Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey

1 Stepping stones : A Refugee family s Journey Classroom Activity for Stand Up, Speak Out tours OBJECTIVE: In conjunction with visiting and engaging with Make a Difference: The Harvey L. Miller family Youth Exhibition, students will explore the topic of community, particularly as it relates to the experiences of refugees and other newcomers. They will also consider how they can help to build a sense of community in their communities. MATERIALS: The book: Stepping stones : A Refugee family s Journey by Margriet Ruurs, Artwork by Nizar Ali Badr Colored pencils, Crayons, and/or markers Paper TIME NEEDED: 30 minutes SET UP: Before students enter the classroom, have bins with materials except the book on the tables PROCEDURE: 1. BEFORE READING / BOOK INTRODUCTION (2 minutes) Docent: Introduce the story, which follows the Journey of a young girl named Rama and her family . Their happy, peaceful life is disrupted by war, and Rama watches as life changes and friends and neighbors move away.

2 Eventually, it is Rama s family s turn to leave on the difficult Journey to start a new life. 2. Read Stepping stones : A Refugee family s Journey to students (5 minutes) Note: Read the full story, but not the lengthy foreword. Begin with Rama, wake up! Show the illustrations to the students as you read. 3. AFTER READING (20 minutes total) a. Discuss Rama s experience and how she might have felt at different parts of the story: at the beginning; once the war starts; on her family s Journey ; once they reach their destination. (5 minutes) b. Ask students if any of them have ever moved to a new place a new country, city/town, neighborhood, or school. Discuss what helped them to feel welcome in their new setting. (4 minutes) c. Write a welcome letter to Rama and her family . Working individually or in small groups (take the teacher s lead on what will work best for the class), write and/or draw a letter to Rama and her family to welcome them to the community.

3 What are students excited to learn about and from their new friend? What helpful tips can get give Rama to help her navigate her new school and make her transition easier? (6 minutes) d. Ask for volunteers to share their letters. (5 minutes) 4. CLEAN UP: Ask students to return their materials to the bin on their tables and put scrap paper and trash in the garbage. Be sure the whiteboard is erased and ready for use by the next group. IF YOU USE A DRY ERASE MARKER FROM THE SUPPLY BIN, PLEASE REMEMBER TO RETURN IT WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED WITH IT. (3 minutes)