How Does Heritage Define Us?

Grade 6 recently created an Immigration Experience Exhibit in their English class as part of their unit on heritage and immigration. Their focus was centered on the question, “How does heritage define us?” with the goal of developing an understanding and empathy for the immigrant experience. Each group chose an theme to research including, among other things, reading oral histories from interviews with immigrants and analyzing primary source photographs. They then created an exhibit, or display board, on their topic to share with classmates. On their boards, they had to include a focused research summary, five primary source photographs on their theme, and paragraphs of analysis for each of the photographs. (All in MLA format with a works cited page!)

An important element of the activity was reviewing other students exhibits and providing feedback on whether the exhibits met the expectations as listed in the assignment rubric. In the photos, the students are working their way around the room and providing peer feedback for their classmates. They also filled out self-assesments and received feedback from the teacher, Abby Fereday.

At the end of the day, what did they learn? Not only how to gather, analyze, and site research, but present it in a meaningful and interesting manner. They learned to give thoughtful feedback and while being willing to listen to feedback from others. All important elements of learning.