In ELA 8, students read Soldier's Heart, a poignant novel about a 15-year-old boy who enlists in the Union Army during the Civil War. After witnessing the horrors of combat at the Battle of Bull Run, he returns home with what is then known as "soldier's heart," a condition now recognized as PTSD. As part of this unit, students also explored Civil War medicine and PTSD in their Science 8 class, connecting historical and modern-day understandings of trauma.
To deepen their understanding, students participated in a unique art therapy project funded by a grant from the Chenango County Council of the Arts. The project began with students reflecting on themselves—choosing colors that represented their own personalities, happiness, and experiences. They used these colors to decorate a 2D silhouette of themselves, setting the stage for emotional exploration through art.
Once students completed their self-portraits, they repeated the process but this time through the lens of empathy. They imagined what Charley, the protagonist of Soldier's Heart, might have felt and thought during his traumatic experiences. The exercise encouraged students to step into Charley’s shoes, helping them understand the emotional weight of war from a deeply personal perspective.
The project culminated in a field trip to the Vet's Home in Oxford, NY, where students learned about PTSD firsthand. Ellena Holl, a social worker, gave an enlightening presentation on the effects of PTSD, followed by stories shared by veterans who had lived through similar struggles. In small group discussions, students had the opportunity to engage directly with veterans, hearing their personal stories and gaining insights into their experiences.
After the trip, students revisited their artwork, this time creating new paintings inspired by the individual veterans they had met. They empathized with the veterans' unique experiences, using color and symbolism to express their newfound understanding of trauma.
The project concluded with a gallery walk, where students showcased their paintings and reflected on the emotional journey they had undertaken. Through this immersive experience, students not only explored the history and impact of PTSD but also developed empathy and a deeper appreciation for the struggles faced by those affected by it, both historically and in the present day.
