Everyone Has A Story: Connections Questions
The following are some questions for classroom discussion to help students connect the history presented in this website to their own lives and the choices they make everyday.
- How did Arn’s classmates respond to him? Why do you think they responded the way they did?
- If you were one of Arn’s classmates, what could you have done to help him make his way in his new school? Have you seen people ostracized in your school? How have people tried to prevent this from happening?
- The teachers at White Mountain Regional High School struggled to find the best way to welcome Arn and his brothers. What does your school do to welcome new students?
- Arn came to New Hampshire as an immigrant and a refugee. Are there immigrants and refugees in your class? Where are they from? What stories do they have to tell? What might you learn from hearing about their experiences of moving to a new country? Who helps them learn about their new community?
- Arn explains that in school, “I was sitting next to a boy. . . They didn’t notice. . .that I have a story to share. I didn’t know that he has a story to share either, so we didn’t share.” How much do you know about the people you go to school with? Are there some kids who you do not know much about? Why do you think Arn believes that it is impor- tant to know each other’s stories? How does sharing stories help to create community?
- Why did Arn’s teacher think it was so important for him to learn to share his story? What power did Arn discover when he first spoke about his experiences?
- Arn remembers that power of speaking is “very different from having power with guns.” What do you think he means?
- How was Arn able to turn his story of victimization into a force for change? What enabled him to reach out to others?
- Arn has inspired a number of people—from students to former gang members to diplomats—to work for peace. Who are the people in your life who have inspired you to make a difference?
