in providing constructive and focused feedback during the review sessions.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Conduct a digital literacy workshop where students learn to convert their personal narratives into eBooks using digital tools. Emphasize layout, design, and integrating multimedia elements such as images or audio clips.	Facilitate a session on recording audio narrations of their personal narratives. Guide students in practicing their reading skills, focusing on clarity, expression, and engagement.	Organize a reflection and feedback session where students present their eBook drafts and audio recordings to small groups, gathering constructive feedback on their presentations and storytelling techniques.
Deliverables	1. Complete a digital draft of their personal narrative eBook, including multimedia elements that enhance their storytelling. 2. Submit an audio recording of their personal narrative, ensuring it aligns with the eBook content and reflects effective reading techniques.
Preparation	1. Set up a digital platform or software for students to create eBooks, ensuring access to design and multimedia tools. 2. Prepare guidelines and examples for effective audio narration, including tips on voice modulation and pacing. 3. Arrange necessary equipment for audio recording, such as microphones and recording software, and provide a quiet space for students to record. 4. Develop a checklist and rubric for peer feedback sessions to guide students in providing focused and constructive critiques.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Organize a 'Narrative Walk' exhibition throughout the school, where students set up printed versions of their eBooks with QR codes linking to their audio recordings. Ensure each student personalizes their display with relevant visuals and cultural elements.	Facilitate a reading session where students present their personal narratives to younger students, engaging them with storytelling techniques and encouraging questions and discussions.	Conduct a reflective discussion where students articulate the connections they have made between their personal narratives, Indian culture, and how these experiences have shaped their understanding of identity and storytelling.
Deliverables	1. Complete the final version of the personal narrative eBook, integrating feedback received during the exhibition preparation. 2. Submit a reflective essay or video discussing the personal insights gained from the project and how cultural experiences have influenced their narrative.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with school administration to secure space for the 'Narrative Walk' and ensure technical support for QR code access. 2. Prepare the schedule and logistics for the reading sessions with younger students, including any necessary permissions or arrangements. 3. Develop a set of reflection prompts to guide the final discussion, focusing on personal growth and cultural understanding.