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| The Origin Project student anthologies (source The Origin Project) |
The Origin Project has made its way to John I. Burton.
Norton Elementary students have participated in this program for a few years, but this year an opportunity came to the high school. Students in the Online Communication class that writes the Burton Blog will be participating. The Origin Project makes these kids really think about what home is and makes them think about the small details in life that makes home home.The program was started by Adriana Trigiani, the author of Big Stone Gap and ten other books.
Trigiana says on her website, “I always loved when guest artists came to our school. It sparked something in the students to meet writers from other places, and I know for sure it changes the lives of the writers.”
The Origin Project gave each participant a small orange journal to put stories and notes in as they write about their home, family, and sense of place. At the end of the project, each student will submit one piece of writing to be published in an anthology of all the student writers taking part in the project. The people who participate in the project will be invited on a field trip to celebrate the publication of the anthology of student writing and hear professional authors read and talk about writing.
My own attitude about having this chance to do the Origin Project is really joyful. We have looked at some writing from Rick Bragg, an author who won the Pulitzer Prize for journalism, to get a feel of the sense of imagery we need to have in our writing to make it good.
We have also done a poem to get us started on it modeled after one called "Where I'm From." We brainstormed a list of things we remembered about our home and childhood to give us ideas. The poem is still in progress; however, it's showing us the importance of home.
Another student in the class, Caitlyn Collins, said, "It is a fun experience for us to see all the small details that make my home." She continued, "My favorite part so far is sharing it with my classmates."
At the end of the semester, the students who participated will choose their best, or favorite piece of writing and submit it to be published in the anthology.