We Are Oakland International
School: Oakland International High School
City/State: Oakland, CA
Grade(s): 9, 10
Format(s): Comic book/graphic novel
Subject(s): English Language Arts, Social Studies, Visual Arts
Project Overview
Ninth and tenth grade students at Oakland International High School in Oakland, California created this comic book as part of an interdisciplinary project combining art, reading and literacy, and social studies. Seniors from the Publishing Class helped edit the stories of their younger schoolmates.
Students were asked to tell their immigration stories in order to understand that history is ongoing and something that they play a part in. The goal is for the students was to see that “their stories are part of something bigger.” Their stories are an attempt to answer the question, “Who am I?” and collectively, “Who are we?”
The book is professionally bound and printed and is available for purchase at http://www.amazon.com/Oakland-International-Immigration-Stories-School/d...
How This Project Can Be Useful
- Connects students to world geography through real and engaging content – students whose families have immigrated to the United States for a variety of reasons
- Touches directly on students’ personal experience of immigration
- Captures the challenges as well as the positive aspects of coming to the United States from other countries
- Provides a means for students to better appreciate diversity in their community
- Highlights a highly engaging comic book format that increases accessibility for ELL students
- Format allows for individual assessment of a student’s work
Relevant Resources
Common Core State Standards
| Standard | Long Term Learning Target |
|---|---|
| W.9-10.4 |
|
| W.9-10.5 |
|