A select group of 6th grade ELA students stepped beyond the pages of The Breadwinner and into a creative novel extension project with Mrs. McCarthy in the Media Center. After reading and analyzing the novel in small groups within their ELA classrooms, students brought their thinking to life through hands-on, collaborative projects.
During their library sessions, students chose unique ways to demonstrate their understanding of the novel’s themes and topics. Podcasts and stop-motion videos gave voice to Parvana’s story, while dioramas crafted from clay, Play-Doh, and Legos recreated powerful scenes from the book. One student designed an intricate marble run to represent the pipeline system used to bring water into Parvana’s home, highlighting the stark differences between access to water in Afghanistan and America. Another group used coding to create a “super-safe” deposit box—perfect for hiding Parvana’s father’s treasured books.
Each project reflected deep thinking and creativity, exploring themes such as food supply shortages, feminism, and gender equality. Through innovation, teamwork, and imagination, these students showed that understanding literature goes far beyond reading—it’s about connecting, creating, and giving stories new life.