Change - One of the most
entertaining lessons I do (for me, at least), is the lesson on change.
It is a three part lesson. During the first week of class, I create
a video time capsule of the students (an idea taken from Don Gresham
of Deep Creek High School). On this video I ask them personal
questions like boyfriends or girlfriends, ask them to make predictions
on sporting events, elections, etc. Then we let the video "sit"
for the remainder of the year. During the last week or two of
school, I pull it out and do a lesson on change. In addition to
watching the video, which they love to watch, I add two other things.
I do a Power Point presentation that I built created from an excerpt
of a 1950 high school Home Economics textbook. It's a hoot!
For example, the first point "taught" to high school girls in 1950 reads:
Have dinner ready: Plan
ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time.
This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about
him, and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they
come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome
needed.
I also have a set of rules for teachers in
1915 that include such wisdom as, "Rule 4 - You may not loiter downtown
in ice cream stores."
And a set of real and great predictions
such as, "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
--Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943
Each of these activities are real-world
lessons to show students how things have changed already. You
can do as many of these as time permits because the kids LOVE them!
Now that you've discussed past and present,
you need a little future. I have my kids write themselves a letter
discussing the future of the Internet, how it will be used, how it will
vary from today, etc. Then I tell them I will send it to them
in 7 years, so they can make it as personal as they like. It's
a fun lesson to do near the end of the year when you are battling for
their attention, and they learn something, too! And I fully intend
to send them those letters!
Mickey Kosloski
Virginia DECA
