Migration is a shared story that spans time and place. Throughout human history, people have crossed borders for a variety of reasons: seeking economic opportunity, reuniting with family, escaping war or persecution, pursuing an education, or finding acceptance for their authentic selves. These motivations, among others, drive hundreds of millions of people around the world to move, either voluntarily or out of necessity.
Facing History & Ourselves invites students to consider why people migrate and how these journeys can shape their sense of who they are and where they belong. Crossing Borders: Building Empathy Through Storytelling is a multi-genre and multimedia text set that represents the voices of authors and poets who have, or whose parents or caregivers have, personal experience with international or internal migration. Their experiences fall on a continuum of voluntary to forced migration, and their short stories, poems, and personal narratives invite students to consider the many reasons people migrate (or don’t).
Designed for grades 9 and 10, the unit begins by challenging traditional views of borders and then delves into personal and collective migration stories, emphasizing the emotional and familial aspects of these journeys. Students are encouraged to rethink common perceptions of identity and belonging, focusing on more inclusive ways of understanding our connections to place. The unit culminates in activities in which students reflect on what they’ve learned about the role of kindness and empathy in creating inclusive, supportive environments, specifically at their school.