Dear World…

Educator: Barbara Buonagura ENL Itinerant Teacher

Other Participating Staff:

Susan Goltz & James Muller admins

Sean Pugni, James Smith, Monee Rivers and Dr.Tyesha Joiner- Standard BAC Administrators

John Riccardo ELA & History

Anthony Cooney ELA

Chesea Tol TA

Stephanie Serrano ELA

Darrien Shyriver ELA

Brittany Gutteri  IAC ELA

Jason Goldberg TA

Erin Zaratos- BAC teacher

Susan Carella TA -BAC

Al Rios- ICC curriculum teacher

Amy P- Art teacher -IAC 

Gina -Art teacher-BAC

Wayne Gunick- BAC Voice Team Leader

Teaching Artist: Paul Rodriguez - Children’s Book Author/Illustrator

Schools: Bellport Academic Center: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

Islip Academic Center: Grades 9,10, 11, and 12 

Islip Career Center Eastern Suffolk BOCES: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

District: Eastern Suffolk Boces https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000055835

March 21, 22, 28 and April 5, 11, 18, 19, 2024

Summary

This partnership engaged ENL students from three unique schools in writing a book titled “Dear World…A collection of letters from the hearts of students to the hearts of humanity.” The partnership brought students together with a book author and illustrator to explore how words and images can be used to influence our own choices and to share our concerns with people in power. 

Rationale

Why are you working with these students and what issues will this project address? 

These students have been marginalized by being identified with a mix of social, neurodiverse, profiles, etc. This project will help them to have greater confidence and sense of self value in their school culture and beyond. 

What learning goals/standards did this meet?

Arts 

Students will deepen their understanding of persuasive, creative writing with symbolism through illustrating editorial comics.

CCCR 

Connect overlapping skills, personal choice in College & Career Development

Connect overlapping skills and relationships among personal, academic, extracurricular,

and work activities.

Students will enhance skills for communication, collaboration, community, and citizenship by participating in the process of creating a group book addressing societal problems.

Civic Skills & Action

Model critical analytic, verbal, communication, and media literacy in a variety of activities

inside and outside of school.

Students will deepen their understanding of cultural values, by participating in the process of creating a group book addressing societal problems.

Outcomes

We will know that student learning is expanded when they demonstrate that they…

KNOW… That speaking up for what is right may be frightening, but it requires courage and confidence in community and peers.

UNDERSTAND… There are many ways to speak up and lend support to others and that an action plan or organized approach can make this most effective and help with future career/college/life goals.

ARE ABLE TO… Create a message in the form of graphic organizers, letters, and spoken words, written texts, and more to demonstrate their ideas, vision, and build confidence.