Mrs. Somers’ 6th grade ELA classes recently welcomed guest speaker Susannah Friedman, who shared about her experience serving as a humanitarian in Sudan, where she worked to support people affected by war and natural disasters.
Students are currently reading Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate, a novel about a young Sudanese boy who is uprooted from his home, separated from his family, and faced with the challenge of starting over in a new country.
Mrs. Friedman’s presentation brought powerful real-world context to the book. She shared photos of the places she lived and worked, the local markets and grocery stores where she shopped, and even the sandstorms that she experienced. She also painted a picture of daily life for children in Sudanese villages and refugee camps, where play, school, work, and chores are all part of the routine. Much of her talk focused on what life is like for kids the same age as our students, helping them draw meaningful connections to the characters in the story.
Students were eager to learn more, asking thoughtful questions about her work, her experiences in Sudan, and everyday life in a place over 6,000 miles from Greenville. While books offer tremendous insight into lives different from their own, talking with someone who has lived in the places they’re reading about adds an extra layer of curiosity and engagement for students. Characters become more than names on a page, they become real people with real stories.
Thank you, Mrs. Friedman, for sharing your experiences with our students, and Mrs. Somers for bringing your lessons to life!