In this lesson, students will be introduced to the oral history format and the unique methodology that Voice of Witness (VOW) has created to promote ethical storytelling. Students will deeply explore the ethical storytelling principles in a jigsaw activity, forming a poster for a class presentation. This lesson is intended to introduce and provide context for a larger oral history project. Students will use this empathy-based thinking to explore the following questions:
- Why do stories matter?
- Why is it important for people to tell their own stories?
Grades: Flexible and adaptable for middle school and high school.
Time Needed: One class session.
Objectives:
- Students can think critically about the role of first-person storytelling and the importance of amplifying unheard voices.
