About
This website presents a multigenre inquiry project that began in a graduate level course on English/Language Arts pedagogy at Wake Forest University. The inquiry process began while reading Sharon Draper's Copper Sun. The topic was selected because of its centrality in that text and because of the author's interest coming from personal experiences with working with orphans and adoption.
This project explores the essential question, "How do orphaned children navigate loss and find identity?" It attempts to explore the multiple aspects of loss related to orphanhood with a specific focus on the narratives of orphaned children. The genres of writing and media products displayed on this website investigate the potential for language to navigate the loss and renewal of family and individual identity.
The following genres are included in this project:
1. Research paper: "Orphan Narratives: Navigating Loss, Finding Identity"
2. Prezi: "Finding Orphans"
3. Poetry: "The Curse"
4. Poetry: "Life after Death"
5. Dialogue: "A Delicate Conversation: Ten Years after Copper Sun"
6. Letter: "A Letter of Dissent"
7. Character Map of Copper Sun
8. Transcript of a narrative of personal experience shared on Orphan Sunday (November 2, 2014)
9. Photo album: "The Faces Behind the Stories: Portraits of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children"
10. Lesson Plan: Family Narratives in Copper Sun
11. Handout presented at 2014 NCETA Conference: "Finding 'Home': Navigating Heritage and Identity in Slave Narratives and Multicultural Texts"
12. Weebly website: "Orphan Narratives: Navigating Loss, Finding Identity"
As I have studied this topic, I have become increasingly aware of the multifaceted nature of both orphanhood and family identity. The creative work in this project attempts to convey the tension between individual identity and family history, language and experience, and loss and renewal. I hope that the presentation of these narratives will challenge you to struggle with loss, discover the value and limits of language, make larger connections, and inspire you with hope.
Stephen Langford
Wake Forest University
Department of Education
This project explores the essential question, "How do orphaned children navigate loss and find identity?" It attempts to explore the multiple aspects of loss related to orphanhood with a specific focus on the narratives of orphaned children. The genres of writing and media products displayed on this website investigate the potential for language to navigate the loss and renewal of family and individual identity.
The following genres are included in this project:
1. Research paper: "Orphan Narratives: Navigating Loss, Finding Identity"
2. Prezi: "Finding Orphans"
3. Poetry: "The Curse"
4. Poetry: "Life after Death"
5. Dialogue: "A Delicate Conversation: Ten Years after Copper Sun"
6. Letter: "A Letter of Dissent"
7. Character Map of Copper Sun
8. Transcript of a narrative of personal experience shared on Orphan Sunday (November 2, 2014)
9. Photo album: "The Faces Behind the Stories: Portraits of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children"
10. Lesson Plan: Family Narratives in Copper Sun
11. Handout presented at 2014 NCETA Conference: "Finding 'Home': Navigating Heritage and Identity in Slave Narratives and Multicultural Texts"
12. Weebly website: "Orphan Narratives: Navigating Loss, Finding Identity"
As I have studied this topic, I have become increasingly aware of the multifaceted nature of both orphanhood and family identity. The creative work in this project attempts to convey the tension between individual identity and family history, language and experience, and loss and renewal. I hope that the presentation of these narratives will challenge you to struggle with loss, discover the value and limits of language, make larger connections, and inspire you with hope.
Stephen Langford
Wake Forest University
Department of Education
