Students in some of the American Studies classes are working on a special research and writing project.  As part of the project, students are tasked with choosing a subject surrounding diversity, reading four stories that pertain to that subject, and then selecting two stories they think could go into an anthology intended for the audience of teachers in other countries, or teachers of refugees in the United States. This project has emerged, in part, as the result of a “for the public good” grant, which was awarded to CA through the University of Denver.

 

In addition to reading the stories, the students must also create writing prompts that would encourage teaching around the writing.  In all they are acting as student "consultants" who are advising educators which stories and experiences they believe will resonate with adolescents around the world while also teaching those students something about the diversity that exists within the United States.

 

Dr. Andrea Stanton, professor of religion and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Denver, along with former CA English teacher Betsey Coleman, as well as Upper School English teacher Kathleen Law, and US social studies teacher Elissa Wolf-Tinsman are orchestrating the project.  Betsey Coleman reports that “The students will write introductions contextualizing the stories they’ve read, and also create writing prompts through which they can connect their own lives to the experiences in the stories.” 

 

As part of the project, The University of Denver and Colorado Academy will host one event – a talk, reading, panel, or workshop – on either campus, as well as a similar event hosted in the community. It's another good example of an exciting partnership between CA and local higher education.  I am looking forward to seeing the outcomes.