The purpose of this project is to explore and understand resilience through storytelling, allowing students to connect personal and community narratives to broader historical and social contexts. By creating documentaries and children's books, students will develop literacy and communication skills while engaging with real-world issues. This experience aims to foster empathy, critical thinking, and collaboration, empowering students to reflect on their own resilience and contribute positively to their communities.

Students will develop narrative writing skills and enhance their understanding of storytelling techniques. They will learn to conduct interviews and effectively record and edit audio and video content. Students will expand their vocabulary and comprehension through reading and reflecting on texts related to resilience. They will gain experience in designing and illustrating a children's book, focusing on layout and visual storytelling.

Students will create an audio or video documentary that captures personal stories of resilience, utilizing interviews with mentors and community partners. They will also design and produce a children's book that illustrates an aspect of resilience, suitable for younger audiences. Throughout the project, students will develop storyboards, interview transcripts, and reflective journals to support their final products.

Kick off the project with a field trip to the Virginia Holocaust Museum, where students can engage in interactive exhibits and discussions to understand resilience in historical contexts. Following the visit, organize a workshop with community farm/food justice partners to explore resilience in local communities. These experiences will provide a powerful foundation for students to connect historical and contemporary examples of resilience to their own lives and project work.

Organize a community event where students present their documentaries and children's books to the families and individuals featured in their stories. Host a screening for the documentary pieces and arrange a book signing where students can read their children's books to younger students from local schools. Incorporate interactive discussions with the audience to explore themes of resilience and gather feedback on the students' work.