It seems that there are many touchy or controversial issues that are often neglected in the school system. For our group we read the chapter on Rwanda. In our class discussion on the topic, we talked about the difficulty and scarcity of elementary education covering issues of genocide such as Rwanda and the Holocaust.
The things I recall learning about the Holocaust involved mostly literature. I remember reading books such as The Diary of Anne Frank, Number the Stars, and The Big Lie. But beyond that, my knowledge and elementary resources on the Holocaust were limited.
As far as the Rwanda genocide goes, I was 10 when it happened and did not even know it was happening . I remember first hearing about it in a college course. Even when trying to research lesson ideas on teaching about Rwanda I found pretty much nothing. It is my thought that the Holocaust and Rwanda can be taught in conjunction. Almost as the Holocaust being taught as a history lesson of the past and Rwanda as a history lesson of the present.
http://fcit.usf.edu/holocaust/activity/Intermed.htm
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson187.shtml
Often the Holocaust is viewed as a horrible tragedy of the past. And I believe that learning about Rwanda in conjunction with the Holocaust puts some perspective to tragedy and genocide itself. Demonstrating that those things do exist currently.
My idea for a lesson plan integrating science and social studies would involve looking at food proportions. Students could look up food standards and compare what they currently eat daily to what families during the Holocaust and Rwanda ate. They could compare the types of food as well as the amounts of food. This would allow for students to discuss the differences in culture and environment. This would also give students the opportunity to discuss how limited resources could be connected to population or even location.
I also think that a basic lesson on discrimination can cover the basis of some of the conflict in both the Holocaust and Rwanda. I have included the video “A Class Divided”, which I believe to be an amazing lesson for 3rd graders in 1968. And note the effects of using both positive and negative praise!
I wanted to share this reading. It’s called the Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift. It’s Swift’s suggestion for dealing with an over populated Ireland in the 1700′s. It is not supposed to be read from an ethical perspective. It makes one wonder, with all ethics and morals aside, could this work?
http://art-bin.com/art/omodest.html
Isn’t it interesting that as a society, we generally do not discuss issues until they are so far removed from us? Have you ever noticed that American history textbooks only go so far- usually to the Cold War- and then stop? Or if they go farther, it is only like 10 pages? I also believe that we should be educating our students about current issues. I liked your idea for the lesson and using food proportions as a display of the hardships that many people are facing. It is appropriate and a visual, tangible reminder of what is happening in the world.
I agree that the case is that a lot of the sensitive subjects are just avoided in classrooms. It is a tragedy that a lot of times, certain events in history are not taught for whatever reason. One example for me is that we were never taught anything about the Japanese internment camps… why? Who knows? History is taught in varied perspectives, with things left out based on where you have your schooling.
Great ideas with the food, good lesson!
Mallory
Leslie, I have seen that video, “A Class Divided”, as well and I also think that it would be a great resource for showing kids what can happen when people discriminate. I think it would be great for kids to see other kids discriminating each other. I think that they would be able to relate to the situation better when it is other kids involved, rather than a bunch of adults. This more basic example of discrimination could be a great way to lead kids into the bigger issues of the holocaust or the genocide in Rwanda.
Great ideas!
Melisa
I think that teaching students about horrific events that have happened in the past is very important. It can be hard for teachers to try and implement subject matter like the holocaust, as some parents might not want elementary age children to focus on such sad events. I personally would be in favor of teaching about the holocaust, but would understand if parent(s) disagreed.
It makes one wonder whose history we are learning, and why. Sarah’s observation is an important one – why is history “capped” at a particular point in time? For me, it reiterates the role of schools, and their overarching goal of “institutionalizing” students into society.