A quote on the wall of the Miami Holocaust Memorial. Our discussion today in class had a large part to do with whether or not we believe something like this could happen again. Photo taken in 2011.
This was a somewhat challenging day for me as a teacher, to try and give control over to student discussion without teacher intervention. Although there were points where it was quiet and awkward, I still think almost everyone did well and that the conversation was productive. Here's what happened in class today:
Learning Targets:
Knowledge LT 17: I can explain how and why world societies organize themselves and how power is established and maintained.
Behavior LT 1: I can manage my responsibilities as a student.
Behavior LT 2: I can self-direct my learning.
Behavior LT 3: I can communicate and work effectively within a team or group.
Soundtrack: "Talk" by Coldplay. Selected for today because most of the class was made up of students talking about the rise of Hitler and whether or not it could happen again. Lyrics here.
AGENDA 1/20/16:
News Brief – Blake
Socratic Seminar
Ladakh Readings
Ancient Futures, Part 1
News Brief: Blake selected an article about this story for the news brief today: CNN.com - At least 19 killed in attack on Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, Pakistan. This was a breaking news story as of this morning, so we talked about who might be responsible and what is going on inside Pakistan.
Queena was selected to do the next news brief.
We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):
Socratic Seminar: This was the first time we have attempted to do this in class, and I think it went really well! I was proud of everyone participating.
This was the reading that we were discussing in class:
1) What happened so that Hitler could get power?
2) Make three discussion questions (not yes or no answers) about the reading. Try to base your questions on specific quotes from the reading.
This was the reading that we were discussing in class:
The questions and answers that I wanted the class to do in preparation for the discussion on this were:
2) Make three discussion questions (not yes or no answers) about the reading. Try to base your questions on specific quotes from the reading.
I passed out this form for assessing how the discussion and unit went, which will be graded on the behavior learning targets:
Google Drive: Socratic Seminar Self-Assessment
I explained that I wanted the discussion to be student led and directed, and then I tried to get out of the conversation as much as possible. Overall, I was pleased with the conversation and I think you touched on some really important issues and questions! Thanks for being willing to participate. We will talk more about this next class. Of course, there were times when I wanted to jump in and provide more information or bring up a question, but that was not my role! Important for me to remember, too.
After the discussion, we finished the Behavior targets self-assessment, then moved on.
Ladakh Readings: As I have been explaining in class, your final will be based on a case study of what happened in Ladakh, which is an region in India. Students will be asked to write about many different aspects of the Ladakh, using almost all of the learning targets we have been through this semester.
To start, here is the reading packet I passed out. Students are taking notes on the back page during the documentary:
Please treat this as homework. There will be time next class to finish this, and it would also be great to have ready, so you can study after the documentary finishes.
Ancient Futures, Part 1: We watched the first 10 minutes or so in this famous documentary, looking at traditional Ladakh. Next class, the documentary will switch to more modern Ladakh. Students are analyzing how it has changed, and how geography, culture, and structures of power play a role in the society.
This is an old movie, for sure (I remember watching it when I was in high school), and also so good at going over the themes we have been talking about all semester.
Next class, we will finish the documentary and I will give students final prep time. I look forward to seeing everyone then! Almost there to the end of the semester!
After the discussion, we finished the Behavior targets self-assessment, then moved on.
Ladakh Readings: As I have been explaining in class, your final will be based on a case study of what happened in Ladakh, which is an region in India. Students will be asked to write about many different aspects of the Ladakh, using almost all of the learning targets we have been through this semester.
To start, here is the reading packet I passed out. Students are taking notes on the back page during the documentary:
Please treat this as homework. There will be time next class to finish this, and it would also be great to have ready, so you can study after the documentary finishes.
Ancient Futures, Part 1: We watched the first 10 minutes or so in this famous documentary, looking at traditional Ladakh. Next class, the documentary will switch to more modern Ladakh. Students are analyzing how it has changed, and how geography, culture, and structures of power play a role in the society.
This is an old movie, for sure (I remember watching it when I was in high school), and also so good at going over the themes we have been talking about all semester.
Next class, we will finish the documentary and I will give students final prep time. I look forward to seeing everyone then! Almost there to the end of the semester!
I just thought this was really relevant:
ReplyDeletehttp://nypost.com/2016/01/18/ex-auschwitz-medic-95-to-stand-trial-for-3681deaths/
Thanks, Meher! Yes, these cases still pop up from time to time. Within a few years, almost everyone alive who had some sort of role in World War II will have passed away, so it is especially interesting to see these. I also thought this story, recently in the news, was pretty interesting as well: http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/20/travel/former-concentration-camp-luxury-resort-mamula-montenegro/
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