SUMMARY

Ahmad Joudeh is a ballet dancer of unusual grace and grit. He was born stateless in a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus, Syria. He has traveled far on the power of his dreams and the elegance of his dance. He survived a traumatic childhood, much of Syria's civil war and constant threats of execution by ISIS. We met Joudeh in his new home in San Diego.

View the transcript of the story.

Short on time? Watch the video and complete the following See, Think, Wonder questions: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

News alternative: Check out our recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. Then make a copy and answer these general discussion questions.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Where was Ahmad Joudeh born and where was his family originally from?
2. When did Joudeh first fall in love with dance?
3. What did Joudeh’s issues with mental health teach him about life?
4. How does Joudeh say dance saved his life?
5. Who does Joudeh portray in the ballet featured in the segment and how does it relate to his message?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

Joudeh mentions a specific phrase twice in his story. First when he is faced with an ultimatum from his father, and again when he reads his tattoo. What is the significance of this phrase to Joudeh’s life? Do you have a quote that you live by?

Media literacy: Why do you believe PBS News Hour told Joudeh’s entire story from his POV(point of view) and his narration? Do you believe this story would be told differently if told by a reporter?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

Watch this video on how other refugees of the Syrian civil war used art as a way of rewriting their story. 

1. Why do comic books lend themselves to telling powerful stories like this? What medium would you like to tell these stories?
2. Why do you think the comic writers allowed the refugees to decide which parts of their experience would be included?
3. How does turning refugees' memories into comics challenge the way we typically see refugees on the news?

For additional resources, check out our lesson plan on the civil war in Syria and the human impact here.

Written by PBS News Hour Classroom's intern Ryan Sowder and News Hour's Victoria Pasquantonio

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