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Lesson Plans


Holocaust, Photojournalism, Bridges

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
MR THOMAS J COURTNEY (SMGP08F)
Tue, 17 Feb 1998 12:43:38, -0500

Everyone,
Hi my name is Julia Courtney and I work at the Quadrangle Museums in
Springfield, MA. I have been enjoying this wonderful resource. I am a
Museum Educator in the midst of planning a teacher workshop at our
museums (we have four: two art, one history, one science). We try to
make interdisciplinary connections via all museums. The topic of our
next teacher workshop is "Building Bridges" to commemorate the 75
year anniversary of the Memorial Bridge which spans the Connecticut
River. We will examine the social and economic changes brought about
when the first bridge was built, as well as the debates which ensued
over its construction. I am looking for activities that we could
connect to art, science, history and literature. I have a few up my
sleeve, but would appreciate suggestions. Thanks all.

For Amanda:
My B.A is in both Journalism and Education. I think photojournalism
is a great way to combine disciplines. My M.Ed. is in Integrating the
Arts in the Curriculum. So I love this stuff! I have used this idea
to motivate students:

Have several students "stage" an event. The rest of the group
witnesses this event and then breaks into small groups and plays the
role of photographer. They need to focus on one aspect or "angle" of
the event which they deem most important, and create sculpture with
their bodies depicting a front-page photo of the event and a
corresponding headline. This might lead to discussion about the
"angles" and purposefulness behind photos in the news. (Have some
overheads made of famous photos). This should motivate them, provided
the "staged" event is something they can relate to. Hope this helps.
Julia :)

For Fred/Chicago:
Last year we had a special exhibition of pitt-crayon drawings created
by Holocaust survivor Gyorgy Kadar. Kadar made the drawings while
recovering from Typhus in a hospital, after being released from
concentration camps. The exhibition ws incredible. We created and
implemented a very successful school program based on his works.
Students, teachers and staff were all moved by the experience. The
National Holocaust Museum in D.C. was very helpful, as was an
organization out of Boston, MA (I believe they have offices in
California as well) called "Facing History and Ourselves." They are
dedicated to educating students and teachers about the Holocaust.
Perhaps you could contact them. We found that the two were invaluable
resources and helped us to create a sensitive, informative, and
accurate program based on their suggestions. Hope this helps. Julia
:)

Julia Courtney B.A., M.Ed.
Springfield Library & Museums