Focus:
The main focus and origin of my workshop arose from an article I read
called "When Values Clash" by Susan M. Church. She discussed how through
trying to advocate a holistic view of teaching language arts and teaching
children skills such as critical thinking that children were in conflict
with their parents. The origin of this thought developed from an incident
whereby parents wanted to ban the very popular R. L. Stine Goosebumps
series. The realization for me came when I discovered that on one issue
there were so many sides and ideas (sides formed by common thought).
I then thought about history (my first passion) and remembered the different
bias out there and how factors such as location can affect the way we see
a historical event. Drama allows students the opportunity to explore their
own point of view and try to imagine another point of view by putting the
student in a totally new situation (point of view). In regards to history
we might be able to see the other side of the argument.
Conceptual Development:
The theory underlying the workshop for the student goes as follows:
Point of the Workshop:
The underlying focus of this workshop is to provide an opportunity
for students to develop critical thinking skills that are essential to
the study of higher education. Furthermore, it can provide an opportunity
to probe into the human condition and the events of historical significance.
For this workshop I chose World War II as a starting point that would lead
into present day issues. I do not see why it could not work with any other
period of history.
Classroom Setup:
The classroom will be divided up into 6 sections using whatever you
can find to physically divide each section. In our case, divide sections
using mirrors, risers, blocks and even chairs. Five sections should be
connected to each other in a sequential order. The sixth section is at
the top or bottom of the five sections. This section is the Time
Corridor. The journey for this workshop will go in the following
order: 1944 America, D-Day, 1940's Germany, The Realm of Realization,
and the Present Day Period. The classroom for this workshop is turned
into an Epcot Center adventure and the teacher should keep this
theme in mind as well.
1944 America:
Key setup has period music played on the radio with posters adorning
the walls. Words and phrases of key Americans can be displayed as well.
D-Day:
Chart paper lines the walls and the VCR
is at one end of the room.
1940's Germany:
German period music or even interpreted music played on the radio mixed
with speeches if they can be found. Walls should have similar postings
and sayings or people as in 1944 America, but with a German flair.
The Realm of Realization:
Bare room with just an audio device to play music.
The Present
Where the journey and the workshop begins.
The Time Corridor is the route that takes us back in time. Walk
can have music.
Materials:
1940'S America
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