Grade 7 Immigration Oral History Presentations

The project aligns with the unit’s focus on immigration and storytelling and runs concurrently with the class’s first assigned book of the year, Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri. As students read about the young protagonist—a 7th grader whose family resettled in Oklahoma as refugees from Iran—they studied U.S. immigration policy and current global refugee issues. The oral history assignment culminates this first phase of the unit.

To bring real-world stories to life, students interviewed someone who had immigrated to a new country, either connecting with family and home networks or pairing with members of the Rivers community. Over the course of the project, students took responsibility for setting up their meetings, preparing questions, managing translation when needed, writing final essays, and sending formal thank-you notes to their interviewees.

Interviewees represented a dynamic cross-section of personal and community connections: grandmothers, great-grandparents, great-uncles, local family friends, and members of the Rivers professional community, including campus facilities members, dining staff, and language faculty. Some interviews were conducted in Spanish with humanities teacher Eitan Tye serving as translator, giving students a firsthand appreciation for connecting across languages.

Before the presentations began during class time in the yurt last week, Tye directed students’ attention to a set of discussion norms. Tye had compiled the norms based on student reflections on what makes them feel respected during conversations. The norms called for active listening, eye contact, avoiding side conversations, and asking thoughtful follow-up questions. Tye also reminded the students that while enthusiasm and banter are welcome at times, it is important to shift behavior when peers are presenting. 

As students took the floor in the yurt, they shared meaningful quotes, family connections, and emotional takeaways spanning migrations from Mexico, Guatemala, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and more.

One student shared that learning her grandmother’s story gave her a deeper appreciation for perseverance and for pushing toward a dream, even when it feels daunting. Another student reflected on how much courage and hard work it takes to take huge risks in search of opportunities. 

Across the presentations, students also passed along practical advice for future Grade 7 students taking on the assignment. A common takeaway was the importance of allowing the interview to unfold as a natural conversation rather than merely following a script. Students noted that interviewees often answered prepared questions in advance, and that it was important to improvise follow-up questions. Others emphasized the need to stay focused and present during the interview process to prevent missing details.

Students were articulate, thoughtful, and prepared. Tye praised the class for its adept management of the project, its ability to implement feedback, and its willingness to broaden perspectives.

As students read the second half of Everything Sad Is Untrue over the coming weeks, they will turn their focus to themselves—preparing to take the stage at Storytelling Night on November 5, where they will share their own stories with the broader community.