By Student Reporter: Ashley Yan
Germantown, TN--March 8, 2022--Houston High School English teacher Mrs. Valerie McKinney opened her very own "Bookworm Museum" showcasing the different books that her AP Literature students have been reading for the past couple weeks. Students were grouped together to work collectively on recurring themes from each novel that they will eventually be tested on for exams at the end of the year. By creating posters, collecting artifacts, and collaborating on collages, Mrs. McKinney has truly created a fun and innovative way for her students to learn and memorize important literature while also introducing new books to others visiting the Book Museum. These novels included Where the Crawdads Sing, Beloved, Kite Runner, Frankenstein, and A Separate Peace with themes such as youth, identity, individuality, pursuit of knowledge, redemption, and more. The Museum consisted of a poster for each group that lists favorite quotes and themes as well as creative artifacts that students brought in to represent symbols from the novels. Each artifact was accompanied by an index card explaining its significance, similar to a real museum. Visitors from different classrooms could stop by anytime during the day to read and ask questions about each book, allowing students to practice and utilize their comprehension and knowledge skills. Mrs. McKinney transforms difficult learning material into an interactive experience for all.
