What does it mean to show kindness, and why do we choose it? When and why do we withhold our kindness? How do we justify the mistreatment of others?
In this four-day literature course, students explore how we treat others through three short stories: “Thank you, ma’am” by Langston Hughes, “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson, and “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Each day’s 1-hour session invites students to read closely, discuss deeply, and write thoughtfully using two core tools: a 6‑question reading framework (analyzing the narrator, characterization, setting, plot, message, and theme) and 4 writing moves (summary, claim, evidence, analysis).
By the end of the week, students will:
- Analyze the ways empathy and kindness (or the lack thereof) shape our actions
- Strengthen their ability to support claims with textual evidence
- Participate in a Socratic seminar exploring the connections between texts and ideas
- Draft and refine a short essay with guided feedback