Tag: Social Justice

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Online Simulation Helps Students Empathize with the Working Poor

Screenshot of SpentIf your students come from stable economic backgrounds, they might find it difficult to understand the plight of the poor. Often, students have a stereotypical view of those in poverty and fail to grasp just how difficult it is to live with a low income. Urban Ministries of Durham has created SPENT, an online simulation in which participants try to survive a month without going broke. After applying for a job, they must deal with health issues, cranky landlords, grocery bills, and more. At every step, pop-up circles inform you about how these different challenges take their toll on the working poor in America.

Though it has its shortcomings (being locked into only a few choices, for example), overall it’s an effective learning tool. I’d estimate it would be appropriate for students in grades 5-12.

Give it a try and let me know if you think it would be worth using in your classroom. And here’s a hint before you begin: brush up on your typing skills.

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Powerful Video Shows Students How a Dollar Can Change the World

Change

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” So says Galadriel to Frodo in Peter Jackson’s film of Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring. The same sentiment could be applied to the money that gets donated in the following short film Change for a Dollar. Even the smallest amount of money can change the course of the future.

I am sorely tempted to list discussion points or viewing questions that you could use with this video after showing it your students, but I think this time I’ll just let the video speak for itself. I’d love to hear how you would use the video, or what you would focus on with your students. To share, leave your suggestions and thoughts in the comments section.

Thanks to CatholicTV for posting this video on its Facebook page.

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Educate Young People in Peace and Justice, Says Pope

In his homily for the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, Pope Benedict had these words about the importance of peace and justice education:

‘Educating Young People in Justice and Peace’ is a task for every generation, and thanks be to God, after the tragedies of the two great world wars, the human family has shown increasing awareness of it, as we can witness, on the one hand, from international statements and initiatives, and on the other, from the emergence among young people themselves, in recent decades, of many different forms of social commitment in this field. For the ecclesial community, educating men and women in peace is part of the mission received from Christ, it is an integral part of evangelisation, because the Gospel of Christ is also the Gospel of justice and peace.
Pope Benedict XVI
In the face of the shadows that obscure the horizon of today’s world, to assume responsibility for educating young people in knowledge of the truth, in fundamental values and virtues, is to look to the future with hope. And in this commitment to a holistic education, formation in justice and peace has a place. Boys and girls today are growing up in a world that has, so to speak, become smaller, where contacts between different cultures and traditions, even if not always direct, are constant. For them, now more than ever, it is indispensable to learn the importance and the art of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, dialogue and understanding. Young people by their nature are open to these attitudes, but the social reality in which they grow up can lead them to think and act in the opposite way, even to be intolerant and violent. Only a solid education of their consciences can protect them from these risks and make them capable of carrying on the fight, depending always and solely on the power of truth and good. This education begins in the family and is developed at school and in other formative experiences. It is essentially about helping infants, children and adolescents to develop a personality that combines a profound sense of justice with respect for their neighbour, with a capacity to address conflicts without arrogance, with the inner strength to bear witness to good, even when it involves sacrifice, with forgiveness and reconciliation. Thus they will be able to become people of peace and builders of peace.

In this task of educating young generations, a particular responsibility lies with religious communities. Every pathway of authentic religious formation guides the person, from the most tender age, to know God, to love Him and to do His will. God is love, He is just and peaceable, and anyone wishing to honour Him must first of all act like a child following his father’s example. … In God, justice and mercy come together perfectly, as Jesus showed us through the testimony of His life. … Jesus is a way that can be travelled, open to everyone. He is the path of peace. Today the Virgin Mary points Him out to us, she shows us the Way: let us walk in it!.

Read the rest of the homily here.

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Taking Chance: A Powerful Tribute to Veterans and to Integrity

Taking ChanceThe Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection. The burial of the dead is a corporal work of mercy; it honors the children of God, who are temples of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 2300). I’ve never seen a more poignant demonstration of this corporal work of mercy than the movie Taking Chance. Kevin Bacon portrays Lt. Col. Michael Strobl as he escorts the remains of fallen Marine Chance Phelps to his final resting place.

The honor and respect Phelps receives as his remains travel across the country culminate in the following scene as Strobl and the hearse travel from Montana to Wyoming:

As Veteran’s Day approaches, I humbly offer this suggestion: take 77 minutes during the next few days to watch this powerful film. If it is appropriate to your classroom situation, perhaps you can even share it with your students (as always, be sure to preview it first). I show it to my students for three reasons:

  1. To remember and honor the sacrifice of those who serve our country in the military.
  2. To give students a concrete example of our duty to bury the dead.
  3. To show students a model of the following idea: “Character is what you do when you think no one is watching.”

Both of my grandfathers served in World War II, both of my parents served in the US Navy, and I have several relatives currently serving our country in various branches of the military. To them, and to veterans everywhere, Thank you for your service.

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10 Reasons to Read Freak the Mighty to Your Junior High Students

I love the book Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, and I think reading it aloud to 8th graders in September is the perfect way to start the year. If you’re not familiar with the story, here’s the summary from School Library Journal (with spoilers taken out):

“A wonderful story of triumph over imperfection, shame, and loss. Large, awkward, learning-disabled Freak the MIghtyMaxwell Kane, whose father is in prison for murdering his mother, and crippled, undersized Kevin are both mocked by their peers; the cruel taunting they endure is all too realistic and believable. The boys establish a friendship-and a partnership. Kevin defends them with his intelligence, while Max is his friend’s “legs,” affording him a chance to participate in the larger world. Inspired by tales of King Arthur, they become knights fighting for good and true causes….The author writes with empathy, honoring the possibilities of even peripheral characters; Kevin and Max are memorable and luminous.”

For the past three years, my eighth graders have found it engaging, entertaining and moving. Here are ten reasons why you should consider reading it to your seventh or eighth grade class:

  1. The main characters are seventh graders going into eighth grade, and they’re portrayed like realistic junior high kids.
  2. Both characters are social outsiders, which does two important things: a) it gives the social outsiders in your own class someone to identify with; b) more importantly, it helps the rest of the kids in the class be more accepting of the differences of others.
  3. There is a strong pro-reading anti-TV message to the story that doesn’t come off preachy, corny or phony.
  4. The novel shows that a person’s value does not come from what they can do or not do, but from their very being.
  5. The book constantly makes reference to Arthurian legends, always a popular subject with 8th graders.
  6. Both boys and girls find the story compelling, from the adventurous antics and kidnapping subplot to concern over the treatment of those with disabilities.
  7. The chapters are short enough to read at the beginning of class without cutting into the period too much.
  8. With only 23 chapters, the book can be read in about a month.
  9. Kevin is a loveable geek, and there aren’t enough loveable geeks in fiction 🙂
  10. Finally, there are at least a half a dozen ways the book can be incorporated into literature, reading or religion class; a few examples:
    • As an exploration of what writing fiction is – Kevin often talks about the power of remembering, and the control a person has over what he or she remembers
    • As an example of how writing can be therapeutic – Max writes the story to get over the traumatic events of that year
    • As a discussion-starter for how to treat people with differences – Both Max and Kevin struggle with being different, and the book offers hope to those who feel left out

In a gesture of great generosity, Rodman Philbrick has made available at no charge a version of Freak the Mighty as a one- or two-act play. To get a copy of the play as a pdf, visit Mr. Philbrick’s website and follow the directions you find there. While you’re at the site, be sure to look at the teacher’s guide.

I also highly recommend the movie adaption, The Mighty, starring Sharon Stone, Kieran Culkin, Gillian Anderson, and James Gandolfini. Even the soundtrack is incredible, with the title song performed by Sting. Be sure to preview the movie before showing it due to some swear words and few “birdies” flying, if you know what I mean.

[Cross posted at Teen Literacy Tips]

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Video Features Detroit Cristo Rey High School

One of the myths of Catholic education is that its schools serve only wealthy, suburban families. The following video profiles Detroit Cristo Rey High School, a college preparatory school serving those who could not typically afford a private education. The high school is co-sponsored by the Congregation of St. Basil and the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart Mary.

Follow Detroit Cristo Rey on Twitter @detcristorey, and on Facebook.

Detroit Cristo Rey is not alone. For more on the Cristo Rey educational model, including how to start a school in your area, see the website for the Cristo Rey Network.