We recently started reading the book I am Malala, by Malala Yousafzai, in our English class. The memoir is written by Malala, who was shot in the head at age 14 by the Taliban because she was an advocate for girls receiving education in Pakistan. Malala survived being shot and continues to work to promote education for all children. In the prologue, Malala describes two very different settings of her story-- her old home in Pakistan, and her new home in England. Students listed details for each setting and composed a visual to represent it, then students wrote about where they would rather live-- England, Pakistan, or someplace else.
Malala's Home in Pakistan:
- Neighborhood kids playing
- Women downstairs gossiping and chatting
- Men smoking cigarettes and debating politics
- They carried cans of gas from the store to heat their water on the stove
- She had trophies and awards in her bedroom
- Her little brothers would watch TV and fight over the remote
- She joked with her dad about the school "walking" not "running
Visual below composed by Sam and Erin
Malala's Home in England:
- Sturdy Brick house
- Dark and chilly outside
- Hears Quiet
- Hot and cold water running
- Large rooms with shiny wood floors
- Large furniture and a large T.V
- Hears family members crying for home (Pakistan)
- Answers her dad seriously about school
Visual below composed by Danny, Stan, and Shane
Student comments:
Erin writes, "I would rather live in England than in Pakistan. The reason why I chose this country is so that I can have some peace and quiet while I relax, and so I can do my homework without any distractions. Although I don't mind the kids playing outside, because it brings joy to people. In Pakistan, there were men smoking while debating. I don't like smoking because it shortens your life. Secondhand smoking to me is suffocating because there is no fresh air nearby. I like having large rooms because I don't like tight spaces. It makes me feel uncomfortable. It's also great to have a large TV, so I can have a better view with the screen."
Sam writes, "The country that I would like to live in is England. One reason is that the place is quiet and most people are friendly towards Americans. Also in England, there is not as much violence as there is in Pakistan. In fact, they speak more English in England than in Pakistan, which would make it easier to talk to people. In Pakistan, girls are not allowed to go to school, which I don't think is fair because everybody needs to learn. For all these reasons, I would prefer living in England."
Linus writes, "I like it to be quiet. England is quiet where Malala lives. I like large rooms in my house. I like when people are serious. Dad is serious at home. I would rather live in England because it's less dangerous." *
Chris writes, "I want to live in South Korea because I love the songs. I like to go to the Dream Tower. South Korea has skyscrapers taller than United States." *
Stan writes, "I would rather live in England for two reasons; one it's a peaceful place and there's less danger, two there are large T.V.s, furniture, and sturdy brick houses. That is why I would live in England instead of Pakistan."
Shane writes,"Where I would rather live is England. I would choose to live there because it is more quiet and peaceful. Pakistan is okay, except there are some parts where there can be danger. In the summer of 2012, I went to England and it is usually dark and chilly, but when I went there it was sunny. England would be a place to live in."
Danny writes, "My thought was England and not Pakistan because I wouldn’t really want to live in Pakistan. I’ve never been to Pakistan, and it wouldn’t be a place I would want live in because there is danger. Also I’ve been in England. I was born in London (the capital of England). That's why I like England more than Pakistan."
*Response was scribed and prompted using sentence starters.
