×
Grades level iconsGrades 9–12
Session time icon60+ Minutes
Genre information iconNarrative, Poetry
Video resource type iconVideos

Write With . . . Life Stories: Excavate Your Story with Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis

by 826 National and Life Stories
Presented by: Life Stories
In this lesson, you will learn about Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis’s life, an idea she calls “fierce-love,” and the importance of learning to love yourself.
About the Author

Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis is Senior Minister at Middle Collegiate Church in New York City. She is the first African American and first woman to serve in that position, which dates to 1628. Lewis is an activist, preacher, and fierce advocate for racial equality, economic justice, and LGBTQIA+ equality. In addition, Lewis is the author of several books, including The Power of Stories: A Guide for Leading Multi-racial, and Multicultural Congregations (2008), 10 Essential Strategies to Grow a Multiracial, Multicultural Congregation (2018), the children’s book You Are So Wonderful! (2020) and Fierce Love: A Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness That Can Heal the Word (2022).

About Life Stories 

Life Stories is a non-profit media organization that creates and distributes documentaries, interviews, and educational resources about people whose lives inspire meaningful change. These stories address issues of civics, history, politics, the arts and culture by shining the spotlight on relatable human stories of purpose and meaning in times of change. Life Stories provides open access to all their content for communities and classrooms through their curated website and YouTube channel.

About The Thread 

The Thread is a new documentary interview series by Life Stories, exploring what it means to live a purpose-driven life through conversations with multi-faceted people who have helped shape our society. Each 30-minute episode takes viewers on a personal journey into the life of extraordinary people who candidly share their triumphs and failures. The Thread is available on the Life Stories website and YouTube channel, and as a podcast across all major platforms. Teaching The Thread brings the series  into the classroom with episode lessons designed to strengthen social emotional learning and media literacy skills and expand the scope of subject matter in Social Studies and English Language Arts. Future seasons of The Thread will include similar curricular support.

Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3 Common Core Standards Icon
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3 Common Core Standards Icon
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
What You Will Do

Introduction:

In this video, Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis recalls how difficult childhood experiences shaped her commitment to activism. She shares her belief in the interconnectedness of humanity, advocates for conscious voting and learning from diverse perspectives, emphasizes the importance of self-love as a foundation for “fierce-love,” and acknowledges the power of individuals to make a positive impact to change the world. Please visit “Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis: Finding Wisdom in Pain,” to see the full lesson created by Life Stories.

Content Notes: 

  • In this lesson, students are instructed to watch the parts of the video that are relevant to their writing. If you decide to watch the full video, please note that the beginning of this video contains mature content that may not be appropriate for younger viewers.
  • We suggest you screen the video beforehand for topics that might need more historical or cultural context to help students access the full meaning of the speaker’s story. The lesson provided by Life Stories offers discussion questions to help your students dig deeper.

 

STEP 1

To begin, watch the video from 19:2128:01. Read this quote, and then answer the following questions in your writing journal:

Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis said, “. . . being curious about yourself grows your muscle for being curious about others, and that curiosity for people who are different from you is the foundation for fierce-love and advocacy work.”

What does “fierce-love” mean to you? What does “being curious about others” mean to you? How do you think they connect? 

STEP 2

One aspect of fierce-love that Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis mentions is the act of knowing yourself while staying awake to the parts of your identity that are ever-changing. It’s in this state of self-awareness that you develop empathy and natural curiosity for others; that empathy for others will fuel your advocacy work—because you’ve chosen to love others fiercely, without judgment, you are better equipped to see how you can support them. 

The work of fierce-love begins with fiercely loving yourself. Next, you will begin exploring parts of your self-identity, using the Starburst Identity Chart on page 1 of the Excavate Your Story—Handout Write your name in the gray box. Then, write words and phrases that describe elements of your identity at the ends of the lines. Feel free to add more lines. Below are some components of self-identity to help you brainstorm; however, only use words and phrases that resonate with you, your identity, and your experiences: 

  • Your background (e.g., race, ethnicity, biological gender, gender expression, religion, place of birth)
  • Your hobbies (e.g., soccer fan, theater kid, animal lover)
  • Your interests (e.g., the music you listen to, the TV shows and movies you watch, the subjects you know a lot about)
  • The roles you have (e.g., friend, sister, uncle, cousin) 

STEP 3

After you’ve completed your identity chart, pause for a moment and read the elements of your identity that you called out. Answer the reflection questions on page 2 of the handout. 

Then, return to your identity chart and circle 3–5 of the identity words and phrases you wrote down. Try to select a mix of the identities you already know you love and the identities you are still learning about. Then, find the Your Identities Chart on page 3 of the handout. In the first column, write the identity words and phrases you circled. In the second column, write what you love about that identity. In the third column, write about what power that identity gives you. 

STEP 4

Finally, write a poem or a narrative about who you are and the power you possess. Write your piece in your writing journal. Here are some ideas to help you get started: 

  • Poem: Start each stanza of your poem with “I am [identity word or phrase]” and then fill out the rest of the lines with the information you brainstormed on page 3 of the handout. Try to include a simile or a metaphor that describes how you feel about this identity. Example: 

I am a theater kid.

        Before every show, I am a candle waiting to be lit

        The audience’s applause energizes me 

        To perform my best every night.

  • Narrative: Choose one of your identity words or phrases and write about a time when that identity helped you choose fierce-love. Try to include a question about your identity that you didn’t know you had.

STEP 5

Finally, reflect on a phrase that Rev. Dr. Lewis said in the video: “excavate your story.” The word excavate means “uncover.”  Do you feel like you began excavating your story? What will you do next? How will deepening your understanding of yourself help you engage in acts of fierce-love? Write your reflections in your writing journal.

Materials

 

See more Videos at this level

Grades 9–10
Videos
The 5 Speeds of Scene with Sean Prentiss

by Sean Prentiss

Narrative

Essayist, poet, and National Outdoor Book Award winner Sean Prentiss shares 5 techniques to use when writing scenes.

Grades 6–12
Videos
Reflections on Writing from Jason Reynolds

by Jason Reynolds

Memoir
Narrative
Poetry

National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and NYT Bestselling Author, Jason Reynolds, joined 826 students for a conversation on his video project, "For Every One."

Grades 9–10
Videos
Writing for TV with Tim McKeon

by 826 National

Media
Narrative

Television writer and showrunner Tim McKeon shares how he became a scriptwriter and the valuable skills you'll need if you'd like to become one too.

Grades 9–10
Videos
Writing & Empathy with Dr. Matthew Bucknor

by 826 National

Memoir
Narrative

Radiologist Matthew Bucknor shares while it's important for students studying STEM fields "not to sleep on the Humanities."

Grades 6–12
Videos
Meaning from Shape (Secondary)

by Cristeta Boarini, 826 MSP

Poetry

Journalist and 826 MSP staffer, Cristeta Boarini, shares a poetry prompt that walks students through using shapes to convey meaning.

Grades 9–12
Videos
For Every One

by Jason Reynolds

Memoir
Narrative

Part letter, part long-form poem, "For Every One" offers reflections and courageous words about unraveling and rebuilding one's dreams.

Grades 9–10
Videos
Writing & Creativity with NaBeela Washington

by 826 National

Narrative

Writers are guided by their personal and artistic values as they work to achieve their goals. But what are those values built on? In this lesson, you will discover that for yourself.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Notice What You Notice with Austin Bunn

by Austin Bunn

Narrative

Fiction writer, playwright, and screenwriter Austin Bunn shares a writing prompt that will get you noticing--and reimagining--the objects you see everyday.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With . . . Life Stories: Singing Through Struggles with Gloria Estefan
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Media

Songwriters are powerful storytellers. Their lyrics can connect us, uplift us, and even heal us. In this lesson, you’ll identify a story of your own and turn it into original song lyrics.

Grades 9–10
Videos
Writing & Advocacy with Brenda Quintanilla

by 826 National

Informational

Law student Brenda Quintanilla shares how writing is a vital tool to use when advocating for your community.

Grades 11–12
Videos
I Remember… with Natalie Moore

by Natalie Moore

Memoir
Narrative
Poetry

In this lesson, you will use journal entries as inspiration for a dynamic narrative poem.

Grades 8–10
Videos
1947: Stories as Records

by 826 National, featuring Priyanna Kumar Singhania, Grade 8

Narrative
Poetry

In this lesson, you will write down a story that’s been passed down to you, using precise words and phrases and sensory language, to convey a vivid picture of the event.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With . . . Life Stories: Moments as Poetry with Reginald Dwayne Betts
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Poetry

In this lesson, you will hear about the life and art of Reginald Dwayne Betts and write a poem that captures a meaningful moment from your everyday life.

Grades 2–12
Videos
Hear Me Out with Javier Zamora

by Javier Zamora, 826 Valenica alumni and New York Times bestselling author

Memoir
Narrative
Persuasive
Poetry

Author Javier Zamora invites you to raise your voice and write to the next President of the United States.

Grade 10
Videos
To the Future Lawmakers from a Terrified Teen

by Lila Coffey, Grade 10, MA

Poetry

Lila Coffey addresses her fears for women and children, in her poem addressed to the next President of the United States. Viewer disecretion is advised.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Remix Your Writing

by Robin Reid Drake, 826CHI

Poetry

826CHI Teaching Artist, Robin Reid Drake, shares an original writing prompt that encourages students to borrow lines from their favorite pieces of writing and then remix them into something new.

Grades 9–10
Videos
TV Narrative Study with Tim McKeon

by 826 National

Informational
Media

Television writer and showrunner Tim McKeon shares how you can study your favorite TV show to learn about screenwriting.

Grade 10
Videos
A Child’s Dream

by Isabella Baldisseri, Grade 10, OR

Poetry

Isabella Baldisseri reads her original piece of writing—a letter to the next President of the United States—addresssing her concerns about Palestine. Viewer discretion is advised.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Writing & LinkedIn with Erin Polgreen

by 826 National

Memoir
Narrative

Senior Business Development Manager Erin Polgreen shares more about the ways she sees LinkedIn users engaging with writing on the platform.

Grades 2–12, k
Videos
Write. Read. Feel. with Mychal Threets

by Mychal Threets, librarian and literacy ambassador

Memoir
Narrative
Poetry

Librarian and literacy ambassador Mychal Threets invites you to write about your feelings, your way with four writing prompts to explore your emotions on the page.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With… Life Stories: Storytelling Is Who We Are with Tova Friedman
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Narrative

Stories can bridge our past to our future—but only if we build them. In this lesson, you will reflect on a story from your personal history that you think others could learn from.

Grades 9–12
Videos
How to Ask Why with Nicole Dungca

by 826 National

Informational
Media

Nicole Dungca, Investigative Reporter at The Washington Post and President of the Asian American Journalists Association, shares strategies for asking key questions.

Grades 9–12
Videos
The Art of Revision with Shavon Doyle-Holton

by 826 National

Informational
Narrative

Revision is the process of making substantial changes in your writing. In this lesson, you will use revision strategies to strengthen a current piece of writing you’re working on.

Grades 11–12
Videos
If I Were a Poet: Ironic Narratives

by 826 National, featuring Alistar Bedell, Grade 11, CA

Narrative

In this lesson, you will practice analyzing different types of a narrative technique called irony. Then, you will write your own scene that uses irony to develop an imaginary experience or character.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Floor Plan

by Amy Dupcak, 826NYC

Memoir
Narrative

Writer and teaching artist with 826NYC, Amy Dupcak, shares a memoir writing prompts that helps students use specific sensory language to describe a place they love.

Grades 9–10
Videos
Place As a Character with Sean Prentiss

by Sean Prentiss

Narrative

Essayist, poet, and National Outdoor Book Award winner Sean Prentiss shares his favorite way to develop the setting of a story or essay as a fully formed character.

Grades 6–12
Videos
Battling the Page with Johan Bergenas

by 826 National

Informational
Narrative
Persuasive
Poetry

In this lesson, you will build your confidence as a writer by battling the page on a consistent basis.

Grades 9–12
Videos
Write With. . . Life Stories: Soundscape Poems with Jason Reynolds
by Life Stories

by 826 National and Life Stories

Poetry

You will write a “soundscape” poem filled with familiar sounds of your neighborhood or home.

Grades 6–12
Videos
Writing & Mental Health with Arielle Johnson (AJ)

by 826 National

Memoir

In this lesson, you will learn a strategy for writing down your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly.

Grades 3–12
Videos
Book Scavenger Hunt Poetry with Amanda Gorman

by Amanda Gorman

Poetry

Presidential Inaugural Poet, activist, and bestselling author Amanda Gorman shares one of her favorite techniques for starting a poem or getting over writers' block.