Lesson Planning on Genocide and Memory - Essay Example

Learning Objectives: by the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Describe what practices constitute genocide?
- Define the meaning of the term “genocide” as defined by Article 1 of the Geneva Convention in 1948.
- Evaluate why homicide is considered a crime against humanity.

Initiation Activity [10 minutes]:
- Students will read some news clippings about genocide. They are also encouraged to show pictures of the children in concentration camps.
- Teacher will read the Letter to Daniel which is a father’s letter to his newborn son about the horrors of genocide.

Central Learning Activity: [30 minutes]:
- Students will get in groups of three or four to discuss the reading and share their cultural artifact list, and they will record their discussion answers individually on their handouts to be submitted at the end of class. Discussion questions are in the handout.

Closure Activity [5 minutes]:
- Students will form discussion groups with 3-5 members. They will share their reactions after hearing the Letter to Daniel read by the teacher. They could share their feelings as well as opinions regarding the letter.
- Teacher will distribute the Venn Diagram of Memory and Genocide. The students must write down the different experiences of genocide in the countries stated in the diagram.

Homework [5 minutes]:
- Students will compare the Venn Diagram that they have just made. They also will discuss the definition of genocide and the various practices that constitute it as stated by the Geneva Convention. Among the things that must be discussed is the question: Why is genocide considered a crime against humanity? It would also be helpful if they can elaborate further on the effects of genocide on children like them. They can imagine that they are in a similar situation (homeless, abandoned) and elaborate on how they would cope. They can express it in visual arts through posters with the theme: Genocide is a crime against children. This will be submitted to the teacher and the teacher can call on the students to read the letters or explain the posters to the class.

Synopsis of Smaller Assessments:
- Group discussion and response: 50 points total, based on basic criteria in a scoring rubric:
6 pts = none of the time ; 7 pts = less than half of the time; 8 pts = half of the; 9 pts = most of the time, 10 pts = all of the  the time.