Thursday, June 24, 2010
BCOF/John Brown
I knew a bit about John Brown before I read the BCOF, but I never knew so many details. I think that there could be some very valuable character education lessons taught in the classroom by exploring this man and his experiences. There are many connections that could be made from his experiences to situations that happen today. John Brown felt passionate about the moral injustice of slavery. Was he wrong to feel this way? Did it have the outcome that was hoped for? Did he go about trying to solve the problem that he struggled with in the right way? Do we have groups of people who want to put an end to what they feel is wrong in a violent way today? Could there have been other alternatives? I believe that the Harper Ferry type of situation even happens among our youth today, on the play ground and perhaps even in the forming of some gangs. This could be an excellent class discussion, even among fifth graders.
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I have the conversation with my fifth graders about positive choices and if John Brown could have made his point without killing people. This next school year, my school is implementing Covey's 7 Habits and I am very excited to use these strategies as I talk about historical figures. I can't wait to hear the discussion between students this year after they have learned the habits and apply them to their learning. I can hear it now, "What could John Brown have done to make this a win-win situation?"
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