Response-ABILITY: Empathy in Action Project
Project Overview
People do not have the opportunity to choose their country of origin. For someone fortunate enough to have been born in a developed and democratic nation, it becomes easy to take concepts such as freedoms and rights for granted. However, in many nations throughout the world conflict and crisis are everyday occurrences that result in human beings fleeing their homelands. Throughout this project students will have an opportunity to intimately learn about the refugee experience and to demonstrate empathy in action in a variety of ways.
Project Duration
Six-Eight Weeks
Essential Questions
Significance, Perspective, Evidence, Connection, Supposition, Self-Advocacy, Cooperation, Integrity, Intellectual Curiosity, Unlimited Potential
Common Core Standards
RI 3,7,10 W 3,4,5,8 SL 1 RH 7,9
Challenge Option Ideas
Project Overview
People do not have the opportunity to choose their country of origin. For someone fortunate enough to have been born in a developed and democratic nation, it becomes easy to take concepts such as freedoms and rights for granted. However, in many nations throughout the world conflict and crisis are everyday occurrences that result in human beings fleeing their homelands. Throughout this project students will have an opportunity to intimately learn about the refugee experience and to demonstrate empathy in action in a variety of ways.
Project Duration
Six-Eight Weeks
Essential Questions
- What does it mean to be a refugee?
- What challenges do refugees face as they flee their country of origin? What challenges do refugees face upon arrival in the United States
- In what ways can US citizens respond to the needs of refugees living in/near their community?
- To explore the refugee experience via research, literature, interviews, and face to face interaction with refugees living in San Diego County.
- To investigate the field of International Relations and the repercussions of living in regions of conflict.
- To engage in a responsive approach to the human suffering in neighboring communities.
- To effectively cooperate with Cal State San Marcos students and IRC refugees during the planning and realization of this project.
- Reading Journal Entries for Of Beetles and Angels, Mawi Asgedom and Book Posse Selections (They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky, What is the What?, Left to Tell, We Wish to Inform You..., or I'm Not Leaving)
- Narrative Essay/Expository Essay on a Peacemaker (IRC high school age refugee)
- Informational/Inspirational Spoken Word Poetry Piece
- Insightful/Inspirational/Professional Quality Art Piece
- 100% participation in the“Empathy in Action Arts and Poetry Festival”that will include refugee testimonials, spoken word poetry, music, food, current crisis updates, and an art auction. All proceeds will be given to the
Significance, Perspective, Evidence, Connection, Supposition, Self-Advocacy, Cooperation, Integrity, Intellectual Curiosity, Unlimited Potential
Common Core Standards
RI 3,7,10 W 3,4,5,8 SL 1 RH 7,9
Challenge Option Ideas
- Become a volunteer at the International Rescue Committee.
- Create a manual that would be helpful for teenagers who have recently arrived to the US.