Hyla Stories
Quaranzines
May 21, 2020
“This is a project to reach through isolation.”  So began Kate and Emelio’s art and English collaboration with the 7th grade class on a new type of magazine, a “Quaranzine.” Through different mediums and materials, students creatively documented their experiences in quarantine and filled their Quaranzines with reading lists, new delights they’ve found, essays about the new challenges they’ve faced, boredom-solving how-to’s, poetry, illustrated maps, and more. “This is a great way to facilitate students’ exploration of their personal experiences,” explained Kate, “and an opportunity for students to translate those experiences into artwork and written work.” When the Quaranzines are complete, students will connect with partner students across the country and mail their Quaranzines to seventh graders at Winchester Thurston, a middle school in Ohio where Emelio’s sister also teaches English. In return, Hyla students will also receive a Quaranzine from students at Winchester Thurston, surely revealing similarities and differences in perspective and experience. “We’re really excited to start this partnership in seventh grade,” said Emelio, “because as eighth graders, they’ll continue this cross-country partnership in our study of race and racism.” The beautiful and thoughtful Quaranzines are both artful expressions and historic artifacts of this unprecedented time. This project is a way for students to bear witness to what they experience and discover during a time of challenge. Their work is a vibrant documentation of this episode in human history. Create your own! Kate and Emelio’s colorful assignment takes you through all the steps. |