So I taught probably the most interesting lesson since I've been here yesterday. As you all know it was 9/11 and I had struggled with whether or not to teach anything about it in class. I talked to some of the other teachers and got mixed reviews, so I decided to go ahead and teach it, using it as a springboard for future lessons on culture and the creation of more GLOBAL CITIZENS.
My kids were incredible though! We started with discussing what is terrorism and its root word terror. Then went on to discussing what kind of people commit acts of terror. They made some incredible literary and historical connections to the story we are reading in read aloud and also to everything from Bloody Mary to the Muslim exodus of Spain. It was crazy. Then we went on to discuss why people commit acts of terror. They cited jealousy, and not liking the other group of people as the primary reasons. From there we went to religion and I asked them to name the 6 major world religions. They got the big three easy, then struggled with Buddhism and Hinduism. (Those ones that people in India do with the many arms....) And I didn't think they got Sikhism but once I added it, three kids claimed to have said it. Nonetheless I was pretty impressed with their knowledge. We talked about religion as a source of conflict and how if Christians and Muslims would get to know each other then they would probably get along. It was really cool to be a part of. One of my boys asked why Americans panic when they hear the word "bomb" and I said I thought it was likely because it has been over a hundred years since conflict on American soil so we got used to feeling safe, whereas in other parts of the world there isn't this safety and security. So Americans aren't accustomed to fear, and they don't know how to react.
Anyways I was wishing you all could have been here to partake in my groups discussion on culture, religion, coexisting and terrorism. Discussing the events of 9/11 in an American school in a Muslim country was definitely one of the most interesting/challenging/terrifying/rewarding experiences of the year thus far.
Miss you all and our chats tons! Hope you are doing well in all your endeavors
My kids were incredible though! We started with discussing what is terrorism and its root word terror. Then went on to discussing what kind of people commit acts of terror. They made some incredible literary and historical connections to the story we are reading in read aloud and also to everything from Bloody Mary to the Muslim exodus of Spain. It was crazy. Then we went on to discuss why people commit acts of terror. They cited jealousy, and not liking the other group of people as the primary reasons. From there we went to religion and I asked them to name the 6 major world religions. They got the big three easy, then struggled with Buddhism and Hinduism. (Those ones that people in India do with the many arms....) And I didn't think they got Sikhism but once I added it, three kids claimed to have said it. Nonetheless I was pretty impressed with their knowledge. We talked about religion as a source of conflict and how if Christians and Muslims would get to know each other then they would probably get along. It was really cool to be a part of. One of my boys asked why Americans panic when they hear the word "bomb" and I said I thought it was likely because it has been over a hundred years since conflict on American soil so we got used to feeling safe, whereas in other parts of the world there isn't this safety and security. So Americans aren't accustomed to fear, and they don't know how to react.
Anyways I was wishing you all could have been here to partake in my groups discussion on culture, religion, coexisting and terrorism. Discussing the events of 9/11 in an American school in a Muslim country was definitely one of the most interesting/challenging/terrifying/rewarding experiences of the year thus far.
Miss you all and our chats tons! Hope you are doing well in all your endeavors
Wow Jon! I wish I was there to be a part of that! Ugh I hardly talked about 9/11 at all and felt so guilty about it. My school has started a new Literacy program and it has taken over my life. We don't even get time for morning meeting. I'm going to have to start getting sneaky once I get used to the program so I can pick and choose what I want to do and get my morning meeting back! So, yeah very impressed with you and your kids!
ReplyDeleteJon that sounds like such an amazing lesson! Christine would be proud :) Thanks for sharing it with us. Did anyone else bring up 9/11 in their classrooms and if so what did you do, and how did it go? I'm sure we would all love to hear it!
ReplyDeleteJon I actually got goosebumps reading this! I actually for some reason thought this was Julia's post while reading haha so I am even more impressed that you took this on! I would love to hear more about your experience! It really makes me miss being in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI was so impressed after reading this (on my phone, at work) that I immediately shared it with my coworkers. As some of you know, I am still working at Prudential. Anyway, I was so impressed so I shared your story with great enthusiasm and they all sort of looked at me like, "yeah...that's really great Ericca." What I'm trying to say is that not only did your story make me miss being in the classroom, the lack of enthusiasm from my coworkers made me miss being surrounded by such brilliant teachers such as you all.
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