My 7th graders in Kalamazoo, MI have a desire to voice their opinions. The title of their first essay assignment was titled, "We Must Take Sides," as Elie Wiesel said in his infamous quotation, "We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." This quotation serves as the starting point for a year of studying the 1940's decade of change in United States History. My mission as their Social Studies teacher (with their English teacher) is to teach them to have an opinion and voice on paper and in discussion.
Your donation to this trip to the Holocaust Memorial Museum will provide a culminating experience after spending a year studying the 1940's.
The 7th grade curriculum in my building includes many texts underneath this 1940's title including Maus I and II, Bomb: The Race to Build-and Steal-The World's Most Dangerous Weapon, Hiroshima, and Anne Frank. By participating in this year long process, students are prepared to comprehend their experience at the museum and ask the critical questions about history that make a difference. Students will be participating in a historical connections assignment while at the museum.
My Project
This field trip is an opportunity for students to "go-and-see" history. While the focus on my curriculum is emphasized on building student voice, it is important for students to see when people did not have the opportunity to have a voice. Specifically, when voices are taken by force. Students will also get to meet a survivor and speak to them about their experiences. They will have an opportunity to meet history in a face-to-face setting.
The Holocaust Memorial Center provides students with a hands-on approach to learning outside of the class novels and readings.
Students are able to see artifacts, ask questions, and witness testimony of one event in history (out of many) that altered our understanding of the human timeline. Students participated in personal narrative assignment focused on the bystander effect. Through this lens, one part of the tour addresses the role of activism and how students can change through action in their schools and communities. One of the most exciting parts of the trip are the memories and motivation that students return with to the building.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Murdock and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
