All-School Read and Write Project

The Assignment

This summer, instead of the traditional all-school read, we asked students to explore a collection of reading materials and then engage in written reflection about their experience during the spring and summer of 2020. 
 

2020 has been characterized by a degree of social disruption and change that few of us have experienced before. When the COVID-19 pandemic upended our sense of normalcy last spring, we decided to transform the traditional all-school read into an opportunity for writing and reflection. In light of the unjust killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans, the subsequent protests that swept the nation, and the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement in both our school community and our society at large, we then expanded the All-School Read and Write project to include topics related to race and racism in America. With a historic presidential election on the horizon, there was no shortage of pressing issues for our students to write about over the summer.

We wanted to invite many genres and modes of expression—letters, personal essays, poetry, podcasts, interviews, comic strips, and more—so we provided a collection of reading materials for students to explore before embarking on their own writing projects. Students discussed these reading materials and shared their written work at an advisory meeting in September. We then solicited submissions from students and advisors, and a faculty committee selected a range of pieces to share with the broader community. We are honored to publish this selection of student work.

 

 

 

Essays

In challenging times, writers often turn to narrative writing to express themselves, their concerns, and their core beliefs. For this assignment, many students wrote personal narratives, essays, or op-eds to illuminate their unique experiences and perspectives.

 

 

 

Poetry

One of the oldest forms of written expression and one of the most flexible, poetry is a uniquely varied artform. Each of the poets was able to employ the structure and format that best suited their message and voice.

 

 

 

 

Black Lives Matter Self Portraiture Project

Student leaders collaborated with the Art Department to display self-portraits of Loomis Chaffee’s Black community members around campus along with a written statement about each artist’s identity and values. We are featuring three portraits/statements by students who chose this avenue for completing their summer assignment, but we encourage you to view the full project online.

“Our Black students, staff, and faculty at Loomis are people. Meet them.”

View Online Exhibit

 

 

 

 

Interviews

During stay-at-home orders, many people have found time to connect through conversation. Students gained insight into the perspectives of others by interviewing family, friends, and members of their communities.

 

 

 

 

Songs with Original Lyrics

Music is a universal method of communication. A song can tell a story, provide an escape, or help someone navigate life. Students drawn to music as a form of self-expression had the option to write their own lyrics and record original songs.

 

 

 

 

Comic Strips or Short Graphic Narratives

Some students chose to combine artistic/visual expression and written reflection in a comic strip or short graphic narrative. This genre relies on the interplay of images and words to tell a compelling story; a good comic strip is greater than the sum of its parts.