Being self-interested is a teenage trait by default. Digging into introspection is something that requires a little mentorship. Sam Herrick took her 11th graders on a journey of self discovery and, as a result, they learned not only about themselves but the world around them. Identity, bias, and credibility were all explored and examined by the students to develop independent thought about the issues in their novels that appear in today’s society. They had discussions on The Social Dilemma using the My 2 Cents protocol. Students also dug into research regarding their social issues, learning how to differentiate between fact and opinion in the media. Students were ultimately able to draw their own conclusions about socio-political topics of their choice, such as being sensitive to different cultures, cycles of poverty and violence, systemic racism, and the effects of COVID-19 on society as a result of their reading.

Teacher Reflection-

“Students deserve the opportunity to foster their own thoughts and opinions about real world issues in a psychologically safe learning environment that supports the process.” - Mrs. Herrick

Student Reflection- 

“This is the first time in my life that I’ve actually connected with a book.” - Victoria