12th Graders Tour Mansfield Reformatory for Shawshank Study 📚🎬
From Page to Screen.
Mrs. Kager and Mr. Stewart led Chippewa Jr./Sr. High School 12th grade ELA students on a field trip to the historic Mansfield Reformatory to study media translation.
Seniors in our English Language Arts classes recently experienced literature coming to life beyond the traditional classroom walls. Mrs. Kager and Mr. Stewart took the 12th grade students on an educational journey to the historic Mansfield Reformatory, the iconic location where the film adaptation of “The Shawshank Redemption” was filmed.
The visit served as a central hands-on element of a comprehensive unit exploring how stories transition across different forms of media. Prior to the trip, students analyzed the original written text, preparing them to evaluate how settings, themes, and characters shift when adapted for the big screen.
During their time at the reformatory, students participated in a guided tour that provided valuable historical background and context about the facility. Walking through the cell blocks gave everyone a tangible sense of scale and atmosphere that simply cannot be replicated in a textbook.
This immersive experience allowed our Chipps to draw deeper analytical connections when they ultimately viewed the film adaptation. By comparing the text, physical filming site, and movie, students sharpened their critical thinking and media literacy skills in an unforgettable way.
Opportunities like these highlight the value of experiential learning as our seniors prepare for college and future careers. We love seeing our educators create engaging lessons that spark curiosity and deepen comprehension!
Stay tuned for more creative high school curriculum highlights throughout the semester.
Ask your senior student about their favorite discovery from the tour of the reformatory
