1-Pager
High School Grade  Project 4 weeks

Persepolis Peace Party: Diplomacy Unleashed!

Caren W
1-pager

Purpose

This project aims to deepen students' understanding of global conflicts and peacebuilding through storytelling, inspired by Persepolis. By engaging with local immigrant and refugee communities, students will gain firsthand insights into the human impact of conflict, fostering empathy and critical thinking. The project encourages students to connect literature with real-world experiences, allowing them to explore international relations and develop their own narratives. Through creative expression and a virtual Peace Symposium, students will share their reflections and insights, contributing to a broader dialogue on peace and diplomacy.

Learning goals

Students will deepen their understanding of global conflicts and peacebuilding through storytelling, connecting historical and contemporary narratives. They will develop empathy and cultural awareness by engaging with personal stories from immigrant and refugee communities. Learners will enhance their analytical skills by interpreting Persepolis and relating it to current events, fostering critical thinking and creativity. The project will also strengthen students' communication and collaboration abilities as they create and present digital storytelling projects to a diverse audience.
Standards
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create a series of reflective artworks, poems, or digital media pieces inspired by the stories shared during the community partner sessions. These creative expressions will culminate in a collaborative digital storytelling project that documents personal narratives connected to themes of conflict and peace. The final product will be showcased at the virtual 'Peace Symposium,' where students will present their work to a global audience, engaging in meaningful dialogue with international guests.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Narrative Exploration Challenge' where students delve into selected excerpts from Persepolis, examining how the personal story of Marjane Satrapi reflects broader themes of conflict and resilience. Encourage students to connect these themes to current global events, fostering a discussion that highlights similarities and differences. Students will then share their insights through creative mediums such as skits, visual art, or multimedia presentations, setting the stage for deeper exploration of storytelling's role in shaping perspectives on international relations.

Exhibition

Students will showcase their digital storytelling projects during a virtual 'Peace Symposium,' inviting a global audience to participate via live stream. The event will feature presentations by students, followed by interactive Q&A sessions with international guests who have firsthand experience with conflict and peace. This platform allows students to share their work, engage with diverse perspectives, and contribute to a broader dialogue on peacebuilding and international relations.