ERK's BK Lit Triangle!

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WGroup Members:
Rachel Diaz
Erin Fitzgerald
Kim Konopka

Final Group Project Theme:
Embracing culture through Brooklyn and Food
  • Our project will take a closer look at the famous neighborhoods of Brooklyn such as Williamsburg, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, etc. and will study the many cultures that have become essential components of these neighborhoods. For example, for Brighton Beach we will not only discover and study the physical area, we will take a look at Russian culture and Russian delicacies that the area has become famous for! Our unit is, of course, still expanding with time

Literature Triangle Books:
1. Hattie and the Wild Waves by Barbara Cooney
  • This is the story of a young girl who dreams of becoming an artist. For a portion of the book, Hattie spends her time living at a Brooklyn hotel, soaking up the neighborhood.
  • Lit Circle Questions:
    • How does this book relate to our final unit of study?
    • How will this book engage students?
    • What essential questions will students consider during discussion about the book?

2. The Neighborhoods of Brooklyn edited by John B. Manbeck, published by Yale University Press
  • This generously illustrated book takes us on a tour of the ninety neighborhoods of Brooklyn, providing intimate portraits of their diverse ethnic makeups, abundance of architectural styles, and many churches and festivals.
  • Lit Circle Questions:
    • How does this book relate to our final unit of study?
    • How will this book engage students?
    • What essential questions will students consider during discussion about the book?


Possible Neighborhoods to Explore within our Unit
(Tentative Outline)
  • Brighton Beach - Russian culture
    • Exploration of Russian history in Brighton Beach
    • Exploration of Russian food and events that are held in Brighton Beach
    • Possible trip to Millennium Theater (possibility of speaking to the owner to coordinate a small performance for the students)
  • Atlantic Avenue - Arabic culture
    • Exploration of Arabic history on Atlantic Avenue
    • Exploration of Arabic restaurants and events held on Atlantic Avenue
    • Possible trip to the Arabic Festival that draws about 500,000 people each year
  • Bedford-Stuyvesant - African American culture
    • Exploration of African American history in Bed.-Stuy.
    • Possible trip to Fulton Art Fair

  • Also considering Jewish Communities of Borough Park and West Indian influence in Brooklyn