Living outside the windows, the Youth Speaks.
Often times, we come to know one another through the art of storytelling. Storytelling lends itself to a number of different mediums (art, dance, song, writing, etc.), and is deeply rooted in oral and written tradition in our history. Stories tell us about where we came from, who we are, and where we are going. Stories open up boundaries and let others into pieces of our world.
American history contains powerful stories from different eras and cultures. Slaves often told stories through the avenue of song. These songs helped them cope through difficult times and long days. Native Americans told stories through dance and through fables. Both of these mediums solidified their culture and continue to bring together their community in today’s world. American authors have told their stories through history by writing about their struggles, successes, and dreams. Your family also has stories that can be traced back through generations. Family stories do not just have to be traced back through history. I’m willing to bet that you have some great stories with your family that are rather recent that you may pass onto future generations someday.
As a class, we will be reading the novella The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. The story follows a year in the life of Esperanza, a 12 year old Mexican-American girl who is searching for her true identity and place in this world. At the start of the novella, Esperanza moves to a brand new house that is significantly different from any place she has lived before. The area that Esperanza has grown up in plays a dramatic role in how she views each and every situation she writes about. Esperanza longs to reach out of her current boundaries and discover information about the exciting and blossoming world around her.
Individually, each of you will be creating vignettes based on stories from your life. These stories should be able to tell your audience about your hopes, dreams, past experiences, and present adventures. Each story will give insight into who you are and where you are going. We want to learn about you through the art of storytelling!
Often times, we come to know one another through the art of storytelling. Storytelling lends itself to a number of different mediums (art, dance, song, writing, etc.), and is deeply rooted in oral and written tradition in our history. Stories tell us about where we came from, who we are, and where we are going. Stories open up boundaries and let others into pieces of our world.
American history contains powerful stories from different eras and cultures. Slaves often told stories through the avenue of song. These songs helped them cope through difficult times and long days. Native Americans told stories through dance and through fables. Both of these mediums solidified their culture and continue to bring together their community in today’s world. American authors have told their stories through history by writing about their struggles, successes, and dreams. Your family also has stories that can be traced back through generations. Family stories do not just have to be traced back through history. I’m willing to bet that you have some great stories with your family that are rather recent that you may pass onto future generations someday.
As a class, we will be reading the novella The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. The story follows a year in the life of Esperanza, a 12 year old Mexican-American girl who is searching for her true identity and place in this world. At the start of the novella, Esperanza moves to a brand new house that is significantly different from any place she has lived before. The area that Esperanza has grown up in plays a dramatic role in how she views each and every situation she writes about. Esperanza longs to reach out of her current boundaries and discover information about the exciting and blossoming world around her.
Individually, each of you will be creating vignettes based on stories from your life. These stories should be able to tell your audience about your hopes, dreams, past experiences, and present adventures. Each story will give insight into who you are and where you are going. We want to learn about you through the art of storytelling!