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Be The Change: A State-wide Literacy Program

School: Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences

City/State: Santa Fe, NM

Grade(s): 7, 8

Format(s): Book, Magazine: Literary

Subject(s): English Language Arts, Social Studies

Project Overview

Seventh and eighth grade students at Santa Fe School for the Arts and Sciences in Santa Fe, New Mexico created this book as part of a yearlong expedition called “Be the Change” with the guiding questions of “Can one person change the world?” and “Can one person make a difference?” 

Many students were confident that the answer was yes, and went on to consider “What kind of person would do that?” Students each completed a research project on a person who helped change the world. Students did extensive research, watched documentaries, wrote reports, and then dressed up as that person and personified that person at the celebration of learning. Presentations were made to their classmates and filmed as well.

One of the outcomes of this expedition was a student-led community-wide literacy campaign. The students recognized their power as citizens after learning about courageous activists and their strategies and “were never daunted by the fact that they were teenagers.” Their initiative resulted in a program called  “Hooked on Books” and is found at: http://nmallianceforliteracy.org/ .

How This Project Can Be Useful

  • Unparalleled model of effective student activism for community improvement
  • High-quality illustrations that engage the audience
  • Shows multiple aspects of an expedition
  • Format allows for individual assessment of a student work
  • Excellent example of thought-provoking content presented visually

Relevant Resources

Common Core State Standards

Standard Long Term Learning Target
W.8.2
  • I can write informative/explanatory texts that convey ideas and concepts using relevant information that is carefully selected and organized.
W.7.3
  • I can write narrative texts about real or imagined experiences using relevant details and event sequences that make sense.
W.7.4
  • I can produce clear and coherent writing that is appropriate to task, purpose and audience.
W.8.3
  • I can write narrative texts about real or imagined experiences using relevant details and event sequences that make sense.
W.7.7
  • I can generate additional questions for further research.
W.8.7
  • I can generate additional research questions for further exploration.
W.8.4
  • I can produce clear and coherent writing that is appropriate to task, purpose and audience.
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