Narrative 4 is a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering empathy, cross-cultural understanding, human connection, and greater care for the natural world through the exchange of stories and community-based art projects. Much their work happens within (and between) schools across the world, including in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Mexico, South Africa, Palestine, Israel, and the United States. Launched in Chicago in 2013, and with much of its staff based in New York City, N4 opened its first official global headquarters in June 2016 in Limerick, Ireland.
I have been working closely with Narrative 4 since 2013, incorporating "story exchanges" into my teaching practice. In a story exchange, two people exchange a true story of personal significance; afterwards, they present the story to a larger audience, voicing it in the other person's voice. It's a way of not only stepping into someone else's shoes, but also of taking a walk in those shoes. My students at Highland Park High School have participated in face-to-face exchanges with their classmates, but also with students from several Chicago-area high schools, including Evanston Township High School, North Lawndale College Prep Academy, Crane High School, and TEAM Englewood Academy.
As part of my international field experience in April 2016 to Senegal, students from HPHS and Lycee Maba Diakhou Ba in Nioro Du Rip, Senegal, participated in a Photo-Story Exchange in which they connected through handmade "postcards," with short letters being pasted onto the backs of photos. These photos depicted students with loved ones, engaged in hobbies and important academic endeavors, visiting important sites, etc.
Currently, I am putting together a "gallery" exhibit of the Photo-Story Exchange at my school. Essentially, I will be enlarging the photos and letters of two partners, and then displaying them together at various places in my school.
For the past three summers, I have participated in the annual Narrative 4 Global Summit. The 2016 Summit took place in Belfast, Dublin, and Limerick, culminating with the grand opening of N4's global headquarters. Below are some photos from the 2016 Summit.
I have been working closely with Narrative 4 since 2013, incorporating "story exchanges" into my teaching practice. In a story exchange, two people exchange a true story of personal significance; afterwards, they present the story to a larger audience, voicing it in the other person's voice. It's a way of not only stepping into someone else's shoes, but also of taking a walk in those shoes. My students at Highland Park High School have participated in face-to-face exchanges with their classmates, but also with students from several Chicago-area high schools, including Evanston Township High School, North Lawndale College Prep Academy, Crane High School, and TEAM Englewood Academy.
As part of my international field experience in April 2016 to Senegal, students from HPHS and Lycee Maba Diakhou Ba in Nioro Du Rip, Senegal, participated in a Photo-Story Exchange in which they connected through handmade "postcards," with short letters being pasted onto the backs of photos. These photos depicted students with loved ones, engaged in hobbies and important academic endeavors, visiting important sites, etc.
Currently, I am putting together a "gallery" exhibit of the Photo-Story Exchange at my school. Essentially, I will be enlarging the photos and letters of two partners, and then displaying them together at various places in my school.
For the past three summers, I have participated in the annual Narrative 4 Global Summit. The 2016 Summit took place in Belfast, Dublin, and Limerick, culminating with the grand opening of N4's global headquarters. Below are some photos from the 2016 Summit.