SUMMARY

The Washington National Cathedral hired its first female stonemason this year. She joins a team overseeing the installation of stone tablets that symbolize the cathedral’s mission to be a sacred gathering place where all Americans see themselves reflected. Bella Major has the story from the PBS News Student Reporting Labs.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Who are Brianna Castelli and Joe Alonso?
2. What is stone masonry?
3. Where is the National Cathedral located?
4. When did Castelli start working with the crew at the National Cathedral?
5. How did Castelli first discover stone masonry?

FOCUS QUESTION

How have the new stained glass windows at the National Cathedral aimed to tell a more accurate, truthful story of American history?

Media literacy: Do you think more time needed to be spent on reviewing the events referenced in the story in 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia, including a white supremacist rally? Why or why not?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

FOR MORE

What students can do:

1. Explore architecture where you live: Go outside for a walk, take the bus or ask a friend/family member to drive you around your town/city. What buildings do you see? Stores or office buildings? Houses of worship or schools? Choose a building and study its architecture.
   1. Walk around the building if you can, or take some quick notes as you drive past it. Take note of any "gargoyles" — meaning anything that sticks out or makes the building unique in some way. In the Frying Fan Farm image pictured here, check out the sliding doors. Why are sliding doors used on barn houses?
2. Or complete this student activity that asks students to photograph buildings and talk with small business and members of the public where they live:

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