The Frankenstein unit teaches Earth and Life Sciences by exploring the arctic, where captain Robert encounters Victor Frankenstein. The resources discuss the arctic’s climate, animal inhabitants, glacial landforms, and human history, while also weaving in life skills lessons like subtleties of communication.
As Laura turned towards the white board to write down other students’ responses, she heard a loud noise that sounded like somebody trying to get her attention.
“I turned around and my quiet and shy student had his hand raised. When I called on him, he gave me a great answer in a voice loud enough to be heard for the first time! Every adult in the classroom was floored.”
From that moment on, the student slowly became an active participant in class discussions.
As Laura was telling this story, I, the writer, broke out in chills. Classic stories like Frankenstein earn their iconic status for a reason, because they resonate with the reader by appealing to the deepest part of ourselves—the part that makes us all human. The story of Laura’s student resonated with that deepest part of me too, because it showcases the power of Readtopia’s magic: it’s transformative.
“Readtopia changed how I taught and interacted with my students. It allowed me to see what was possible and set goals for myself and my students that I never would have thought possible before,” Laura says.